South Rim Visitor Centers
Discover Things to Do and Learn in Grand Canyon
The visitor centers are your gateway to discovery, offering the best starting point for exploring and learning about the Grand Canyon. Here, you’ll find everything from essential park information to engaging exhibits that bring the canyon’s history, wildlife, and geology to life. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Grand Canyon National Park or detailed maps of the most scenic trails in Grand Canyon, the visitor centers connect you with the resources and inspiration you need to experience more of this natural wonder.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Centrally located in Grand Canyon Village, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the hub for information, activities, and experiences in the South Rim. As the main terminal for the free Grand Canyon shuttles, the Visitor Center not only provides access to areas throughout the South Rim, but also to nearby trails for classic Grand Canyon hikes. Immerse yourself in learning more about the canyon with interactive 3D maps and exhibits, participate in a Ranger Program, or watch one of the two short films available for free every half an hour.
Verkamp’s Visitor Center
Learn more about Grand Canyon’s history at Verkamp’s Visitor Center, located on the South Rim in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. With exhibits focusing on the Grand Canyon Community, this must-see visitor center features interactive displays to educate travelers on the early days of the Grand Canyon, including what it was like to live and work here in the early 1900s.
Backcountry Information Center
For those interested in learning more about backcountry and Grand Canyon overnight hikes, the Backcountry Information Center offers information, permits, and planning assistance. Hikers must obtain a permit for any overnight hike in the canyon or on the rim, and day hikes do not require a permit.
Image courtesy of NPS.
Grand Canyon Museums and Cultural Exhibits
Yavapai Geology Museum
Perched right on the rim of Grand Canyon, the Yavapai Geology Museum is the best place to visit to learn more about the natural history of the canyon. With annotated displays across the panoramic windows identifying key Grand Canyon viewpoints, an interactive structured map of the whole canyon, and models detailing the rock layers of both the North and South Rim, travelers of all ages can have fun in learning something new.
Kolb Studio
This historic building has been reimagined since its construction on the rim from a home, business, toll gate, and photography studio. Today, Kolb Studio is a must-see Grand Canyon experience, serving as an art gallery and bookstore with sweeping views of the canyon itself. Browse or purchase artwork and souvenirs, or make your way through the exhibits on the Kolb Brothers’ life in the early years of the Grand Canyon.
Desert View Watchtower
The easternmost developed area of Grand Canyon National Park, Desert View Watchtower offers a unique perspective of the canyon’s depths and the history of the area. Climb the tower of this National Historic Landmark for a birds-eye view, or browse Native American art and cultural demonstrations on the ground level with sweeping views over the rim.
Stay
Immerse yourself in amenity-rich accommodations near Grand Canyon National Park.
Tours
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the park, where you’ll delve into the fascinating history that has shaped this extraordinary landscape.