Grand Rim Adventure: Explore With Us

During this fun-sized learning excursion, a Field Institute instructor will weave the canyon's story on a 3.75 mile (6 km) guided walk on paved trails along the largely flat forested South Rim.

Yavapai Coffee Shop

Stop by the Yavapai Lodge^® Coffee Shop for a quick cup of coffee in the morning or to grab food to go before you head out on a hike. Fuel up on baked goods like bagels and croissants, or pick up a sandwich, wrap or salad to go.

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Canyon Vista Mule Ride

The Canyon Vistas Mule Ride is a three-hour, four-mile adventure led by mule wranglers who make stops at various points to discuss the area’s geology, history, culture and more.

Rim Trail

A shady, well-defined, paved trail approximately 13 miles in length, the Rim Trail is excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon and for visitors who desire an easy hike with minimal elevation change. In winter surfaces may be slippery or icy when snowy. Beware of lightning during summer thunderstorms. Leashed pets are permitted on the trail but not on park shuttle buses. Be sure to read up on hiking tips and ways to "hike smart" before you begin your hike.

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Yavapai Lodge Restaurant

Featuring a relaxed atmosphere with southwestern flavor, no Grand Canyon trip is complete without dining at Yavapai Lodge^®. Whether you want smoked beef brisket, a grilled flat iron steak, or a vegetarian meal, there's something to love at Yavapai Lodge Restaurant. Newly remodeled, and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

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Railway Express Tour

After a bus ride to Williams, Arizona, start your day by watching a recreation of an Old West gunfight at the Williams Train Depot before returning to the Grand Canyon by train, with musicians and cowboys to entertain you along the way. This tour is perfect for train enthusiasts and adventure lovers of every stripe.

Trail of Time

The Trail of Time is an interpretive walking timeline that focuses on Grand Canyon vistas and rocks and invites visitors to ponder, explore, and understand the magnitude of geologic time and the stories encoded by Grand Canyon rock layers and landscapes. The exhibit follows the existing paved rim trail on the South Rim of Grand Canyon between Yavapai Observation Station and Grand Canyon Village and is marked by brass markers every meter, representing one million years of time.

Desert View

The Desert View area is a virtual requirement for visitors to the South Rim. It offers some of the most spectacular views of the Grand Canyon, along with an all ages experience that combines history, art, architecture and Native American culture.

Desert View Watchtower

Modeled after ancient ancestral Puebloan watchtowers found in the Four Corners region, the Desert View Watchtower^® is a unique example of Mary Colter's design style. Built in 1932, the 70-foot tower is the highest point on the South Rim and offers stunning 360-degree views of the Painted Desert, the San Francisco Peaks, the Vermilion Cliffs, and beyond. You can climb the stairs all the way to enjoy these spectacular views. The walls of the tower feature murals by Hopi artist Frank Kabotie.

Desert View Deli

The Desert View Deli offers healthy, made-to-order menu items inspired by regional and Native American cuisine, as well as a selection of grab and go foods. Choose from things like sandwiches, salads, southwestern chili and more. It's also a great place to pick up trail-ready snacks.