In 2023, Grand Canyon National Park (NP) was rated the second most visited national park (NP) in the United States (following Great Smoky Mountains NP). It is no surprise that this geological wonder tops many people’s bucket lists and attracts millions of visitors each year. For families thinking about heading to the Grand Canyon with kids, the most important aspect of planning such a monumental trip may be knowing what to expect.
We have traveled to Grand Canyon NP two times–once before kids and once with a one-year-old and three-year-old. These trips were very different from each other because there are some great activities at this park that are simply not suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. However, there is still plenty to see and do–even with little ones in tow. If you are headed to this beautiful park with young kids, we have done it and have some tips for you below. If you have older kids, there is even more to do!
When to Go to the Grand Canyon
The temperature changes at the Grand Canyon range on average from lows in the 30s to highs in the 90s at different times throughout the year, and the variation within a single day can span 30° (for example, May sees an average low of 50° high of 80°). Like most popular destinations in the U.S., the Grand Canyon experiences a rise in visitors and scorching temperatures during the peak summer travel season (June-August).
To avoid crowds and enjoy cooler daytime temperatures, the best time to visit is during the shoulder season, March-May. September-November would also be a good time to experience lower visitation numbers, but temperatures can get below freezing quickly in autumn, so prepare accordingly. Not only do the winter months involve the coldest and most unpredictable weather, but the North Rim area of the park closes completely during this season. We have traveled twice to the Grand Canyon: once in late May and once in early June. If you are wanting to avoid crowds, we would recommend avoiding Memorial Day weekend in the park, but the surrounding weeks were good times to visit.
Getting to the Grand Canyon
A visit to the Grand Canyon is certainly one of those trips where the journey is part of the adventure. Like most national parks, the Grand Canyon is remote. For anyone flying to the area, the three closest airports offering flights with commercial airlines are located at Flagstaff, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; and Phoenix, AZ.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is about an hour and twenty minutes south of the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon NP. It is the closest town with an airport serving commercial airlines; however, at the time of this posting, it is limited to American and United Airlines flights from Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix. As a result, it may not be the most convenient or economical option for most travelers.
Las Vegas
Because of the limited offerings available at Flagstaff, many people opt to fly to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and rent a car to make the 4-4.5-hour drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim entrance. The main route of this drive (when taking I-11 and US-93) passes the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, which may be worth adding to this itinerary if you are looking to break up the drive. We took this route on our first visit and scheduled a tour at the dam in advance. It was a great tour and would be a valuable learning experience for older kids or teens especially.
Phoenix
Flying to Phoenix is another option. The drive to the Grand Canyon NP South Rim entrance is around 3.5 hours from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. For those who are looking to explore other areas of central Arizona, such as Sedona or Prescott, this would be the ideal hub for arrival and departure. We took this route on our more recent Arizona trip and stayed a few days in Phoenix and then a few in Flagstaff before returning to Phoenix for our outgoing flight.
Since the drives from Las Vegas and Phoenix involve a comparable amount of time to reach the Grand Canyon, your choice will likely depend on any other destinations you are planning as well as the cost from your home airport.
What to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
As with any destination, there are certain activities that are easier to do with younger children and others that are more suitable for older children and teens. So I have organized activities by these two tiers. It should be noted that anything mentioned under the Young Kids subheading is also suitable for older children through adults. Activities listed in the Older Kids section are placed in this tier due to the level of difficulty for children to participate. Of course, you know your own family best, so judge what they are capable of accordingly!
What to Do with Toddlers and Young Kids at the Grand Canyon
Visitor Centers
There are two visitor centers at this park, the main one and Verkamps—both of which are located on the South Rim of the canyon. We always recommend making the visitor center your first stop on your first visit to any national park to get a general idea of the area, check out the daily information (trail closings, weather warnings, etc.), ask any questions you may have, and, if you collect them, get your park stamp. There are also a couple of films you can watch at the main visitor center. If you have babies and toddlers, getting them to sit through a 24-minute orientation film might be the opposite of how you want to spend your time. In which case, skip the film, and get to the canyon. No judgment here; we did it too.
The Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is a 13-mile trail that stretches from the South Kaibob Trailhead to Hermits Rest. The trail is mostly paved. It has some inclines, but it does not involve big elevation changes like the hikes into the canyon. Some parts of the trail are wheelchair accessible. There are quite a few lookout points throughout the entire trail as well as a few observation areas with restrooms (Hermits Rest, Hopi Point, and the Visitor Center). The most convenient part of taking the rim trail is the option to hop on the free shuttle buses that stop at over 10 locations along the path.
Unless your toddler is accustomed to walking 26 miles regularly 😉, we recommend choosing a section to walk and using the shuttle to transport you there and/or back if needed. We brought a small stroller (sturdier but not much bigger than an umbrella stroller), and it was fine for this path, though we have not hiked this trail in its entirety.
Desert View Drive
The drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to the Desert View Watchtower is another easy option for families with young kids. The drive is 23 miles long. There are multiple viewpoints for taking in the gorgeous canyon views as well as a few picnic areas and restrooms along the way. Also along this route is the Tusayan Pueblo, an archaeological site of a Native American village located a few miles from Desert View. From the lookout at Desert View, you can get some of the best views of the Colorado river.
What to Do with Preteens and Teens at the Grand Canyon
Hiking
All of the hiking into the canyon from the South Rim involve steep inclines and little shade. These are not “easy” hikes, but if you have older children and/or teens who are experienced hikers, these may be options that you want to consider on your trip.
- South Kaibob Trail—This trail is 6 miles roundtrip. This would be a good starter option as it is the shortest, but the views are stunning.
- Bright Angel Trail—This trail is 12 miles roundtrip at its fullest extent.
- Hermit Trail—The park system recommends that only experienced desert hikers attempt this hike. This trail leads to both Santa Maria Spring (5 miles roundtrip) and Dripping Springs (7 miles roundtrip). Although the hike is shorter in distance than Bright Angel, it is an unmaintained trail, so the steep areas require extra caution.
- Grandview Trail—Like Hermit Trail, this trail is labeled with park warnings due to its unmaintained path, as well as its extreme steepness. There are two path options, one to Coconino Saddle (2.2 miles roundtrip) and the other to Horseshoe Mesa (6.4)
Mule Trips
One of the more unique activities available at this park is a tour by mule ride. Riders must be at least 9 years old and 57 inches tall for the South Rim mule rides. The 2-hour ride (3 hours total including stops) along the rim spans 4 miles. The park also offers 1 and 2-night rides down the rim to Phantom Ranch, but as of the time of this posting, they have canceled overnight mule rides while the park begins a trail rehabilitation project. The 2-hour rim vista ride is a splurge, and the 1-2-night rides, should they resume, are like luxury vacation prices.
We did the short rim ride on our first visit to the park (prior to kids), and we enjoyed it a lot. It was worth a small splurge for a one-time opportunity to see the park from the vantage point that visitors have experienced since the 1800s. See the park page on mule rides for the details.
What to Do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
We have yet to explore this side of the park, which only 10% of Grand Canyon NP visitors see. Please be aware that the North Rim is about 4.5 hours drive from the South Rim. If you are thinking of spending time on this side, we recommend checking out the park information for the north rim. There are over 10 trailheads beginning on the North Rim of various lengths and difficulties. We recommend checking out the Grand Canyon Day Hiking page for details.
Where to Stay in the Park
Grand Canyon NP offers more lodging options within the park limits than most other national parks. If staying inside the park is important to you, booking several months in advance is key for securing a place before availability fills up. The South Rim has the most options for lodging, but there are a few in both the North Rim and at the bottom of the canyon as well. The park also offers a few options for backcountry camping and RV camping.
Lodging
South Rim
There are quite a few lodging options within the park on the South Rim of the canyon. The lodges on this side of the canyon are run by private companies: Xanterra and Delaware North. Xanterra’s lodges (Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, and Maswik Lodge) are located in the historic Village, and Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge is near the main visitor center. Prices for in-park lodges range from around $200-500 a night.
North Rim
Grand Canyon Lodge is the only lodge within the park on the North Rim. They offer both hotel rooms and cabins. Prices run from $175-450 a night.
In the Canyon
For those interested in hiking or taking a mule ride into the canyon, Phantom Ranch has rustic dormitories and cabins available. Phantom Ranch does not operate on a traditional reservation system. Due to limited space and high demand, they use a lottery system, and 15 months in advance. Children are welcome, though they do not recommend hiking to the bottom of the canyon with children 5 or under. We highly recommend checking out the Phantom Ranch website for more information on the lottery and details on the ranch. Prices run around $200-300 a night.
Camping
There are three campgrounds in the South Rim: Mather Campground, Trailer Village RV Park, and Desert View Campground. Mather Campground is located in Grand Canyon Village. It has 327 sites, none of which have hookups available. There are restrooms and drinking water available throughout the campground. There is a free dump station on the premises. Trailer Village RV Park has 123 sites, 80 of which have electric hookup available (both 30 and 50 amp). A dump station is available. They recommend making reservations 1 year in advance, especially if visiting during the high season (May-October). Desert View Campground has 49 sites (no electric hookup). No dump station is available at this campground. This campground is only open seasonally (normally April-October). Sites can be booked up to 6 months in advance.
A backcountry camping permit is required for camping outside of the above designated campgrounds. See those details here. Travelers looking to camp primitively can acquire a permit up to four months in advance.
North Rim Campground is the only campground on the North Rim. It has 87 non-electric sites. Reservations are available seasonally, sometime between May and October. Although the campground closes between October and May and roads to the North Rim are closed for the off season (December-May), there is a section of the campground dedicated for backpackers. Camping there in the off season requires a backcountry permit (see previous paragraph).
For those looking to hike and camp at the bottom of the canyon, Bright Angel Campground is a popular option. There are only 32 sites, and they fill up quickly, so apply for a permit as soon as possible. There are restroom facilities available but no showers.
Where to Stay outside the Park
Tusayan
The closest town outside the park is Tusayan, about 7 miles south. Tusayan has quite a few hotels from chains like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western to some locally-run lodging like the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, and Red Feather Lodge. We stayed in Tusayan during our first trip to the park since it was just a fifteen-minute drive to the main visitor center. If you are looking to stay close to the park while still saving some money, Tusayan may be the best option since hotels are less expensive here than in the park itself. However, prices still seem to be higher than average overall due to the close promixity to the park.
Williams
Williams is the next closest town with plenty of accommodation options. It takes about an hour to drive from Williams to the South Rim. Prices here are largely lower than those of hotels closer to or inside the park. They range from $50-300 a night with a variety of lodging types available.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is east of Williams, about an hour and twenty minutes-drive to the South Rim. There are plenty of hotels as well as vacation rentals available in Flagstaff. This location works as a great base if you are not spending your time solely within the Grand Canyon but also seeing other nearby sites. We rented a home through Airbnb in Flagstaff on our most recent trip because we were planning day trips to multiple areas: one to the Grand Canyon, one to the Petrified Forest, and one to Sedona. It worked out great as a central hub for all of these locations.
How Much Time to Spend at the Grand Canyon?
As always, this answer truly depends on how much your family would like to do. On our first trip to the Grand Canyon, J and I spent two days at the park. This allowed us to walk good portions of the Rim Trail, drive Desert View Drive (stopping at Tusayan Pueblo and the Desert View Watchtower), do some small hiking trails, and take a mule ride. On our return trip with our boys, we made a day trip from Flagstaff to the park. We popped in at the main visitor center, walked a small portion of the Rim Trail, and drove Desert View Drive (stopping at the watchtower). So if time is limited, one day will suffice. If not, two or three days will allow more opportunity to soak up the beautiful views and add in some extra hiking or other activities.
Is Grand Canyon Kid-Friendly?
We think Grand Canyon NP is worth the trek with kids of any age. However, we also want to be clear that there are some activities and destinations that are not suitable and sometimes not safe for younger children. Our rating above represents this perspective and the overall suitability and safety of the activities.
Toddlers (1-2) and Preschoolers (3-5)
Some of the canyon viewpoints and all of the trails into the canyon lack safety railings. As a result, we suggest that you proceed with caution when bringing toddlers and preschoolers to this location. We know firsthand how kids at these ages are generally unaware of potential dangers in their surroundings. There are other areas in the park that are safer options for little ones (see “What to Do with Toddlers and Young Kids” above). Check those options out, but definitely be aware of risky spots (basically anywhere near the canyon rim that is not thoroughly fenced).
School-Aged Children (6-9)
School-aged children may be more aware of their surroundings and more careful when navigating open drop-offs into the canyon. That said, we would rather err on the side of caution and suggest that activities here may be appropriate for this age group, depending on the particular child.
Adolescents (10-19)
Grand Canyon is a great park for pre-teens and teens because they can participate in the majority of available activities. This age group is more likely to handle open viewing areas and trails with caution.
Ferry Tale Wishes
If you haven’t yet had a chance to see this natural wonder in person, we hope you and your family will be able to make the trip one day and enjoy the stunning beauty of this destination. There is truly nowhere else quite like it in the world.
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