The Ultimate Grand Canyon Visitors Guide

February 5th, 2026 12:00am

Visiting the Grand Canyon like a Pro!

The best air, ground and self-guided ways to experience America’s Crown Jewel of the Natural Wonders.

The Grand Canyon really doesn’t need much of an introduction.  I’m sure the Sentinelese and a handful of tribes in the Amazon don’t know about it (and most certainly don’t care) but everyone else does.  And as a result, about 5 million people come to visit it.

Most come on their own.  By that I mean, not on a guided tour.  But thousands DO take tours to the Grand Canyon.  So, what’s the best way – with a guide, or not?  I can tell you with 100% authority the answer.  I’ve been visiting the Grand Canyon for decades.  I’ve seen the canyon from the rim.  I’ve hiked & backpacked its trails.  I’ve rafted its turbulent waters.  I’ve even guided people to this wonder-gem.

So, in my unbiased view, the answer to that question is – the best way to visit the Grand Canyon is to just visit it. Whether you’re planning your first Grand Canyon trip or you want a fresh way to see this breathtaking geological feature, you’re in the right place. From soaring above the rim to exploring on foot or from the ground, here are the best ways to experience the Grand Canyon — plus some insider tips that will help you save money and skip the crowds.

Let’s start with the guided options.  You can see the Grand Canyon from above, like a condor.  You can see it from the rim, or you can drop below the rim.  Regardless of how you see it, it’s still a breathtaking sight.  In fact, for those who’ve never seen it before, the very first glimpse of it usually makes people say naughty words.  So, read on for some of the best tours you can take.

AIR TOURS — SEE THE GRAND CANYON FROM ABOVE

If you want an unforgettable aerial view of the canyon and surrounding Arizona landscapes, air tours are tough to beat.

The Signature Tour — Scenic Air & Ground Adventure

This is one of the most epic ways to see Arizona. You’ll depart from Phoenix or Sedona for a narrated scenic flight that takes you over Arizona’s vast topography.  You’ll see the sprawling Sonoran Desert, Sedona’s red rock formations, the San Francisco Peaks, and the Painted Desert.  You’ll also enjoy an overflight of the widest & deepest part of the canyon.

But it doesn’t stop there — after landing near the South Rim, your adventure continues with a scenic ground tour of the canyon’s top overlooks and viewpoints. It’s air + land in one unforgettable day.

Best for: First-timers, photographers, or anyone short on time.
Duration: ~6–7 hours from Phoenix
Insider’s Advice: You can purchase lunch from the tour provider, but you can’t purchase lunch while on the tour.  Our advice: pack your own lunch.  You’ll get a better lunch for less money.

Grand Canyon Scenic Tour with a Helicopter Flight

This is one of our most popular options.  You’ll load into a luxury vehicle for a drive to the Grand Canyon.  Your guide will regale you with stories and legends as you drive from Phoenix & Scottsdale, through the Sonoran Desert.  You’ll see the flora change from the harsh, sun-scorched lowlands of the Sonoran Desert—where towering saguaros, jagged rock, and wide-open skies reveal one of North America’s most unforgiving landscapes to the piñon & juniper belt, through the coniferous biome near Flagstaff.

You’ll arrive at the Tusayan airport and board a high-performance Eco-Star helicopters for an adrenaline inducing flight to the canyon.  The pilot flies barely over the trees and as you hit the Grand Canyon the walls drop – and so does your stomach.  After a 45 minute flight, you’ll enter the canyon with your guide and check out this giant gorge from the ground.  The dichotomy of the views is staggering.

Best for: Adventure seekers, those who want deep canyon aerial views.
Duration: Full day (12–13 hours)
Insider’s Advice: This is another tour you should pack lunch for.  There are some options at the south rim, but you’ll spend a chunk of money and wait in line for a while.

SCENIC GROUND TOURS

If you’re not into flying, then we still have some great options.  Whether you’re in Phoenix, Scottsdale or even Flagstaff or Williams.  We have ways to get you to our big hole in the ground.

Grand Canyon South Rim Tours

These tours typically include multiple viewpoints along the South Rim — Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, Desert View Drive, and Hermit’s Rest are favorites among visitors.

If you’re coming from The Valley, then this tour will take you through the red rocks of Sedona in addition to the Grand Canyon.  Are you starting up north?  Then this tour departing from Flagstaff and Williams is your ticket to ride!

Best for: Visitors who want to see the changing landscape, or who are playing up north.
Duration: 9-13 hours, depending on departure location.
Insider’s Advice: The vest advice we can give you for these tours is to just trust your guide.  I know, anticlimactic, but it’s true.

HIKING TOURS

Of the 5 million visitors a year, it’s estimated that between 1% and 5% venture below the rim.  What does this mean?  It means that as you go down one of the trails, the fewer people there are.  But don’t kid yourself – hiking in the Grand Canyon requires a bit of gumption!  What goes down must come up!!

Here are our favorite ways to get your Grand Canyon Hike on.

Helicopter & Scenic Hike

This ultra-premium adventure is not for the faint of heart!  The helicopter flight, departing from Scottsdale Airpark, is an adrenaline inducing thrill-ride.  You’ll get to see some of Arizona’s most iconic landscapes & features as you make your way to the Grand Canyon.  Once there, you’ll board a luxury vehicle for a tour into the park for a scenic rim tour or a hike below the rim.  This tour is truly the ultimate Grand Canyon experience.

Best for: Adventurers who expect only the best there is to experience.
Duration: About 8 hours.
Insider’s Advice: Seriously, the best advice we can give is to just do this tour.  We take care of everything so if you have the resources, this is your tour.

Beginner & Intermediate Guided Hikes

If you’re just looking for a hike below the rim without all the fuss, then we can do that too!!  You’ll meet your guides in Flagstaff, Williams or Tusayan.  From there the guides will lead you on a custom, private, tailored hike on one of the Canyon’s iconic trails.  You’ll enjoy a gourmet picnic along the way.  This tour is all about boots on the ground and when you hike with a guide, you’ll have answers to “Ooo, what is that?”

Best for: Our Grand Canyon hiking tours are ideal for adventurous travelers seeking a guided, up-close canyon experience beyond traditional sightseeing.
Duration: 6-8 hours, depending on departure location.
Insider’s Advice: Be prepared for a heart pumping experience.  It’s all downhill until it’s not.

INSIDER TIPS YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD

Seeing the Grand Canyon doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some lesser-known ways to cut costs:

1. Use the free shuttles - Grand Canyon National Park offers a helpful free shuttle bus system that makes exploring the South Rim easy and budget-friendly for visitors. These white-and-green buses operate on multiple routes connecting the Visitor Center, scenic overlooks, trailheads, lodges, and market areas, with clearly marked stops and buses every 15–30 minutes throughout the day. You can hop on and off as you like — no tickets needed — so you can enjoy amazing views, hikes, and viewpoints without worrying about parking or extra costs. (visitthegrandcanyon.us)

2. Pack Your Own Food - Bringing your own food into Grand Canyon National Park is one of the smartest ways to enjoy the canyon on a budget. Dining options inside the park can be pricey, underwhelming, and often come with long lines—cutting into valuable sightseeing time—so packing your own picnic lets you eat when and where you want, with a view. Just remember to pack out your trash to help protect the park and its wildlife.

3. Stay Overnight in Williams or Flagstaff – Both of these mountain towns are just a hop, skip and a jump from the Grand Canyon.  This gives you more time to spend at the canyon, and the short drive makes getting there before sunrise, or sunset a breeze.  We guarantee that you’ll take some of the best pictures of the canyon ever. Also, both towns boast a great time.  There are great restaurants and tons of other things to do.  Making Williams or Flagstaff your home base is truly an insider’s tip.

4. Go in through the east gate – This is the ultimate tip.  You may, or may not, know that the lines to get into the Grand Canyon when going through Tusayan can get long.  I mean, REALLY long.  I’ve visited when the lines were a full mile long.  Ugh.  But entering from the east gate is a pro-tip.  And to top it off, you can even visit a historic trading post.  Cameron Trading Post began in 1916 when brothers Hubert and C.D. Richardson opened a trading post near a suspension bridge over the Little Colorado River, originally serving Navajo and Hopi locals who traveled by wagon to trade wool, blankets, and livestock for goods. Today it still operates more than a century later, with family ownership and a focus on Native American art, culture, and service to both locals and visitors. If you do visit, then make sure to try the frybread or a Navajo Taco.  You won’t be disappointed.

We hope you enjoyed these ideas and tips.  If you have any questions, or would like more information on a tour, please write to [email protected] and we'll help you plan the ultimate Arizona getaway!!

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