Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour
Overview
Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, so awe-inspiring, that you simply have to see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails on the canyon’s South Rim and fills you in on the fascinating history of the canyon and the Native people who once lived there. So get out there and see something incredible!
Hermit Road isn't accessible by private vehicle during the summer. The tour will instruct you to park at stop 15 and walk from stops 16-22, then take the shuttle for stops 23-31. The stops after 31, on the eastern side of the park, can once again be accessed via private vehicle.
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
Hermit Road isn't accessible by private vehicle during the summer. The tour will instruct you to park at stop 15 and walk from stops 16-22, then take the shuttle for stops 23-31. The stops after 31, on the eastern side of the park, can once again be accessed via private vehicle.
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
Inclusions
- App on your phone: A link to download the Tour Guide App by Action and Password for your tours.
- Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.
- Good value: Buy just one per car. Don’t pay for each person. Save money compared to a bus tour.
- Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
- Private tour in your/rental car: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace
- Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
- Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated, videos, text, hidden gems.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park! This awe-inspiring natural wonder is unlike any other place on earth, and your narrated driving tour will make sure you get the most out of your visit. Full of astonishing vistas, unbeatable hikes, and some surprising history, this national park is an absolute must-see for anyone in the USA.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you'll be filled in on the different entrance fee options.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim, S Entrance Rd about 2 mi east of El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
You'll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mather Point, 2 1/2 Miles North Of Park Entrance, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Your first overlook will be Mather Point, one of the park's most popular spots. The views here are simply incredible, offering clear line of sight up to 30 miles across the canyon!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The next viewpoint is Yavapai Point, where you'll get more great views from the canyon's south rim and learn about the tribe for whom the point is named.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Yavapai Geology Museum, S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon's geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hopi House, Adjacent to El Tovar, Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The first stop within the village is the Hopi House, an incredibly accurate recreation of the ancient Hopi dwellings one might have found here while the tribe still occupied the area. This building is also the perfect place to pick up some handmade souvenirs from your visit!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Kolb Studio, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
As you continue on to Kolb Studio, the competitor to Lookouot Studio, you'll hear all about the bitter rivalry between the two which almost drove them both to ruin back in the 1900s.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Lookout Studio, Grand canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Up ahead are two buildings perched on the canyon’s edge. The one you can see right now is Lookout Studio, and you’ll find one just a little beyond it called Kolb Studio.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hermit Road, Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
For the next part of the tour, you'll hop on board the park's free shuttle. Don't worry, your audio tour guide will instruct you on exactly how to do this!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Trailview Overlook, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The first stop on Hermit Road is Trailview Overlook, which offers views of the famous Bright Angel Trail, the grueling path which leads all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. You'll probably even see some exhausted hikers climbing it!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Maricopa Point, West Rim Drive 2 1/2 Miles North Of Park Entrance, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Next up is Maricopa Point, which was once the site of a uranium mining operation. Get the unexpected history behind this while you appreciate the gorgeous views.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Powell Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hopi Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The shuttle route brings you next to Hopi Point, where you'll learn about bald eagles, their importance to the Hopi tribe, and how to spot them.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mohave Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
If you've been hoping for a great view of the Colorado River, that's up next at Mohave Point. Here, you'll get a bird's eye view of this tremendously powerful river.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Monument Creek Vista, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
Monument Creek Vista, up next, offers a view of the most intense rapids in the park: Granite Rapids. You'll also hear about the first female river guide and how she got her start in the Grand Canyon!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pima Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The next stop on your right is Pima Point, which sports one of the best views of Colorado. When you’re there, stop and listen. If the vista’s quiet, you can hear the rushing sound of water moving along the river.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hermit's Rest, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
So where does all this stuff get its name? Well, back in the mining days, one particular miner had no interest in being around other people. He far preferred the rhythms of nature. He spent most of his life living near this spot, content to while away his days with only the rocks and birds and squirrels to keep him company.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pipe Creek Vista, E Rim Dr Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
After the shuttle, the tour continues east along Desert View Drive. The first stop along this road is Pipe Creek Vista, a favorite for birders hoping to spot the canyon's rarer specimens, including even the ultra-rare California condor!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
The next landmark is the appropriately-named Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, which offers a good look at an oddly-shaped rock formation many claim looks exactly like a duck.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Grandview Point, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
After that is Grandview Point, and the view seriously is grand. This is also the trailhead for a hiking trail which leads below the canyon's rim and features some truly remarkable sights.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Moran Point, Desert View Dr., Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Continuing on your drive, you'll arrive at Moran Point, which boasts a great look at the Colorado River from an entirely new angle.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Lipan Point, East Rim Drive, a few miles west of Desert View, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
After that you'll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park's geology.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Navajo Point, Desert View Dr, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The final viewpoint along this drive is Navajo Point, and last certainly isn't least in this case. Navajo Point is actually the highest viewpoint on the entire southern rim, standing at a staggering 7, 500 feet above sea level!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower, Desert View Dr. Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
At last, you'll arrive at the iconic Desert View Watchtower, a truly impressive stone structure perched on the canyon's edge. Depending on the season, you can even climb to the top for a view unlike any other. The tour concludes here.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Yaki Point, Near East Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The South Kaibab Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Unlike the Bright Angel Trail which also begins at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and leads to the Colorado River, the South Kaibab Trail follows a ridge out to Skeleton Point allowing for 360-degree views of the canyon.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Tusayan Ruins and Museum, 3 Miles West of Desert View Visitor Center Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Tusayan Ruins and Museum is a great stop for learning more about ancient cultures. We particularly enjoyed the walk through the ruins with the signage.
Duration: 5 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park! This awe-inspiring natural wonder is unlike any other place on earth, and your narrated driving tour will make sure you get the most out of your visit. Full of astonishing vistas, unbeatable hikes, and some surprising history, this national park is an absolute must-see for anyone in the USA.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you'll be filled in on the different entrance fee options.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim, S Entrance Rd about 2 mi east of El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
You'll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mather Point, 2 1/2 Miles North Of Park Entrance, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Your first overlook will be Mather Point, one of the park's most popular spots. The views here are simply incredible, offering clear line of sight up to 30 miles across the canyon!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The next viewpoint is Yavapai Point, where you'll get more great views from the canyon's south rim and learn about the tribe for whom the point is named.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Yavapai Geology Museum, S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon's geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hopi House, Adjacent to El Tovar, Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The first stop within the village is the Hopi House, an incredibly accurate recreation of the ancient Hopi dwellings one might have found here while the tribe still occupied the area. This building is also the perfect place to pick up some handmade souvenirs from your visit!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Kolb Studio, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
As you continue on to Kolb Studio, the competitor to Lookouot Studio, you'll hear all about the bitter rivalry between the two which almost drove them both to ruin back in the 1900s.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Lookout Studio, Grand canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Up ahead are two buildings perched on the canyon’s edge. The one you can see right now is Lookout Studio, and you’ll find one just a little beyond it called Kolb Studio.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hermit Road, Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
For the next part of the tour, you'll hop on board the park's free shuttle. Don't worry, your audio tour guide will instruct you on exactly how to do this!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Trailview Overlook, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The first stop on Hermit Road is Trailview Overlook, which offers views of the famous Bright Angel Trail, the grueling path which leads all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. You'll probably even see some exhausted hikers climbing it!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Maricopa Point, West Rim Drive 2 1/2 Miles North Of Park Entrance, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Next up is Maricopa Point, which was once the site of a uranium mining operation. Get the unexpected history behind this while you appreciate the gorgeous views.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Powell Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hopi Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The shuttle route brings you next to Hopi Point, where you'll learn about bald eagles, their importance to the Hopi tribe, and how to spot them.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mohave Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
If you've been hoping for a great view of the Colorado River, that's up next at Mohave Point. Here, you'll get a bird's eye view of this tremendously powerful river.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Monument Creek Vista, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
Monument Creek Vista, up next, offers a view of the most intense rapids in the park: Granite Rapids. You'll also hear about the first female river guide and how she got her start in the Grand Canyon!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pima Point, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The next stop on your right is Pima Point, which sports one of the best views of Colorado. When you’re there, stop and listen. If the vista’s quiet, you can hear the rushing sound of water moving along the river.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hermit's Rest, West Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
So where does all this stuff get its name? Well, back in the mining days, one particular miner had no interest in being around other people. He far preferred the rhythms of nature. He spent most of his life living near this spot, content to while away his days with only the rocks and birds and squirrels to keep him company.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pipe Creek Vista, E Rim Dr Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
After the shuttle, the tour continues east along Desert View Drive. The first stop along this road is Pipe Creek Vista, a favorite for birders hoping to spot the canyon's rarer specimens, including even the ultra-rare California condor!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
The next landmark is the appropriately-named Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, which offers a good look at an oddly-shaped rock formation many claim looks exactly like a duck.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Grandview Point, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
After that is Grandview Point, and the view seriously is grand. This is also the trailhead for a hiking trail which leads below the canyon's rim and features some truly remarkable sights.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Moran Point, Desert View Dr., Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Continuing on your drive, you'll arrive at Moran Point, which boasts a great look at the Colorado River from an entirely new angle.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Lipan Point, East Rim Drive, a few miles west of Desert View, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
After that you'll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park's geology.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Navajo Point, Desert View Dr, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The final viewpoint along this drive is Navajo Point, and last certainly isn't least in this case. Navajo Point is actually the highest viewpoint on the entire southern rim, standing at a staggering 7, 500 feet above sea level!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower, Desert View Dr. Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
At last, you'll arrive at the iconic Desert View Watchtower, a truly impressive stone structure perched on the canyon's edge. Depending on the season, you can even climb to the top for a view unlike any other. The tour concludes here.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Yaki Point, Near East Rim Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The South Kaibab Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Unlike the Bright Angel Trail which also begins at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and leads to the Colorado River, the South Kaibab Trail follows a ridge out to Skeleton Point allowing for 360-degree views of the canyon.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Tusayan Ruins and Museum, 3 Miles West of Desert View Visitor Center Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Tusayan Ruins and Museum is a great stop for learning more about ancient cultures. We particularly enjoyed the walk through the ruins with the signage.
Duration: 5 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
- Good value Purchase only one tour for the entire vehicle instead of taking the bus and paying for each person. You will see a significant saving. Connect your phone to car speakers by a wire or bluetooth. Enjoy the tour by listening together as you drive.
- Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
- Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
- Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
- Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.
- Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
- Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
- Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
- Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
- Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
- Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Tau
August 2021
My family and I really enjoyed this self guided tour. It allowed us to experience the Grand Canyon on our time and terms, and provided us with interesting information about the what were seeing/experiencing along the way.
My family and I really enjoyed this self guided tour. It allowed us to experience the Grand Canyon on our time and terms, and provided us with interesting information about the what were seeing/experiencing along the way.Karyn_C
August 2021
The audio tour is quite comprehensive and fun. Only issue was that the map stopped popping up after the first couple of stops...
The audio tour is quite comprehensive and fun. Only issue was that the map stopped popping up after the first couple of stops...PATRICIA_A
February 2022
Muy bonito viaje en un paisaje impresionante.. en esta época un poco frío pero hay que abrigarse y llevar guantes… un día inolvidable!!! Y la energía que hay en el cañón Colorado es vitalizante….. un shock de oxigeno
Muy bonito viaje en un paisaje impresionante.. en esta época un poco frío pero hay que abrigarse y llevar guantes… un día inolvidable!!! Y la energía que hay en el cañón Colorado es vitalizante….. un shock de oxigenoSean_T
June 2022
We loved how easy was to navigate the self driving -walking tour. It would recommend it to friends and family. Definitely can save a lot of $$$ and time by using this app.
We loved how easy was to navigate the self driving -walking tour. It would recommend it to friends and family. Definitely can save a lot of $$$ and time by using this app.Andy T
October 2022
Could've been much better, but we only got to hit two of the planned three stops. The guide could've done a much better job of time management to get people back on the bus to make sure we had time. We also waited quite a while for a couple that was late for the tour and never ended up making it....
Could've been much better, but we only got to hit two of the planned three stops. The guide could've done a much better job of time management to get people back on the bus to make sure we had time. We also waited quite a while for a couple that was late for the tour and never ended up making it. Had we not waited, we may have still made the last planned stop.Mike K
October 2022
The self guided tour was absolutely perfect for us because it provided maximum flexibility. It was very educational. I’d highly recommend it.
The self guided tour was absolutely perfect for us because it provided maximum flexibility. It was very educational. I’d highly recommend it.