Grand Canyon Self-Guided Tour: Explore South & East Rim

Embark on a self-guided tour of the Grand Canyon’s South and East Rim, exploring the best vistas and hiking trails while learning about its fascinating history. Download the Tour Guide App and get ready for an incredible adventure!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Grand Canyon National Park - 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.

Note: This 45-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Canyon in 2-3 hours.

  • Grand Canyon Village - The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you’ll be filled in on the different entrance fee options.
  • Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim - You’ll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.
  • Mather Point - 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!
  • Yavapai Point - 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.
  • Yavapai Geology Museum - Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon’s geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!
  • Hopi House - 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!
  • Kolb Studio - 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.
  • Lookout Studio - 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.
  • Hermit Road - 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!
  • Trailview Overlook - 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!
  • Maricopa Point - 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.
  • Powell Point - After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.
  • Hopi Point - 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.
  • Mohave Point - 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.
  • Monument Creek Vista - 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!
  • Pima Point - 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.
  • Hermit’s Rest - 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.
  • Pipe Creek Vista - 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!
  • Duck on a Rock Viewpoint - 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.
  • Grandview Point - 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.
  • Lipan Point - After that you’ll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park’s geology.
  • Navajo Point - 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!
  • Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower - 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.
  • Yaki Point - A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.
  • South Kaibab Trail - 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.
  • Tusayan Ruins and Museum - 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.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Entry ticket to Grand Canyon.
Additional Information

Experience the stunning beauty of one of the planet’s natural marvels. The Grand Canyon is so enormous and breathtaking that it needs to be seen in person to really grasp its vastness. This tour lets you explore the best viewpoints and hiking paths on the canyon’s South Rim while educating you about the interesting past of the canyon and the indigenous inhabitants who once resided there. So take the chance and witness something truly exceptional!

During the summer, private vehicles are not allowed on Hermit Road. The tour guide will direct you to park at stop 15 and walk between stops 16-22, afterwards taking the shuttle for stops 23-31. Beyond stop 31, located on the eastern part of the park, you can drive your private vehicle again.

Post-booking, check your email to download the Tour Guide App by Action, input your exclusive code, and unlock your tour. The above steps need a strong internet/wifi connection. All you need to do after is to follow the audio guide and the mapped route.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • For the tour guide app to function as intended, iPhones must be iOS 13 or above and Androids must be version 9 or above.
Location
450 AZ-64
Arizona 64
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.9
(82 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Matthew_m
Aug 6, 2024
Fantastic and Memorable - I lived in AZ at one time. Came back after many years, and saw wonderful things with my girlfriend that I didn’t know existed. We created wonderful memories. It was so special that she was teary-eyed when she finally saw the Grand Canyon for the first time.
Review provided by Viator
Rhonda_h
Jul 25, 2024
Grand Canyon trip - The app worked great for us. Definitely download before you go, when you have wifi access. Would use this app again.
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_t
Jul 17, 2024
Once we finished it how... - Once we finished it how it worked it was great we loved to having inside as we stopped at various the Point
Review provided by Viator
Barcodeuk
Jul 7, 2024
Good balanced information as you travel - This was so easy to use, and there was just the right amount of chatter at each location. Download it to your GPS-enabled device, and it automatically triggers as you approach a point. It made us want to stop at more points than we had planned.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U4114zkpablom
May 30, 2024
Practical and informative tour - Very pratical way to tour the Grand Canyon at your own pace with interesting information as you travel through the route
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passenger30932634306
Apr 18, 2024
Grand canyon East Rim - Enjoyed the moment by following the audio tour guide - amazing views and learning the history and the knowledge about the grand canyon
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_e
Jun 22, 2024
We downloaded the app for... - We downloaded the app for the South rim driving tour at the Grand Canyon. We liked the stories and the historical background of the various points in the park. It was a very helpful app and added understanding to our visit.
Review provided by Viator
Sk_s
Jun 26, 2024
A little confusing - I found it a little confusing. I'm old and not good with new technology. That being said the voice and stories where fine.
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_k
Jul 11, 2024
Bad - Wasn’t able to use it. Not working. Could not find where it started. Bogus. Not easy to use at all. Made no sense.
Review provided by Viator
Unknown_a
May 26, 2024
Scam don't do it - Scam, you still pay to enter park. Then all they offer is already free. DON'T DO IT! LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE.
Review provided by Viator
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