Experiences near Grand Canyon National Park

Tours, guides, rentals, and adventures around Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon's Signature Experiences

Mule rides into the canyon are one of Grand Canyon's most iconic experiences, run through the park's concessioner and requiring advance reservations — the overnight Phantom Ranch mule trip in particular is booked through the same 15-month advance lottery as Phantom Ranch lodging itself. Whitewater rafting the Colorado River through the canyon requires either a commercial trip with an authorized outfitter (bookable well in advance) or a noncommercial permit awarded through the park's own weighted lottery system. Scenic helicopter and small-plane air tours operate primarily out of Tusayan and Las Vegas.

133 listings found

The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center building surrounded by ponderosa pines near the Grand Canyon North Rim in Arizona.
Points of InterestGrand Canyon Village

Kaibab National Forest

Scenic wooded area with 300+ miles of trails, plus activities such as camping, boating & fishing.

(9,232)
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center entrance sign in Kanab, Utah, under a partly cloudy sky.
Tour OperatorKanab

Kanab Visitor Center

Desert trails lead to this sandstone rock formation popular for its intersecting U-shaped troughs.

(1,510)
Points of InterestWilliams

Keepers of the wild

A little-known Route 66 stop in downtown Williams

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A wooden boardwalk trail leads beneath a brilliant Milky Way sky above silhouetted pines in northern Arizona.
Points of InterestFlagstaff

Lava Flow Trail

An easy walk across a frozen lava field near Flagstaff

(941)
A child in a blue cap explores the rocky entrance of Lava River Cave surrounded by Arizona ponderosa pine forest.
Points of InterestFlagstaff

Lava River Cave

Mile-long underground lava tunnel, with a rugged path for hiking & exploring.

(1,935)
Le Fevre Overlook
Points of InterestFredonia

Le Fevre Overlook

A five-minute stop with a 7,000-foot view of the Grand Staircase

(795)
Points of InterestGrand Canyon interior

Lockett Lake

A dry lakebed clearing in the pines south of the South Rim

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Historic Lookout Studio perched on the South Rim at Grand Canyon Village with visitors exploring outside.
Points of InterestGrand Canyon Village

Lookout Studio

Photography is popular at this rubble-stone studio turned historic landmark with a gift shop.

(388)
The historic Clark refractor telescope inside Lowell Observatory's wooden dome in Flagstaff, Arizona, near Grand Canyon.
Points of InterestFlagstaff

Lowell Observatory

Founded in 1894, this hilltop center with giant telescopes offers tours, solar viewing & stargazing.

(5,687)

Grand Canyon Experiences FAQ

How far ahead do I need to book a mule ride?

Well in advance, especially for the overnight Phantom Ranch trip, which shares the same 15-month advance lottery system as Phantom Ranch lodging. Day-only mule rides on the rim have a somewhat shorter booking window but still fill up.

Can I raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon without a permit?

Not on your own — noncommercial rafting requires a permit through the park's weighted lottery system, which can take years to draw. A commercial trip with an authorized outfitter is the more accessible option and doesn't require winning that lottery.

Where do Grand Canyon helicopter tours depart from?

Most operate out of Tusayan, just outside the South Entrance, or from Las Vegas for tours combining the canyon with a longer flight.