7 Best things to see & do in Grand Canyon National Park

One of the world’s greatest white-water rafting adventures on the Colorado River, 160 rapids through 280 miles of the incomparable Grand Canyon. One- to 21-day trips available, of varying grades.

One of the world’s greatest helicopter flights gives a bird’s eye view of this gargantuan geological phenomenon. Flights may also take in Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the Valley of Fire.

This spectacular 23-mile drive takes you along the Canyon’s southern rim to the Desert View Services Area, with regular viewpoints (with parking) along the way. Views are jaw-dropping and guaranteed to give you your fill of Canyon landscapes (and photographs). It’s the only place in the Park where you can self-drive – well worth it if you have a car.

The vertiginous South Kaibab Trail is a stunning hike on a well-maintained dirt trail. There are 3 main stop points: Ooh-Aah Point (1 mile), Cedar Ridge (1.5 miles) and Skeleton Point (3 miles), so you can choose what suits you. The route descends nearly 1,000m to the river; allow twice the time and effort coming back. It begins at Yaki Point. Access by shuttle bus from the South Rim.

This 7-mile each way trail, departing from the South Rim, is a popular (but long) single day hike that gets you out into the scenery, down to the canyon floor. There are resthouses and distance markers en-route. Remember – it’s a fairly easy walk down, but harder work to come back up.

This geological stunner is located near the town of Page, Arizona, a 2.5-hour drive from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. The lookout point is a 10-minute walk from the car park. You can also kayak, raft and tour by helicopter.

This U-shaped cantilever bridge, built by the Hualapai on the concession at the West Rim, is 10 feet wide, has 6 feet tall walls, and extends 70 feet out from Eagle Point. Stepping out, you look down 4,000 feet into the Canyon through the 5 layers of 2.5-inch-thick, reinforced glass – sufficiently strong to withstand a bomb blast!