Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour

101 Reviews | Grand Canyon National Park, USA

or call us

Chat now

3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Mobile ticket

Instant confirmation

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, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, & enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

What's Included

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!
Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone

Entry ticket to Grand Canyon.
Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

See 5 more See 5 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Grand Canyon Village

The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you'll be filled in on the different entrance fee options.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grand Canyon National Park (Pass By)

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: The tour is over 30+ miles long, with more than 55+ audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete.Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.

South Kaibab Trail (Pass By)

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 (Pass By)

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.

Show 25 more stops

Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
How to start touring: 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 No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Some areas of the Grand Canyon South Rim tour are only accessible by shuttle—bring headphones for detailed audio instructions.
The North Rim is currently closed due to the White Sage Fire near Jacob Lake. Hwy 89A to Fredonia is closed, but 89A east to Page remains open. Travel calmly on paved roads only. The North Rim day-use area is closed until further notice.
For road closures and park entrance fees, please refer to the official park website. To avoid large crowds and enjoy the best views, visit during off-peak hours, ideally early morning or late afternoon.
Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (MST). Read more Apr 2025