3-Day Grand Canyon Itinerary

Pre-dawn drive from Las Vegas to the South Rim

Leave by 5 AM and take US-93, I-40 and AZ-64 via Kingman and Williams, about 275 miles. Shorter option: Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk, about 2.5 hours away on Hualapai land.

Mather Point and Yavapai Point

Park at the visitor center, walk to Mather Point, then follow the Rim Trail about 0.7 miles to Yavapai Point and its geology museum.

Hermit Road shuttle or Desert View Drive

Ride the free Hermit Road shuttle to Hopi and Mohave points, or drive east on Desert View Drive to the Watchtower. Head back by about 3:30 PM.

Return via Hoover Dam to Las Vegas

Stop at the bypass bridge walkway above Hoover Dam if light allows, and reach Las Vegas around 9-10 PM. On a longer trip, stay at the rim instead.

Sunrise at Mather Point or Yavapai Point

Watch the canyon light up from Mather or Yavapai Point, then grab breakfast in Grand Canyon Village.

Partial hike down the Bright Angel Trail

Hike to the 1.5-Mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip) or, if fit, the 3-Mile Resthouse. Carry water and snacks, and allow twice as long for the climb out.

Grand Canyon Village historic district

Explore the historic El Tovar Hotel, Hopi House and Kolb Studio, perched on the rim, and rest in the shade after the hike.

Sunset at Hopi Point

Ride the Hermit Road shuttle to Hopi Point, one of the best sunset spots on the South Rim, then dine in the Village or Tusayan.

Grandview Point and Moran Point

Drive east on Desert View Drive and stop at Grandview and Moran points, some of the widest views on the South Rim.

Tusayan Ruin and Museum

Visit the small Tusayan Ruin, an Ancestral Puebloan village site about 800 years old, with a short self-guided trail.

Desert View Watchtower

Climb Mary Colter's 1932 stone Watchtower for views of the Colorado River and Painted Desert, and see the Hopi murals inside.

Sunset at Lipan Point

Watch sunset from Lipan Point, with river views below, then return to the Village or continue east to Cameron for the night.