Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
4.5
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- Austin TNashville, Tennessee35 contributionsTake time to watch the video!My wife and I stopped in during our visit. The plaza area around the visitor’s center has gift shops, snack options, and a shuttle center. The main visitor’s center complex is a good first stop if it’s your first time in the park and don’t know what to do. The rangers working it are very helpful. On a whim, we decided to watch the film shown in the visitor’s center. Worth it! It was very informative and very well done.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten April 3, 2024
- Have Camera, Will TravelSouth Bend, Indiana3,723 contributionsThe Main HubIt's a busy area. This is where the main parking area is, so the Bookstore was very busy and all of the sidewalks were packed with people. It is a good chance to use a nice bathroom and there is food if you want to brave the lines. The line for the bus wasn't terrible, which was nice. Just have some patience.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten May 8, 2024
- minimize940314Los Angeles, California3,543 contributionsInformativeThe visitor center provides loads of information and exhibition. There are stores and bike rental place too. The parking spaces are ample, but due to the popularity of the Grand Canyon itself, it may fill up quickly during the high season.Visited August 2023Travelled soloWritten July 14, 2024
- MyraEl Monte, California8 contributionsGrand Canyon South RimIt was a fantastic experience. I would rate it five out of five. The shuttle buses are completely free, and the waiting time is not long. There are many families, but everyone is very friendly. It's quite hot in July, so be sure to bring plenty of water. The bathrooms are also quite clean.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,186 reviews
Excellent
616
Very good
419
Average
118
Poor
20
Terrible
13
mojomo
Texas6,492 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
I recently visited the Grand Canyon for the first time during Spring Break.
Our first stop after entering the park on the South Rim side was the El Tovar hotel for lunch. This was a lovely experience. There was canyon viewing all alongside the rim there. We walked up toward the past Bright Angel Lodge & Village and the Artist’s Lookout gift shop.
On our way back out of the park we stopped at the Visitor’s Center and walked more of the Rim.
I hate to have to write this, but with the current Coronavirus situation, the ladies’ bathrooms at the visitor’s center frequented by people from all over the world were pretty disgusting when I visited the canyon for the first time.
The facilities were nice, but under these circumstances, there needed to have been more frequent cleaning and sanitizing.
This felt like a facility out in the middle of nowhere that had not been tended to in a while.
Our first stop after entering the park on the South Rim side was the El Tovar hotel for lunch. This was a lovely experience. There was canyon viewing all alongside the rim there. We walked up toward the past Bright Angel Lodge & Village and the Artist’s Lookout gift shop.
On our way back out of the park we stopped at the Visitor’s Center and walked more of the Rim.
I hate to have to write this, but with the current Coronavirus situation, the ladies’ bathrooms at the visitor’s center frequented by people from all over the world were pretty disgusting when I visited the canyon for the first time.
The facilities were nice, but under these circumstances, there needed to have been more frequent cleaning and sanitizing.
This felt like a facility out in the middle of nowhere that had not been tended to in a while.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay-cee-1138
Houston, TX501 contributions
Nov 2022
After entering Grand Canyon National Park coming from the south on route 64 from Williams, we found the visitors center on the south rim to be a handy place to stop to get oriented before continuing our visit of the park. One building has a staffed help desk with large wall maps (and even a preserved boat from an early survey of the Colorado River); the other building contains the gift shop/bookstore. There are two or three parking lots surrounding the center. The lot on the east side was the most convenient, since it is the closest to to Mather Point, which is probably everyone's first stop.
Note that this visitors center is run by the Park Service and is inside the park on the edge of the canyon. Confusingly, there is also a place called "Grand Canyon Visitors Center" about five miles south of the park on route 64 outside the park entrance in the village of Tusayan. That appears to be a private business.
Note that this visitors center is run by the Park Service and is inside the park on the edge of the canyon. Confusingly, there is also a place called "Grand Canyon Visitors Center" about five miles south of the park on route 64 outside the park entrance in the village of Tusayan. That appears to be a private business.
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
perrypickerign
225 contributions
Jul 2021
We saw ten times more people at the GC Visitor Center then we saw at all the other view points combined. It was a little chaotic and not laid out very well. It could use more food and bathroom options. We also drove around in circles several times because some of the locations on the maps were closed off. Unless you love crowds or need to eat or use the rest room I would avoid the Visitor center.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan P
Huntington Beach, CA154 contributions
Aug 2021
You can stop by here for information and ample parking. This area is the most crowded and you will see a lot of people at the various trails and vistas. If you keep driving toward the Watchtower, you will get less and less people and have a much better time!
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kekopka
28 contributions
Oct 2022
If it's your first time at the Grand Canyon, definitely stop here! You can speak with a ranger or guide as well as find three QR codes for suggestions based on your available time. There were different options based on if you had 1-2 hours, 1/2 day, or a full day at the Canyon. Very helpful for those who don't know what to see or how much time different things will take.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
István D
Montefiore dell'Aso, Italy54 contributions
Sept 2022
It's closed since the pandemic. If You are lucky (we weren't) You can catch the rangers at front of it. They (teoretically) there from 8am till 4 pm only. We arrived late and next day was a thunderstorm when they have to go somewhere to be ready for rescuing. So, we didn't see any.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeB1952
Santa Fe, NM1,171 contributions
Apr 2021
Rats! We love National Park Visitor Centers and were most anxious to begin our latest trip in Grand Canyon at the Visitor Center viewing their displays and watching the Park video. Didn't happen! Due to COVID the Visitor Center is closed. They did have a cadre of Ranger-types out front to answer questions and provide information. Sure wished it was opened. Maybe next time.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela A
Suwanee, Georgia, Usa103 contributions
Nov 2022
We had the best time visiting here and picking out souvenirs for friends and family. The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable and fun to chat with. They took the time to find out more and then brought us to individual gifts that pleased everyone we got something for. There were also snacks we could purchase for our flight the next day. Very helpful for local ideas (suggestions such as which hike we may want to take based on our experience, for example). Highly recommend stopping in for info, snacks, or souvenirs if in the area.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NatParkLove
Peoria, IL1,906 contributions
Jul 2021
The visitor center area of the park is by far the busiest place with the most crowds. It has FOUR parking lots, so parking was never an issue though you may have a long walk. There are places to rent bikes, a food shop, a gift shop area and the actual VC which is currently closed, though rangers are posted outside for help.
There are two sets of bathrooms but the day we visited, one of the sets was closed for some reason and the other set was not functioning, at least the women's restroom was not. None of the toilets would flush and they were all full. It was quite disgusting, and you had no other option since they closed the other bathrooms. I am sympathetic to places possibly being under-staffed, but you should have functioning restrooms at a bare minimum here.
There are two sets of bathrooms but the day we visited, one of the sets was closed for some reason and the other set was not functioning, at least the women's restroom was not. None of the toilets would flush and they were all full. It was quite disgusting, and you had no other option since they closed the other bathrooms. I am sympathetic to places possibly being under-staffed, but you should have functioning restrooms at a bare minimum here.
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
classic1903
Ventura County Coast, CA173 contributions
Apr 2021
This key meeting point at the South Rim was closed due to Covid-19. The National Park Service did a good job of creating new outdoor signage to help most visitors with their questions. The NPS also was adequatey-staffed with rangers outdoors nearby to answer visitors questions. Great job NPS.
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M husband and I are taking our first trip to the canyon, staying near the south rim for a couple of days. A relative told us about a boat trip that goes through bottom of canyon (this was a long time ago) I can’t seem to find anything like that Does anyone know anything like this? I thought maybe I was searching under the wrong description? Any ideas would be helpful
Written October 25, 2024
Do you pay the park entrance fee before arriving at the visitor center? Are there trails accessible from the center?
Written April 27, 2018
You pay at the park entrance before entering any of the park. There are not any trails until after you are inside the park. There are many trails to choose from with various scenes and difficulty, so research and see which one is best for you and your ability as well as the amount of time you have allowed. Some take four hours and some longer. Also a good pair of hiking shoes, maybe a walking stick and water are a must if you do any hikes! 👍🏼
Written May 5, 2018
how long can i park in lot D? I will be on a float trip, but coming separate from the other group members
Written July 3, 2016
Ummm...not sure about that. Look at the National Park Service Grand Canyon website for detailed info that might help answer your question.
Written July 4, 2016
bli2015
Honolulu, Hawaii
How high is the South Rim Grand Canyon? I am generally in good health but got sick last time when I was at 2000-3000 meter. Do others get sick at the South Rim?
Written March 9, 2015
Believe it is about 6000-6200 feet.
Have had altitude sickness myself, but never had it here.
Generally had it at 8000-10000 feet. One way to eliminate it, is to stop drinks that contain caffeine for a week before arriving and do not drink them at high altitudes.
Written January 16, 2016
quisiera saber si aparte del lunch que te dan en el camino como desayuno, encuentras lugares para comer en el gran cañon y que tan caro es? ya que sales desde temprano y regresas muy tarde. o es posible llevar algo de comer conmigo.
Written March 2, 2015
What would be good places to stay on the South Rim and North Rim of the Grand Canyon beginning May 15, 2015? If available, we would prefer staying at national park lodges, but if they are not available at that time, a commercial hotel/motel would be fine. Thanks in advance.
Written January 25, 2015
We stayed at Angel Bright Lodge, not as expensive as El Tovar and we loved it! Dinette book early and be prepared to be amazed,
Written December 7, 2016
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