Grand Canyon
South Rim

About This Tour

A mile deep. Ten miles wide. 277 miles long. The Grand Canyon is so vast it creates its own weather, so old that its oldest rocks predate complex life on Earth. Ninety percent of visitors come to the South Rim—and for good reason. The views are iconic, the facilities accessible, and the canyon reveals itself in layers of red, orange, and gold.

This GPS-triggered audio tour covers the South Rim roads from Desert View to Hermit's Rest. You'll understand not just what you're seeing, but the almost incomprehensible forces of time and water that created it.

Tour Coverage

Mather PointYour first unforgettable view of the canyon

Desert View WatchtowerMary Colter's masterpiece at the canyon's edge

Yavapai PointGeology museum explaining what you see

Hermit's RestHistoric rest stop with stunning western views

The tour plays stories anywhere you travel along the orange route. Just download the tour and start driving along the route.

What You'll Learn

• How the Colorado River carved a mile-deep canyon in just 6 million years
• What each colorful rock layer tells us about ancient oceans, deserts, and mountains
• The Havasupai, Hualapai, Navajo, and Hopi peoples who call this place home
• Mary Colter's vision—the architect who defined Grand Canyon's iconic buildings
• The best viewpoints for sunrise, sunset, and the elusive green flash

What's Included

• 333 GPS-triggered story sites
• Offline functionality - service is spotty on the rim
• Coverage of Desert View Drive and Hermit Road
• Shuttle tips for Hermit Road (closed to private vehicles)
• One-year access to the tour

Know Before You Go

• Entrance pass required — All visitors must have a valid entrance pass.
• South Rim open year-round — The South Rim Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Free shuttle buses — Complimentary shuttles run the Village Loop and Hermit Road routes. Some roads are shuttle-only during peak season.
• Backcountry permits required — Permits are needed for overnight backcountry camping below the rim.
• Road conditions — Call 928-638-7496 for recorded road condition updates.
• Contact the park — Call 928-638-7888 for current information.

For more details, visit the National Park Service - Grand Canyon Plan Your Visit page.