Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

Q: Does this tour cover Desert View Drive?

Yes! The South Rim tour covers all major roads, including Desert View Drive and Hermit Road to Hermit's Rest, with stories at every major overlook.

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.

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim entrance sign

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.

Suggested tour start location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center, 8 S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the audio tour work?

As you drive through the park, stories play automatically based on your GPS location — no tapping or looking at your phone required. Just press play and drive. The tour knows where you are and delivers the right story at the right time.

Do I need cell service in the park?

No! Once you download the tour, it works completely offline. Cell coverage at the Grand Canyon is spotty at best. Just make sure to download before you enter the park.

What app do I need?

You'll need the free TravelStorys app, available for both iOS and Android. After purchasing, download the app, log in, and your tour will be ready to download.

How long do I have access after purchasing?

You have 1 year of access from your purchase date. Use it on every visit during that time — the tour is yours to enjoy as many times as you like.

Can I pause or skip stories?

Yes! You have full control. Pause anytime, skip ahead, or replay your favorite parts. The tour adjusts to your pace.

Does this tour cover Desert View Drive?

Yes! The South Rim tour covers all the major roads, including Desert View Drive (Highway 64) from the east entrance to Grand Canyon Village, and Hermit Road to Hermit's Rest. You'll get stories at every major overlook and viewpoint.

How is this different from the North Rim tour?

The North and South Rim tours cover completely different areas of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is open year-round, has more facilities, and offers the classic canyon views that 90% of visitors come to see. The two rims are 215 miles apart by road, so they're typically separate trips.

Grand CanyonSouth Rim