Grand Canyon South & East Rim: Driving & Walking Audio Tour

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.

Itinerary

1. The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you'll be filled in on the different entrance fee options. Note: The tour is over 30+ miles long, with more than 55+ audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

   · 10 min

2. Grand Canyon National Park

   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.

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3. Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim

   You'll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.

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4. Mather Point

   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!

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5. Yavapai Point

   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.

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6. Yavapai Geology Museum

   Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon's geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!

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7. Hopi House

   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!

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8. Kolb Studio

   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.

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9. Lookout Studio

   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.

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10. Hermit Road

    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!

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11. Trailview Overlook

    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!

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12. 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.

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13. After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.

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14. 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.

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15. 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.

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16. 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!

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17. 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.

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18. 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.

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19. 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!

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20. 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.

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21. 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.

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22. After that you'll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park's geology.

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23. 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!

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24. 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.

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

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26. 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.

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27. 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.

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How to use your ticket

Ticket handed over by the operator on site

IGNORE THE QR CODE ABOVE The QR code CANNOT be presented for a ticket onsite. The QR simply contains your tour access instructions. Please follow these instructions BEFORE you’re onsite because they require WiFi/signal. 1. Download my Action Tour Guide app: actiontourguide.com/app 2. Sign in/ register with your email (this is will automatically generate a one-time verification sent to your email. That code is NOT your tour password). 3. Go to “My Tours” and select “Enter Password”. Find your password in the instructions email sent by “Action Tour Guide” to you by email and text. 4. Download your tour NOW. Do not wait until you are onsite. BEFORE YOU START This is a self-guided audio tour. No guide will meet you. Entrance tickets, attraction tickets, parking, and transportation are not included. Your tour has lifetime access with no expiry. Use it on any date—no need to change your booking date. For walking tours, we recommend headphones. See how it works: actiontourguide.com/tutorial NEED HELP? Setup: actiontourguide.com/redeem FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq Call: 1-508-506-1844 Email: support@actiontourguide.com Important Note: • South Rim: Open year-round. • Some areas of the Grand Canyon South Rim tour are only accessible by shuttle—bring headphones for detailed audio instructions. • For road closures and park entrance fees, please refer to the official park website. • View this alert: https://www.nps.gov/grca/emergency.htm Note for International Visitors: Starting in 2026, this park will have additional fees for non-residents. Visit NPS.gov for details.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Check current road closures, seasonal access, and entrance requirements before your visit.
• The North Rim is open for the 2026 season, but services and facilities remain limited following the Dragon Bravo Fire. No water is available on the North Rim, so bring enough for your visit. The North Rim closes seasonally during winter.
• Parts of the South Rim tour, including Yaki Point and the South Kaibab Trailhead, are not accessible by private vehicle. Use the free park shuttle and bring headphones to listen to the audio tour.
• Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the largest crowds, especially during spring break and other busy periods.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Travelers

Pricing per vehicle (up to 4 people).

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 267535P20

Activity offered by Travel with Action (Action Tour Guide) via Viator.