Official Grand Canyon Vacation Planner

Bringing you the best in Grand Canyon travel information!

:: How

To get to the Grand Canyon can be easy or difficult depending on how informed you are.

Here is a map to help you understand the area.

Now, remember that there are several different cities you could come to. Go to our "Where to stay around the Grand Canyon" page for more information. Once you've found the city you want to stay in we'll show you some tricks to avoid the crowds.

Tip #1: Take a tour. Tour companies know where they are going, know how to avoid the crowds and have special parking permits at many of the viewpoints. The best advice anyone can give is to take a tour.

Grand Canyon Tour Information.

Tip #2: If you insist on going yourself, avoid the South Entrance during peak seasons. The South Entrance can have anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hour waits. On the map, the South Entrance is where the town of Tusayan is located.

Click here to learn more about the peak seasons.

Tip #3: When visiting the South Rim, use the East Entrance. To get to the East Entrance, take 89 North East towards Cameron. Turn left on Highway 64 towards the Grand Canyon in Cameron. This will take you to the East Entrance. Lines here are much shorter than at the South Entrance. You can go in the East Entrance and out the South Entrance to make a big loop across the Grand Canyon.

Tip #4: The North Rim is less crowded than the South Rim. It also happens to be harder to get to and less developed but can be a good alternative during the summer months. The North Rim is closed during Winter months due to weather conditions.

Tip #5: The West Rim is an alternative to the South Rim if you are staying in Las Vegas. Many Las Vegas Tour Companies visit the West Rim near Lake Mead to avoid the crowds and make the drive shorter. The West Rim is not quite as expansive as the South Rim but it's still quite beautiful.

For more maps of the Grand Canyon, visit our Grand Canyon Maps Page.