Itinerary · 2 days · Arizona
2 Days in Grand Canyon National Park: The Perfect Itinerary
Two days is enough to see the best of Grand Canyon National Park without rushing. Here is the day-by-day plan, built around the park's highlights.
Best time to go: Apr–May, Oct. Closest major airport: Phoenix (PHX), about 3.5 hours; Flagstaff (FLG), about 1.5 hours.
Day 1: The icons
- Morning: Walk the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. Start early to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: Hike a section of the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail.
- Evening: Drive Desert View Drive at sunset.
Day 2: Go deeper
- Morning: Ride the shuttle along Hermit Road.
- Afternoon: Raft the Colorado River (book a year ahead).
Going down is optional; coming back up is mandatory. Plan on twice as long for the climb out as for the hike down.
When to go
The best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park is April–May and October.
Best time to visit Grand Canyon, month by month · What to pack
Questions
How many days do you need in Grand Canyon National Park?
Two full days covers the highlights: walk the rim trail from mather point to yavapai point and hike a section of the bright angel or south kaibab trail on day one, then ride the shuttle along hermit road on day two. Add a third day if you want a long backcountry hike or a slow morning.
When is the best time for this Grand Canyon itinerary?
Go in Apr–May, Oct, when the park is rated at its best. October offers the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds.
Can you do Grand Canyon in one day?
You can see the highlights in one very full day by doing day one below and skipping day two, but you will miss ride the shuttle along hermit road. Two days is the sweet spot.