Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,179 reviews
Excellent
614
Very good
417
Average
117
Poor
18
Terrible
13
Cloud
Frankfurt, Germany573 contributions
Jan 2023
Interesting visitor centre, it odders not only infos (useful and frriendly staff), but also a small souvenir shop and a stunning view.
Written 11 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela A
Suwanee, Georgia, Usa114 contributions
Nov 2022
We had the best time visiting here and picking out souvenirs for friends and family. The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable and fun to chat with. They took the time to find out more and then brought us to individual gifts that pleased everyone we got something for. There were also snacks we could purchase for our flight the next day. Very helpful for local ideas (suggestions such as which hike we may want to take based on our experience, for example). Highly recommend stopping in for info, snacks, or souvenirs if in the area.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa H
10 contributions
Jan 2023
Great place to visit but be prepared to be cold, snow and ice, park service does not use any salt on roads walks etc. Crowds are only at Mathers point.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay-cee-1138
Houston, TX443 contributions
Nov 2022
After entering Grand Canyon National Park coming from the south on route 64 from Williams, we found the visitors center on the south rim to be a handy place to stop to get oriented before continuing our visit of the park. One building has a staffed help desk with large wall maps (and even a preserved boat from an early survey of the Colorado River); the other building contains the gift shop/bookstore. There are two or three parking lots surrounding the center. The lot on the east side was the most convenient, since it is the closest to to Mather Point, which is probably everyone's first stop.
Note that this visitors center is run by the Park Service and is inside the park on the edge of the canyon. Confusingly, there is also a place called "Grand Canyon Visitors Center" about five miles south of the park on route 64 outside the park entrance in the village of Tusayan. That appears to be a private business.
Note that this visitors center is run by the Park Service and is inside the park on the edge of the canyon. Confusingly, there is also a place called "Grand Canyon Visitors Center" about five miles south of the park on route 64 outside the park entrance in the village of Tusayan. That appears to be a private business.
Written 21 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucycan
San Diego, CA3,456 contributions
Nov 2022
Really nothing here other than a 20 min video and a help desk. You could skip it. There is a cafe nearby and a small store. Restrooms too.
Written 25 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kekopka
27 contributions
Oct 2022
If it's your first time at the Grand Canyon, definitely stop here! You can speak with a ranger or guide as well as find three QR codes for suggestions based on your available time. There were different options based on if you had 1-2 hours, 1/2 day, or a full day at the Canyon. Very helpful for those who don't know what to see or how much time different things will take.
Written 21 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn K
Colorado Springs, CO4 contributions
Sep 2022
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is closed and has been through Covid and beyond. We asked employees working the stores, and they don't know why the visitor center has remained closed. Don't plan to go there unless you check with them first. VERY DISAPPOINTING !
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
István D
Montefiore dell'Aso, Italy56 contributions
Sep 2022
It's closed since the pandemic. If You are lucky (we weren't) You can catch the rangers at front of it. They (teoretically) there from 8am till 4 pm only. We arrived late and next day was a thunderstorm when they have to go somewhere to be ready for rescuing. So, we didn't see any.
Written 18 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan W
Grand Lake, CO6 contributions
Jul 2022
We would have loved to visit this place, but it was closed at 2:45 in the afternoon. Lots of people were around, wanting to go in. Very disappointing as this will be our only trip to the GCNP.
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sloomis31
Bristol, WI1,058 contributions
Aug 2022
I wish I could say that the visitor's center exhibits were educational, fun, and interactive. Unfortunately, all we saw in early August were tables and chairs outside complete with locked doors and closed signs. The park ranger I asked about it didn't know if the visitor center closing alert was on their website, but was quite sure that we weren't missing anything. He said, "there really isn't anything in there but things to help people plan their trip." Clearly, that isn't the case thanks to Trip Advisor photos. Somehow it was worth building a multi-million dollar facility for something.
Luckily, there was money to be made at the gift shop so THAT remained open. Masks were mandatory for all the folks who crammed in to look around, but no one enforced the mask rule. Too busy selling key chains and books. If you want a paper bag to carry your goods away forget about it. You have to pay $1 or $3 for a biodegradable bag. The money goes to the park, never mind the government funding every year or the entrance fee everyone pays. The canyon itself and other experiences were amazing. This closed visitor's center was the sad exception.
Luckily, there was money to be made at the gift shop so THAT remained open. Masks were mandatory for all the folks who crammed in to look around, but no one enforced the mask rule. Too busy selling key chains and books. If you want a paper bag to carry your goods away forget about it. You have to pay $1 or $3 for a biodegradable bag. The money goes to the park, never mind the government funding every year or the entrance fee everyone pays. The canyon itself and other experiences were amazing. This closed visitor's center was the sad exception.
Written 10 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mshoemaker6
11 contributions
Do you pay the park entrance fee before arriving at the visitor center? Are there trails accessible from the center?
Kristie A
Woodstock, GA216 contributions
You pay at the park entrance before entering any of the park. There are not any trails until after you are inside the park. There are many trails to choose from with various scenes and difficulty, so research and see which one is best for you and your ability as well as the amount of time you have allowed. Some take four hours and some longer. Also a good pair of hiking shoes, maybe a walking stick and water are a must if you do any hikes! 👍🏼
shawnee81
Salt Lake City, UT1 contribution
how long can i park in lot D? I will be on a float trip, but coming separate from the other group members
OutdoorKidz
Saint Louis, MO869 contributions
Ummm...not sure about that. Look at the National Park Service Grand Canyon website for detailed info that might help answer your question.
bli2015
Honolulu, HI
How high is the South Rim Grand Canyon? I am generally in good health but got sick last time when I was at 2000-3000 meter. Do others get sick at the South Rim?
Robert J
11 contributions
Believe it is about 6000-6200 feet.
Have had altitude sickness myself, but never had it here.
Generally had it at 8000-10000 feet. One way to eliminate it, is to stop drinks that contain caffeine for a week before arriving and do not drink them at high altitudes.
charis G
Xalapa, Mexico7 contributions
quisiera saber si aparte del lunch que te dan en el camino como desayuno, encuentras lugares para comer en el gran cañon y que tan caro es? ya que sales desde temprano y regresas muy tarde. o es posible llevar algo de comer conmigo.
ssvvpp
Norridge, IL167 contributions
What would be good places to stay on the South Rim and North Rim of the Grand Canyon beginning May 15, 2015? If available, we would prefer staying at national park lodges, but if they are not available at that time, a commercial hotel/motel would be fine. Thanks in advance.
Frances G
Cocoa, FL78 contributions
We stayed at Angel Bright Lodge, not as expensive as El Tovar and we loved it! Dinette book early and be prepared to be amazed,
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Claim your listingGrand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim (Grand Canyon National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim:
- Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour with Optional Upgrades (From ₹ 10,081.65)
- 7-Day Tour to San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Zion from LA (From ₹ 1,16,230.63)
- 4-Hour Biblical Creation + Sunset Tour • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim (From ₹ 12,414.60)
- Private Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Tour from Las Vegas (From ₹ 1,20,813.20)
- 6 Hour Grand Canyon Hiking Tour With Biblical Creation Teaching (From ₹ 15,747.38)
- Hotels near Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim:
- (1.79 km) Mather Campground
- (1.30 km) Maswik Lodge
- (2.38 km) Bright Angel Lodge And Cabins
- (1.31 km) Yavapai Lodge
- (4.86 km) Phantom Ranch
- Restaurants near Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim:
- (1.05 km) Bright Angel Bicycles and Cafe
- (1.43 km) Grand Canyon Village Market & Deli
- (1.31 km) Yavapai Tavern
- (2.05 km) El Tovar Lodge Dining Room
- (4.85 km) Phantom Ranch
- Attractions near Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim:
- (0.03 km) Yavapai Point
- (0.03 km) Yavapai Geology Museum
- (1.25 km) Grand Canyon South Rim
- (1.05 km) Canyon Ministries Grand Canyon Christian Tours
- (1.04 km) Discovery Treks