Exploring The Grand Canyon With Kids- Fun Activities, Where To Stay, and Where To Eat
Grand Canyon National Park should be on everyone’s bucket list and rightfully so. The views alone are magnificently awe-inspiring even for the young kids in tow.
But you’ll find more things to do than just staring, open-mouthed in awe at the scenery here. Here are some activities with kids that we enjoyed and highly recommend when visiting the Grand Canyon.
Visiting the Grand Canyon is a terrific family vacation and checks off a worthy bucket list!
Check out our detailed family trip itineraries for your next family vacation! We have day-by-day plans with every detail covered- Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Smoky Mountains, Glacier National Park, Badlands, and more!
Which Entrance To The Grand Canyon Is Best?
South Entrance (the most crowded!)
The South Entrance is the most popular (crowded!) entrance to the Grand Canyon but might be best to avoid if you can. Sitting in car traffic is a tough way to start your Grand Canyon adventure! Lines at the most-used South Entrance can take hours during popular times (Spring Break and summer.)
The South Entrance, however, is the closest entrance to Canyon Village (lodging, restaurants, Visitor Center, etc) but you may have to wait in a long line to get into the park.
If you decide to enter here, bring activities for the kiddos and monitor the entrance station’s webcam to see how long the lines are before setting out.
Tip: Arrive before 9am for the shortest of the long lines!
If you already have an entry pass – stay in the left lane as you approach the South Entrance Station and enter through lane 1 (far left).
You can get an entry pass ahead of time at an Automated Fee Machine (card only) at these locations or purchase at any entrance to the park. Or if visiting multiple national parks, consider getting the America The Beautiful Pass (available online and REI stores).
- Entrance Passes- Automatic Fee Machine Locations
- Williams, Arizona, Visitor Center (54 miles south)
- Valle, Arizona, Chevron Station (28 miles south)
- Imax Theater in Tusayan
- Imax Theater – Shuttle Bus Stop in Tusayan
- Grand Hotel – Shuttle Bus Stop in Tusayan
East Entrance To The Grand Canyon and the Desert View Drive
As mentioned above, we entered Grand Canyon National Park through its East Entrance at Desert View as we were driving from Sedona, AZ.
The East Entrance is also convenient for those driving from Phoenix or Flagstaff or those traveling from the east on I-40.
The East Entrance has the advantage of being the least crowded one of the park, and the scenic 23 mile Desert View Drive from the entrance at Desert Tower to Canyon Village has 6 fantastic overlooks of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Its’ a great way to experience the canyon’s scale and simply a beautiful drive.
The 23 mile Scenic Desert View Drive from the East Entrance to Grand Canyon Village takes you past 6 fantastic overlooks of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.
It takes a little over an hour on the incredibly scenic Desert View Drive from the East Entrance to Grand Canyon Village where you’ll find the hotels, restaurants, Rim Walk, Visitor Center, and more.
Our Favorite Grand Canyon Activities With Kids
Our family really enjoyed all of these activities, and we recommend them to families visiting the Grand Canyon with kids. Keep in mind that the days heat up quickly, so most of these activities would be best done during the cooler morning hours.
1. Desert View Watch Tower
The fun begins right from the start with a stop at the Desert View Watchtower upon entering through the East Entrance. This was a super fun stop for the family.
Kids will love climbing the stairs of the tower, and it is the perfect place for their first glimpse of the Grand Canyon.
The incredibly amazing views of the Grand Canyon will be a delight for everyone.
The first floor is open for viewing and cultural demonstrations take place throughout the week. If you want to visit the upstairs of the tower, you must get a ticket (free) from the tent set up outside the tower.
The upper floors of the tower are open from 9-4. The ticket system admits 25 people at a time with a 20 minute time limit.
- You must be present to receive tickets, no tickets are held for future times.
- Tickets are 1st come 1st serve and admission is free to the public.
Restrooms and a market (with deli) are located nearby.
Desert Tower at Grand Canyon National Park 
2nd floor of tower
2. Stop At The Visitor Center To Become a Junior Ranger
Your first stop as you enter Canyon Village will be at the Visitor Center (Open 9-4pm). At the Visitor Center, you can get hiking information, watch a film about the park, grab a souvenir, or more importantly, attend a ranger program.
This is a popular stop, so parking can be limited. Arrive before noon for your best chance to secure a spot or take one of the free shuttles from your park lodging.
Become A Junior Ranger
One of the best things to do at the Visitor Center is to check out the schedule of Ranger Programs and make sure you attend one or two. The rangers are well spoken and make the topics interesting for the whole family.
Kids can also become a Junior Ranger. Highly recommend this activity! Receive a free Junior Ranger Booklet, complete it and attend a ranger program to get a Junior Ranger Bade.
Mather Point Overlook
Within a 5 minute walk of the Visitor Center is Mather Point Overlook. This is a super crowded overlook, but know that you will see equally impressive views with a bit more elbow room by accessing the Canyon Rim Trail which traverses east and west along the canyon rim. (Which leads to the 3rd activity!)
3. Walk the Rim Trail
The easy Canyon Rim Trail extends roughly 13 miles from the Village area near Kolb Studio to Hermits Rest. You can begin at the Visitor Center or from any viewpoint in the Village or along Hermit Road.
The mostly paved and relatively flat Rim Trail offers excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon.
Bring binoculars (An Amazon Overall Pick for $35) to keep it interesting and extra fun for the kiddos!
By using the free in-park shuttle buses, you can customize your hike to meet your needs (hike one way and shuttle back or shuttle to your start point). And younger kids will enjoy riding the shuttles!
Or, just stroll along the section closest to your lodging and enjoy the views. See more about the shuttle system below.
The Shuttle System
The Village (Blue) Route provides transportation to lodges, campgrounds, as well as access to the Rim Trail.
Tip: The Train Depot, Bright Angel Lodge, and Hermit’s Rest Transfer stops each offer a short walk to Canyon views.
4. Bike the South Rim
You can rent bicycles for the entire family from Bright Angel Bicycles inside the national park. Park at the Lot 4 parking area at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Their building is located directly off this lot.
During the summer, they open as early as 7am and they remain open during the winter season (weather permitting). Check their website for current hours of operation.
They offer bikes for both adults and children.
Tip: Bike trailers and tag-alongs are also available for rent. Reservations are recommended, and you can make them online or give them a call.
Riders wanting an easy one-way 5 mile ride with 95% downhill or flat surfaces can shuttle to Hopi Point to ride from there to Hermits Rest on Bright Angel Bike’s “Red Bike Ride” route. They also offer other “routes” as well.
Check out their website for reservations and route descriptions to find one that best fits your family’s needs. Keep in mind that the Grand Canyon sits at 7000’ elevation, so high altitude fitness makes a difference here.
5. Hike Part of the Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trail leads from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon down the canyon to the Colorado River. The trailhead is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge.
Note: This is a strenuous 12 mile out and back hike and is not considered a day hike. However, you can always simply walk down the trail as far as you’d like and then return.
Important! Realize that walking up is much, much harder than going down and the temperatures are rising every minute during the warmer seasons.
At the 1.5 mile marker the elevation has already changed 1000 feet. Here you will find a rest station with water and restrooms (May-October).
We did not make it this far with our young kiddos, but even our short walk on the trail was beautiful and fascinating.
Tips: Hike in the morning before it’s too hot, bring a camera, stick to a time limit, and bring enough drinking water. It is such a beautiful trail and experiencing it for even a short duration is memorable.
Good Turnaround Points on the Bright Angel Trail
First Tunnel
0.1 miles (0.2 km) roundtrip / 20 minutes
Second Tunnel
1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip / 1-2 hours / 590 feet (180 m) elevation change
1½-Mile Resthouse
3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip / 2-4 hours / 1,120 feet (340 km) elevation change
3-Mile Resthouse
6 miles (9.6 km) roundtrip / 4-6 hours / 2,120 feet (645 m) elevation change
Indian Garden – Check with a park ranger before attempting as a day hike.
9 miles (14.4 km) roundtrip / 6-9 hours / 3,040 feet (925 m) elevation change
Plateau Point – Check with a park ranger before attempting as a day hike.
12 miles (19.6 km) roundtrip / 9-12 hours / 3,080 feet (940 m) elevation change
Important! Consult a park ranger before heading down to the Colorado River for safety tips and overnight permits.
Where To Stay At Grand Canyon National Park
If at all possible, stay inside the national park at one of their lodges or hotels. The lodging in the national park books quickly, so make your reservations well in advance.
Take what you can get, but if you have a choice, book either the Kachina Lodge or El Tovar Hotel. They are located directly on the canyon rim and are nicely suited for families.
Tip: If you can’t reserve your desired date, keep checking back on the website. You’ll be surprised how quickly availability can change. If you can only get one night’s lodging, go ahead and reserve it and check back frequently for the 2nd night.
Kachina Lodge– Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Kachina Lodge with a partial canyon view room. It was very nice and clean and offered an excellent location.
You can walk to trails and restaurants from this location and the rim of the canyon was right out the front door. It seemed like the best price point inside the park for its excellent canyon rim location.
Tip: Request a partial canyon view room on the second floor. All rooms come with a refrigerator too.
El Tovar Hotel
A historic hotel on the rim of the Grand Canyon. The El Tovar Hotel is more expensive but beautiful. An excellent location within walking distance of trails and restaurants and the rim of the canyon is right outside.
If you can’t find lodging inside the park, look for lodging in the nearby towns of Williams, Arizona. or Tusayan.
Where to Eat at the Grand Canyon
El Tovar Hotel– Dining at historic national park lodges is a treat, so make reservations for dinner at the El Tovar Hotel. It’s a good way to experience the hotel if you’re not staying there. It’s next door to Kachina Lodge.
Bright Angel Restaurant– Serves diner-style dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. First come-first serve. No reservations needed.
Maswik Food Court– The food court will have something for everyone. It is located within Canyon Village, about a 15 minute walking distance from Kachina Lodge.
For a full list of eateries inside Grand Canyon National Park, visit the Grand Canyon National Park website.
Happy Trails!
Visiting the Grand Canyon is a simply awesome trip. The views are jaw-dropping, and you’ll find plenty of fun activities for the kids. Hope you have a grand time! -Amy
More National Parks For Families
Check out our detailed family trip itineraries for your next family vacation! We have day-by-day plans with every detail covered- Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Smoky Mountains, Glacier National Park, Badlands, and more!
