Must-See Grand Canyon Viewpoints for Families

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the area most people visit. It's open year-round, while the colder, snowier North Rim is closed from early December through mid May. The South Rim also has those classic Grand Canyon views.

It’s hard to say which viewpoint in the South Rim is best because they’re all incredible, but these are the must-visit spots. Note: They are popular and will be very busy during tourist season!

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 Just a short walk east of Yavapai Geology Museum, Yavapai Point is a great place to take a photo,

Yavapai Point

I loved this one because it’s by the Geology Museum and offers incredible sunset views.

Mather Point

This is one of the most easily enjoyed viewpoints with little kids, because it’s right by the Visitor Center.

 Take in the exampsive views and for ice cream and snacks at this viewpoint. 
 

Desert View

This viewpoint is very popular, but you’ll have to drive to get there. It’s worth the trek, though, because you can walk up Mary Colter’s Watch Tower and get ice cream and snacks at Desert View Trading Post & Ice Cream.

The Lookout Studio

This is another one of Colter’s buildings, and the views are just as impressive. It’s located in the Grand Canyon Historic Village.

Can you find the duck on a rock? 

Duck on a Rock

Located east of Yavi Point, this under-the-radar lookout point has a fun formation that looks like a duck if viewed just right (a little squinting may be required). The parking lot is large, so there’s plenty of room if you’re visiting the Grand Canyon with kids.

Hopi Point

This Grand Canyon lookout offers five views of the Colorado River, so it’s worth a stop!

Moran Point

This spot is worth visiting because you can easily view all three layers of sedimentary rock, known as the Grand Canyon “Supergroup.”

Kid-Friendly Visitor Centers, and Ranger Programs

Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is a hub of activity on any given day. Besides ranger talks, this is where you can rent bikes, grab a bite to eat, shop local artisan gift stands, get your kids signed up for the Junior Ranger program, and view short films about the Grand Canyon. You can also learn about hiking trails and their difficulty levels, get activity recommendations based on how much time you have, and see a giant canyon map.

Enjoy a Grand Canyon Village Ranger Talk

There are free ranger talks daily. Head to the Yavapai Geology Museum at 11am to learn more about the history encoded in the rock layers. The 30-minute Canyon Connections talk at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (3pm daily) discusses the canyon's rich cultural heritage, vast ecosystems, and constantly changing topography, and sometimes includes a short walk to Mather Point. Check out the daily calendar for special events like fossil walks, history and art exhibits, and cultural demonstrations.

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The Geology Museum has interesting exhibits and spectacular canyon views.

Watch the Sunset at the Yavapai Museum of Geology

Located on Village Loop Road between the Visitor Center and Market Plaza, this museum has large picture windows offering stunning canyon views (ideal when you have little kids, as there aren’t guardrails along the viewpoints). There’s also a bookstore, a shop, and hands-on exhibits about the park’s geological history. One of the coolest features is the large 3-D topographic map. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset with kids.

Grand Canyon Activities for Kids

Go Hiking

Hiking the Grand Canyon isn’t easy, so there aren’t many trails suited to little children. However, the 13-mile Greenway Trail that goes from the Visitor Center past the Yavapai Geology Museum and onwards toward Yavi Point is great for a Grand Canyon family vacation because it’s relatively flat and paved, so it’s great for bikes, strollers, and foot traffic.

If you have older kids and want to trek down into the canyon, the South Kaibab Trail has a steep decline and incline, but Ooh-Aah Point is just 1.8 miles and offers stunning views, so it's a great option to put on your Grand Canyon itinerary with kids.

Go Stargazing Near Yavapai Lodge

The Grand Canyon is a designated Dark Sky Place, and free talks about the James Webb Space Telescope are held in the Yavapai Atrium each month, followed by a star-viewing party in the Market Plaza parking lot near Yavapai Tavern.

Bike Along the South Rim Greenway Trail

One of the best Grand Canyon activities for kids is a bike ride. Canyon Adventures Bike Tours & Cafe at Mather Point has e-bikes and cruisers for rent. Book a tour or rent bikes for your family. If you have young children, rent a trailer or a tag-along. Squire Resort also offers e-bikes for rent, and there’s a paved trail from the hotel to the Visitor Center.

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A mule ride is an iconic way to spend a day at the Grand Canyon. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn

Ride a Mule

This iconic activity is pricey, but a lot of fun when visiting the Grand Canyon with older kids. Riders must be at least 9 years old and 57 inches tall. You can book a two-hour ride or a seven-hour day ride down to Havasupai Gardens.

Take a Hummer Ride

Booking an open-air Hummer tour is a great way to see the best views on the South Rim. Buck Wild Hummer Tours offers great tours: You’ll learn about park history and stop at lookout spots like Duck on a Rock, Moran Point, and Grand Canyon Village. The most popular tour is the Signature Tour, but there’s also a Family Adventure Tour that includes a dinosaur fossil dig and a stop at the Raptor Ranch.

Explore the Grand Canyon Village Historic District

There’s a lot to do in the historic district, so when you plan your Grand Canyon itinerary with kids, leave several hours open to spend here. Tour the El Tovar, the most luxurious hotel west of the Mississippi upon its opening in 1905. People still stay here, and the dining room is still open; there’s even a room located off the main dining space named after President Teddy Roosevelt, who spent an extended amount of time at the Grand Canyon.

Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio is a short walk from the hotel, and as mentioned before, the views alone are worth stopping by. You’ll also get a chance to learn more about the groundbreaking architect.

Mary Coulter’s Hopi House is a gift store filled with treasures, but you’ll want to check out the impressive exterior, too. It was modeled after 1,000-year-old Hopi village homes, and is yet another example of Coulter's vision and how she took inspiration from the world around her.

Watch an IMAX Movie

The Visitor Center in Tusayan is right outside the park gate at the South Rim, and it has an IMAX theater that’s a perfect addition to your Grand Canyon family vacation. Watch Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time—which is just over 30 minutes long and explores canyon history—before or after your park visit. Kids ages 5 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

Spend a Day at The Squire at Grand Canyon

This hotel is just outside the park entrance and has tons of fun activities for families. You can purchase a day pass and enjoy its two pools, lawn games, bowling, and snacks and drinks from the pool bar.

Tips for Traveling to the Grand Canyon with Kids

What to Pack

Layers, layers, layers! Bring comfortable sneakers, yoga or workout pants, shorts, sweatshirts, hats, t-shirts, and sunscreen.

Staying Safe and Hydrated

Bring a water bottle (or three) to refill as you go. There isn’t water on the trails, but there are springs and water stations at Visitor Centers and the village.

Managing Different Age Groups

It can be tricky visiting the Grand Canyon with kids of various ages because seeing everything sometimes requires long days (meaning no nap time).If the weather cooperates, rent bikes and a trailer for young kids. Or, pick a destination that's far enough away, like Desert Point, that you can drive to after breakfast. Let little kids walk around while older kids climb the Watch Tower, and then—after lunch and ice cream—you can drive back to your lodging before nap time or let them sleep on the drive.

Best Times to Visit the Grand Canyon

The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are spring and fall. It will be warm in the day and cool at night. In the winter, the North Rim is closed, and you'll have to deal with snow and icy conditions on the South Rim. In the summer, while the temperature stays in the 80s at the top of the canyon, it's much hotter at the bottom. Summer is also the most popular time for visitors, which means large crowds and longer wait times for everything from shuttle buses to dining options.

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Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon offers lots of fun amenities for families.

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon with Kids

The Squire at Grand Canyon

This recently renovated hotel in Tusayan offers a slew of activities for families. The 24-hour game room has Skee-Ball, air hockey, bowling, video games, and claw machines. Guests can also enjoy indoor and outdoor heated pools year-round, hot tubs, a splash pad in the summer, nightly movie screenings at the indoor pool, and s’mores around the fire pit, and more. The hotel also offers e-bike rentals, and the paved bike path will take you to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Yavapai Lodge

Yavapai Lodge is located right inside the Grand Canyon park boundaries. The lobby houses a tavern, a dining hall, and a cafe. Some of the guest rooms have bunk beds. Across the parking lot from the lodge is Canyon Village Market & Deli, where you’ll be able to pick up groceries and incredible souvenirs. The Visitor Center is mere minutes away, so you’ll have easy access to bike rentals, hiking, free talks, and more.

Trailborn Grand Canyon

This family-friendly hotel is located in Williams, Arizona. There are so many activities and things to do that you’ll want to plan to spend at least one day hanging out. Ride bikes, play bingo and shuffleboard, swim in the heated pool, go on a scavenger hunt, enjoy a movie night, and dine at Miss Kitty’s Bar & Restaurant. There’s even the option of setting up an in-room camping experience perfect for kids ages 2-5.

Getting to the Grand Canyon

Drive In

To get to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, you can drive from anywhere, but you'll need to go through Flagstaff on Highway 180 to Highway 64. This will bring you to the town of Tusayan, but also the South Rim park entrance and the Visitor Center.

Fly to Phoenix or Flagstaff and Drive from There

Phoenix (PHX) is the closest major airport to the Grand Canyon, and it's just over three hours from Phoenix to the park. There's also a small airport in Flagstaff (FLG), and the drive from there to the park is an hour and 20 minutes.

Take the Train

If you want to add something even more unforgettable to your Grand Canyon family vacation, consider booking tickets on the historic Grand Canyon Railway. Trains leave daily from Williams, AZ, and give you up to three hours in the park and historic village. There's also a re-enacted Wild West "shootout" before you leave the station!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Grand Canyon suitable for toddlers?

If you bring a stroller and plenty of snacks, the Grand Canyon can be a great experience for toddlers, but you'll need to plan accordingly because some viewpoints are far away from the main Visitor Center and require some driving.

What are the best hiking trails for young children?

The best hiking trail for young children is the 13-mile paved Greenway Trail that starts at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the South Rim.

Are there dining options available?

There are lots of dining options near the Grand Canyon, including a cafe at the Visitor Center. You can also eat at the tavern, cafe, or dining hall at Yavapai Lodge. If you stay in Tusayan, you'll have options like McDonald's, Starbucks, and both fine dining and pub food at The Squire at Grand Canyon. Remember to pack plenty of snacks because, minus the trading post at Desert Point, there aren't many grab-and-go options, and no one wants to be out for the day with a hangry kid on their hands.

Is there cell service/Wi-Fi?

Cell service can be spotty in the national park, but there is free Wi-Fi in the Yavapai Lodge lounge.

What is the weather like?

The weather in the Grand Canyon depends on the time of year. While summers are mild and temperatures stay around the 80s, there are also frequent thunderstorms and high winds. In the winter, icy conditions on the South Rim make visits challenging. Spring and fall bring some of the best weather to the Grand Canyon, with highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s and 50s.

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Unless noted, photos by author