One of the grandest vacations you can take as a family, is a trip to the rim of the Grand Canyon. One of the last remaining world wonders is truly a magnificent sight, and seeing it in person opens little minds to understanding of just how much big our world actually is. While hikes and going deep into the canyon walls can be treacherous for young kids – there are plenty of amazing things they can experience, that makes trip to the Grand Canyon worthy of a visit. Read on for our picks for the Top 10 Grand Canyon Activities for Families.
Top 10 Grand Canyon Activities for Families
Skywalk (West Rim)
Does your little one want to fly? At Grand Canyon West, on the Hualapai Reservation, they can be sky high at 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon floor on a glass bottom platform. The Grand Canyon Skywalk extends visitors 70 feet over the rim of the canyon, with only a see-through glass floor beneath them. This engineering marvel offers unparalleled views of the Grand Canyon, and seriously challenges any fear of height you may have. All ages are permitted; however, children must be able to walk to enter the Skywalk, and carrying children is not allowed for obvious safety reasons. A thrilling, chilling experience for little flight seekers!
Kid Tip: After you are done challenging your fears of heights, bring the family upstairs for a bite to eat at Sa’ Nyu Wa. The menu has something for any appetite, and the prices are not too high. What is high is the incredible view – the entire canyon sits directly below you. A dining experience you cant miss. More on our experience at the Skywalk HERE.
El Tovar (South Rim)
Considered the crown jewel of the Historic National Park Lodges, El Tovar is worth a visit. Located on the canyon rim, it features a fine dining restaurant, lounge, gift shop and newsstand. El Tovar offers its guests full bell service, a lobby concierge, in-room dining, and is considered a world-class travel destination. While a room stay is quite pricey, plenty of visitors come to experience the farm to table dining, the incredible view, or live music in the lobby. In warmer weather the deck becomes a popular lounging space – a perfect place for a drink while overlooking the famous canyon that is only a few steps away.
Kid Tip: We recommend visiting the famous El Tovar restaurant for breakfast. The breakfast menu is more budget friendly, and watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon from the large picture windows is an experience you will never forget.
Eagle Point (West Rim)
A stone’s throw away from the Grand Canyon Skywalk is Eagle Point, a sacred formation in the rock of the Grand Canyon for the Hualapai. This natural rock looks like an eagle with its wings spread. Next to this lookout there is a Native American Village walking tour with replicas of authentic dwellings from various American Indian Tribes. The amphitheater hosts live Native American performances representing many different tribes throughout the day.
Kid Tip: Without pointing out the formation – see if you child can identify the eagle shape. Our son loved looking for the eagle as much as the lookout point itself.
Hualapai Ranch (West Rim)
Explorers of all ages will love to explore Hualapai Ranch, a small (mock) Western town on the Grand Canyon West complex. Here visitors can listen to storytellers and watch cowboy performers, sign up for guided horseback tours, and take free wagon rides, all cliff-side of the Grand Canyon! The ranch is modeled after an old western ghost town, and has plenty of activities to go around. Aside from these activities, the ranch offers a restaurant as well as bar for older cowfolk, and even a mock jail cell for those who get out of order. (At the very least its worth a stop for a jail cell photo opp!).
Kid Tip: The ranch is free to visit with purchase of any of the Grand Canyon West experiences. All performances are free – making it for an easy stop after canyon exploring. More on our West Rim Experience HERE.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim)
Need help mapping out your adventure? Stop by the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, located in the south rim in Grand Canyon Village. Inside the free (!) center, you’ll find interactive map planners, cultural exhibits, a large video-enabled relief map, a Science On a Sphere program, and displays of historic artifacts – as well as fun tidbits on the canyon. (Did you know that you can stack three Empire State buildings on top of each other and the Grand Canyon would still be deeper?!) In addition to this, the visitor center has guidance from friendly Park Rangers to answer any questions.
Kid Tips: Lines can become long at the Visitor Center to speak with a ranger. Try to avoid peak times! There is also a movie called Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder, a 20 minute movie that takes viewers on a rim to river and dawn to dusk journey through the park. Movie starts on the hour and half-hour, and is great for kids.
Image courtesy of the National Park System
Junior Ranger Programs (Various)
Have a little park fan? Have them join the National Park System’s Junior Ranger Program! The NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity-based program conducted in almost all parks, including of course the Grand Canyon. Young visitors have the opportunity to join the National Park Service’s “family” as Junior Rangers, by completing a series of activities during a park visit. Activities include include attending a ranger-led program, writing your observations, drawing pictures, and creating poems, that will be shared with a park ranger. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, and upon completion of the easy requirements, children receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate.
Kid Tips: There are actually three different Junior Ranger programs in the Grand Canyon – the South Rim, North Rim, and Phantom Ranch. More information HERE.
Mather Point (South Rim)
Mather Point is located near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. As such, its one of the most busiest of the Grand Canyon South Rim lookout points, but that shouldn’t deter you from a visit. The point has two overlooks with safety rails built on rocks that project out into the canyon. The view spans from Bright Angel Trail (west of the point) to the South Kaibab Trail, which begins at Yaki Point to the east. It is an expansive view and it is the only point in the park where you standing on the rocks that project into the canyon on the south rim.
Kid Tip: As with anything popular – the lookout point becomes quite crowded. Afternoons and evenings are busiest.
Desert View (South Rim)
One of our favorite family activities in the Grand Canyon was exploring the Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot high building located on the South Rim. The four-story structure was completed in 1932, was designed by famed American architect Mary Colter (who also designed El Tovar!). The tower sits directly on the rim, offering incredible, unparalleled, views of the Grand Canyon from within (especially the rooftop observation!). The multi-level, gorgeous interior is intended to mimic ancient architecture, each level has perfectly placed windows at varying heights (great for kids), and telescopes for taking in the sights. The tower also boasts murals and recreations of Native American petroglyphs, as well as interactive mirror glass, so you can picture yourself with the Grand Canyon.
Kid tip: The Desert View complex includes bathrooms, a gas station, small grocery, deli, and ice cream stop. It’s rare to find this many amenities in canyon county – take advantage of this beauty.
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Antelope Canyon (Page, AZ)
Cant get enough of canyons? There is one more sight just North of the Grand Canyon that you shouldn’t miss! Read more on our experience at Antelope Canyon HERE.
