Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Grand Canyon South Rim

As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;

The historic heart of the Grand Canyon and location of famous lodges and businesses, including the Kolb and Lookout Studios. The Village area is very compact and we will have to park the car and explore the Rim Trail on foot, which is something not to be missed. There are many superb views from the flat trail. The log train station and the mule barn are popular sightseeing locations in the Village.

Considered the gateway to the Grand Canyon, the town of Williams also has one of the best preserved Route 66 experiences along its Main St with diner cafes, shopping and lodging. This is the start location for many visitors first arriving to see the Grand Canyon.

No spoilers - we don't really want to get too deep into why Duck Rock has its name, but you can probably work out why easily enough! Just want you to know that it is a highlight that will be pointed out as we tour along Desert View Drive.

This tiny A-shaped Ponderosa log chapel sits along on Hwy 180 in the Coconino National Forest on the route between Flagstaff and the South Entrance. Built in 1961/62 by the Watson Family who were medical practioners in nearby Grand Canyon. The chapel remains open for all passersby for prayer or reflection, or even just a pretty photo.

The highlight of the 25-mile Desert View Drive that connects the Village to the eastern entrance to the park. The tower is an architectural masterpiece by Mary Colter, in the Ancestral Puebloan style and offers impressive 100 mile views up and down the canyon on clear days. Enjoy the architecture, location and the collection of artifacts contained inside the tower.

Lipan Point is one of the not-to-be-missed stops along Desert View Drive. Look way down to the Colorado River and you might be able to see powerful whitewater rapids. Hance Rapid is one of the most challenging along the river and are a class 7 to 8. One of the most active archeological sites in the Grand Canyon is at Unkar Delta, once home to Ancestral Puebloan people. This is one of only a few places in the South Rim where you can see The Grand Canyon Supergroup - layers of rock strata, all the way down to the Vishnu Basement Rocks, oldest at the canyon.

For visitors arriving from Cameron, AZ, the Little Colorado River Gorge might offer the first stop and sneak peak into what lays ahead after entering the National Park. Although, it's actually one of the largest tributary arms of the Grand Canyon, at over 3,000 feet (910 m) deep. The Navajo Tribal Park offers an overlook and picnic ground facilities for a small entrance fee.

One of the many scenic viewpoints along Desert View Drive, but this is one you won't want to miss. Panoramic views into the Grand Canyon and glimpses of the Colorado River. Popular also as it's the location of the now dismantled Grandview Hotel. First built as a simple mining cabin and then expanded as tourism grew. The Grandview Trail follows an original Native American route, that was also used to access the copper, gold and silver mines, before the National Park was established. It's a hike that requires preparation due to its steepness, sun exposure in the summer months and ice and snow in the winter.

The highest natural viewpoint along the South Rim, and located on Desert View Drive, you can look back to Desert View Watchtower. Definitely a worthwhile stop to make and photo to capture.

Just north of Flagstaff, as we drive to, or from, the National Park, the San Francisco Peaks are a volcanic mountain range and the highest point in the state of Arizona, rising to over 12,000 feet.

Learn about the Puebloan people through the ruins and inside the museum displays, artifacts, bookstore and staff onsite. An enjoyable addition to the frequent viewpoint stops along Desert View Drive.

For many visitors this is the very first view they will have of the massiveness of the Grand Canyon. It's a first impression that will stay with you forever. Easily accessed from a large parking area using paved all-mobilities trail. There is a large Visitor Center and cafe at the same location. It is a scenic and rewarding but flat walk to use the Rim Trail to connect between the Village and Mather Point.

For visitors arriving at the Grand Canyon through the South Entrance, Yavapai is often the second panoramic view they will stop to enjoy after Mather Point. You can dive deeper into the complicated geological story of the Grand Canyon at the Yavapai Museum of Geology. This combination bookstore, museum, with exhibits and visitor center is built in harmonious canyon rock to blend with the surrounds. It provides a covered viewing area with large picture windows. The three dimensional map models allow an appreciation of the scale and colored layers throughout the South Rim.