Grand Canyon's South Rim (includes info on taking kids)

April 6, 8:40 AMPhoenix Western US Travel ExaminerAngele Sionna

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Click photos for more Grand Canyon info from Xanterra

The most popular place to visit at the Grand Canyon is the South Rim. Here you'll find several hotels, dozens of trail heads, fantastic views, Junior Ranger programs for kids, gift shops, and restaurants. It's basically THE place to visit for first timers, especially.

You can get to the South Rim by tour bus, train, car, or for the ambitious by bicycle or foot. Entry is $25 per private car or $12 per person. Or you can ride board the Grand Canyon Railway.

Once you arrive at the Rim, you can park in several free parking lots or along the road in designated areas. Then you can walk the rim trail to the visitor centers and more at the Grand Canyon village at the South Rim.

That's where you will find all the "attractions." Among them, the El Tovar hotel. This is the premiere lodge at the rim. It opened in 1905 and has fantastic views and a very relaxing porch with swings that take advantage of some of the world's most breathtaking views. I stayed here about 15 years ago after rafting down the canyon to Phantom Ranch, then hiking up Bright Angel trail. A fantastic experience all around. The El Tovar was a welcomed place to throw myself on the bed after that hike! Whoa! For more info on the El Tovar click HERE. There are several other hotels at the South Rim. Info on all of them can be found HERE.

Also from the South Rim, you can hike or ride a mule down to the Colorado River, which has carved the mile-deep winding canyon we've come to know as the Grand Canyon. They have overnight trips which include the ride, meals, and your stay at Phantom Ranch, starting at $420 per person. Each additional person has discounted rates. For more info on that, click HERE.

Phantom Ranch is only accessible by either rafting down the river, hiking down the canyon, or by mule ride down the canyon. Reservations MUST be made well in advance for both the cabins AND dining services. They book up well in advance so do not just assume you can hike down and eat or stay. Be prepared.

Also on that note, the hike down the Bright Angel trail is tough. You should train for it. In addition to the altitude, it is hot and dry and steep. You should prepare your body. Do not take it lightly. There are other easier trails that you can explore for just an hour or so if you are not physically prepared. It is a fantastic experience and worth doing! Click HERE for more on hiking the canyon.

There are lots of fun things to do with kids at the canyon, including a Junior Ranger program. This program offers kids a way to learn about the area and earn a badge. Kid can also just take part in free activities, like story time, that the program runs. On our last visit, there was a fantastic free story time that met at the porch outside the El Tovar. A park ranger read several canyon-related stories to kids plus sang songs and entertained with wonderful hand puppets. Every kid also got a sticker. It delighted my then two and a half year old! It was also a nice break for adults to sit under the shade tree and relax in the grass.

Even if you're short on time, you can visit the canyon. Just drive up, park, and take in the views. You can walk the rim trail for a few minutes, visit an art studio, gift shops, and eat lunch at one of the many restaurants at the Rim.