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| Destinations > Grand Canyon NP > South Rim > 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Getting There, South Rim |
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Coming From Flagstaff, Arizona, Desert Route: Take US Highway 89 north toward Tuba City. You will pass Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument. Turn west on Arizona State 64. If you come to Cameron, Arizona, you have missed the turn off by three miles. Follow Arizona State 64 for 57 miles to Grand Canyon Village. This offers wonderful views of Marble Canyon.
Coming From Flagstaff, Arizona, Mountain Route: Take US Highway 180 north through the San Francisco Mountains and Kaibab National Forest. It is 73 miles to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.
Getting To Grand Canyon From Phoenix, Arizona: Take US Interstate 17 north 137 miles to Flagstaff. From there you can decide to take US Highway 89 or US Highway 180 to the Grand Canyon.
Getting To Grand Canyon From Las Vegas, Nevada: Take Interstate 515 South until it ends at US Highway 93. Take US Highway 93 South to Interstate 40 in Kingman, Arizona. Take Interstate 40 east to Flagstaff, Arizona. Follow the directions from Flagstaff Arizona to the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Railway: The Grand Canyon Railway offers day and overnight trips to Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim from their railroad station in Williams, Arizona. From May to September, turn of the century steam locomotives are used, and for the rest of the year 1950 vintage diesel locomotives are used. Prices start as low as $49.95 round trip. The trail departs from Williams, Arizona daily at 9:30 AM and arrives at the Grand Canyon at 11:45 AM. The train departs at 3:15 PM and arrives back in Williams, Arizona at 5:30 PM. You can call 1-(800) THE-TRAIN or visit them at their web site by clicking here.
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General Activities, South Rim |
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At a full 1,000 feet lower than the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has a different climate.  Typically 4 to 7 degrees warmer, the South Rim, although only 10 miles away, gets less rain and enjoys much warmer weather. When the North Rim is buried in snow, the South Rim is still accessible. The South Rim is also were 90% of visitors go to.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is highly developed to handle the 4.5 million people that visit there each year. Six lodges, three campgrounds, nine restaurants, a medical clinic with a pharmacy, a dentist, ten gift shops, laundry, showers, a bank with ATM, post office, telegraph station, mechanic services, beauty and barber shop, kennels, one-hour photo processing, camping gear store, outfitters, are a large number of ranger led programs are available.
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In Park Camping, South Rim |
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The National Park Service operates three campgrounds at the South Rim. The Mather Campground is open year round. There are no RV hookups; but there is a dump station, hot showers ($1 for 5 minutes), a laundry (for a fee), full service store, ice, and potable water. RV's up to 40 feet in length can be accommodated. Generators can only be run from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. With 320 mostly wooded campsites, the Mather Campground is the largest facility in Grand Canyon National Park.
Reservations are strongly recommended and should be made as far in advance as possible. Reservations can not be made more than five months in advance. From December 1 to March 1, the Mather Campground works on a first come first serve basis. You can make reservations online by visiting the National Park Reservation Service or by calling 1-800-365-2267. Last minute reservations are done on a first come first serve basis. Check in is 12:00 noon as is checkout.
If you are going to be arriving late to the park you need to call 520-638-7851 to insure your campsite will be held. The campsite kiosk is manned from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. If you arrive after hours your name will be posted at the kiosk. Go the the campsite you have been assigned and be sure to check in before 11:00 AM the next morning.
Fire grates are provided and all fires must be made in the grates, no ground fires are allowed. Firewood can be purchased at the camp store and the gathering of firewood is against park regulations. Pets are allowed at the campsite, but must be kept on a leash at all times and are not allowed on hiking trails. No more than two vehicles are allowed per site, and no more than three tents are allowed per site. Firearms and fireworks are not permitted anywhere in the park.
Maximum stay is limited to seven days in a row, and 30 days in a season. The quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, however the area ravens are not required to follow this regulation; if you like to sleep in ear plugs are a good idea! Campers should be aware that due to the altitude the park can get cold at night, even during summer months, and should equip accordingly. Fees are $12 per night for a campsite through May 31, 2000. From June 1, 2000 to August 31 of 2000, the rate goes to $15 a night. The rate goes back down to $12 a night for the rest of the year 2000.
The Mather Campground is located at Grand Canyon Village, about five miles north of the South Gate. It is walking distance to the General Store, Bank, The Grand Canyon Visitors Center, and the Mather Amphitheater.
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