• Nature walks. Many visitors take a stroll along portions of the rim trail to enjoy the magnificent views. Deer, elk, big horn sheep are just a few of the animals that can be seen at Grand Canyon. This is one of the few places on earth where you may spot the endangered California Condor soaring in the sky.
 • Hiking. Trails range in difficulty from fifteen minute loops to multi-week treks. The most popular trail is the Bright Angel Trail leaving from Grand Canyon Village near the Bright Angel Lodge. During the summer months water is available at the 1.5 mile resthouse, the 3 mile resthouse and Indian Gardens (4.5 miles). However, check to insure that the water is functioning before departing; water main breaks are common. There are numerous unmaintained trails throughout the park for the more adventurous. Guided hikes on many of the canyon trails are available from Angel's Gate Tours .
 • Ranger programs. Programs include historical and ecological talks, movies, and museums. At the South Rim, special Junior Ranger programs are available for children in the summer. Check "The Guide", a free publication distributed throughout the park for dates and times.
 • Motorcoach tours are available year round at the South Rim. Tours are offered for the East Rim/Desert View, West Rim/Hermit's Rest, and for Sunrise and Sunset. Smaller naturalist lead van tours originate from outside the park in Flagstaff, Williams and Tusayan. These van tours typically provide a more personal experience than the larger "cattle call" tours available from within the park.
 • Mule rides. Trips into the canyon should be booked well in advance with Xanterra due to demand. Weight limits of 200 pounds are strictly enforced. South Rim trips operate year round. Private stock users are required to carry all food for their animals, and permits are rarely issued.
 • Star gazing. On your own (fantastic for meteor showers), or with the Grand Canyon Star Party every June at Yavapai Point.
 • Whitewater Rafting trips. Commercial river trips are available from 1-19 days in the canyon. The only one day whitewater trip is available from the Hualapai Tribe's Hualapai River Runners in the far Western portion of the canyon near Las Vegas. The only other option for a one day river trip is a one day flat water float by Wilderness River Adventures in Glen Canyon (just outside Grand Canyon National Park). The most popular section of river for the "true" Grand Canyon river experience lies between Lee's Ferry and Diamond Creek. The Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association provides a complete list of outfitters for this section of river. Private (non-commercial DIY) river permits are also available for river trips up to 30 days in length. The new Colorado River Management Plan is in the process of changing private permitting procedures from a 12-20 year waitlist to a new weighted lottery. For more information on obtaining a non-commercial permit, visit the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association .
 • Imax Movie. Visitor's to the south rim can go to the National Geographic Imax theatre outside of the park in Tusayan to see half hour presentation of "Grand Canyon, the Hidden Secrets". Showtimes are every hour on the half hour.
 • Air Tours. Fixed-wing (airplane) and Helicopter tours are offered by providers outside of the south rim in Tusayan at the Grand Canyon Airport, and also from Las Vegas, NV. Scenic flights are no longer allowed to fly below the rim within the national park. Although, some helicopter flights land on the Havasupai and Hualapai Indian Reservations within Grand Canyon. For a list of current air tour operators visit the Grand Canyon information page.
 • Bicycling is only allowed on park roads. It is not allowed on rim trails or in the inner canyon. The best mountain biking can be found on the North Rim and just outside the park in the Kaibab National Forest. Rim Tours offers multiday mountain bike tours on the North Rim, and bike rentals may soon be available on the South Rim.
 • Educational Courses The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers short (1 to 5 day) courses at the canyon. Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff offers a Grand Canyon Semester for college credit.