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Hermit's Rest

Hermit's Rest: Our most recommended tours and activities

Grand Canyon South Rim: Self-Guided Tour

1. Grand Canyon South Rim: Self-Guided Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 45-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Canyon in 2-3 hours. This self-guided driving tour takes you to all the best vistas, hikes, and attractions along Grand Canyon’s South Rim and tells you the secret history behind this famous landscape. Walk the scenic South Rim Trail, catch a sunset at Mather Point, and much more. Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park. The tour of this natural wonder of the world begins just outside the park, near the welcome sign. Before arrival, download the app that will function as your guide, narrator, and map all in one. Then, proceed into the park and start with hearing the early history of this location. Your first stop will be at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where you’ll find Mather Point, your first good look at the canyon. From there, proceed to Yavapai Point and the Yavapai Geology Museum, where you’ll get insider knowledge on the canyon’s complex geology and how these layers of rock help us see back in time millions of years. Next, head to Grand Canyon Village to optionally purchase snacks and souvenirs. Then, walk along the South Rim Trail. There’s a reason this trail is the most popular spot in the park: the views it offers are unbeatable. As you walk, dive into the peculiar construction of the Hopi House, the enigmatic architect who built it, and the heated feud between galleries along the rim. The next part of the tour takes place aboard the free Grand Canyon Shuttle. Get directions to the shuttle, then head down Hermit Road, which isn’t accessible to cars. Along the way, stop at some incredible vistas including Powell Point, Hopi Point, and The Abyss. Arrive at Hermit’s Rest, which features a hiking trail for the avid adventurer, then head back to explore the eastern half of the park. More great views await you at Pipe Creek Vista and the aptly named Grandview Point, which also features a lush hike below the canyon’s rim. Continue toward Moran Point and get acquainted with the Hopi and their traditions, as well as the Ancient Puebloans who preceded them. Finally, you’ll arrive at the impressive, medieval-looking Desert View Watchtower, offering more spectacular views and snacks to purchase. The tour concludes here, having taken you through the entire park.

Grand Canyon & Sedona: Self-Guided Driving Tour Bundle

2. Grand Canyon & Sedona: Self-Guided Driving Tour Bundle

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! This 60+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Canyon and Sedona in 2-3 hours Discover the staggering views of the Grand Canyon and Sedona's impressive buttes as you drive yourself through both sites with the assistance of an audioguide. Download the smartphone app to begin your self-guided tour and make as many stops as you wish to. Your Grand Canyon tour begins by the park’s south entrance, where you'll hear about the early history of this stunning place. Enjoy stops at Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and the Yavapai Geology Museum, full of insider knowledge on the canyon’s complex geology. Visit Grand Canyon Village for some snacks and souvenirs, then walk along the South Rim Trail, the park’s most popular path. Dive into the peculiar construction of the Hopi House and board the free Grand Canyon Shuttle to see Powell Point, Hopi Point, and The Abyss, before arriving at Hermit’s Rest. Enjoy some more great views, including the impressive Desert View Watchtower, before your visit is over. Move on to Sedona to begin your tour at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center. Turn onto the famous Red Rock Scenic Byway and get acquainted with the spiritual history of this town. Enter the Tlaquepaque Arts Shopping Village then drive over to the towering Chapel of the Holy Cross to find the trail for Cathedral Rock, Sedona’s most famous formation. Reach the Courthouse Vista with spectacular views, then arrive in the Village of Oak Creek, full of more shops and restaurants.

Grand Canyon's SpleSplendor: Your Self-Guided South Rim Tour

3. Grand Canyon's SpleSplendor: Your Self-Guided South Rim Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 45 miles-long tour covers the essentials of Yellowstone National Park in 2-3 hours. This self-guided driving tour takes you to all the best vistas, hikes, and attractions along Grand Canyon’s South Rim and tells you the secret history behind this famous landscape. Walk the scenic South Rim Trail, catch a sunset at Mather Point, and much more. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park. The tour of this natural wonder of the world begins just outside the park, near the welcome sign. Before arrival, download the app that will function as your guide, narrator, and map all in one. Then, proceed into the park and start with hearing the early history of this location. Your first stop will be at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where you’ll find Mather Point, your first good look at the canyon. From there, proceed to Yavapai Point and the Yavapai Geology Museum, where you’ll get insider knowledge on the canyon’s complex geology and how these layers of rock help us see back in time millions of years. Next, head to Grand Canyon Village to optionally purchase snacks and souvenirs. Then, walk along the South Rim Trail. There’s a reason this trail is the most popular spot in the park: the views it offers are unbeatable. As you walk, dive into the peculiar construction of the Hopi House, the enigmatic architect who built it, and the heated feud between galleries along the rim. The next part of the tour takes place aboard the free Grand Canyon Shuttle. Get directions to the shuttle, then head down Hermit Road, which isn’t accessible to cars. Along the way, stop at some incredible vistas including Powell Point, Hopi Point, and The Abyss. Arrive at Hermit’s Rest, which features a hiking trail for the avid adventurer, then head back to explore the eastern half of the park. More great views await you at Pipe Creek Vista and the aptly named Grandview Point, which also features a lush hike below the canyon’s rim. Continue toward Moran Point and get acquainted with the Hopi and their traditions, as well as the Ancient Puebloans who preceded them. Finally, you’ll arrive at the impressive, medieval-looking Desert View Watchtower, offering more spectacular views and snacks to purchase. The tour concludes here, having taken you through the entire park.

The Grand Canyon South Rim: In-App Audio Tour (ENG)

4. The Grand Canyon South Rim: In-App Audio Tour (ENG)

Embark on an extraordinary self-driving audio tour that unveils the breathtaking wonders of the Grand Canyon, an awe-inspiring natural marvel sculpted meticulously by the Colorado River's gradual erosion spanning countless millennia. Commence your expedition at the Visitor Center, a hub of knowledge where you delve into the formation and evolution of the canyon's geological magnificence, a captivating story spanning millions of years. Journey through time as you explore the remnants of ancient Native American civilizations that thrived within the Grand Canyon for millennia. Immerse yourself in the vibrant and distinctive culture of the Hopi people at the meticulously recreated Hopi House. Envision the past as you encounter the remains of one of the earliest campsites and witness the rustic charm of the historic El Tovar Hotel. Marvel at the timeless beauty of Bright Angel Lodge, boasting a fireplace constructed from rocks representing every epoch in the canyon's rich history. Immerse yourself further in the allure of the Grand Canyon at the renowned Kolb Studio, an exhibition blending art and photography, perched on the rim's edge. Discover intriguing tales as you reach Maricopa Point, where you learn of a prospector who might have amassed immeasurable wealth, yet fate intervened. Behold the significance of Powell Point, the site where the declaration establishing the Grand Canyon as a National Park transpired. And from Hopi Point, marvel at the majestic hills bearing the names of Egyptian gods. Concluding your remarkable journey, visit the picturesque Hermit's Rest, a scenic oasis before returning to Grand Canyon Village. Please note that a section of Hermit Road beyond Kolb Studio is closed to vehicles from March through the end of November, except for the complimentary shuttle buses. Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is 35 USD/ vehicle (payable on-site). Credit/debit cards only. HOW IS THE TOUR GOING — Stay flexible: join the tour whenever you want and explore the sights as long as you like. — Enjoy the tour even offline: all audio tours are tested for high quality and easy navigation.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Hermit's Rest

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What people are saying about Hermit's Rest

Overall rating

3.7 / 5

based on 3 reviews

This app had great info, the map was accurate and overall it made it much easier to navigate Grand Canyon Park. It was great to get the audio of a guided tour while taking it at our own pace. We had our dog with us and couldn’t go on the shuttle portion but it was still enough for us to see the other points. It would be nice if the app let you know ahead of time where dogs can/can’t go. There were a lot of people with dogs at the Canyon so I think it would be helpful to many.

The tour was precise and informative. It allowed us to see a multitude of canyon views. The final stage of the tour involved getting on the shuttle which we replaced by driving the section ourselves. The tour still updated our progress regardless. Overall, a great experience

Very useful and enjoyable. The guide automatically triggers as you drive or walk into certain areas. The Grand Canyon South Rim tour was full of all sorts of interesting information about the landscape, history, and culture(s) of the place. Would definitely recommend.

Pleasant voice. Very informative with Canyon information. Love the real-time stops and the ability to pause in order to view the sites.

After brief initial difficulties, everything worked out wonderfully