Grand Canyon's Majestic South Rim: Top 5 Must-See Spots

While the "best" places to visit can depend on your interests and the time of year, here are 5 highly recommended and popular places to visit at the Grand Canyon in the USA, primarily focusing on the South Rim which is open year-round and offers the most infrastructure:

1. Mather Point: Located a short walk from the South Rim Visitor Center, this is often the first stop for many visitors and for good reason. It offers sweeping panoramic views of the canyon, stretching for miles to the east and west. It's a fantastic spot to get your first awe-inspiring look at the Grand Canyon. However, being so accessible, it can get crowded.

2. Yavapai Point and Yavapai Geology Museum: Situated close to Mather Point, Yavapai Point provides more excellent views of the canyon, including the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch far below. The adjacent Yavapai Geology Museum offers informative exhibits about the canyon's formation, with large windows providing stunning indoor viewpoints, which can be a bonus during inclement weather.

3. Desert View Watchtower: Located at the eastern end of the South Rim, along Desert View Drive, this historic 70-foot stone tower offers some of the most expansive panoramic views of the canyon. From the top, you can see the Colorado River winding its way through the canyon, the Painted Desert to the east, and even glimpses of the North Rim on a clear day. The drive to Desert View also offers several other worthwhile viewpoints like Grandview Point, Moran Point, and Lipan Point.

4. Hopi Point: Accessible via the free Hermit Road shuttle (March 1st to November 30th) or a 2.5-mile walk along the Rim Trail, Hopi Point is renowned as one of the best spots on the South Rim to witness the breathtaking colors of sunrise and sunset painting the canyon walls. It juts out into the canyon, providing nearly 180-degree views.

5. South Kaibab Trail (short hike to Ooh Aah Point): For a more immersive experience, consider a short hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (about 1.8 miles round trip). This offers stunning and increasingly dramatic perspectives as you descend into the canyon. The views from Ooh Aah Point are truly spectacular and provide a different vantage point compared to the rim overlooks. However, remember that hiking down is easier than hiking back up, so be prepared and carry water and snacks.

While these are primarily South Rim locations, if you have the opportunity and the North Rim is open (mid-May to mid-October), Bright Angel Point offers incredible views from a unique vantage point, being over 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim in that area.

Keep in mind that the Grand Canyon West, home to the Skywalk, is located outside the National Park and is managed by the Hualapai Tribe. It offers a unique experience of walking on a glass bridge over the canyon, but it's a separate attraction with its own fees and access.