For most visitors, there are two places to choose from when it comes to experiencing Grand Canyon National Park: the south and west rims. Choosing which one to explore is a simple exercise based on two criteria: 1) Time and 2) Budget.

BACKGROUND

The Grand Canyon is huge. It covers more than 1.2 million acres of land (1,904 square miles). Throughout, it is 277 miles long, starting from Lee’s Ferry in the east and ending at Grand Wash Cliffs in the west. Sitting right in the middle of the Kaibab National Forest, home to the largest Ponderosa Pine Forest in the United States, The Canyon’s most accessible spots for sightseeing are the south, west, and north edges. Most travelers will take day trips to the Canyon from Las Vegas. This makes a trip to the North Rim impossible due to its remoteness. Therefore, your options are the South and West Borders.

SOUTH RIM

This is the most famous rim of the canyon. It is also the most accessible and has many amenities. If you are looking for incredible photo opportunities, this is it. Expect to spend a full day on this tour. Total round-trip time is 15 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off. Prices range from $ 80 to $ 180 more. This price variation is due to how “inclusive” the package is:

  • Does it include meals?
  • Does it include tickets to the park?
  • Does the bus stop at other places of interest?
  • How long can you spend in the park?
  • Is there a hotel pickup and drop-off?

My recommendation is that you read the fine print. It is also at this point that you must decide whether to upgrade your trip to include helicopter rides, horseback riding, or airplane flights. No matter what you decide, know this: The South Rim is one of the best tourist values ​​in Las Vegas.

Standard bus trips to the Canyon begin in Las Vegas and head east. I suggest you take a window seat – along the way, you’ll see Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the country, Hoover Dam, the pristine Mojave Desert, and the unique grasslands of northern Arizona. The key cities are Boulder City, NV, Kingman, AZ and Williams, AZ, entrance to the park. Depending on the operator, you will have between two and three hours to explore the South Rim. The return trip to Las Vegas is about five hours (including rest stops). Expect to be back in your hotel room around 9pm

WEST TIRE

In a pinch of time? Choose the West Rim. This edge is located just 120 miles east of Las Vegas. Travel time by bus is 2.5 hours one way. The total time of the trip, with the transfer to and from the hotel, is 8 hours. Costs range from $ 115 to $ 150. Upgrades are plentiful and include the Grand Canyon Skywalk, horseback riding, Hummer tours, ATV rides, river rafting, and kayak trips.

West Rim bus tours depart from Las Vegas daily. Sites you’ll see along the way include Boulder City, NV, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam. Most tours will include stops at the dam. Before purchasing your bus tour, please read the fine print. It’s also better to buy add-ons now, as fares are cheaper up front than on the day of travel.

The Edge is in Hualapai Indian territory. In fact speaking, it is just outside the National Park boundaries and is referred to by tour operators as Grand Canyon West. The Tribe operates the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge that hangs from the edge over the Colorado River about 4,000 feet below. I recommend visiting the Bridge; cameras are currently not allowed. This is also where you can book a helicopter flight that lands at the bottom (this experience is not available on the South Rim).

CONCLUSION

If you’re short on time and thinking of purchasing a Grand Canyon bus tour, book a trip to the West Rim. If you have a day off and want a real, authentic Canyon experience, RSVP for a trip to the South Rim. From a budget perspective, both tires offer incredible value, but the South Rim bus package is the better of the two. However, you can’t go wrong taking one tour or the other. The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a national treasure that you have to see to believe. If you are in Las Vegas and can visit, please do so. Worth the effort.