Grand Canyon South & East Rim: Driving & Walking Audio Tour
from $15.29
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Overview
Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, so awe-inspiring, that you simply have to see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails on the canyon’s South Rim and fills you in on the fascinating history of the canyon and the Native people who once lived there. So get out there and see something incredible!
Hermit Road isn’t accessible by private vehicle during the summer. The tour will instruct you to park at stop 15 and walk from stops 16-22, then take the shuttle for stops 23-31. The stops after 31, on the eastern side of the park, can once again be accessed via private vehicle.
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, & enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
from $15.29
5 hours
Meet at the start point (no pickup)
Start on Highway 67 near The North Rim Country Store, with the store and gas station on your left. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses, so their staff won’t have information about this tour. The audio starts automatically. South and…
Itinerary
- 1Stop 10 minutes
The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you'll be filled in on the different entrance fee options. Note: The tour is over 30+ miles long, with more than 55+ audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- 2Grand Canyon National Park Pass by
Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park! This awe-inspiring natural wonder is unlike any other place on earth, and your narrated driving tour will make sure you get the most out of your visit. Full of astonishing vistas, unbeatable hikes, and some surprising history, this national park is an absolute must-see for anyone in the USA.
- 3Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim Pass by
You'll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.
- 4Mather Point Pass by
Your first overlook will be Mather Point, one of the park's most popular spots. The views here are simply incredible, offering clear line of sight up to 30 miles across the canyon!
- 5Yavapai Point Pass by
The next viewpoint is Yavapai Point, where you'll get more great views from the canyon's south rim and learn about the tribe for whom the point is named.
- 6Yavapai Geology Museum Pass by
Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon's geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!
- 7Hopi House Pass by
The first stop within the village is the Hopi House, an incredibly accurate recreation of the ancient Hopi dwellings one might have found here while the tribe still occupied the area. This building is also the perfect place to pick up some handmade souvenirs from your visit!
- 8Kolb Studio Pass by
As you continue on to Kolb Studio, the competitor to Lookouot Studio, you'll hear all about the bitter rivalry between the two which almost drove them both to ruin back in the 1900s.
- 9Lookout Studio Pass by
Up ahead are two buildings perched on the canyon’s edge. The one you can see right now is Lookout Studio, and you’ll find one just a little beyond it called Kolb Studio.
- 10Hermit Road Pass by
For the next part of the tour, you'll hop on board the park's free shuttle. Don't worry, your audio tour guide will instruct you on exactly how to do this!
- 11Trailview Overlook Pass by
The first stop on Hermit Road is Trailview Overlook, which offers views of the famous Bright Angel Trail, the grueling path which leads all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. You'll probably even see some exhausted hikers climbing it!
- 12Maricopa Point Pass by
Next up is Maricopa Point, which was once the site of a uranium mining operation. Get the unexpected history behind this while you appreciate the gorgeous views.
- 13Powell Point Pass by
After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.
- 14Hopi Point Pass by
The shuttle route brings you next to Hopi Point, where you'll learn about bald eagles, their importance to the Hopi tribe, and how to spot them.
- 15Mohave Point Pass by
If you've been hoping for a great view of the Colorado River, that's up next at Mohave Point. Here, you'll get a bird's eye view of this tremendously powerful river.
- 16Stop Pass by
Monument Creek Vista, up next, offers a view of the most intense rapids in the park: Granite Rapids. You'll also hear about the first female river guide and how she got her start in the Grand Canyon!
- 17Pima Point Pass by
The next stop on your right is Pima Point, which sports one of the best views of Colorado. When you’re there, stop and listen. If the vista’s quiet, you can hear the rushing sound of water moving along the river.
- 18Hermit's Rest Pass by
So where does all this stuff get its name? Well, back in the mining days, one particular miner had no interest in being around other people. He far preferred the rhythms of nature. He spent most of his life living near this spot, content to while away his days with only the rocks and birds and squirrels to keep him company.
- 19Pipe Creek Vista Pass by
After the shuttle, the tour continues east along Desert View Drive. The first stop along this road is Pipe Creek Vista, a favorite for birders hoping to spot the canyon's rarer specimens, including even the ultra-rare California condor!
- 20Stop Pass by
The next landmark is the appropriately-named Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, which offers a good look at an oddly-shaped rock formation many claim looks exactly like a duck.
- 21Grandview Point Pass by
After that is Grandview Point, and the view seriously is grand. This is also the trailhead for a hiking trail which leads below the canyon's rim and features some truly remarkable sights.
- 22Lipan Point Pass by
After that you'll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park's geology.
- 23Navajo Point Pass by
The final viewpoint along this drive is Navajo Point, and last certainly isn't least in this case. Navajo Point is actually the highest viewpoint on the entire southern rim, standing at a staggering 7,500 feet above sea level!
- 24Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower Pass by
At last, you'll arrive at the iconic Desert View Watchtower, a truly impressive stone structure perched on the canyon's edge. Depending on the season, you can even climb to the top for a view unlike any other. The tour concludes here.
- 25Yaki Point Pass by
A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.
- 26South Kaibab Trail Pass by
The South Kaibab Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Unlike the Bright Angel Trail which also begins at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and leads to the Colorado River, the South Kaibab Trail follows a ridge out to Skeleton Point allowing for 360-degree views of the canyon.
- 27Tusayan Ruins and Museum Pass by
Tusayan Ruins and Museum is a great stop for learning more about ancient cultures. We particularly enjoyed the walk through the ruins with the signage.
What's included
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
- This tour is NOT an entrance ticket to the park
- Offline GPS-enabled route map
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
Not included
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Some areas of the Grand Canyon South Rim tour are only accessible by shuttle—bring headphones for detailed audio instructions.
- For road closures and park entrance fees, please refer to the official park website. To avoid large crowds and enjoy the best views, visit during off-peak hours, ideally early morning or late afternoon.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- You’ll need to take the park shuttle to access an area that is not open to private vehicles. We recommend bringing headphones so you can continue listening to the tour while riding the shuttle.
- Hermit Road isn't accessible by private vehicle during the summer. The tour will instruct you to park at stop 15 and walk from stops 16-22, then take the shuttle for stops 23-31. The stops after 31, on the eastern side of the park, can once again be accessed via private vehicle.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
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from $15.29
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before


