15 Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon in July – 2024 Ultimate Guide

Visiting the Grand Canyon in July is a great time to visit. July is a busy time to visit but the crowds are starting to arrive especially toward the end of the month.

I’ve included all of the things to do in the Grand Canyon in July and tips and tricks for visiting. You can also use the Grand Canyon self guided tour to learn more about the Grand Canyon when you visit.

Weather in the Grand Canyon in July

In May, the daytime maximum temperature is 107 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), while the overnight minimum is 77 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). The Grand Canyon covers a huge area and each section has a varied temperature.

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Thank you for supporting this website written by an American. This post may contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission on these links at no extra cost to you.

National Park Entrance Fees 

To enter the National Parks, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee or have a National Parks Pass also known as American the Beautiful Pass.

It costs $80 for a yearly America the Beautiful Pass. This gives you access to all national parks and federal areas that charge fees. The America the Beautiful Pass is well worth it!

I purchased my first one in 2016 and it’s such a money-saver! Plus 10% of sale proceeds go to the National Park Foundation.

Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.  There is something for everyone on this list and for different fitness levels.  Also, note that it is dry and hot (in the summer), and make sure you know what you are getting into before you start.  Here are a few tips for visiting the Grand Canyon:

• Bring a reusable water bottle and lots of water! Remember you are in the sun and you will need to drink lots of water. I love my LifeStraw Filtered Water Bottle.  I can refill this bottle anywhere and it comes with a carabiner to connect it to my daypack.
• Check the Weather – days over 100 degrees are very common.  Make sure to check.
• Hiking boots or sandals that will protect your feet! I love good shoes.  I need all the support and help I can get.  I actually love these sandals for hiking and also love these hiking boots.
• Bring hiking poles for balance and to protect your knees.  I know many experienced hikers (and even amateur ones) think that hiking poles are for old people who lose their balance.  Actually, hiking poles can help when going down steep inclines or when scrambling over rocks.  They are great to hike with even for the most experienced hiker. 
• Wear a sunhat. I feel like this whole post is about how high you are in the mountains and how much closer you are to the sun but it is so true. At elevation, you are closer to the sun and more likely to burn. Wear sun protection such as a sun hat and sunscreen.
• Be aware of the wildlife. This is the Southwest and you will need to watch out for snakes and other wildlife such as moose or a bear.  Please stay away from wildlife and do not feed them.  I recommend carrying bear spray as well.
• Start Early – If you want to avoid the traffic and the heat you will need to start your hike early.  That way it will be nice and cool and the smog will not affect you either.
• Leave no trace. If you are new to the concept of Leave No Trace it is all about preserving the environment to ensure it is in the same or better condition when you leave it.  This means that you should stick to the trails and carry out everything that you carried in.  This is a great explanation of the Leave No Trace principles!
• Water shoes are great for water hikes– If you don’t have a pair, I highly suggest it as they are affordable.  I have an article on the pros and cons of several pairs of water shoes.
• Bring Bug Spray and a snack: Be sure to bring everything you need including a snack like a protein bar plus BUG SPRAY.

Where to stay near Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon makes for a great weekend escape. Fresh air, beautiful scenery and being in nature does a world of good for the soul. I recommend staying as close to the park as possible and even treating yourself with a cabin with a spa pool to relax at night.

• There are lots of fantastic Airbnbs near the Grand Canyon. I have made a list of the best airbnbs around the park wherever you decide to stay. You can also check out my post on Where to Stay near the Grand Canyon to find the perfect hotel for any budget.

If you are taking a road trip remember to reserve a car in advance using Discover Cars .

15 Things to do in the Grand Canyon in July

Grand Canyon South Rim: Self-Guided Tour

See a natural wonder of the world in person on this self-guided driving tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

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.

Drive Hermit Road

Some of the best perspectives and overlooks in Grand Canyon National Park may be found on Hermit Road, which is on the West Rim. From March 1 to November 30, only the park shuttle can access the road (red line).

Hermit Road is 7 miles long, and depending on how many stops you make, it will take you between 15 and 20 minutes to drive each way. Hermits Rest, an excellent place to stop and admire the breathtaking vistas, is located at the end of Hermit Road.

Trail View Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, and Hermits Rest are a few of the Grand Canyon vistas along Hermit Road.

See Ooh Aah Point

One of the Grand Canyon’s greatest views, Ooh Aah Point, has a catchy and appropriate name. As the views are from inside the canyon itself, they are unlike any others in the park and offer expansive panoramic panoramas.

It takes some work to get to Ooh Aah Point, and it takes approximately twice as much work to go back because it’s all uphill. The point itself is situated 600 feet below the canyon rim.9 miles down the South Kaibab Trail from the trailhead. A wooden sign identifies the obvious location.

Helicopter Ride down into the Grand Canyon

At the Grand Canyon, helicopter tours are accessible all year long. You should experience the vistas of the canyon covered with snow in December.

Even though there are many excursions available, the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour is among the best. During the 45-minute flight, you will fly over the South Rim and the Kaibab National Forest.

Experience the canyons by looking down into them on a helicopter tour or simply viewing them from a vantage point.

These helicopter rides, though perhaps a bit pricy, are well worth it and will provide you with priceless memories.

Experience the Spirit Helicopter Tour if you want to make this a trip you’ll never forget. The most popular and affordable helicopter tour leaving from the South Rim is this one.

The Spirit Tour, which flies over the Painted Desert, Kaibab National Forest, and—best of all—the Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest section of the Grand Canyon, gives you some of the be

Bright Angel Trail

One of the best and most well-known trails in the entire world, the Bright Angel Trail is the pinnacle of Grand Canyon trails. Everyone’s list of the top things to do at the Grand Canyon should include hiking at least a little bit of this trail.

The trail is 8 miles long (almost 10 miles to Phantom Ranch) and rises by an incredible 4,380 feet on each leg. For comparison, that is considerably higher than two One World Trade Centers!

Any extended (or not-so-extended) stretch of this trail requires hard work and prudence when hiking. The descent is deceptively simple, but the ascent can be difficult. At the 1.5-mile and 3-mile rest stops, as well as Indian Gardens, which is essentially halfway to the Colorado River, there are water fountains.

The first few miles of Bright Angel offer a more constrained view of the canyon, though it is still breathtaking, in contrast to the South Kaibab Trail, which offers expansive, panoramic views. The good news is that the trail offers hikers protection from the sun by being sheltered in the morning and the late afternoon.

When hiking Bright Angel, keep in mind that every step down must be followed by an upward step. A good rule of thumb is that you should allow at least twice as much time for the trip up as you would for the hike down.

Trail of Time Walk

One of the most fantastic interactive activities in the Grand Canyon is named The Trail of Time, which allows you to fully comprehend the canyon’s incredible development over billions of years. The fully accessible, paved walk begins directly beside the Yavapai Geology Museum.

The first 150 yards or so of the trail span a period of a million years. The second section, which is about 2.8 miles long, takes you through 2 billion years of history. On the second section of the trail, each meter corresponds to one million years in the Grand Canyon’s geologic history.

You can get sweeping vistas of the canyon while hiking the trail, which lasts around an hour.

Watch the Grand Canyon IMAX Film

Watching the magnificent Grand Canyon IMAX Movie is one of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon for people searching for some air conditioning and relaxation.

Although the theater is technically outside the park, it’s a terrific addition for families and individuals searching for a little more knowledge and appreciation of the Grand Canyon. It’s located about 10 miles (15 minutes) south of the South Entrance in Tusayan.

Tusayan Ruin

For those who are interested in culture and history, seeing the Tusayan Ruin is a wonderful addition to your list of things to do at Grand Canyon National Park East. The Grand Canyon is home to more than 4000 recognized archeological sites, some of which date back as far as 12,000 years!

Only the base of the structure that took place here is still visible today, but it serves as a fantastic entry point for visitors of all ages to learn about the park’s rich cultural heritage. There may have been 16 to 20 residents in this little town.

While you’re in the area, visit the Tusayan Museum for more fascinating information that will help you make connections regarding these remarkable people.

It is conveniently placed just off Desert View Drive, 3.4 miles (and 7 minutes drive) away from the Desert View complex.

Ride a mule into the Grand Canyon

Riding a mule down into the canyon proper, or perhaps to the bottom if you’re willing, is one of the Grand Canyon’s most daring activities. At both the South Rim and the North Rim, there are concessionaires offering mules rides.

Although the outrageous cost of the overnight mule ride may make your wallet shake, those who are intrigued should realize that it does include overnight accommodations at Phantom Ranch (located at the foot of the canyon), sack lunches, a steak dinner, and breakfast.

Although none of these rides take you to the bottom of the canyon for an overnight trip, they are all significantly less expensive than the ones provided by Xanterra on the more well-known South Rim.

Ranger Guided Tour

One might cherish memories of ranger presentations and escorted tours for a lifetime. A traditional ranger-led tour is a perfect choice for a fun family activity at the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon ranger-led tour program of the National Park Service is updated seasonally. Seasonal availability varies; the most popular periods to take part in a ranger program are in the summer and the fall.

Rim walks, stargazing, Coffee with a Ranger, and ranger talks in an amphitheater are just a few of the ranger-led activities available at the Grand Canyon.

Desert View Watchtower

One of the most famous locations at the Grand Canyon, Desert View Watchtower offers some of the park’s best vistas. Desert View Watchtower was built in 1932 and is still standing today. It was designed by Mary Colter West, one of the most significant architects in the Southwest.

Her structures at the Grand Canyon include the Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, Hermits Rest, Phantom Ranch, Desert View Watchtower, Lookout Studio, and two employee dorms called Colter Hall and Victor Hall.

The design aims to incorporate features from indigenous cultures and blend in with the Grand Canyon’s surrounding environment. Beautiful, recently restored murals with tribal art and pictographs may be found inside the tower.

The Desert View Watchtower was once a gift shop, but it has recently been converted back to serve as a scenic rest area for tourists.

There are also various experiences on each of the five stories of the tower.

Sunset from Desert View

Nothing tops seeing a spectacular sunset from Desert View to end a day at the Grand Canyon.

The Colorado River is seen in the distance from Desert View down. The canyon comes alive at sunset with brilliant crimson and purple hues that seem to last forever.

Just past the Desert View Watchtower are benches and a railing where you can go for the greatest views. To enjoy the entire show and secure the best spot, arrive approximately 30 minutes before sunset.

Yavapai Geology Museum

Due to its convenient location and, let’s face it, air conditioning, the Yavapai Geology Museum is one of the many fantastic things to do at the Grand Canyon if you’re exploring the South Rim.

The Yavapai Geology Museum is a great place to learn about the grand canyon’s tremendous geological past while admiring the canyon itself through enormous windows. The Trail of Time is a fantastic activity to pair with a trip to the museum.

North Rim

The Grand Canyon’s North Rim offers a completely different—and, in my opinion, superior—experience than the South Rim. Consider adding a trip to the North Rim to your list of things to do at the Grand Canyon if you don’t mind the extra drive (4 hours one way).

As you approach, you’ll see groves of stunning quaking aspen, which turn brilliant gold in the fall. The trails on the North Rim are more tranquil than those on the crowded South Rim, which can occasionally resemble Disneyland. In addition, you can witness bison herds grazing in meadows as you approach the North Rim. In comparison to the south rim, the north rim is more elevated, less crowded, more forested, more relaxed, and home to more species.

Make sure to check out the Grand Canyon Lodge, which is placed right on the rim and offers stunning views of the canyon. It is nicely situated and furnished.

At the North Rim, there are also cabins for rent and campsites that may be reserved.

Sunrise at Point Imperial

Point Imperial on the North Rim is the perfect setting to view a sunrise in the Grand Canyon.

With an elevation of 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest North Rim overlook and the highest point in Grand Canyon National Park. Additionally, it is the Grand Canyon’s northernmost viewpoint. You’ll also get an original viewpoint as a result of this.

When you look out, you’ll notice Mt. Hayden, which bears the name of the former senator from Arizona.

Getting to the overlook is straightforward as the overlook itself is just a few feet away from the parking area.

Sunset from Cape Royal

Cape Royal is without a doubt the excellent place to view a sunset from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Cape Royal, the southernmost overlook on the North Rim, has the most expansive views of all the overlooks.

Here, sunsets are truly magnificent and appear to last for an eternity. Looking out, you can see the South Rim off in the distance and the magnificent Walhalla Plateau directly in front of you.

It takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk the.4 miles down a paved trail from the Cape Royal parking lot to the overlook.