SEE & DO

Obviously, the main reason for your visit is to explore the Grand Canyon, so there is not much that we can advise that you probably don’t already have planned. We do have a couple of words of caution, however. Please be safe! By that we mean:

Follow all park regulations and advice seriously! The canyon is a unique spectacle but has some properties that many people don’t consider.
- The air at the canyon is quite dry. As pleasant as that can be, there is a hydration factor that you should be aware of. As you perspire, your sweat evaporates quickly, leaving you unaware that you are tapping your water reserves. When the rangers advise you to stay hydrated, it’s not hollow advice.
- The hiking is not easy, no matter how fit you think you are. As unique as the canyon is, the same is true for the hiking.
You are at 7000 feet in elevation. If you live close to sea level, you may not be aware of the effects up here in the air. You can become fatigued quite quickly, so plan your explorations with plenty of time in mind.
Think twice about hiking alone. According to the book “Over The Edge: Death in Grand Canyon”, the most common hiking death is a solo, young, male hiker. If you fit any one of those categories, be extra vigilant.
Don’t try to get to the river and back in a single day. We can’t stop you from doing this, but it is extremely aggressive to try to do. Attempting a river and back hike would require you to practically jog some of the way. Are you really going to enjoy the canyon if you have to stare at your feet the whole time?
Be wary of the edge of the canyon. Numerous people have fallen to their deaths by not respecting the edge. When Theodore Roosevelt established the canyon as a monument in 1908, he stated: “Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is”. That’s why there are no guardrails.
Equally true - also respect the Colorado River. If you make it to the river, be aware that the Colorado is a killer. The undercurrents are invisible at the surface and many people have drowned after being swept away just wading knee deep in the river. Don't attempt to swim in the Colorado at all.

For details on hiking the canyon, download this year’s back country brochure:

Other Things to Do While Camping at Farhaven Grand Canyon

Take In Hermits Rest

Near the Bright Angel trailhead is the intersection for Hermit’s Road, but you can’t drive the road most of the year (bus shuttle only). Hermit's Road ends at Hermits Rest, a cottage constructed by the famous architect of the canyon Mary Jane Colter. The structure is named after a prospector-turned-hermit named Louis Boucher who lived nearby. There are several striking rustic architectural features at Hermits Rest and in addition to its remote location, it boasts an amazing fireplace that's makes the trip worth it.

Tusayan Pueblo

The East drive to Desert View has a lot more to offer than you think. 22 miles from the visitor's center lies the ruins of the Tusayan Pueblo. It's a quiet walk through an 800-year-old slice of Grand Canyon history. The museum has displays that tell the story of the ancient Puebla tribes that inhabited the area, how they lived, and details on the remaining Havasupai that live in the area today. Download the brochure here:

Grandview Lookout

Again, off the East drive to Desert View. Almost 2 miles past the turn off for Grandview Point is the right hand turn onto Forest Road 310. In a short distance is the parking lot for the Grandview Tower and the Arizona Trail. Climb the stairs for eye-popping views of the canyon. It's pretty amazing.

Hull Cabin

Continuing on past the Grandview Lookout, the next Forest Road on the left is Fire Road 307 and you'll note the sign for Hull Cabin. Built in the late 1880 by William Hull, he and his brother ran a sheep herd from the cabin as their main form of living, but William is credited as being the first person to lead a guided tour of the Grand Canyon. Today, the cabin is a great picnic spot, and it also can be rented for overnight stays.

Red Butte Airfield

As you drove to the canyon, just past the boundary of the Kaibab National Forest is Forest Road 304. About 3 miles from the intersection with I64, FR 304 has a right-hand off-shoot that stops at a gate, The gate is not locked, so just past the gate is this relic of an airfield that dates back to the early 1900s. In 1927, former WW1 Army flyer, entrepreneur & promoter Parker Van Zandt created a runway across a northern Arizona meadow at a place called Red Butte, built a hangar, and launched the first commercial air tours over the nearby Grand Canyon. His Scenic Airways was bankrolled by some of the biggest names in American business (such as Henry Ford).

Charles Lindberg at Red Butte Airfield, 1928