The Grand Canyon South Rim is the most visited part of the national park, and it is in Arizona, USA, not on the Greek island of Santorini. Visitors who arrive expecting Aegean views should plan their trip accordingly, as this is a desert gorge shaped over long ages by the Colorado River.
From the rim, the canyon opens in wide, layered bands of red rock. The views are the main draw, and they change noticeably through the day as light moves across the gorges. Many visitors time their trip around sunrise or sunset, when the stone takes on warm colours and the depth of the canyon becomes easier to read.
What a visit offers
- Scenic overlooks spaced along the rim, each framing a different stretch of the gorge.
- Rim trails that let you walk at the edge and take in the view at your own pace.
- Sunrise and sunset viewing, often the most memorable moments for people who make the effort to wake early or stay late.
Planning your trip
The South Rim is the park's busiest area, so it helps to allow time for moving between viewpoints and for finding a spot along the edge. Dress for changing conditions, since the air at the rim can feel cooler than the desert below, and bring water for walks. If you are interested in what the canyon looks like from the air or river, or in exploring beyond the rim, the wider park around it offers more to see.
