Exploring The Canyon on the South Rim:
The Grand Canyon Village.
Free shuttle buses are available that run at frequent intervals from sunrise to sunset to drop off and pick up passengers going to visitor centers, lodges, restaurants, gift shops, overlooks and trailheads. If you travel by your own car, there are ample parking lots where buses pick up passengers as well.
The Visitor Centers.
Go to canyon View Information Plaza if you want informations to help you plan your itineraries. Other visitor centers are also available such as Yavapai Observation Station, that features geological dusplays; Tusayan Museum which highlights native American cultures and the contact station - Desert View.
Food and Lodging.
If you want to have same-day lodging information, call 928-638-2631. There are many food and lodging accomodation lists provided on the guide, so it's important to get one.
There's also a place called Phantom Ranch located at the bottom of the canyon and is only reachable by foot, mule or raft, and reservations are done up to 13 months in advance. Other food and lodgings are also available just outside the South entrance (Tusayan) and in the nearby towns of Williams and Flagstaff, Arizona.
Camping.
You can go camping at Mather Campground which is open all year. For more information, you can inquire at the campground entrance for site availability.
Desert View campground is only available seasonally on a first-come, first-served basis. Desert View is 25 miles away east of Grand Canyon Village.
Mule Trips and Other Tours.
If you want to do either mule trips or bus tours, drop by at the Transportation Desk located at Bright Angel Lodge or contact Xanterra Parks & Resorts.
For mule trips, you may reserve up to 13 months in advance. Other tours offered by several companies are air tours from the aiport on the southern edge of Tusayan, or raft trips for either one-day or multi-day trips on white waters.
