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Travel Guide Grand Canyon East Rim for First-Time Visitors
The Grand Canyon is high on many people’s bucket lists. In fact, over 5.9 million people visit it every year. The National Park Service officially recognizes the canyon as 277 miles long, 6,000 feet deep, 18 miles wide over 1,217,262 acres of land. Unofficially, it covers a much larger area. You will find everything you need to know to plan a trip to the Grand Canyon East Rim in this travel guide.
Plan Your Visit to the Grand Canyon East Rim
Which Side of the Grand Canyon is Best to Visit
The canyon is officially split into the North, South, and West Rims. The South Rim is located in the Grand Canyon National Park. It is considered the most beautiful and receives 90% of visitors to the Grand Canyon. Although not as popular as the South Rim, it is possible to visit the North Rim. The visitor center of the North Rim has a large terrace overlooking the canyon and many popular hiking trails. The West Rim has become increasingly popular due to its skywalk. The Grand Canyon Skywalk and Havasupai waterfalls are located on tribal lands. The Grand Canyon East Rim is an unofficial area of the Grand Canyon. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are examples of East Rim sites that have become Instafamous.
Read Grand Canyon West Travel Guide, Take a Walk on the West Side!
Read Ultimate Grand Canyon Travel Guide, South Rim for First-Time Visitors
Where is the Grand Canyon East Rim
If you google Grand Canyon East Rim you will get mixed results. Grand Canyon National Park is in northwest Arizona. There is an east entrance and an east rim drive within Grand Canyon National Park. The East Rim is located in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. The National Park Service has not officially recognized the sites located on the east rim of the Grand Canyon. The area includes the Cameron Trading Post, Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell. Many of the East Rim sites are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and along the edge of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
How to get to Grand Canyon East Rim
The best way to visit the sites of the Grand Canyon’s eastern rim is by car. Starting in Flagstaff Arizona drive north on Hwy 89 toward Page Arizona.
Grand Canyon Eastern Rim Entrance Fees and Hours
America the Beautiful annual pass will grant access to all the sites listed in this Grand Canyon East Rim Travel Guide plus a $10 entrance fee to Horseshoe Bend. Additional charges apply for obtaining guides and permits to hike the Wave and Antelope Canyon.
Where to Camp at Grand Canyon East Rim
Camping is available near the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry and at Soap Creek near the Marble Canyon. There is a campground reached by a river raft at Horseshoe Bend. Beehive campground is next to the Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Powell has several campgrounds, Wahweap Campground and Lone Rock Beach are both next to the water.
Best Time of Year to Visit Grand Canyon National Park
Summer is high season at the Grand Canyon. Expect limited accommodation and crowds. Parking is limited at Horseshoe Bend and you may be denied access during high season. Rain is common in July. March through May and September through November are shoulder seasons. The crowds thin and the temperature cools, be sure to pack warm clothes and wear layers. You may find snow in November. Winter months are cold and snow is common.
How Many Days Do I Need at Grand Canyon East Rim
It is not possible to see these sites in one day. Scheduling one week in the area allows for a hike through Antelope Canyon, a hike on the Wave, rafting down the Colorado River, and a boat ride through the slot canyons of Lake Powell.
Many of the sites along the East Rim of the Grand Canyon are on Navajo Nation land.
Navajo Nation is the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. The reservation is 27,000 square miles across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
The Navajo Nation is the second-largest tribe. There are 298,000 members, 173,000 live on the reservation.
Most Navajo Nation homes do not have electricity, running water, or telephones, and most roads remained unpaved.
Many make money from agriculture and crafts sold on roadside stalls including chief blankets, clay pots, and jewelry.
Popular tourist sites are often sacred sites, do not disturb or remove animals, plants, rocks, or artifacts.
Alcohol and firearms are strictly prohibited in the Navajo Nation.
Rock climbing, off-trail hiking, ATVs, and motorcycles are prohibited on back-country roads.
Do not approach residents and ask to be shown around their homes.
Navajos value personal space, use very little eye contact and do not hug. Keep good social distance and do not touch hair or jewelry.
It is impolite to point with your finger, use your entire hand.
Navajo performances are traditional ceremonies and might be private. If invited to attend, participate as if you are attending a prayer service and do not applaud.
Ask permission before photographing, videotaping, sketching, or recording any person, area, or event.
11 p.m. to 6 a.m. are quiet hours in all public areas.
The Navajo Nation recognizes Daylight Savings Time, the state of Arizona does not.
Many Navajos do not own a car and hitchhiking is legal on the reservation.
You can not camp in Navajo Nation without a permit, it is considered Trespassing on a Federal Indian Reservation.
Pets must be leashed at all times.
Be sure to eat fry bread, mutton stew, and Navajo tacos while in the area.
Grand Canyon East Rim Itinerary
Cameron Trading Post and Tanner’s Crossing Bridge
Be prepared to leave Flagstaff at 5:30 am. Make your way to US 89 North. If you have not visited the Grand Canyon National Park a stop at the Desert View Watchtower will give you an amazing view. Turn off onto AZ 64 and enter the park through the east entrance. Pay the entrance fee, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass. Take a short drive along the rim to the watchtower. Driving time from Flagstaff to the Desert View Watchtower is 2.5 hours, leave Flagstaff at 5:30 am to arrive at the watchtower when it opens at 8am. Return to US 89 and drive a short distance to the Cameron Trading Post and Tanner’s Crossing Bridge for a brief stop. Continue driving north on US 89.
Pro Tip: It is worth it to stop and look at the jewelry stalls along the drive for souvenirs.
Marble Canyon is 2 hours north of Flagstaff on US 89. To reach the canyon, verge onto US 89a toward the Navajo Bridge. The bridge is open daily from 9am-5pm. Walk over the bridge and gaze down at the rafters on the Colorado River between the canyon walls. Turn right onto Honeymoon Trail to continue into Marble Canyon. Hike the Cathedral Wash Trail or stop to explore the balanced rocks as you drive toward Lee’s Ferry. The Colorado River and the Little Colorado River converge at Marble Canyon. Lee’s Ferry is the perfect spot to dip your toes into the freezing cold water, fish for trout, learn to fly fish, take a rafting trip on the Colorado River, or camp for the night. Stop at Cliff Dwellers Restaurant for a meal with a patio view of the cliffs before moving on to your next stop. Marble Canyon is located 45 minutes south of Page Arizona. This area is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the entrance fees are covered in the America the Beautiful annual pass.
Detour: Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Canyon North Rim
Continue on US 89a to visit Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and the Grand Canyon North Rim. This section of road parallels purple sandstone cliffs and is known as the Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway. Vermilion Cliffs are known for the Wave hike in the Coyote Buttes ravine and viewing endangered condors. Entrance to the Wave is by permit only. Permits are issued online and by lottery. Turn onto AZ 67S and drive for another hour to reach the Grand Canyon North Rim. America the Beautiful annual pass covers the entrance fees to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Canyon North Rim.
Horseshoe Bend
The next stop heading north is Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend is an incised meander in the shape of a horseshoe creating a 1000-foot drop to the Colorado River. For many years the entrance to Horseshoe Bend was free. The site became Instafamous in the last 5 years and now has over 2 million visitors a year. Although the overlook is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area there is a $10 per car entrance fee not covered by America the Beautiful Pass. The fee covers the improved restrooms, expanded parking lot, and improved walking route to the overlook. There is no parking on the highway. If the lot is full you will not be allowed entry. The visitor center opens at 9am. it is advised to arrive before 10am to ensure entry. Mornings are the best time to avoid shadows when photographing the site. The walk from the parking lot to the overlook is .5 mile. There is little shade on the path and the area is very hot during the summer months. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water with you. This is a great place to have a picnic lunch.
Pro Tip: Take a Horseshoe Bend rafting trip starting at Glen Canyon Dam, past Horseshoe Bend, and into Lee’s Ferry.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is another InstaFamous spot. Access to Antelope Canyon is granted only with a Navajo guide, permits are often included with the tour. The Upper Canyon is most popular because the entrance is at ground level. Visiting Lower Antelope Canyon requires stairs and ladders. Visit the canyon between 10am and 1pm May through October to see the light beams. The canyon may close due to heavy rain June – September. If you are not able to secure a spot at Antelope Canyon, try the equally fabulous Secret Antelope Canyon.
Pro Tip: The area is sandy and windy. Cover your camera with a plastic shower cap and do not change the lens in the canyon.
Lake Powell
If Lake Powell isn’t on your radar, do a quick google image search and add it to your bucket list. You will find amazing slot canyons, sandhills, cliff jumping, rock formations, arches, and bridges. Lake Powell is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the entrance is covered by America the Beautiful annual pass. The best way to experience Lake Powell is on the water and this lake is popular for its houseboats. If you don’t have a week to spend slowly exploring the 1,960 miles of shoreline and 80+ side canyons on your houseboat, you can book a day tour on a jetboat from Wahweap Marina. The most popular tours are to Rainbow Bridge National Monument or through the slot canyons.
Sites Near the Grand Canyon East Rim Worth Visiting
Continue onto Glen Canyon National Recreation Area’s Southern Utah sites and visit Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Reflection Canyon, Hole-in-the-Rock, La Gorge Arch, Coyote Natural Bridge, Coyote Gulch. Continue driving north to visit Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges National Monument, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park. Have even more time? Turn west to see Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Mossy Cave, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park.
Bookmark and Pin Grand Canyon East Rim
Plan Your Grand Canyon East Rim Travel Itinerary
Download maps and brochures from the Arizona office of tourism.
Purchase the America The Beautiful Pass.
Arizona Travel Blogs
Ultimate Grand Canyon Travel Guide, South Rim for First-Time Visitors
Grand Canyon East Rim for First-Time Visitors
Grand Canyon West Travel Guide, Take a Walk on the West Side!
Day Trips from Flagstaff Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park Travel Guide, Jeweled Wood and Painted Hills
Day Trip To Sedona Arizona: Sacred Red Rock Country
Day Trip to Jerome Arizona, a Wild West Ghost Town
Oatman Arizona Route 66 Road Trip, the Wild West
Route 66 Road Trip, Top Seven Stops in Arizona
How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona
Top Things to Do in Phoenix Arizona
Top Things to Do in Scottsdale Arizona
Goldfield Ghost Town, Day Trip on the Apache Trail Arizona
Top Things to Do in Tucson Arizona
Saguaro National Park, Tucson Arizona Sonora Desert
Tombstone Arizona: Discover the Wild West
20 Things to Do in Bisbee Arizona
Best Grand Canyon Travel Guides
Book Your Flight
Expedia and Google Flights are two great flight search engines to help you save time, energy, and money on airfare. Also, don’t miss these hacks to save money on flights.
Need a rental car? Discover Cars will help you search for your rental car and save your time!
Book Your Hotel
Hotels.com booking site allows you to search for boutique properties, chains, and all-inclusive resorts with the best price guarantee AND earn a free night after 10 stays. Or, find the perfect vacation rental on VRBO. If you are looking for something less expensive, Hostelworld has great options. Also, don’t miss these tips, tricks, and hacks to save money booking accommodations.
Guided Tours
Do you prefer to have someone else figure out the specifics? Viator offers activities and day trips. Browse Tours4Fun for multi-day guided tours.
Travel Insurance
You worked hard for your vacation, protect your investment, and travel with confidence. Roam Right insures against cancellation, illness, injuries, lost luggage and more.
Travel Planning Tips
- How to stretch vacation days and travel more
- How to plan an international trip
- Surviving long flights in economy class
- How to find a hotel to meet your needs and budget
- Travel packing tips
- Basic travel hacking strategies
Travel Shop
My picks for travel-related gifts, packing supplies, ensuring safety, electronics, and cameras at a great price on Amazon.com.
Must-Have Travel Apps
- Google Translate can translate words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.
- Google Maps allows you to be your own tour guide with GPS navigation to bookmarked attractions.
- TripIt organizes all tickets and reservations in one itinerary.
- GlobeConvert converts currency, temperature, speed, and more.
- Time Buddy is a visual world clock, time zone converter & meeting scheduler.
- TrabeePocket is a travel expense tracker.
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