Grand Canyon: Back-Road Safari & Gate By-Pass Tour

Summary

Elk sightings, forest shortcuts and canyon rim walks with stories

You’ll skip traffic lines with a back-road safari from Tusayan, spot elk or deer in quiet forests, walk along dramatic Grand Canyon rim trails with a local guide sharing stories, and explore historic spots like Kolb Studio and El Tovar Hotel. It’s not rushed—you’ll have time to breathe in pine air, listen to canyon silence, and maybe laugh at your own pronunciation attempts.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be grinning before we’d even seen the Grand Canyon. But there we were, bouncing along a pine-scented back road in this quirky safari vehicle, watching a couple of elk just standing there—like they owned the place (they kind of do). Our guide, Mike, waved at a passing ranger who gave us this knowing nod—apparently these forest permits are pretty special. We skipped right past the usual traffic at the south entrance. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so smug about not sitting in a line of cars.

The air was chilly but sharp, and when we finally got out near Yavapai Point, it hit me—the canyon isn’t just big, it’s… well, it’s hard to put into words. Mike started pointing out layers in the rock and telling us about how old everything is (spoiler: very), but honestly I kept getting distracted by the way the sun made everything look like it was on fire for a second. We walked along the rim for a while—maybe 45 minutes?—and I remember stepping over some crunchy gravel and hearing nothing but wind and someone’s distant laughter. There was this moment at Kolb Studio where you could see hikers zig-zagging down Bright Angel Trail—tiny dots—and I wondered if they regretted their life choices yet.

I tried to pronounce “Kaibab” after Mike explained what it meant (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin—probably butchered it). We stopped at El Tovar Hotel too; people were sipping coffee on the porch like they had all day. The tour wasn’t rushed at all—we had time to wander around Lookout Studio and peek inside Hopi House. Honestly, by the end my shoes were dusty and my head was full of weird facts about mules and artists who built studios on cliff edges. Still think about that first blast of cold canyon air when we stepped out—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Grand Canyon South Rim Safari Tour

• Check in at Tusayan at 9:15 am
• Board custom safari vehicle
• Bypass south entrance gate traffic
• Drive back-road scenic route
• View elk, deer, and birds
• Stop at Yavapai Point viewpoint
• Visit El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House
• Explore Bright Angel Lodge area
• Walk along rim with guide
• See Kolb Studio and Bright Angel Trail
• Observe hikers and mules on trail
• Learn Grand Canyon history and geology
• Return to Tusayan for drop-off

Top questions

How long is the Grand Canyon back-road safari tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Does this tour include pickup from Tusayan?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included at a central location in Tusayan, Arizona.

Will we see wildlife during this Grand Canyon safari?

You may spot elk, deer, turkeys or rare birds along the forest route.

Do we skip the main entrance gate traffic?

Yes, you’ll use permitted back roads to bypass south entrance traffic lines.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

The walking segments total about 90 minutes along roughly ¾ mile of rim trail.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Infants can join using prams or strollers; specialized infant seats are available.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included for all guests during the excursion.

Which Grand Canyon viewpoints will we visit?

You’ll stop at Yavapai Point, Lookout Studio Viewpoint, Kolb Studio and Bright Angel Trailhead.

What’s included

Your morning includes pickup from Tusayan, entry via exclusive forest back-roads that bypass main gate lines, guided stops at major viewpoints like Yavapai Point and Kolb Studio with interpretive stories from your local guide, two relaxed rim walks totaling about 90 minutes (around three-quarters of a mile), plus bottled water throughout before returning to your starting point.