Grand Canyon South Rim Jeep Tour: Open-Air Wrangler Views

South Rim viewpoints tour, hiking, panoramic views, Desert View Watchtower with 100+ miles sightline

A guided jeep tour of the Grand Canyon South Rim in an open-air Wrangler, traveling the full length of Desert View Drive with stops at 3–4 viewpoints and the Desert View Watchtower. Park admission, a professional guide and a free IMAX movie ticket are included. Your guide covers canyon geology, indigenous history, and the Colorado River far below; on clear days visibility extends over 100 miles. Children from age 3 are welcome; guests must have upper body strength to hold themselves steady during the ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

South Rim Jeep Tour and Desert View

• Board open-air Jeep Wrangler
• Tour Desert View Drive viewpoints
• Explore Desert View Watchtower
• Walk and learn at Grandview Point
• Stop at additional viewpoints on Desert View Drive
• Visit Grand Canyon Visitor Center IMAX theater

The Experience

The tour departs from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and travels the entire South Rim in an open-air Jeep Wrangler, stopping at 3–4 viewpoints as you head east along Desert View Drive. Stops may include Duck on a Rock, Grandview Point, Moran Point or Lipan Point—some fairly remote the farther east you venture. Your guide interprets the geology of canyon formation and erosion, points out local flora and fauna, and shares the human history of the area: early indigenous peoples, Spanish explorers, the Powell river expeditions and the landscape paintings of Thomas Moran.

At Grandview Point you'll walk a short distance and learn about the Grandview Hotel's history. The Desert View Watchtower, the easternmost developed area of the park, is where you stop to explore the building's murals depicting local Indian culture and peer down thousands of feet to the mighty Colorado River as it curves west. Your guide discusses the architect Mary J. Coulter, who designed this watchtower along with Hopi House, Hermit's Rest and Lookout Studio. On a clear day you can see over 100 miles across the canyon.

The tour includes park admission for the day and a free ticket to the IMAX movie "Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time," which plays at the Visitor Center where the tour begins and ends. The film uses time-lapse photography to show a billion years of geological history, traces the journeys of indigenous peoples and Spanish conquistadors, and displays some of the first photographs ever taken in the canyon. You can watch it before or after your jeep tour. Departure times range from 8:30am to 12:30pm; non-US residents may be subject to an additional $100 park entrance fee.

What’s included

• Park admission for the day of your tour.
• a professional guide fluent in English.
• an open-air Jeep Wrangler ride along the entire South Rim.
• stops at 3–4 viewpoints and the Desert View Watchtower.
• a free IMAX movie ticket to "Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time" at the Visitor Center.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Pink Jeep Tours Sedona

Is this one for you?Book an early departure if you want to maximize daylight at the viewpoints and finish before midday heat; the 8:30am or 9:30am slots give you the full morning light for photography. The open-air Wrangler means you need upper body strength to hold yourself steady during the drive, and you must be able to get in and out of the vehicle yourself—it's not suitable if you have limited mobility or cannot support your own weight while seated.

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Top questions

What viewpoints does the Desert View Grand Canyon jeep tour actually stop at?

The tour stops at 3–4 viewpoints along Desert View Drive, which may include Duck on a Rock, Grandview Point, Moran Point or Lipan Point depending on the day. You also spend time at the Desert View Watchtower, the easternmost developed area of the park, where you can see the Colorado River thousands of feet below and view murals of local Indian culture inside the historic building.

How long is the jeep tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs for 3 hours and departs at one of five times: 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am or 12:30pm. You choose your preferred departure time at checkout.

What's included in the price of this Grand Canyon tour?

Park admission for the day, a professional guide, and a free ticket to the IMAX movie "Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time" at the Visitor Center are all included. The movie covers canyon geology, indigenous history and early exploration through time-lapse photography.

Can I bring young children on the Desert View jeep tour?

Children are welcome from age 3 onward. Specialized infant seats are available. All guests must have upper body strength to hold themselves steady during the ride in the open-air Wrangler, and guests are responsible for getting themselves in and out of the vehicle.

What will the guide explain during the tour?

Your guide interprets the geological history of the canyon, including how erosion and rock layers formed it over a billion years. You'll also learn about indigenous peoples, Spanish explorers, the Powell river expeditions, and the landscape paintings of Thomas Moran. At the Desert View Watchtower, the guide discusses architect Mary J. Coulter's design of several historic park buildings.

What happens if I'm visiting from outside the US?

Non-US residents may be subject to an additional $100 park entrance fee beyond the tour price. Park re-entry on a separate day requires purchase of a park pass.