Grand Canyon Back-Road Safari: 3-Hour Rim Tour With Entrance Gate By-Pass
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; walking segments total about 90 minutes and roughly 0.75 mile along mostly even rim pathways.
Overview
Skip the gate line and drive a permitted back road to the South Rim. This three-hour safari combines short interpretive walks at Yavapai Point, El Tovar and Kolb Studio with wildlife viewing and expert local narration.
Grand Canyon Back-Road Safari: 3-Hour Rim Tour With Entrance Gate By-Pass
Select participants and date
You check in on a cool rim morning in Tusayan, Arizona, where the line of custom safari vehicles looks more like a small convoy than a tour bus. The guide clips your name, hands you a bottle of water, and there’s a brief hum as engines idle—then the convoy slips down a back road that the public seldom sees. You feel the canyon’s scale grow before the first official overlook: a low, jagged horizon that makes every other landscape shrink in comparison.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive Early for Check-In
Be at the Tusayan Fire Department parking lot by 9:15 a.m.; the tour departs promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Layer Up
Temperatures on the rim can swing; bring a wind layer even on warm days.
Hydration and Sun Protection
Carry a refillable water bottle and high-SPF sunscreen—bottled water is provided but you'll want more for the day.
Watch Your Step on Rim Walks
Walking segments are short but exposed—sturdy shoes and careful footing are recommended.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Elk
- Red-tailed hawk
History
El Tovar and Kolb Studio reflect the canyon’s early tourism era—built in the early 1900s when rail access first opened mass visitation and lodging infrastructure.
Conservation
The South Rim balances heavy visitation with strict trail regulations and permit-managed back roads; follow stay-on-trail guidance and pack out trash to reduce impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Tusayan
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy walking shoes
Provide traction and support for rim-side walking and occasional uneven surfaces.
Sun hat and sunscreen
The high desert sun is intense; protect skin and eyes during viewpoints and vehicle stops.
summer specific
Refillable water bottle
Hydration is essential at elevation—bring a bottle you can top up.
Light wind layer
Rim breezes can be cool, especially in the morning and shoulder seasons.
spring specific