I'm an Arizona native. I always see first-timers make these 8 mistakes at the Grand Canyon.

27.06.2024 - 18:49 / insider.com

The first time my family visited the Grand Canyon , we pulled over at a popular lookout, ogled over its sheer size and vastness for an hour, took pictures, then drove home.

But we knew there had to be more to visiting the Grand Canyon. After all, it welcomed over 4.7 million visitors in 2023 and 2022.

Fortunately, we've had more chances to go back since we live in Arizona.

Since then, we've made more meaningful trips to this iconic national park and found that most first-time tourists make eight common mistakes when visiting the Canyon.

The North Rim , open May through October, is less touristy and offers breathtaking vantage points. Grand Canyon West features the world-famous Skywalk, a glass walkway on a canyon's edge.

However, significant drive times between these two entrances make them less approachable for first-timers.

I recommend starting at the seemingly less popular East Entrance and taking the Desert View Drive, a 23-mile scenic road. Along the way, stop at sights like Duck on a Rock, Grandview Point, and Moran Point, then end at the South Rim's famous Grand Canyon Village.

Another way to access the South Rim is via The Grand Canyon Railway , which begins in Williams, Arizona. The ride takes a little over two hours, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

My family took the train during a heat wave, so we opted for the vintage Pullman rail car during the breezier morning and an air-conditioned car on the return trip.

Once you're in Grand Canyon Village, board a complimentary shuttle. Located throughout the village, they run about every 20 minutes on seasonal schedules.

I highly recommend taking the Hermits Road route, accessible via the red-line shuttle. It will bring you to many great overlooks, including Mohave Point, Abyss, and Hermits Rest.

Since the shuttle is hop-on,hop-off, tourists can take their time at each viewpoint before boarding the next available bus.

Summer is peak tourist season here. With thick crowds, be prepared for shuttle lines and traffic congestion.

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To make the most of your trip, start your day early — a sunrise over the Canyon is a must-see! — and consider staying overnight at one of the lodges or campsites, which should be booked far in advance.

The visitor center has an introductory 20-minute video on the Canyon, the junior ranger program , and helpful guides.

And wandering through the lodges at the South Rim was a true highlight of our last visit. The lodges offer a sense of the park's history since its earliest days of tourism in the late 19th century.

El Tovar Hotel — built directly on the rim — first opened in 1905. A cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa, this charming architecture has hosted