One and a half days at South Rim, advice about trails/sights

Question

Our group of 6 seniors (no mobility issues) will be leaving Las Vegas for Yavapai Lodge on Oct. 7 for a 2 night stay.

We probably won't arrive before noon. We will have that afternoon and the entire next day. I would like to do the Kaibab trail, and possibly some of the Bright Angel trail . Given the time, which should we do first, or would it be better to skip Bright Angel and stay on the Rim trail?

Answer

With only one and a half days at the South Rim, you’ll want to balance seeing iconic viewpoints with some moderate hiking without overexerting yourselves. Since your group consists of seniors with no mobility issues, you have the flexibility to enjoy a mix of Rim walks and short descents into the canyon.

Given your arrival around noon, the first day will be limited. After checking into Yavapai Lodge, it’s best to keep the afternoon easy and focused on Rim views and short trail sections.

Rim Trail: Start with the Rim Trail, which is mostly paved and gently graded. Walking even a short stretch gives you spectacular views of the canyon without the intensity of steep descents. You could walk from Yavapai Point to Mather Point, which is scenic and manageable.
Sunset at Hopi Point: If you want a memorable first evening, drive or shuttle to Hopi Point for sunset. It’s widely considered one of the best sunset viewpoints on the South Rim.

For your full day, you can plan a morning hike and then enjoy additional Rim viewpoints in the afternoon.

Kaibab Trail: Since you mentioned wanting to do the Kaibab Trail, consider doing a partial hike down from the South Rim to Cedar Ridge. This is about 1.5 miles one way (3 miles round trip) with about 600 feet descent. This gives you a real experience of the canyon without overdoing it.
Bright Angel Trail: If energy allows, you could also do a short section of the Bright Angel Trail from the trailhead near the Bright Angel Lodge. Even going 1–2 miles down and back provides a different perspective. Keep in mind that Bright Angel is steeper and more crowded than Kaibab, so you might prioritize Kaibab if your group prefers a quieter experience.

Other recommendations for your half day and full day include visiting key viewpoints along Hermit Road (via shuttle in October) or along Desert View Drive if you prefer driving. Don’t miss viewpoints such as:

Yavapai Point and Geology Museum
Mather Point
Hopi Point (sunset)
Grandview Point or Moran Point (if driving Desert View Drive)

Overall, a suggested itinerary could be:

Day 1 (afternoon/evening): Rim Trail short walk from Yavapai to Mather Point, then drive/shuttle to Hopi Point for sunset.
Day 2 (full day): Morning partial Kaibab Trail hike to Cedar Ridge, then visit a few Rim viewpoints along Hermit Road or Desert View Drive. Optionally, take a short Bright Angel section if time and energy allow.

This plan allows your group to experience the grandeur of the canyon, do a moderate hike into the canyon, and still enjoy several of the iconic viewpoints without feeling rushed or overly tired.

One and a half days at South Rim, advice about trails/sights

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