Hermit Shuttle

Question

Hi. We only have 1 full day here with 3 kids. We are staying in park at Bright Angel. We definitely want to do areas around the visitor center and drive up the East Rim a little to Watchtower. My question is, is the Hermit Rd shuttle long and are there any points that require that shuttle that are a must see? I am trying to cram in all the prettiest spots in just 1 day and I know its hard. I have Powell, Mohave and Pima written down but trying to see if its worth the time to take the shuttle over to those points or not. Are they really different fromMather, Ooh Ahh etc? It will be the week of Thanksgiving that we are there. Thank you!!

Answer

With only one full day at the Grand Canyon and three kids in tow, planning efficiently is key. Since you’re staying at Bright Angel, you’ll already have easy access to the South Rim viewpoints near the Visitor Center, including Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Ooh Aah Point along the Rim Trail. These areas provide some of the most iconic views without needing to shuttle.

The Hermit Road shuttle is the primary way to access the western viewpoints along the South Rim, including Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Pima Point, and Hermit’s Rest. The shuttle route is about 7 miles one way, with multiple stops, and during peak season it runs frequently. At Thanksgiving, the park usually operates the shuttle system, but it can be busy, so plan to start early.

Regarding whether the western points are worth the time:

Hopi Point: Often considered the best spot for sunset, with panoramic views that differ from Mather Point. Even during the day, the angle of the canyon walls and Colorado River is distinct.
Pima Point: Offers sweeping canyon vistas and is less crowded than Hopi. Great for photos.
Mohave Point: Provides a unique perspective of the canyon with excellent depth views and fewer crowds.
Powell Point: Smaller and closer to Hermit Road start, not dramatically different from the other points, but nice for a quick stop.

If you’re tight on time, you can prioritize a few stops rather than trying to hit all the Hermit Road viewpoints. Many visitors choose Hopi, Pima, and Mohave as a “must-see” subset. Hermit’s Rest is a terminal stop and has a historic building and gift shop; it’s scenic but not essential if you’re short on time.

For your itinerary:

Morning: Explore the Visitor Center area and the Rim Trail near Bright Angel and Mather Point.
Late morning to early afternoon: Take the Hermit Road shuttle west and hop off at Hopi, Pima, and Mohave. Depending on energy and interest, you can go all the way to Hermit’s Rest or skip it.
Late afternoon: Drive or shuttle to Desert View Watchtower on the East Rim for the afternoon and sunset. This gives you both the classic South Rim and eastern perspectives in one day.

Overall, the Hermit Road viewpoints do offer distinctly different views than the Visitor Center/Mather area. Prioritizing Hopi, Pima, and Mohave provides a compact but rewarding experience, especially with kids and limited time. The shuttle itself is convenient and avoids the hassle of parking at each viewpoint.

Hermit Shuttle

More Grand Canyon National Park Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions