Visiting the Grand Canyon with Young Children: Tips for a Safe and Memorable Trip

Ready to mark the Grand Canyon off your family’s bucket list? Great! Before you go, look at our brief guide for parents taking their kids to the Grand Canyon. This popular travel destination is certainly worth the visit, but there’s preparation that should take place ahead of time. Below we will walk through various aspects of visiting the Grand Canyon with young children so that your whole family can make the most out of your Grand Canyon experience!

Planning Your Visit

When visiting the Grand Canyon with young children, arriving when the crowds aren’t too heavy and the weather is beautiful is key. The best time to visit the Grand Canyon is early in the morning and during the spring or fall season. While summer is the peak tourist season, it’s also the hottest part of the year which may not be ideal for little ones.

Choosing which rim to visit with young children at the Grand Canyon is also important. Hands down, the Grand Canyon South Rim is the most popular location for families as it is easily accessible while offering amazing views. You’ll find the most activities and attractions within the South Rim; we’ll cover that part next.

When choosing where to stay, there are several lodging options close to the South Rim. The Grand Canyon Village and the Tusayan are both family-friendly options that are nearby. The Tusayan includes a pool and restaurants as well.

Kid-Friendly Activities and Attractions

Now about those Grand Canyon activities! The South Rim offers The Junior Ranger Program to children at least four years of age. This fun program keeps children engaged as they walk through the park and complete educational puzzles and challenges inside a ranger booklet. Once the booklet is complete, it can be turned in for a Junior Ranger badge!

Families will also love stopping into visitor centers and museums. The main Grand Canyon Visitor Center includes exhibits, a bookstore, and more. As you walk along the South Rim, you can also stop by Yavapai Point (featuring the Yavapai Geology Museum) and Kolb Studio.

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Family-Friendly Hiking Trails

When hiking the Grand Canyon with young children, knowing what trails are family-friendly is important so you don’t accidentally get on the wrong trail. Since we’ve already deemed the South Rim the best site for families, we’re only going to suggest trails in the South Rim. The main Rim Trail is one of the best trails as it includes paved and flat pathways with options to hike short lengths or longer lengths. The Bright Angel Trail is better suited for older children; plan to hike 1.5 miles. Finally, the South Kaibab Trailhead and Hermit Trail are both family-friendly but are 1.8 to 2 miles long.

Mule Rides and Guided Tours

Did you know you can ride a mule through the Grand Canyon with young children? This memorable experience is available to children at least 9 or 10 years old. Parents can book a reservation with Phantom Ranch Mule Rides (visiting the bottom of the canyon) or Canyon Rim Rides. If mule riding isn’t your thing, there are also various tours available, including helicopter tours, Jeep tours, and a scenic Grand Canyon Railway tour (a popular attraction among kids).

Safety Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Kids

The most important part of visiting the Grand Canyon with young children is keeping them as safe as possible! Supervision is key and little ones should always be nearby if they’re not in a stroller or carrier. Always keep a safe distance from the canyon edge and stay on designated trails. Prepare for the weather with sun protection, stroller canopies, hats, and more. Of course, wearing the proper footwear is very helpful, and keeping a good amount of water with you is also ideal.

Essential Baby Gear for Your Grand Canyon Visit

 

If there’s any time to consider wearing your baby or keeping them in a stroller or stroller wagon, it’s when you’re hiking at the Grand Canyon with young children. Thankfully, there are plenty of comfortable child carriers and hiking backpacks available for parents to wear. Other important baby gear items to bring with you include:

• Basic first aid kit essentials
• Sun protection
• Snacks
• Water
• Diaper bag essentials

If you don’t want to lug around your own baby gear to the Grand Canyon, consider renting it! There are baby gear rental services available in the greater Grand Canyon area that are truly convenient and worth the cost in the long run!

Dining and Shopping Options

There aren’t many dining options, but there are some places to choose from when visiting the Grand Canyon with young children. Grand Canyon Village offers the most options for families between fine dining restaurants and casual fast food joints. The Bright Angel Restaurant inside the village serves family-friendly meals that littles will enjoy. Parents can also pick up quick bites inside the village and sometimes catch a food truck or snack stand.

Looking for some souvenirs? The best place to shop for Grand Canyon gifts is in the Grand Canyon Village. There’s a wide variety of merchandise, crafts, clothing, and more. Some historic districts within the park also offer shopping opportunities, think trading posts and small gift shops.

To conclude, visiting the Grand Canyon with young children can truly be a memorable and enjoyable experience. With the right amount of preparation and knowledge of the park, you can visit the best rim, hike the best trail, and stop at the best restaurants and gift shops. Safety is most important, so make sure that safety is your #1 priority as the whole family explores and appreciates the national historic landmark that is the Grand Canyon!