If you plan to take a Grand Canyon tour, you may wonder whether to check out the west or south side of the natural wonder. As two of the most popular tourism destinations, both offer distinct beauty and benefits. Before your next adventure, take time to learn about how the two choices differ. 

Grand Canyon South Rim

The southern area is home to the Grand Canyon National Park. As a result, the South Rim is the most developed part of the Grand Canyon, containing various hotels, restaurants, artisanal craft shops, and other tourist destinations. It also contains some of the most picturesque, sweeping views of the canyon, including many of the iconic ones you see in guidebooks and online. If you have an image of the Grand Canyon in your head already, it’s probably of the South Rim.

Populated by verdant Ponderosa pines and home to wildlife like mule deer, mountain lions, and elk, the sky-high rock walls astonish visitors year-round. Visitors to the South Rim can also hop on the Grand Canyon railway to enjoy the beautiful scene. 

Grand Canyon West Rim

Tucked within the Hualapai Tribal Reservation, the more rugged Grand Canyon West Rim is just a short drive from the south end. The looser, softer rock formations like Eagle Point, which is sacred to the ancient Hualapai people, possess a special history worth learning about. The area also features the famous Skywalk Bridge, a glass pathway which visitors can walk across and stare down at the stunning formations a mile below.

Although less developed than the South Rim, this end of the canyon hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe each year. On an average day, however, you’ll find smaller crowds and a quieter atmosphere than at the South Rim.

Both the South and West Rim of the canyon offer a wonderful opportunity to explore one of the world’s most remarkable natural destinations. When you schedule a Grand Canyon tour with Laughlin Tours in Nevada, you have the opportunity to see both. Since 2001, the experienced team has provided guided tours and fun-filled activities that guests from all over the world love. To learn more about Grand Canyon tours, visit the website or call today at (702) 420-5345.