Avoid the crowds at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

The best way to avoid the crowds at the South Rim is to go to the North Rim, but if that's not on your agenda, try some of these hints:

Tips for the crowds: busiest times are spring break, summer and over holiday weekends. 5.5 million people visit the park each year, 90% of them at the south rim. That’s over 15,000 a day, if they were evenly divided. But, obviously, they aren’t. Most of those people come from May-Sept. and at spring break.

1. The single most important tip is to go early!
2. Do the Hermit’s Rest shuttle early in the day. Or rent bikes and ride the Hermit Road. The Bike and Shuttle package by bikegrandcanyon is a great option.
3. Walk whenever possible.
4. Enter at the Desert View area if possible. The east side is less crowded overall.
5. If you are spending the night in the park, arrive after 4pm, park the car and walk or shuttle.
6. Come between Dec-Feb. but not at Christmas.
7. Picnic and avoid the lunch crowds in the restaurants. Or eat early.