Tusayan is Your Launchpad to Grand Adventures

The town of Tusayan (pronounced Too-Say-An) is like the welcome committee for the Grand Canyon as the closest incorporated town to the South Rim; it is the last stop before you see the earth’s great chasm. Amenities include fast food to fine dining, five hotels, a chocolate factory, and several tour operators. Here are six ways to explore while you’re in town.

1. Wander the Woods

The largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world surrounds the whole town, offering ample opportunities for wandering. Opened in spring 2025, the Tusayan Forest Trails has two loops that take you through the forest and a sliver of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, only recently designated in 2023. The shorter of the two trails is the 4.4-mile Tusayan Loop. The longer option is the 7.3-mile Montane Loop. Both trails are considered moderately difficult, with rocky terrain at 6,800 feet of elevation. Find the trailheads from the southern roundabout in Tusayan or from the Tusayan-Montane Campground.

Tusayan is also a dedicated Arizona Trail Gateway community. The section that passes through Tusayan, beginning from the Grandview Lookout Tower, is considered Passage 37 out of 43 total sections. The trail stretches for around 800 miles from Mexico to Utah, and is considered one of the more difficult thru-hikes for its unreliable water availability and rugged desert train.

2. Go Camping

Just four miles from the southern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, Tusayan-Montane Campground is situated in a peaceful ponderosa pine and gambel oak forest on the Colorado Plateau. With 142 standard nonelectric campsites spread across five different loops, and 18 double campsites for groups up to 14 people, there’s plenty of room to set up basecamp for your stay. Its proximity to the park means campsites are generally reserved six months in advance on Recreation.gov. But 30 sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for spontaneous travelers.

3. Take an Air Tour

Tusayan is home to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, where numerous tour companies—Grand Canyon Airlines, Maverick Airstar, and Papillon Airways—run helicopter and airplane sightseeing flights over the enormous hole in the earth. Buckle up and get an aerial view of the Colorado River, South and North rims, and possibly even Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. You’ll see more in a few hours than you can reach in a full week.

4. Bike to the Park

Right from town, hop on two wheels and pedal north on the Tusayan Greenway Trail, which is 70% gravel and 30% paved. It’s 6.6 miles one way to Mather Point on the South Rim, and you can either lock up your bike and roam the Historic Village or continue riding in the park. To get back to Tusayan, bike back the way you came, or board the free Purple Route shuttle which has bike racks. Don’t forget to purchase a national park pass—$20 per bicycle—at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center & IMAX. Bring your own bikes or rent them nearby from Canyon Adventures Bike Tours & Cafe.

5. Join a Star Party

Every July and August in Tusayan, local astronomers host Astronomy Nights, an educational exploration into the solar system. Get all your burning questions answered about constellations, planets, and distant galaxies—and maybe even catch a shooting star if you’re lucky. Events happen every second Thursday and Sunday after dusk at the Tusayan-Montane Campground, or every fourth Thursday and Sunday at the Tusayan Sports Complex.

6. Go Horseback Riding

Rather than walk, bike or drive, adventure the Wild West way: by horse. The one tour operator in town is called Grand Canyon Trail Rides, and they lead rides of varying lengths through the Kaibab National Forest. All levels of riders, from first-timers to the more experienced, are welcome. Not comfortable on a horse? Join a wagon ride instead—one 30-minute ride serves root beer—and stay afterwards for the hot dog roast around the campfire.

Plan Your Visit

For More Information:
Tusayan Town Hall
849 Mustang Drive
Tusayan, AZ 86023
(928) 638-9909
Explore.Tusayan-AZ.gov