Is the Grand Canyon on your bucket list? Undeniably being one of the great natural wonders of the world, it should be! The canyon spans over 227 miles and is 6,000 ft. deep. When visiting the Grand Canyon with kids, the Hermit’s Rest Route is perhaps one of the best ways to get some great views of the canyon while minimizing the amount of stress involved with hiking with young kids.
The Hermit’s Rest Route can either be hiked or explored via bus, making it a great options for families. For those with younger children, you can combine some short hikes with the shuttle and experience the best of both worlds. When we visited, we opted to include the shuttle bus and it made our visit spectacular, so we have created this guide to help you plan your adventure!
About Hermit’s Rest Route & The Shuttle Bus
Hermit’s Rest Route is one of the most popular scenic drives in the park. The route is about 7.8 miles long and features 9 overlook stops. The route takes you along the South Rim of the canyon.
You can choose to hike the entire Hermit’s Rest Route, take the bus for the entire length, or a combination of both. The free shuttle bus stops at the Village Route Shuttle Transfer stop every 15 minutes in the summer months and heads towards Hermit’s Rest and for one hour after sunset.
The wait can get long at times, so be prepared for this. Our longest wait was at the shuttle transfer stop waiting to get on the bus to Hermit’s Rest. We arrived first thing in the morning (around 7am) and still found ourselves waiting about an hour to get on board.
Once we were on the route the max time we spent at any of the stops waiting for the shuttle to the next stop was 15 minutes. You can also hike to the next stop and for some of the points (such as Powell Point to Hopi Point) I would recommend this as the distances are pretty short.
If you choose not to get off the bus along the route (which we HIGHLY discourage!) the trip is about 80 minutes long round trip. If you plan to get off the bus at all or some of the overlook points, the trip can be any where from a couple hours to a full day’s journey, depending on how much time you decide to spend at each stop.
Hermit’s Rest Route Overlooks
Trail Overlook
The Trail Overlook is the first stop you will come upon. It is 0.7 miles from the Village Route Transfer station. At this overlook you will get some good views of the Bright Angel Trailhead heading down into the canyon, but the canyon views are not as great as some of the other stops. This stop has a series of staircases you can climb up or down for different viewpoints.
Maricopa Point
Maricopa Point is the next stop on the route, 0.7 miles from Trail Overlook. This overlook extends out over the canyon about 100 ft. This viewpoint gives you clear, unobstructed canyon views. Looking down into the canyon you can see the Tonto Trail and part of the Colorado River.
At this point you can also see the remains of the Orphan Mine-mining equipment, cable lines, and a manmade hole is the side of the canyon. If you choose to hike the path from Maricopa Point to Powell Point you will notice signs and a section of the trail rerouted due to “hot spots” from uranium ores.
Powell Point
Powell Point is the next stop, 0.5 miles from Maricopa Point. Powell Point offers similar views as Maricopa with views extending Westward, but obstructed due to the next ridge, Hopi Point.
A couple interesting facts about Powell Point-it was the site of the 1920 Grand Canyon National Park dedication ceremony and contains a memorial for John Wesley Powell, an explorer of the Colorado River.
Hermit’s Rest Route: Hopi Point
Hopi Point is a short 0.5 mile walk (or bus ride) from Powell Point. Hopi Point features the first unobstructed views of the western Canyon and is one of the most popular stops along the Hermit’s Rest Route.
Hopi Point has two distinct lookout areas. The first is a fenced viewing area near the road and the second is a flat overlook area about 2,000 feet below the main viewing area.
Hopi Point is the most popular spot on the Hermit’s Rest Route and the west rim for viewing the sunset. Also important to note-Hopi Point is the only stop along the route (other than Hermit’s Rest) that has restrooms available.
**Tip: Because of the upper fenced in area, Hopi Point is a great location for photo ops with young children without having to get too close to the edge.**
Mohave Point
Mohave Point is next, 0.8 miles from Hopi Point. Mohave Point is great for viewing the Colorado River and the rapids below, including the Salt Creek, Granite, and Hermit rapids. From Mohave Point you can see the 3,000 ft. cliffs that encircle the Abyss and in the distance Yuma, Cocopa, and Havasupai Points.
Mohave Point is a less crowded option for viewing the sunset that still offers gorgeous views. You can also find multiple smaller overlook areas at this point.
The Abyss
The Abyss is a unique viewpoint along the Hermit’s Rest Route. The viewpoint allows you to look down into a 3,000 ft. side canyon carved out by the effects of gravity on the rocks. You will also get some good views of the Tonto Plateau, the Colorado River, Granite Rapids, and Monument (a large sandstone column).
Monument Creek
The Monument Creek stop, 0.9 miles from the Abyss, gives you great views of, you guessed it, Monument Creek and the Granite Rapids of the Colorado River. You can also see the Colorado River with Monument Creek flowing into it.
Hermit’s Rest Route: Pima Point
Pima Point, 1.7 miles from Monument Creek, is the next stop and boosts some great, unobstructed views of the canyon from Bright Angel Canyon to the east to Powell Plateau and the Great Scenic Divide to the west. Also visible from this viewpoint are Monument Creek, sections of the Hermit Trail, the Granite Rapids, and NinetyFour Mile Creek.
Hermit’s Rest
The last stop along the route is Hermit’s Rest. Here you will find a small gift shop and snack stand as well as bathrooms and picnic tables. You can also access the Hermit’s Rest trailhead at this stop. While you can get some good views of the canyon from this stop, most are limited and obstructed.
After checking out Hermit’s Rest you can catch a shuttle back to the Village Transfer Route station. On the journey back you can expect the shuttle to stop again at Pima Point, Mohave Point, and Powell Point.
Tips for Visiting
- If you visit during the winter months (December, January, and February) you will be able to drive the Hermit’s Rest Route in your personal vehicle. During the more crowded months (March 1-November 30) the road is closed to personal vehicles.
- Unless you are staying within Grand Canyon National Park be sure to arrive early in the morning (before 8am). If you arrive later you will most likely run into very long lines and wait times at the entrance booth.
- Bring plenty of water! Depending on what time of year you are visiting, the Grand Canyon can get very hot! Be sure to bring plenty of water for you and the kids, especially if you are planning to hike any of the route to Hermit’s Rest.
- Keep a close eye on your younger children! It is a common fear of parents bringing their children to the Grand Canyon that they are going to fall in. While the overlooks have fencing, there are parts of the trails that do not so it is important to keep a close eye on and close distance to young kids who may run around.
Is the Hermit’s Rest Route good for kids?
Yes! The Hermit’s Rest Route can be a great experience for families visiting the Grand Canyon. The route offers great canyon views and opportunities to explore without requiring kids to complete a long, strenuous hike. Families can choose how much walking they want to do at each stop.
How difficult is the Hermit’s Rest Route with kids?
The difficulty depends on how much hiking your family chooses to do. The scenic route itself is easy to enjoy with kids, while trails that descend into the canyon can be much more challenging.
How long does it take to visit Hermit’s Rest with kids?
Plan on at least a couple of hours if you want to explore several viewpoints along the route. Families who want to stop frequently for photos, snacks, and exploring may want to allow several hours. If doing the bus shuttle the entire time, plan on about an hour and a half (without getting off).
Can you drive the Hermit’s Rest Route?
Vehicle access on Hermit Road is restricted during certain times of the year, so families should check current Grand Canyon National Park transportation rules before their visit. When the road is not open to private vehicles, you can use the free park shuttle.
Are there bathrooms at Hermit’s Rest?
Yes, but the only stops that have restrooms are Hopi Point and Hermit’s Rest. Hopi Point is located in the middle and Hermit’s Rest is at the end. Plan accordingly.
What is the best time to visit Hermit’s Rest with kids?
Spring and fall are some of the best times to visit because temperatures are generally more manageable than during the hottest parts of summer.
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