South Rim Ranger Programs
Ranger Geology Talks & Walks
Offered year-round, all geology ranger programs begin at the Yavapai Geology Museum. If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, 20-minute Geo Glimpse talks offer a short and sweet version of how Grand Canyon formed, while those who want to spend more time can join a ranger for a leisurely stroll along the rim for a more in-depth version of how the largest canyon on Earth came to be.
Junior Ranger Programs
Offered in the summer, these programs are designed especially for younger Grand Canyon explorers and their families. Programs could include educational activities, guided walks or hikes into the canyon. You can get a Junior Ranger booklet from the ranger before the program or get your badge if you are already done.
Kolb Studio Tour Ranger Program
Offered seasonally, this is the only ranger program that requires a reservation (free of charge) due to the limited number of visitors that the space can accommodate. In the early 1900’s, brothers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb built their home hanging off a cliff with an unparalleled view of the canyon below. Rangers take you on a tour of their unique home while sharing the story of these early canyon explorers and photographers.
California Condor Ranger Talk Ranger
Offered seasonally, these ranger talks are designed to give you the best opportunity to not only learn more about the endangered birds that call Grand Canyon home, but also to give you the best chance of actually seeing a wild condor fly overhead too! Programs are held at the rim of the canyon near Lookout Studio.
Evening Ranger Programs
Offered year-round, these are the traditional campfire programs that visitors expect to find in a national park. While topics vary from night to night, these slide show programs offer a more in-depth opportunity to learn about all aspects of the canyon. Programs are held outside in summer and fall in the McKee Amphitheater and then move indoors to the Shrine of the Ages for winter and spring.
History Walk Ranger Program
Offered year-round, these ranger walks take you on an easy, hour long walk throughout the historic Grand Canyon Village District. Programs usually meet at either Verkamp’s Visitor Center or the El Tovar Hotel flagpole and then explore the various historic buildings in the area.
Cedar Ridge Hike with a Ranger
Offered in the summer, this early morning ranger program takes high energy hikers below the rim of the canyon on a 3.5-mile roundtrip hike along the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge. This is a great option for hikers who don’t like hiking alone.
Fossil Walk Ranger Program
Offered in the summer, this program takes you on a fossil adventure, all within an easy hike of the Bright Angel Trailhead. The program is great for families--the easy walk takes about an hour to explore the ancient wonders of the Kaibab limestone and the amazing fossils that it contains, if you know where to look!
Special Ranger Programs
Offered occasionally, special one-time ranger programs could include sunset walks along the rim, guided hikes into various parts of the canyon or guided nighttime walks to learn about nocturnal animals or stars. Check at the visitor centers for the most up-to-date schedule.
Additional Guided Ranger Programs
Desert View Sunset Ranger Talk
Offered throughout the summer, this daily program offers you a front row seat at the rim of the canyon. The program starts before sunset and is a great way to learn more about the canyon without missing out on the beautiful colors at the end of the day.
Tusayan Ruin Ranger Tour
Offered seasonally, this program takes visitors on a short walk through the ancient home site at the Tusayan Ruin. Once home to a group of Ancestral Pueblo people, rangers reveal the ways that native people survived and thrived at the edge of the canyon.
Phantom Ranch Ranger Programs
Ranger programs at Phantom Ranch are offered seasonally in the spring and fall, and intermittently throughout the rest of the year. Ranger programs normally include a Ranger Bingo game in the afternoon near the canteen and an evening program in the amphitheater behind the Ranger Station.
North Rim Ranger Programs
Programs at the North Rim are offered seasonally from May 15th-October 15th (the dates that the North Rim is open). Programs can vary from year to year but typically include geology talk and walks, guided hikes and evening programs. Check at the North Rim Visitor Center to find out the latest offerings!
