TourTruth score 8.5 out of 10
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Grand Canyon Back-Road Wildlife Safari 3 hr
TourTruth score 8.9 out of 10
Very goodTop 12% in Grand Canyon National Park
507 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Grand Canyon National Park
- 3 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Ride a permitted back road through Kaibab National Forest, spot wildlife, and explore Grand Canyon viewpoints on a guided 3-hour safari.
About this tour
Trade the entrance-gate queues for a scenic back-road ride into the Grand Canyon region. This 3-hour Grand Canyon wildlife safari departs from Tusayan aboard a custom 4x4 with forward-facing bucket seats and panoramic windows, using a permitted route through Kaibab National Forest.
Keep watch for elk, deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife before reaching the South Rim. The tour includes two guided walks along the canyon rim, totaling about 90 minutes, with stops at dramatic viewpoints such as Yavapai Point. Explore historic Grand Canyon Village landmarks, including El Tovar Hotel, Lookout Studio, Kolb Studio, Bright Angel Trailhead, and Hopi House. Your guide shares local history and context along the way, and bottled water is provided.
Grand Canyon back-road wildlife safari check-in is at 9:15 a.m. at the Tusayan Fire Department parking lot, with departure at 9:30 a.m. Choose this small-group-style outdoor experience for a relaxed mix of wildlife viewing, canyon scenery, and guided walking.
Highlights
- Ride a custom 4x4 through Kaibab National Forest on a permitted back road
- Look for elk, deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife in their natural habitat
- Admire Grand Canyon views from Yavapai Point
- Explore Grand Canyon Village and its historic landmarks
- Walk the canyon rim on two guided segments totaling about 90 minutes
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Grand Canyon South Rim access, including Yavapai Point, Bright Angel Trail, and Hopi House
- About 90 minutes of guided rim walking across two locations
Not included
- Food
- Gratuities
- For non-U.S. residents age 16 and older, additional Grand Canyon National Park fees effective January 1, 2026
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.94 / 5 · 458 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.78 / 5 · 49 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Important information
- Meet at the parking lot in front of the Tusayan Fire Department, south of the IMAX Theater
- Check in at 9:15 a.m.; departure is at 9:30 a.m.
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers or people with back or spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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- Wear closed-toe shoes and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a jacket, and a reusable water bottle
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller; specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals are allowed
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tour depart?
Meet at the parking lot in front of the Tusayan Fire Department in Tusayan, Arizona. Check in at 9:15 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. departure.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 3 hours and includes two guided rim walks totaling approximately 90 minutes.
What wildlife might I see?
Wildlife may include elk, deer, wild turkeys, and other bird species.
Are there additional Park fees?
Starting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older must pay an additional Grand Canyon National Park fee that is not included in the tour price.
Is the tour suitable for everyone?
The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or people with back or spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.94 on Viator and 4.78 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Grand Canyon National Park
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 8.9. Top 12% in Grand Canyon National Park means it ranks in the top 12% of tours in Grand Canyon National Park by this score.
Provider rating distribution in Grand Canyon National Park
How many tours in Grand Canyon National Park have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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TourTruth score 8.5 out of 10
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