Grand Canyon Tours

Canyon Dave Welcomes You!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 12 Years of TripAdvisor Excellence Awards
"Showing travelers the Grand Canyon we love."

You will stand quietly in awe at the edge. And that will be the best.

But come spend a few hours with us and finally understand it.

You won’t need a science background—most of our guests don’t have it. But now you are the explorers—following footsteps, finding fossils, reading the rocks, and seeing the canyon in a completely new way.

**50,000 happy guests in 26 years**

Find Your Tour

Ultimate Full Day Tour — Our Most Popular

Sit near the Rim and feel the rough texture of Grand Canyon granite. Hear the evening calls of pinyon jays. And learn the stories of erosion over impossibly deep time.

Families with kids under 5: please take the private Family Activity Tour instead (below).

$249 Adult/Teen • $234 Senior/Military • $149 Child 5-12

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Family Activity Tour

Especially for young families with kids 0 to 6 years old. Watch your children earn the Junior Ranger Badge and play the Mushroom Game. Film your kids acting out the four chapters of Grand Canyon history.

The Family Activities Tour starts only in Tusayan or the National Park, including campgrounds.

Hours are 9:00 to 1:00 with snacks and beverages.

Since it is a Private Tour, you don't have to worry about young-kid meltdowns. Starts at $595.

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Happy guests studying rocks of the canyon.

Half Day Tour

For our guests with limited time. The 3-hour tour includes the best of our famous Ultimate Tour, from the views at Yavapai Point to the Sit-at-the-Rim Geology Talk, and the fossil hunt at the Awesome Cracks.
Choose your time: 9:00-12:00 or 1:00-4:00. It starts only in Tusayan or the park itself.
In winter, from November through February, we offer only one time, 10:00 AM.

$159 Adult/Teen • $152 Senior/Military • $99 Child 5-12

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Private Tour

Listen to the wind, and hear your guide. No other voices will interrupt you. Any of our tours can be made private.

Starts at $795

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Luxury Multi-day Tour

Explore with Canyon Dave himself! Three National Parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce), Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, two helicopter rides, and dinner with Navajo dancers. But your memory will hold the vastness of the land itself.

$15,500 per adult guest

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Full refund for cancellation 24 hours before tour, otherwise credit for a future tour.

Differences from Other Tours

A Sit-at-the-Rim Geology Talk with pass-around rocks. You, learning real geology.
The biology of the South Rim forest and animals: juniper with its one million seeds. The secret lives of elk, deer, and ringtail.
The Mushroom Game and the Junior Ranger Badge for kids, while parents and seniors laugh.
Take home Canyon Dave's colorful Nature and Geology flyers.
A TripAdvisor #1 Rated Grand Canyon tour — and their Heart Award for five-star reviews.
Free pickup from hotels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds in Flagstaff, Williams, Valle, Tusayan, and inside Grand Canyon National Park. Pickup for half day 3-hour tours is only from Tusayan and the national park.

"Canyon Dave is a Grand Canyon legend...taking people on the most informative tours of Grand Canyon available."
--From Insiders' Guide to Grand Canyon by T.R. Berger

'Canyon Dave' Thayer has spent fifty years studying these rocks. He has written two books — Grand Canyon Geology (1986) and Grand Canyon Fossils (2009). As a former geology professor, he personally teaches every guide on his team, the "Grand Canyon Supergroup" of Canyon Dave Tours.

Canyon Dave Tours Reviews

Maureen October 28, 2026

Tripadvisor review: "Weather made it more interesting !!!!"

Had a very informative tour with Linda who turned lemons into lemonade for sure! The tour was tailored to the needs of the day and she was totally flexible in the rain and fog! It's amazing how venturing a few miles in one direction in the park changes the whole landscape and Linda knew all the places to hit. We got some amazing photos with the sun and clouds (and fog) and even got to see a gorgeous rainbow 🌈. She was very knowledgeable about the canyon and surrounding area and its history. It is definitely worth doing a guide. It was a great experience for all!!!

Janis October 22, 2026

"Highly recommend the guided tour with Canyon Dave Tours"

This was our first visit to the Canyon and it was a great experience thanks to our guide Jordan with Canyon Dave Tours. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating during our day tour from Tucsayan. We visited various key spots and he provided a lot of history and facts along the way.

Jordan was very helpful and knowledgeable of the entire area, including many details of the Grand Canyon. We were fortunate to see the mules gathered, as well as the train and steam engine. Given the water restrictions in the area, and previous rainy weather, we enjoyed a wonderful visit to the canyon. Thank you Jordan!

Terry B. May 21, 2026

"Our tour guide, John, was very knowledgeable"

John did a great job explaining the geology of the canyon to us. We didn't know just what to expect going into this tour but it turned out to be one of our favorite tours on our vacation. John's enthusiasm and knowledge of the canyon made it a tour we'll never forget.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are your Grand Canyon tours?

Our Ultimate Full Day Tour length depends on your starting city: Flagstaff—about 9 hours, Williams—about 8 hours, Tusayan or Grand Canyon hotels—about 6 hours. The Half Day Tour is 3 hours, starting at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM.

Where do you pick up guests?

The Full Day tours pick up from Flagstaff, Williams, Valle, Tusayan, Grand Canyon Village, or any nearby hotel, vacation rental, or campground. The Half Day Tour picks up only in Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park hotels and campgrounds.

Is lunch included?

No. The Ultimate Full Day Tour stops at Yavapai Tavern or Maswik Cafeteria, on your own. All tours include snacks and a variety of beverages throughout the day.

Do you offer private tours?

Absolutely! Any of our tours can be made private for your family or group. Private tours start at $795 and your group has the van — and your guide — entirely to yourselves. Toggle the private option on any booking form to see pricing.

What should I wear?

Layers are the key. Dress for the season, but be aware that temperature and wind conditions at the Grand Canyon can change rapidly. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. And don't forget sunscreen and a hat — the Canyon sun is intense and the rim winds can be fierce.

What do I need to know before my tour?

After booking, Leonor — our office manager — will call to confirm your pickup time, hotel location, and any questions about your group. The evening before your tour, your guide calls again with weather notes and final details. For the Full Day Tour, expect pickup at 7:45 AM (Flagstaff), at 8:30 AM (Williams) and 9:30 AM (Tusayan). No need to pack much — snacks, beverages, binoculars, and rock samples are all provided. Bring layers, comfortable shoes, and sunscreen.

"In the house of long life, there I wander
Beauty before me, with it I wander
Beauty behind me, with it I wander
Beauty above me, with it I wander
Beauty below me, with it I wander
On the beautiful trail I am, with it I wander"

--From Dawn Boy's Song of the Navajo people