Grand Canyon Tours for Seniors
Inducted as a National Park in 1919, the Grand Canyon has welcomed almost 5 million visitors each year in the past decade.
Both the young and young-at-heart delight in the amazing grandeur of this national park, and the Grand Canyon offers plenty to do, regardless of age or activity level. If you’re planning a Grand Canyon tour for seniors, make sure you check out these activities and sights during your upcoming excursion.
Take a Shuttle Tour
When planning Grand Canyon trips for seniors, accessibility is a priority. Luckily, you don’t have to hike to see the canyon, as there are a variety of guided shuttle and bus tours that can set you up for a successful sightseeing trip. Many of these tours offer complimentary pickup and drop-off at lodging found within the park, making this a convenient way to get around and see all the Grand Canyon has to offer.
Board a comfy bus and take an interpretive tour throughout the park. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the inspiring views out your window. Many of the in-park tours feature a trained driver-naturalist, who will enrich your experience with informative and entertaining narratives. Whether you’re hoping to take in the views from the remote East Rim or want to watch the sun rise over the canyon, you’ll find a great, senior citizen-friendly touring option.
An IMAX Experience
The best Grand Canyon tours for seniors incorporate strategic rest stops, so be sure to check in at the Visitor Center and experience the park in all of its glory—in just 34 minutes’ time. Take in a viewing of “Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time” and bask in an air-conditioned IMAX® Theater that boasts a six-story movie screen.
This breathtaking film will have you traveling throughout the park, encountering amazing sights and sounds. Learn about ancient residents of the Grand Canyon, soar above the rim, and glide across the rapid waters of the Colorado River—all from the comfort of a plush chair.
If you add this activity to your upcoming Grand Canyon trip for seniors, save 20 percent by purchasing your tickets online.
Take a Pink Jeep Tour
If you’re traveling with an elderly loved one but still want an exhilarating way to see the most majestic sights of the Grand Canyon, consider a Pink Jeep Tour. These tours are a great addition to a Grand Canyon trip for seniors, as they offer adventure and comfort in one package.
Choose from four different touring options: The Grand Entrance, The Grand Hike, The Grand Deluxe, and The Grand Finale—each offers something special for every member of the family. Your trained tour guide will take you around the most dramatic viewpoints of the park, regaling you with amazing facts and narratives about the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Grand Canyon.
To sweeten an already fantastic deal, every Pink Jeep Tour comes with a ticket to see “Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time” at the Visitor Center, meaning you can explore the park in person and discover new sights through film.
Experience the Inner Canyon in Your Own Car
While shuttles are a fantastic and convenient way to explore the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking views, they unfortunately can’t make the journey down into the canyon.
Hiking and mule rides might not be an option if you’re planning a Grand Canyon tour for seniors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the majesty of the inner rim. Head down Diamond Creek Road—the only route that provides automobile access into the park.
This hidden gravel road traverses the Hualapai Reservation, and with a permit, you can take your personal vehicle down into the depths of the canyon.
It should take you approximately an hour to traverse Diamond Creek road, and there are plenty of beautiful sights to take in on the way—just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride, as this primitive road can run within the streambed of Diamond Creek. Pack a lunch to enjoy at the picnic area on your route and soak in the beauty of this one-of-a-kind Grand Canyon experience.
Pro tip: Your car must have four-wheel drive to handle the stretch from Peach Springs Canyon to the Colorado River, and keep in mind that there are no facilities on this path in the canyon.
Grand Canyon tours for seniors are anything but boring. Enjoy amazing cinematography of one of the United States’ most beautiful destinations, take in the sights on a guided Pink Jeep Tour, or drive your own car deep into the Canyon to learn more about this geological wonder first-hand. Learn more about our tips for making the most of your trip here, and turn your upcoming vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.