We're going to the Grand Canyon next Oct. for the first time and I wondered what tours people can recommend. Is the railroad express tour a good one? I'm also interested in either the Hermits rest tour or the Desert View Tour. I'm interested in what others thought of these tours before I sign up.

Are you asking about a guided tour or doing siteseeing on your own?

Hermits Rest can be reached by the free park shuttle system. There is also a path to hike along the rim. The first half is a wider path, the second half towards Hermit's Rest gets narrower. IMHO, some of the best views are from the Canyon Village area going towards Hermits Rest. I like walking along the rim until I get tired and then pick up a shuttle bus to go the rest of the way.

From the Canyon Village to Desert View, you can drive your vehicle and stop at the many overlooks. Here the canyon gets wider and not as deep but still amazing views.

I've never done the trail ride, but you DO NOT SEE the canyon from the train.

Utahtea

The mule ride is amazing if you haven't already considered it.

We took the Hermits Rest bus tour during our stay last Ocotber. I didn't think it was money well spent.

The only value-added was the informative narration (and funny jokes) by the bus driver. It was simply a bus ride to half a dozen points where we were let out to look at the view and take pictues. We saw many people who were making the rounds of these sites in their own.

I think maybe these tours were especially crafted for people who come to the Grand Canyon without a car.

So far thanks for the advice. It sounds as if we can do just as well with our own car or also the free shuttle buses. The ranger programs at night might be good also.