There are few more awe-inspiring locations for a field trip than Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. Create lasting memories in one of America’s favorite national parks while stepping into an outdoor classroom where students can explore geology, ecology, and earth science through hands-on, place-based learning. Designed for students in grades 3 to 8, the park’s Education Team provides ranger-led field trips that align with Arizona Science Standards. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the South Rim, these programs allow students to engage directly with the natural world, fostering curiosity and scientific inquiry. With a focus on observation and experimentation, students have the opportunity to study the forces shaping one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. Field trip programs are free of charge but require registration and are limited to 50 students or fewer per day, ensuring a focused and immersive experience.
The park offers three engaging educational programs tailored to different grade levels. Middle school students (6th–8th grade) can participate in Looking Back Through Geologic Time, where they analyze rocks to understand how the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact over time. Upper elementary students (3rd–5th grade) can join Forces Shaping the Grand Canyon, where they observe weathering, erosion, and deposition processes that contribute to the canyon’s formation. Another upper elementary program, Making Sense of Our World, encourages students to explore the ecosystem, investigating how plants and animals adapt and interact in their environment. Whether analyzing rock layers or discovering the interdependency of life, students leave with a deeper understanding of the natural processes that shape our planet.
