The 45 minute round-trip shuttle has narrative tour guide about the canyon. There are nine stops along the way. You can get on and off as many times as you want throughout the day. Be sure to catch the last shuttle and hold on to your shuttle ticket. It is a long walk to the main entrance even from the first stop.
Most visitors ride to the end of the road and make a stop along the return trip.
The facility houses a gift shop and exhibits describing the history and environment of the canyon and the Santa Catalina Mountains. Bring a jug or container of cold water to sip along the way. Even if you ride just the shuttle, the desert heat will dehydrate your body faster than you might think. Container water and drinks are sold in vending machine by the main entrance, but drinking water is more scare the further up the canyon you travel. There are rest rooms along the way, but drinking water is only available at the first few stops.