Grand Canyon National Park - Mather Point/ Visitor Center Improvements (U.S. National Park Service)

Aerial view of Grand Canyon Visitor Center looking north into the Grand Canyon.

nps photo, May 29, 2010

View north from Lot 4 past the Visitor Center and the Commercial Tour Bus Lot to the canyon.

What has taken place ?

Over the course of the last two years, a number of improvements have occurred in the Mather Point/Grand Canyon Visitor Center area, creating an improved and more enjoyable visitor experience.

The South Entrance Road was realigned, taking visitors directly to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center where plenty of parking for both private and commercial vehicles is now available.

A vehicle-free visitor experience was created at Mather Point with improved opportunities to view the canyon, an accessible viewing platform and a new rim-side amphitheater for informal ranger programs.

At the Visitor Center, family-friendly interpretive and educational elements were incorporated into the plaza area; and a theater was added to the Visitor Center where the park's new interpretive orientation film is shown daily on the hour and half-hour. A new shuttle bus transit center also created improved and simplified access to the park's free shuttle bus system.

These improvements were called for in the 2008 South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan.

More improvements coming soon. Learn more....

These improvedments took place from 2009-2011, and included:

Realignment of the South Entrance Road to the south and west of the Visitor Center, providing more direct access to the Visitor Center area and visitor information.

Removal of the former roadway and parking lot at Mather Point, creating a safer, vehicle-free visitor experience at Mather Point.

The construction of almost 900 parking spaces for private vehicles and 40 for commercial tour vehicles adjacent to the Visitor Center plaza.

Completion of a new shuttle bus transit center, east of the visitor center and south of parking lot 2. The Village Route (blue), Kaibab Route (orange) and Tusayan Route (purple) shuttle buses can now all be accessed from here.

Construction of new restroom facilities on the north end of the commercial vehicle parking lot.

Addition of interpretive/educational elements throughout the plaza area and along the walk to the rim.

Improvement and simplificatioin of pedestrian traffic flow throughout the area.

Construction of a theater that can seat up to 200 people at the Visitor Center. The park's new interpretive orientation film, Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder is shown daily on the hour and half hour.

Construction of a stone ‘landmark feature’ along the primary walkway between the visitor center and the rim, which serves as a meeting place, a way finding icon and an introduction to the park's traditionally associated tribes.

Construction of picnic areas near the rim.

Development of mobility impaired access to the Mather Point overlook.

Construction of a new shuttle bus stop at Mather Point.

Improvement of all railings in the Mather Point area.

Construction of a rimside stone amphitheater east of the overlook.

Map showing the Grand Canyon Visitor Center with the location of parking lots 1-4. Mather Point and the Rim Trail reopened on Dec 17, 2010.

shuttle bus stop and transit center east of the South Rim visitor center

nps photo by michael quinn

The shuttle bus stop and transit center is east of the visitor center and south of parking lot 2. The transit center can accommodate up to 4 shuttle buses at one time. The Village (Blue Route), the Kaibab/Rim Route (Orange Route) and the Tusayan (Purple Route) buses stop here. To get to the scenic Hermit Road (Red Route), you take the Village (Blue Route) bus from here - then transfer to the Hermit (Red Route) at the Hermit Road Interchange. Your driver will announce all stops along the way.

More Improvements to Come

Within the next few years, the NPS plans on expanding interpretive services at the Visitor Center. These changes will improve visitor orientation and wayfinding and provide limited food items within the Visitor Center complex.

Construction of Greenway III, which will connect the Visitor Center and the gateway community of Tusayan, Arizona, is underway at this time.

Remodeling of the interior of the Visitor Center and installation of new exhibits will begin this summer. During the construction process, portions of the Visitor Center may be closed, but there will always be rangers on duty to answer questions.

Construction of a permanent bike rental facility adjacent to the plaza is currently anticipated to begin this fall.

Funding for these projects is being made available through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and through the park's fund raising partner Grand Canyon Association.

What has taken place ?

More Improvements to Come

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.