Hello, and Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park.  There have been a lot of changes to the park recently and one of the things that has changed the most is the parking.

4 miles after you arrive in the park you will come to this sign that represents the beginning of the preferred parking area.
The new parking areas are represented by numbers, colors, and symbols to help you remember where you left your car.
Take this first right turn to enter parking lot number one.

Parking lot number one, the yellow lot, is the best lot to choose if you have an RV or other large vehicle.

Lot one is also called the "Raven" lot and is the closest one to the canyon.

In fact, at the far right or northwest corner of lot one there are several accessible parking spaces that are only a few short steps from the first canyon view.

This short wheel chair accessible pathway leads directly to the canyon rim.
Arriving at the canyon for the first time at this connector to the rim trail can be a thrilling experience.

This is also the easiest way to get to the new Mather Amphitheatre for ranger programs.

Way finding exhibits like this one give an overview and show your current location.
Although those spots are the closest to the views, it is a little bit farther to the restrooms and the Visitor Center from those lot one accessible spaces. 

Lot two however is the hub of activity.  As you enter the red or "bighorn" lot the canyon is about 100 meters or yards to the north on the right hand side and the visitor center is about the same distance right in front of you.

Lot two fills up pretty quickly but if you can find a place there you will be close to everything.

This entire building is the restroom and it is the first thing you come to at the end of "Bighorn" lot two.

Of course you will want to check the way finding exhibit here too.  "You are Here" is clearly marked.

In fact you will probably walk right past the restroom and down this path to get to the visitor center and shuttle bus stops.

There are plenty of restrooms.  Just look for them in their own separate buildings in the Visitor Center complex.

Down this path in front of the restroom you will find the water bottle refilling station and the rest of the visitor center.
Lot two is also the parking area closest to the shuttle stops.

Our shuttle busses are all free and they will take you most anywhere you want to go.

Parking lot three is the "blue' or "Swallowtail butterfly" lot and is the more secluded lot farthest from everything.  You can usually count on finding parking here.

Even from lot three though, the canyon and visitor center complex as well as the shuttle bus stops are only a short walk to your right down this path.

And as usual, the way finding exhibit will show you your location and the pathways to everything else.
Leaving the first three parking areas and returning to the main road, you will find the directions well marked.  The exit of the park is to your left and the lodges and village are to your right.

If you missed the first three parking areas, you can turn right for one additional opportunity to park at the visitor center.

The final visitor center parking area is lot 4 the green or "Collared Lizard" lot.
There are accessible parking places here too, and although they are the farthest one from the canyon they are the closest to the bicycle rental facility, the Visitor Center itself and the Books and More bookstore.

From parking lot four the first thing you will see is the bike rental kiosk.
There's a way finding exhibit here too, but by then you will already see the entire visitor center in front of you.

All of the parking areas surround this visitor center and the brand new "Journey of Wonder" Grand Canyon Movie.

After you have finished your visit and return to the main road you will again find the exit to your left and the Grand canyon Village to your right.

If you come to this intersection you have left the visitor center and parking behind.
The Yavapai Lodge and Market Plaza are to your left and the Grand Canyon Village is about 2 miles straight ahead.
At this point you have passed the parking and the Visitor Center, and if you are still in your car you haven't even seen the canyon yet.

There is a glimpse of it to your right through the trees.  El Tovar, Bright Angel, and Maswik lodges are a couple of miles in front of you farther down this road.

Before you get to the village though, you will pass right by the Yavapai Geology Museum.  We'll talk about that one next time.