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Jump to: Hiker Express Shuttle -- Village Route -- Hermit Route -- Kaibab Rim Route
Tusayan Shuttle Resumes Saturday, May 12, 2012 ... more
This spring, free shuttle buses are operating on four routes.
- The routes interconnect, but do not overlap.
- No tickets are required, and bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park by signs.
- Buses are white with a green stripe.
- The buses display the route name on the front.
- Pets are not permitted on buses.
- Service may be suspended during inclement weather.
- Each shuttle bus is equipped with a 2 or 3-capacity bicycle rack on the front. Bicyclists are required to load and unload their own bikes, and are responsible for bike security. Bicycle one way and ride the shuttle the other..
- Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers in wheelchairs. Please note: wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 by 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses.
- Most motorized scooters will not fit on the buses..
- The Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit allows entry for visitors with mobility issues to some areas closed to public traffic. The permit is available at entrance gates, National Park Service visitor centers, and hotel lobbies.
Download the S. Rim Transit Map. It shows Grand Canyon Village shuttle bus routes, bus stops, points of interest and parking lots.
Click here to download the map (900 kb PDF)
Click on the map above to download a letter sized pdf file that can be printed out.
The free shuttle buses take you to places in the park you cannot drive. Park your vehicle in one of the parking areas, proceed to the nearest bus stop, and board the next bus. Information about bus routes is available on the map (that you may download above) and at bus stops. Buses display the route name on the front marquee. It is that simple. The buses come by every 15–30 minutes. You are free to get on and off at any stop. The routes are designed so you can ride to a stop, enjoy the view, shop at a gift store, or walk along the rim and then hop on a later shuttle.
How do I use the free shuttle buses ?
Village Route (Blue) 50 minutes round trip
Now In Service
Map showing the Village Loop (Blue) bus stops
Train depot bus stop below the El Tovar Hotel.
Buses provide transportation between:
Visitor Center, Bookstore and Plaza,
Market Plaza:
General Store, Bank, Post Office
Historic District:
lodges, restaurants, gift shops
Campgrounds, parking lots,
ranger programs,
and other facilities in the Village area.
Boarding Village Route bus at the Visitor Center.
50 Minutes Round-trip
(without getting off the bus)
This is not a scenic route, but rim views are available a short walk from some stops.
How often does the bus come ?
4:30 a.m. - - 6:30 a.m. - every 30 minutes
6:30 a.m. - - 7:30 p.m. - every 15 minutes
7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - every 30 minutes
Kaibab/Rim Route (Orange) 50 minutes round trip
Now In Service
Buses provide transportation between:
Grand Canyon Visitor Center,
South Kaibab Trailhead ------ Yaki Point ------ Pipe Creek Vista,
Mather Point, and Yavapai Geology Museum.
This is the shortest scenic route and the only access to Yaki Point, the South Kaibab Trailhead and the Yavapai Geology Museum.
Map showing the Kaibab/ Rim Route (Orange) bus stops
Kaibab/Rim Shuttle Bus at the Yaki Point Stop
50 Minutes Round-trip
(without getting off the bus)
How often does the bus come ?
4:30 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. - every 30 minutes
6:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset - every 15 minutes
Learn more about the:
Yavapai Museum of Geology
The South Kaibab Trail
Hermit Road - Scenic Route (Red) 75 minutes round trip
Now in Service through November 30, 2012.
Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles March 1 to November 30 annually.
Shuttle bus service on Hermit Road provides transportation between the Village Route Transfer Station and Hermits Rest (7 miles/ 11 km) with stops at nine canyon overlooks.
Click on image above to download a printable version of the map. Hermit Route (Red) Bus Stops and trails are show. In service between March 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012.
NPS Photo by michael quinn
Last Stop: Hermits Rest
Return trip buses stop only at 4 stops: Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave, and Powell Points.
80 Minutes Round-trip
(without getting off the bus)
How often does the bus come ?
4:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. - every 30 minutes
7:00 a.m. to sunset - every 15 minutes
sunset to one hour after sunset - every 30 minutes
The newly improved Hermit Road has some of the best Grand Canyon views that you can see anywhere. Read more...
This bus route may be used in conjunction with the rim trail. It is possible to get off at one stop, enjoy a scenic walk along the rim - then get back on the bus at the next stop.
If you feel like taking a longer walk, fill a backpack with food and water, then take the shuttle bus all the way out to Hermit's Rest and day hike the Rim Trail the 8 miles (12.8 km) back to the Village.
Touring Hermit Road
If you enjoy bicycling, Hermit Road is probably the best cycling road in the park. Compared to most roads in the village, there is far less traffic out on Hermit Road since private vehicles are not permitted 9 months of the year.
Each shuttle bus is equipped with a 2 or 3-capacity bicycle rack on the front. Bicycle one way and ride the shuttle the other. In addition to the road itself, there are three miles of paved Greenway trail - great for cyclists as well as hikers.
Hermit Road shuttle stop between the Abyss and Pima Point
Tusayan Route (Purple) 40 minutes round trip:
Now In Service
The Tusayan Route (a part of Grand Canyon National Park's visitor transportation system on the South Rim) "park & ride" shuttle bus service will be provided between the gateway community of Tusayan/ Grand Canyon Airport, and the Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center. (7 miles/ 11km south of the S. Rim village)
- The service will operate between Saturday, May 12 and mid-September, 2012
- 20 minutes each way (riding time; no stop)
- Buses will run every 15 minutes
Visitors who will be entering the park from Tusayan via the shuttle bus must present a valid park entrance pass. Entrance passes may be purchased at park entrances or at various businesses in Tusayan.
Park in Tusayan and ride the free shuttle into the park. The airport parking lot is shown above.
Boarding the Hiker's Express Shuttle
The Hiker's Express Shuttle Bus
An early morning bus with service to South Kaibab Trailhead.
Bus departs from Bright Angel Lodge bus stop on the hour; second stop at Backcountry Information Center; third stop at Grand Canyon Visitor Center; last stop at South Kaibab Trailhead.
March: 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 am
April: 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 am
May: 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 am
Your phone provides a fun way to learn more about the Park. Listen to park rangers give 2 minute audio tours at various points of interest on the South Rim, from Hermit Road to Yaki Point, and the North Rim. Learn more...
1976 photo of Hermit Road shuttle.
The South Rim Shuttle Bus System
For more than 30 years the National Park Service has provided a free shuttle bus system on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors and residents have made 75,000,000 boardings.
Many of the buses use compressed or liquefied natural gas, a cleaner burning fuel. Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers in wheelchairs. Please note: wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 by 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses. Most motorized scooters will not fit on buses.
Riding the shuttles makes your stay more enjoyable, while reducing pollution and decreasing traffic congestion.
News Releases
May 10, 2011
The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan. The service will be available from May 14 through September 9 and will run at 15 minute intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
April 14, 2010
The National Park Service (NPS) will offer a shuttle bus route between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan again this summer season. The service will be available from May 15 through September 12 and will run at 15 minute intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
April 2, 2009
National Park Service to offer pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan again this year.
National Park Service reopens historic Hermit Road with a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the road and rehabilitation project
November 3, 2008
Grand Canyon National Park’s historic Hermit Road scheduled to reopen Saturday, November 15, 2008 with a dedication ceremony honoring the road and rehabilitation project
National Park Service to extend pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan
National Park Service to test a pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan
Grand Canyon National Park to begin operating a 100 percent dedicated fleet of compressed natural gas powered buses
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