At this time, Grand Canyon National Park does not require reservations to enter the park, nor does it have timed entry.
Spring Break is here! We want everyone to have a positive park experience. Advanced trip planning can help to ensure that your only surprises are pleasant ones. To help everyone have a great experience, Grand Canyon National Park's rangers share their top 10 insider tips to #PlanLikeAParkRanger.
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Review our Park Operations Webpage for current information and hours of operation. Updated daily.
Information about:
- Entrance fees
- Visiting the busy South Rim and Grand Canyon Village
- Things to do
- Grand Canyon Hiking FAQ
- Hiking smart in the summer heat
- Winter hiking information
Park campgrounds and lodging fill months in advance. Check availability and make reservations before you arrive.
Backcountry camping overnight — inside Grand Canyon — requires a backcountry permit. Details >
Lodging
- South Rim Lodging
- North Rim Lodging (May 15 through October 15, 2023).
Campgrounds
- South Rim Campgrounds
- North Rim Campgrounds (May 15 through October 15, 2023).
Backcountry camping overnight — inside Grand Canyon — requires a backcountry permit. Details >
Currently, Grand Canyon National Park does not require reservations or timed entry.
During spring break and summer, the South Rim Entrance Station experiences long lines and visitors can expect to wait in line for up to two hours to enter the park between 9:30 am to 4 pm.
To help reduce wait times at the South Rim Entrance station, buy your park pass online at Your Pass Now, or from these businesses in the gateway community of Tusayan: the IMAX Theater, Tusayan Chamber of Commerce Office, Canyon Plaza Resort, Red Feather Lodge, and Westwind Air Service (located in the Grand Canyon Airport Terminal).
At the Entrance Stations, credit and debit cards, digital passes, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is not being accepted at this time. More about passes and entrance fees >
Travelers arriving from the east on Interstate 40, or from Phoenix on Interstate 17, can take US 89 from Flagstaff, Arizona, north to Cameron, Arizona, then west on State Route 64, —to enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View (for shorter wait times at the entrance station, and some of the best views of the Colorado River).
During spring break and summer, the South Rim Entrance Station experiences long lines and visitors can expect to wait in line for up to two hours to enter the park between 9:30 am to 4 pm.
To help reduce wait times at the South Rim Entrance station, buy your park pass online at Your Pass Now, or from these businesses in the gateway community of Tusayan: the IMAX Theater, Tusayan Chamber of Commerce Office, Canyon Plaza Resort, Red Feather Lodge, and Westwind Air Service (located in the Grand Canyon Airport Terminal).
At the Entrance Stations, credit and debit cards, digital passes, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is not being accepted at this time. More about passes and entrance fees >
Travelers arriving from the east on Interstate 40, or from Phoenix on Interstate 17, can take US 89 from Flagstaff, Arizona, north to Cameron, Arizona, then west on State Route 64, —to enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View (for shorter wait times at the entrance station, and some of the best views of the Colorado River).
Observe posted speed limits and use pullouts to watch wildlife, take pictures, and to let other cars pass.
- Make sure nothing is hanging beneath your vehicle and dragging on the pavement.
- Park on pavement. Don’t park off road in grass or other vegetation, as the heat from a vehicle’s undercarriage can start a fire.
- Parking lots around the Visitor Center Plaza often fill by mid-day. Here's how to find additional nearby parking. Details >
- Visiting for the day in an RV, or pulling a trailer? There are three parking lots with large pull-through spaces. Details >
- Note: depending up Coconino County CDC COVID-19 Community Level face masks may be required inside park buildings, and strongly encouraged on the park's free shuttle buses, if Community Level is "High".
- The Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route, with service from the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal to South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, Mather Point and Yavapai Geology Museum is in operation from 4:30 am until one hour after sunset.
- The Village (Blue) Route connects the Visitor Center Plaza with lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (market, ATM, and post office).
- The Hermits Road (Red) Route (March 1 through November 30) begins at the Hermit Road Interchange, on the west side of the Village Historic District, then travels along a 7 mile scenic road with outstanding views of Grand Canyon. The route is in operation from 4:30 am until one hour after sunset.
- The early morning Hikers' Express Bus makes 3 stops in Grand Canyon Village then travels to the South Kaibab Trailhead: 7 am, 8 am and 9 am, March.
- Tusayan (Purple) Route service between the gateway community of Tusayan, and the park runs only during the summer. Service is expected to resume May 27, 2023.
You can check our South Entrance Station Webcam to see how long the entrance line is.
Below the canyon rim, the hot desert environment is hard on pets. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on inner canyon trails, even when carried.
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Grand Canyon National Park B.A.R.K. Ranger Dog Tags >
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Inner canyon trails are narrow and well-travelled. Pets can be unpredictable on a trail. Hikers, runners or wildlife can spook them, and cause an accident.
*Special note: While pets are never allowed below the rim of Grand Canyon, service animals are permitted if they are assisting their humans who have disabilities. It is highly recommended for the safety of your service dog that you check in with the Backcountry Information Center to learn how you can mitigate specific hazards posed by hiking on the park's inner canyon trails.
- Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim, in Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and throughout developed areas. The South Rim Kennel is open for overnight boarding 7 days/week, and can provide a safe place for your furry friend to stay while you explore all Grand Canyon has to offer.
- Leashed pets are only allowed on the bridle trail (greenway) that connects the North Kaibab Trail, and the portion of the Arizona Trail north to the park entrance station. There is no Kennel on the North Rim.
Grand Canyon National Park B.A.R.K. Ranger Dog Tags >
People have been injured by squirrels, bison, deer and elk.
Never approach elk, they are wild animals and weigh as much as a small car. Females will kick with their front legs to defend their babies - and that kick can crush a human skull.
Bites on the hand from overly aggressive squirrels are the most common wildlife injury experienced by visitors here. Their sharp teeth crack nuts — and cut fingers. Bite injuries often require stitches. Please protect yourself and don't feed or water squirrels.
Grand Canyon Wildlife Viewing and Safety Tips >
Never approach elk, they are wild animals and weigh as much as a small car. Females will kick with their front legs to defend their babies - and that kick can crush a human skull.
Bites on the hand from overly aggressive squirrels are the most common wildlife injury experienced by visitors here. Their sharp teeth crack nuts — and cut fingers. Bite injuries often require stitches. Please protect yourself and don't feed or water squirrels.
Grand Canyon Wildlife Viewing and Safety Tips >
If you wish to camp anywhere in the park, other than in developed campgrounds on the South Rim or the North Rim, you must obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center.
- You fill in and submit an application. You can submit your application up to 4 months in advance.
- Your chances of getting a permit are greater if you have some wiggle room to adjust date range and location of campsites.
- It is possible to just show up at the Backcountry Information Center and get on a waiting list for any last minute permits that could become available due to cancellations. Details >
The bottom of Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch is 2460 feet (750 m) above sea level.
That's about 4800 feet (1500 m) lower than the South Rim and about 5000 feet (1800 m) lower than the North Rim. Because of the difference in elevation, the rims are 25 degrees cooler than down inside the toasty inner canyon.
Plan you outing so you are not hiking during midday — when it is extremely HOT (between 10 am and 4 pm). Summer temperatures inside the canyon can reach 115 °F (46° C)
Hiking Smart in the Summer Heat >
Things to Bring:
That's about 4800 feet (1500 m) lower than the South Rim and about 5000 feet (1800 m) lower than the North Rim. Because of the difference in elevation, the rims are 25 degrees cooler than down inside the toasty inner canyon.
Plan you outing so you are not hiking during midday — when it is extremely HOT (between 10 am and 4 pm). Summer temperatures inside the canyon can reach 115 °F (46° C)
Hiking Smart in the Summer Heat >
Things to Bring:
- Water & Electrolytes
- Food & Salty Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water Spray Bottle
- Loose, Protective Clothing
- and a Wide-brimmed Hat.
- Stay on designated trails and walkways and always keep a safe distance of at least six feet (2 m) from the edge of the canyon rim.
- In areas where there is a railing or fence, do not climb over the barrier.
- Know where the edge is. Watch foot placement and look for trip hazards.
- Never throw rocks, coins, trash, or anything else over the edge.
- Don’t visit the park if you are sick.
- Masks are required indoors and are strongly encouraged on park shuttle buses when Coconino Country COVID-19 Community Level is in "HIGH".
- It is best to maintain at least six feet (2 m) of social distancing in any crowded situation.
NPS/M. Quinn
South Rim Visitor Center
- Sunday, March 12 through Saturday, April 1:
- Visitor Center is open 8 am - 12 noon, Thursday through Monday; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday . Details >
- Face masks may be required inside park buildings when Coconino County CDC COVID-19 levels are in HIGH. Check the alert at the top of the page for our current status.