Hermit Road (Red) Route Shuttle Bus

 

Along Hermit Road, the shuttle buses are great when you use them in conjunction with the Canyon Rim Trail. You can get off at one stop, enjoy a scenic walk along the rim, then get back on the bus at the next stop. If you just stay on the bus, the entire round trip takes 80 minutes.

 

Hermit Road is Closed to Private Vehicles Between March 1, and November 30

• Hermit Road can only be accessed by the free Hermit Rest shuttle bus, commercial tour - or by bicycle - or on foot  
• Hermit Road is open to private vehicles only during the months of December, January and February.  

 

Last stop on the Hermit Road (Red) Route, historic Hermits Rest

Hermits Rest (Red) Route

May 24, through September 5, 2025
80 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

First bus is at 8:00 am —Service ends one hour after sunset
► Be at a bus stop no later than 30 minutes after sunset

• Every 15 minutes: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
• Every 10 minutes: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

This route provides transportation between Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest along a 7 mile road along the rim of the canyon with bus stops at 9 exceptional scenic overlooks.

 

Hermit Rest Route - Need to Know

• Outbound buses stop at all nine overlooks.

• Return trip buses stop only at these 4 stops:
  Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave, and Powell Points (see loop map below).

• The last outbound bus leaves the Village Transfer Station at sunset.

• The last return bus sweeps one hour after sunset.

• The last return bus stops at all Hermit Road bus stops on the way back to the village.

• During the busy seasons, the line can be long at the Hermit Road Transfer Station – you may have to wait in line for two to three buses.

• If you don't want to wait in the shuttle line, and are capable of a short, but strenuous hike on a paved footpath, walk 0.7 mi (1.1 km) up to Trailview Overlook, where you can board an outbound shuttle buse —or continue walking along the Canyon Rim Trail as far as Hermits Rest, 7.1 miles (11.4 km).

• The shuttle buses are great when you use them in conjunction with the Canyon Rim Trail. You can get off at one stop, enjoy a scenic walk along the rim, then get back on the bus at the next stop.

 

 

Points of Interest

• Canyon Rim Trail

• Trailview Overlook

• Maricopa Point

• Powell Point and Memorial

• Hopi Point

• Mohave Point

• The Abyss

• Monument Creek Vista

• Greenway Trail

• Pima Point

• Hermits Rest

• Hermit Trail

• View photos from the scenic overlooks along Hermit Road

 

Summer 2025 — South Rim Shuttle Route Map

 

Four shuttle bus routes are in service from May 24, through September 5, 2025. Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route, right, travels to S. Kaibab Trailhead, outstanding scenic views at Yaki Point, and Yavapai Geology Museum. Village (Blue) Route, center, connects Visitor Center with lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (general store and post office). Hermit Road (Red) Route travels a 7-mile scenic road with spectacular overlooks. Tusayan (Purple) Route serves gateway town.

 

Inclement Weather Operations on Hermit Road

• During summer thunderstorms or other inclement weather, shuttle bus service will be suspended on Hermit Road.

• Visitors will not be transported via shuttle bus from the Village Route Transfer Station, westward to viewpoints along Hermit Road.

• However, shuttle bus drivers along this route will do all they can to either shuttle visitors along Hermit Road east to the Transfer or become standing shelters out along the route.

• When service is suspended due to inclement weather, shuttle buses with additional capacity will stop anywhere along the Hermit Road it is safe to do so, and pick up visitors.

• More detailed information about Lightning Danger.

 

Shuttle Bus Routes

Shuttle Bus Home Page

• Village (Blue) Route In Operation

• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route In Operation

• Hikers' Express Shuttle In Operation

• Hermit Road (Red) Route In Operation

• Tusayan Park & Ride (Purple) Route In Operation

 

When walking or cycling at the Grand Canyon, make sure to take your time and carry food and water with you. The South Rim of Grand Canyon averages 7,000 feet / 2,134 meters above sea level. Visitors with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties. Exercising at this elevation can be strenuous.