From December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, the following shuttle routes are in operation. Village (Blue) Route, Kaibab (Orange) Route, and the early morning Hikers' Express Shuttle. Details for each route are listed on this page. All shuttle service is free; the service is included with your park entrance fees.
NPS/M. Quinn
Winter 2024-2025 — Map of South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes
This winter, two shuttle bus routes are in service from December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025. The Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route, shown on the right, transports visitors to S. Kaibab Trailhead, outstanding scenic views at Yaki Point, and Yavapai Geology Museum. The Village (Blue) Route, in the center, connects the Visitor Center with lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (general store and post office).
Shuttle Routes in Operation - Winter 2024-2025
1) Village (Blue) Route
December 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)
This loop route connects the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal with lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (general store, and post office). Canyon views are a short walk from some of the stops.
First bus is at 8:00 am, and the last bus is 8:00 pm.
December 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)
The first bus is at 8:00 am, and the last bus is at 7:00 pm.
Every 20 minutes: 8:00 am to 10:30 am
Every 15 minutes: 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
Every 20 minutes: 3:30 to 7:00 pm
Be at a bus stop no later that 7:00 pm
EASTBOUND buses start at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal, with direct service to South Kaibab Trailhead, continue to Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Overlook, then return to the Visitor Center.
WESTBOUND buses start at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal, travel to Mather Point and Yavapai Geology Museum, then return to the Visitor Center.
Need access to or from the South Kaibab Trailhead when the shuttle buses are not running? Please contact Xanterra Taxi Service at (928) 638-2631.
Hikers' Express Shuttle
An early morning bus with service from Grand Canyon Village to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Year-round service.
The Hikers' Express begins at the Bright Angel Lodge on the hour, then travels to the Backcountry Information Center, the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal, then on to South Kaibab Trailhead.
Departs the village at 8:00 and 9:00 am during December, January and February.
Between March 1 and November 30, This route begins at the Hermit Road Interchange, on the west side of the Village Historic District. This shuttle travels along a 7 mile scenic road with outstanding views of Grand Canyon. Round trip takes 80 minutes (without getting off the bus).
Hermit Road is open to private vehicles during December, January and February, when bus service is not available.
4) Tusayan (Purple) Route - CLOSED Summer Only
During summer months, the Tusayan (Purple) Route provides free shuttle bus service from the NPS South Rim Visitor Center, to the gateway community of Tusayan.. After making four stops in Tusayan, the bus returns 6.8 miles/11 km to the Visitor Center inside the park.
General Things to Know When Riding Park Shuttle Buses
Visitors should expect lines causing delays to board a bus during busier times of the day.
Buses are white with a green stripe and display the route name on the front and the side.
No tickets are required; a portion of your entrance fee pays for this important service.
Buses arrive every 15-30 minutes.
Bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park.
The routes interconnect, but do not overlap.
Bus stops are also in proximity to great cycling opportunities. Bicycle the Greenway Trail to South Kaibab Trailhead or ride Hermit Road to Hermits Rest and then get on a shuttle bus to come back.
Service may be suspended during inclement weather.
Collapse strollers before entering the shuttle bus. No oversized or jogging strollers. Remove baby-back carriers when seated
Shuttle buses can accommodate two or three bicycles, but not tag alongs, baby trailers, or children's bicycles with wheels less than 16 inches (41 cm). Riders must load and unload their bicycles
Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers inwheelchairs.Please note:wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 cm x 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses and mostmotorized scooterswill not fit
Shuttle buses only stop at designated bus stops
All shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible, however, the park does offer a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit, which allows entry for visitors with mobility issues to some areas closed to public traffic. The permit is available at entrance stations and National Park Service visitor centers.
What are Service Animals?
"Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.
The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.
The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition."
The National Park Service has provided free shuttle bus service on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for more than 40 years. All of the park's buses are fully accessible and run on compressed natural gas, which means fewer harmful emissions for people and the environment. And the roadways are far less crowded!
Grand Canyon's shuttle system provides a hassle free way to access South Rim trails, viewpoints, and other points of interest – some areas are only accessible by bus. The shuttle system is not an experience in and of itself, but a means to access all that the South Rim has to offer: hiking, cycling, scenic views and artistic endeavors; historical structures inspired by the regional landscape, and museums and information centers that highlight the park's unique cultural and natural resources. So, park your car and begin your Grand Canyon explorations!
South Rim - Tusayan Multimodal Transportation Action Plan (2.72 MB PDF File - 5/2019)
The purpose of this action plan is to enhance the quality, extent,and use of multimodal transportation options between Tusayan and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in a manner that benefits visitors, residents, service providers, community members,and park resources.
