Know where you will spend the night.Campgrounds and lodges are filling up. If you want to stay overnight inside the park, check availability and make reservations before you arrive.
Camping in the park is only allowed in designated sites within designated campgrounds. Camping is not permitted along roadsides, at overlooks, pullouts, trailheads or other parking areas.
Those planning to hike into the canyon should be prepared for extreme summer heat and elevation changes. Review Grand Canyon Hiking FAQ >
Backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips into Grand Canyon. Details >
Ways to Enter the South Rim of the Park
Grand Canyon Railway train arriving. NPS/Dana Belcher
Take the Train
As an alternative, to driving, depart from Williams, Arizona, and ride Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim.
If you are able to take the train, you won't have to deal with entrance line waits, busy summer traffic and finding a parking place. Details >
The South Entrance Station, near the town of Tusayan, experiences long lines and up to two hour wait times between 10 am - 5 pm.
South Entrance Station
At this time, Grand Canyon National Park does not require reservations to enter the park, nor does it have timed entry.
Entrance Fees are paid at the entrance stations. It is also possible to purchase a digital pass online through YourPassNow , or from third party vendors in the gateway town of Tusayan.
At the Entrance Stations, credit and debit cards, digital passes, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry.
The parking lots around the Visitor Center usually fill by 12 noon. It's a good idea to arrive early (before 9 am) to find a parking spot and be able to make the most of your time here. Grand Canyon Visitor Center - Lot 2. NPS/M.Quinn
Prepare for Crowded Conditions
Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this summer can expect long lines, full parking lots and crowded conditions.
The South Entrance Station, near the town of Tusayan, experiences long lines and up to two hour wait times between 10 am - 5 pm.
To help time your arrival, monitor theentrance station webcam >
Travelers arriving from the east on Interstate 40, or from Phoenix on Interstate 17, can take US 89 from Flagstaff north to Cameron, AZ., then west on State Route 64, and enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View (for shorter wait times at the entrance station). Note: when traveling through the Navajo Nation, wearing a mask is still mandatory in public, whether a person is vaccinated or unvaccinated.
5 Free South Rim shuttle bus routes are in operation. Face masks are required while boarding, and on the bus. There is no extra fee to use the shuttle system. Paying your entrance fees entitles you and your vehicle's occupants to unlimited use of the shuttles. Details >
South Rim Village Area — Overview Map
Map of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza showing parking lots 1-4, and the footpaths leading from the plaza and parking lots to Mather Point and the Canyon Rim Trail. The Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route and the Village (Blue) Route shuttles may be boarded at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal.
Visitor Center Plaza- and Mather Point
Visitors entering the park through the South Entrance Station, often make the Visitor Center Plaza their first stop. Canyon views are a short walk from here.
Four parking lots (1, 2, 3, 4) surround the plaza.
Visitor center parking lots usually fill by 12 noon. Around the village, Lots A, B, C, D provide additional free parking.,
For those visiting for the day in an RV, or pulling a trailer, three parking lots provide large pull-through spaces. Details >
Information tables outside of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center are staffed by rangers from 8 am - 5 pm daily. Additional trip planning and hiking information is provided by signs in front of each visitor center and at other key locations throughout the park.
The Visitor Center Building is Closed
However, an information table, just outside of the visitor center building,is staffed by park rangers from 8 am - 5 pm daily. The rangers can answer any questions you may have.
In addition, trip planning and hiking information is available through signs and exhibits outside of the building — and at other key locations throughout the park.
Note: masks must be worn in busy outdoor areas, like the Visitor Center Plaza. Signs are posted where the mask zones are located.
Visitor Center Plaza Services
Within theVisitor Center Plaza, the Park Store is open 8 am to 6 pm daily. The Park Store features a wide variety of books, maps, souvenirs, and gifts.
If you have some time to explore the park, four shuttle routes serve the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal (just east of the Plaza). Arrive early and park you vehicle in one of the lots here — and leave the driving to us!
Village (Blue) Route > Transportation to lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center and Market Plaza (market, bank and post office).
Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route > Eastbound to the South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista. Westbound to Mather Point and Yavapai Geology Museum.
Hikers' Express > Early morning shuttle with service from Grand Canyon Village and the Visitor Center to South Kaibab Trailhead.
Face masks are required while boarding and inside park shuttles. This is a federal mandate which applies to all public transit.
The Scenic Hermit Road (Red) Route Shuttle >
This route does not stop at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal. It begins at the western end of Grand Canyon Village. From the Visitor Center, you can take the Village (Blue) Route shuttle to the village, then transfer to the Hermit Road (Red) Route.
Mather Point can become very busy during peak visitation periods.
Mather Point Overlook
If you don't have a lot of time, and just want to see the canyon, take the short 5 minute walk (.3 miles/ .48 km) to nearby Mather Point.
Because it is close to the Visitor Center and parking lots, Mather Point is a busy scenic overlook. Depending upon how many people are at the overlook when you arrive, you may or may not feel comfortable entering the area.
As of September, 2021, wearing a face mask/covering is required for everyone because Mather Point is a designated Mask Zone.
For less crowded canyon views, from Mather Point, it is possible to access theCanyon Rim Trail, which provides excellent scenic walks both the the west and east along the rim of Grand Canyon.
If you tire of walking, both the Village (Blue) Route andKaibab Rim (Orange) Route shuttles can transport you back to the Visitor Center Bus Terminal. (Leashed pets are allowed on the Canyon Rim Trail, but not below the rim of Grand Canyon, or on park shuttle buses).
Locations of Interest and Related Activities
The "General Store" is located in Market Plaza, next to the post office, bank, and Yavapai Lodge. NPS/M.Quinn
Market Plaza
Market Plaza is the business center of Grand Canyon Village. Here you will find Canyon Village Market and Deli (General Store), Chase Bank, a U.S. Post Office, and Yavapai Lodge — with a gift shop, coffee shop and outdoor tavern.
Market Plaza's Parking lot (B), is a large lot and is centrally located: about one mile/ 1.6 km from the Visitor Center Plaza, and one mile/ 1.6 km from the historic village. You can park your vehicle here for the day.
The Village (Blue) Route Shuttle > makes 2 stops here, and it can transport you to the Visitor Center, park lodges, campgrounds, the Village Historic District, and the Backcountry Information Center.
The Historic District is a Place of Interest
The village has an historic district, Verkamp's Visitor Center, train depot, lodges, gift shops, and galleries. The Historic District also has great views of Grand Canyon. Once parked, walk along the rim to explore the area.
The Bright Angel Trailhead and the scenic Hermit Road (Red) Route shuttles also begin from here.
Parking is limited in the Historic District— if you move your vehicle you may not be able to find another parking spot until late in the afternoon.
Historic railroad depot and El Tovar Hotel in the Historic District.
Take a Walking Tour of the Historic District
Step back in time and wander through this historically preserved village dating back to the early 1900s.Before you visit, it is possible to view the district's buildings and sites through an interactive map.More >
An audio tour of the Historic District entitled, "Full Steam Ahead", is available here on the website. You may also download the NPS Moblie App, then navigate to Grand Canyon National Park, and toggle "save this park for offline use." This will pre-download the audio tour, and you won't have to use mobile data during your visit.
As an alternative to driving around, park your vehicle once, then ride theVillage (Blue) Route Shuttle around the South Rim.It connects lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, Visitor Center, and Market Plaza (market, bank and post office).
DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially from May to September when temperatures can reach over 110°F (43°C).
Bright Angel Trail
If you can set aside 4 to 8 hours, park in the village and take a day hike into Grand Canyon on Bright Angel Trail. The trailhead is just west of Bright Angel Lodge and is clearly marked. It is also shown in the map above. Before starting down the trail, review our Hiking FAQ > and Summer Hiking Safety Tips >
Bright Angel Trail is considered the park’s premier hiking trail; the best trail for first-time hikers. It is well maintained with shade, water, and help if you need it. Bright Angel Trail is the safest trail in Grand Canyon National Park. Check with rangers when you arrive for current trail conditions.
If you are not able to find a parking spot near Bright Angel Trailhead, continue driving around the Village Loop Drive to Parking Lot D — a large lot by Maswik Lodge and the Backcountry Information Center. From Lot D, it is about a .4 mile/.65 km walk to the canyon's rim and Bright Angel Trailhead.
Aerial view above Hermit Road. Photo courtesy of Aerial Filmworks, all rights reserved.
Tour Scenic Hermit Road
on Free Shuttle Buses
Starting from the Village Historic District, the Hermit Road (Red Route) shuttle bus follows the Hermit Road for 7 miles (11 km) and has spectacular views of the canyon and Colorado River. Personal vehicles are not permitted on Hermit Road between March and November.
In the morning, park in village Lot C or Lot D, and walk to the Hermit Road Transfer Station, and tour scenic Hermit Road on the free Hermit Road shuttles.
It is possible to get off at one stop, enjoy a scenic walk along the Canyon Rim Trail, then get back on the bus at the next stop.
Hermit Road is best experienced in the morning.During Summer, expect long shuttle boarding lines and wait times (between 10 am and 4 pm).
As an alternative to riding the shuttles, bicycle rentals are available from Bright Angel Bicycles located in the Visitor Center Plaza. Hermit Road is also accessible by foot or your personal bicycle. Shuttles have front loading bicycle racks, if you tire of riding.
The Trail of Time begins with (1) The "Million Year Trail". It transitions from human time scales to geologic ones. The "Million Year Trail" is immediately followed by (2) the main Trail of Time where each meter equals one million years of Grand Canyon's geologic history. 1.4 miles/2.3 km each way.
Walk the Trail of Time
Park in the Village and Walk East along the Canyon Rim Trail from Verkamp's Visitor Center to Yavapai Geology Museum. (1.4 mile/2.3 km). This section of the rim trail, called the Trail of Time, is a geologic timeline with a series of exhibits that explain how Grand Canyon formed.
It is also possible to park at Yavapai Geology Museum and Walk West along the Trail of Time to Grand Canyon Village, spend some time exploring the village, then return to your starting point at the Musuem.
Scenic 23mile (37 km) Desert View Drive features 6 developed canyon viewpoints, 5 unmarked pullouts, and 4 picnic areas. NPS/M.Quinn
Desert View Scenic Drive
There is just one scenic drive on the South Rim that is open to private vehicles all year. The 23 mile (37 km) longDesert View Drivefeatures marvelous panoramic views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. There is parking at every viewpoint.
Visitors can enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.Details >
Most Desert View services are open at this time. However, it is always a good idea to bring enough food, snacks and water for everyone in your group.
Detailed infromation about what is open at Desert View >
South Rim Pocket Map and Services Guide
Contains a map of the bus stops, parking areas, lodges, campgrounds and trails with distances. You will recieve a paper copy of this map when you enter the park.Download it here >
