Things To Do

Grand Canyon National Park is continuing to evaluate and adapt to changing COVID-19 guidance, and is adjusting operations as needed.

Visit this web page for the current list of what is open, and for park-wide updates >

 

Taking a walk in the South Rim Historic District.

Ways to Experience Grand Canyon

Individual interests, available time, and the weather can all influence a visit.

Here are some suggestions to assist you in personalizing your experience.

Choose Your Destination: --South Rim --- North Rim

 

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South Rim (Open All Year)

 

Walk the Trail of Time

between Yavapai Museum of Geology and Verkamps Visitor Center 1.2 miles (2 km) along the canyon rim. View photos here.

The path contains information about the canyon's geologic history, as well as samples from each rock layer within Grand Canyon. More >

Learn about Grand Canyon Geology >

 

Walking or Hiking

Walk part of the well defined, and mostly level Rim Trail, starting from any viewpoint in the village or along the historic Hermit Road and greenway.

Day hike in and around the canyon

or backpack overnight below the rim. (a backcountry permit is required)

 

Capture Grand Canyon in Photos

Taking photos is a great way to make your Grand Canyon trip last. Whether you share them on social media or compile them in a scrapbook, having great photos of your adventure is the best souvenir. Visit the link for some suggestions about the best times of day to shoot and, insider information about popular photo hot spots.

Capture Grand Canyon in Photos

How to View and Photograph Wildlife

 

Did You Bring Your Bicycle?

Learn about bicycling on the South Rim

Also available are bicycle rentals & guided bicycle tours, weather permitting. Bright Angel Bicycles is located by the Visitor Center.

Bright Angel Bicycles also operate a coffee bar/café with a "grab & go" menu targeted towards bicyclists and pedestrians.

 

Mule Trips

are offered year round on the South Rim.

The Canyon Vistas Ride is a 3 hour trip that travels along the canyon rim.

Overnight Rides go to the bottom of the canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch.

More about South Rim Mule Trips

 

Desert View Drive

Visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park can enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.

(State Route 64 - also known as the East Rim Drive) This 23 mile (37 km) road, leaves Grand Canyon Village, then travels east to Desert View. and the East Entrance Station. It is the only scenic road on the South Rim that is open to private vehicles all year. Touring Desert View Drive in your vehicle.

Most Desert View services are open at this time.

 

Hermit Road

(Also known as the West Rim Drive)

From March through November, Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. The free Hermit Road (Red Route) Shuttle is in service, The main road, and the designated greenway trail are open to travel by foot or bicycle.

More about touring Scenic Hermit Road

During December, January, and February, Hermit Road is open to private vehicles.

 

Visitor Centers

South Rim visitor center and theater building - CLOSED
An information table outside is staffed by rangers: 8 am - 5 pm daily.

There are several museums and information centers that house exhibits and provide park information. Some of them are open:

Learn more about visitor centers.

Learn about South Rim bookstores and gift shops.

 

Guided Learning Adventures

Due to restrictions in park operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GCC Field Institute courses are suspended until further notice. If you’d like to be notified when their new schedule becomes available, visit: Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute.

A wide variety of Grand Canyon Maps, Trail Guides and Field Guides are available online from our non-profit partner Grand Canyon Conservancy. Your purchase goes towards protecting and enhancing Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations.

Learn about additional Guided Tour options on the South Rim

 

Raft Trips on the Colorado River

Half-day and all-day smooth water trips from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry may be arranged by any lodge within the park.

Transportation from the lodges to the dam is included.

Whitewater trips through Grand Canyon last from 3 days to 21 days and require reservations made well in advance, or a noncommercial permit obtained by entering a weighted lottery.

 

Park Ranger Programs Suspended

Learn more about Grand Canyon nature, science, history and culture.
(There are no in-person ranger programs at this time due to Covid-19) 4/9/2021

Take a Grand Canyon Virtual Tour >

Learn how youth can become Grand Canyon Junior Rangers >

4th and 5th Graders and their families can see America's natural wonders and historic sites for free through the Every Kid Outdoors Program >

 

Park Film Temporarily Closed

Note: on March 13, 2020 the Visitor Center Theater closed because of concerns about COVID-19.

At this time the Visitor Center building remains closed. (5/21/2021)
An information table outside is staffed by rangers: 8 am - 5 pm daily.

Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder, was shown daily in the theater within Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

The film is 20 minutes long and started on the hour and half-hour.

 

Visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park can enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.

Desert View Watchtower Retail Store (Kiva Room) is open 9 am - 5 pm (Fridays through Mondays). Only the ground level retail location is open to the public. The tower itself remains closed until further notice. Details >

The historic Watchtower is a replica of prehistoric towers found on the Colorado Plateau, and was designed in 1932 by Mary Colter.

At Desert View, there is also a Market, Trading Post with Coffee/Ice Cream bar, a seasonal campground, and a pay-at-the-pump gas station. Details >

Information about Ranger Programs and Cultural Demonstrators may be found here.

 

Tusayan Pueblo/Museum are Closed

The remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View.

When it is open, Tusayan Museum has exhibits that help bring the pueblo to life. Admission is free. Normal Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily. There are also ranger-led tours of the ruins daily More...

Some Desert View services remain closed at this time. Be sure to bring enough food and water for everyone in your group. Details >

 

Ride Grand Canyon Railway

From Williams, Arizona (along Interstate 40) the Grand Canyon Railway carries more than 230,000 people by rail to Grand Canyon National Park each year.

As an alternative, to driving, it is possible to park in Williams, AZ, 60 miles south of the park, (on Interstate 40), take Grand Canyon Railway, and not have to deal with busy summer traffic and finding a parking place. The train departs Williams daily at 9:30 am, arrives in Grand Canyon Village at 11:45 am, then departs the village at 3:30 pm, and arrives back in Williams at 5:45 pm.

 

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North Rim lodging & visitor services are usually available May 15, through Oct. 15

 

The North Rim is Open for the Season

 

North Rim Day Hiking

During the season, take a day hike through this beautiful scenery.

• Experience the wild and remote feeling of the North Rim.
• Solitude can be found hiking the trails, and enjoying an awe-inspiring view. Watch mule deer and turkeys feeding in mountain meadows.
• Enjoy, discover, and celebrate the unique world of the North Rim.

 

Tour North Rim Scenic Drives (photos)

During the season, Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via a winding scenic drive.

• Driving to both points, with short walks, and several stops at pullouts along the way, can take 4 to 5 hours.
• Point Imperial is 11 miles/ 18km - 20 min. one way.
• Cape Royal is 23 miles/ 37km - 45 min. one way.

 

North Rim Trail Rides

Are offered May 15 through October 15, of each year.

• One Hour Ride Grand Canyon rim. 1/2 Day Trip to Uncle Jim Point
• Inner-Canyon 1/2 Day Trip to Supai Tunnel on the North Kaibab Trail More..

 

North Rim Visitor Center

Is located adjacent to the parking lot on Bright Angel Peninsula. Open May 15 through October 15, 2021.

• This summer, the visitor center bookstore/shop is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
• Restrooms are located on the back side of the building.
• Rangers have an information table set up outside. You can walk around the building on the parking lot side, and you will see their table set up near the canyon rim.

 

North Rim Ranger Programs Suspended

Interpretive programs are free and are usually offered daily throughout the season; between May 15th and October 15th. Visit the North Rim Park Ranger Program webpage for more information.

• Learn how youth can become Junior Rangers

 

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"Traveling Green"
is a great way to help Grand Canyon and other areas you visit reduce carbon emissions, divert and reduce what goes into the waste stream, and to generally help the environment. Go to the Traveling Green page for helpful tips on planning your next green adventure.

Thanks for doing what you can to help protect our environment!