Things To Do

 

Seasonal Closures?
Visit this webpage (updated daily) for a list of what's open, and hours of operation.

 
Two cars are parked at a pullout for a scenic overlook. Four sightseers are standing behind a stone guard wall and viewing a vast and colorful canyon landscape in the distance.
Touring Desert View Drive, the only South Rim scenic road that is open to private vehicles all year.

Ways to Experience the Canyon

Check the Park's Digital Calendar

for a list of today's scheduled programs and activities.

  • Signs outdoors and displays at information desks describe the programs and special events being presented during your visit.

Your Destination?

  • North Rim (CLOSED for Winter) Reopens May 15, 2025.
 

South Rim (Open All Year)

 
View down and across a concrete plaza; on the right are several information kiosks, on the right, a long narrow building with a gabled metal roof with banks of solar panels.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the South Rim.

NPS/M. Quinn

Visitor Centers

Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim Village)

  • The South Rim Visitor Center is open from 9 am to 4 pm today.
  • Information, Passport Stamps and Jr. Ranger books and badges are also available at the adjacent Park Store (8 am to 6 pm). On Wed. Dec. 11, store opens at 12 noon.
  • This week's ranger and astronomy programs
 
People sitting in rows of theater seats facing the screen that says, "Movie Begins in 2 Minutes."
Park films are show daily on the big screen in the Visitor Center Theater.

Visitor Center Theater

We Are Grand Canyon —shows on the hour. (24 minutes long).
Grand Canyon's 11 tribal communities extend a heartfelt invitation to all who visit this sacred place – directly from the people who call this land home, who have been here for millennia, and are still here.

Grand Canyon: A Journey Of Wonder —shows on the half-hour. (24 minutes long).
An orientation film that takes visitors on a rim to river, and dawn to dusk journey through the park, and provides an introduction to the human and natural history of the region.

 
a family with several children are climbing a steep section of trail made of stone steps

Walking or Hiking

The Canyon Rim Trail

For a nice introduction to the park, walk part of the well defined, and mostly level Canyon Rim Trail. Start from the Visitor Center/Mather Point, or from any viewpoint in the village.

West of the village, the Canyon Rim Trail continues alongside Hermit Road, a 7 mile scenic road with 9 exceptional overlooks.

 
Logo within a circle, Centered text, Trail of Time, with text around circumference reading: Rock Captures Time, Time Carves Canyon, Canyon Reveals Rock.

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

 
a group of junior rangers gathered around the base of a large ponderosa pine tree with a park ranger on the side.

Activities for Kids

  • 4th graders and their families can see America's natural wonders and historic sites for free this school year, through the Every Kid Outdoors Program
 
Three bicyclists riding on a paved road along the edge of a forested area.

Hermit Road

(Formerly known as the West Rim Drive)

  • Hermit Road is open to private vehicles (under 22 feet) during the months of December, January and Februay, when there is no bus service.. It may be closed by snowfall.
  • From March 1, through November 30, Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. During this time, the free Hermit Road (Red) Route shuttle bus provides the only motorized access. (Along with commercial bus tours).
  • The road itself, and it's designated greenway section is also open to travel by foot or bicycle. There are 9 designated overlooks with fantastic views. More about touring Hermit Road
 
Bright Angel Bicycle Logo shows silhouettes of canyon cliffs within a circle of bicycle wheel spokes.

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.

 
A person wearing a floppy sun hat is photographing outdoors with canyon walls in the background.

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 links below 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

 
a tree-covered plateau in the foreground, on the right a two-lane highway through the forest and along the canyon's rim. The view opens up into a view of canyon peaks and formations, with the Colorado River below steep cliffs in the distance.

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.

This is the only scenic road on the South Rim that is open to private vehicles all year. More about touring Desert View Drive in your vehicle.

Desert View Visitor Services

 
On the edge of a cliff, a circular stone tower 70 feet tall.

Desert View

Visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park can enter/exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View for wide, expansive views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. (Desert View is 23 miles/37 km) from the South Rim Village.

The Desert View Watchtower Shop (View Room) is open daily 9 am to 5 pm:
NOTE: This shop will open at noon on Thursday, December 12, 2024 because of annual inventory.

  • The upper floors of the tower are open, when staffing allows, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The last tower access is at 4:00 pm, with the stairs closed for the day at 4:30 pm. Capacity is 25 people in the tower at one time. A ticket system admits 25 people with a 20 minute time limit.

Desert View visitor services include: Market/Deli, Trading Post with coffee/ice cream, seasonal campground, and a pay-at-the-pump gas station. Details

 
partial rock walls outline several rooms of a prehistoric pueblo.

Tusayan Pueblo and Museum

CLOSED - Season Over

Tusayan Pueblo is the remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View. The archaeological site has a self-guiding trail that encircles the pueblo.

During the summer, there is also a Native American Artisan Market with
authentic and beautiful arts and crafts for sale, sponsored by Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA).


More about visiting Desert View >

 
Two hikers, wearing summer clothes, are descending an unpaved trail into a vast canyon.

Guided Learning Adventures

Grand Canyon Conservancy's Field Institute

The institute provides immersive and educational adventures at Grand Canyon—all officially designed and developed in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park.

Learn about additional Guided Tour options on the South Rim

 
A string of 6 mules in single file on a backcountry trail cut into a cliff face.

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.

NOTE: Overnight rides are suspended when the corridor trails are closed for construction.

More about South Rim Mule Trips

 
two people wearing life jackets are rowing a yellow inflatable raft on calm river water. a second blue raft is following them.

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.

 
diesel locomotive with red and yellow trim is pulling a passenger train around a curved section of track.

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.

During the season, 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.

 

The North Rim is CLOSED for the Winter

 
main entrance to a rustic wood building with the roof being supported by massive limestone columns. 12 steps with handrailings rise from street level up to the entrance doors.

North Rim Visitor Center

  • CLOSED for the Winter
    Open for the 2025 season: May 15, through October 15, 2025.
  • 2025 Season hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily
  • Restrooms are located on the back side of the building.
 
looking down through pine and aspen trees at a park ranger leading a group of people down an unpaved trail through a dense forested area

North Rim Ranger Programs

CLOSED for the Winter
Interpretive programs are free and will be offered daily during the 2025 season.

  • When you arrive on the North Rim, between May 15 and October 15, 2025, check bulletin boards or ask at the information kiosk about programs and events being offered during your visit. View this season's schedule
 
Several day hikers on the paved footpath with ascending and descending slopes to Bright Angel Point. A view of peaks within Grand Canyon are visible in the distance on the right.

North Rim Day Hiking

CLOSED for the Winter

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.

 
a limestone pillar on the left, and in the distance a pointed peak with sheer sides with a background of colorful rock layers

North Rim Scenic Drives

Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads
CLOSED for the Winter


Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via winding scenic drives you can tour in your vehicle. The roads are open during the fall day use period. NOTE: the roads may be closed at times for maintenance, or snow clearing, during November.

  • Driving to both points, with short walks, and several stops at pullouts along the way, can take 4 to 5 hours. (View photos)
  • Note: RVs over 22 feet long, and vehicle-trailer combinations with a total length over 22 feet, are not permitted on the Scenic Drive due to narrow, windy roads with blind corners.
  • Point Imperial is 11 miles/ 18km - 20 min. one way.
  • Cape Royal is 23 miles/ 37km - 45 min. one way.
 
It is raining. A nicely dressed wrangler in western clothes is leading several visitors on a mule trip. In the background, a sheer cliff wall.

North Rim Trail Rides

CLOSED: 2024 SEASON OVER
Mule trips will be offered May 15, through October 15, 2025.

  • One Hour Ride through the forest along the rim of the canyon.
  • 1/2 Day Trip to Uncle Jim Point on the Ken Patrick Trail
 

 
family of 4 with 2 girls in between parents, grand canyon in background

"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!

Last updated: December 11, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

Contact Us