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 Rim Trail continues alongside Hermit Road, a 7 mile scenic road with 9 exceptional overlooks. Details >
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 provides access. The road itself, and the designated greenway trail are also open to travel by foot or bicycle.
Bright Angel Bicycles also operate a coffee bar/café with a "grab & go" menu targeted towards bicyclists and pedestrians.
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.
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. Touring Desert View Drive in your vehicle.
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 Gift Shop (Kiva Room) is open Saturday through Wednesday 10 am — 3 pm (closed on Thursday and Friday). Only the ground level retail shop is open to the public. The tower itself remains closed until further notice.Details >
Desert View, has rangers to answer your questions, a Market, Trading Post with Coffee/Ice Cream bar, a seasonal campground, and a pay-at-the-pump gas station. Details >
Tusayan Pueblo/Museum CLOSED
Tusayan Pueblo is 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.
Most Desert View services are open at this time. However, it is always a good idea to bring enough food and water for everyone in your group.
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 partnerGrand Canyon Conservancy. Your purchase goes towards protecting and enhancing Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations.
Learn about additionalGuided Tour options on the South Rim
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.
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.
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.
Is located adjacent to the parking lot on Bright Angel Peninsula. The building is open May 15 through October 15, 2021.
The bookstore/shop is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily.
Restrooms are located on the back side of the building.
From 10 am to 3 pm daily, rangers are available to answer questions at the rustic outdoor kiosk, north of the Visitor Center building, on the edge of the parking lot, and along the canyon rim at Roaring Springs Canyon Overlook.
North Rim Ranger Programs
Interpretive programs are free and are offered daily between May 15th and October 15th.
When you arrive on the North Rim, check bulletin boards or ask at the information kiosk about programs being offered during your visit.
The outdoor kiosk is located north of the Visitor Center building, on the edge of the parking lot, and along the canyon rim at Roaring Springs Canyon Overlook. Between 10 am and 3 pm daily, rangers are available to answer your questions.
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.
Thanksfor doing what you can to help protect our environment!
