When the visitor center is open, the park's movie, Grand Canyon: A Journey Of Wonder, is shown on the hour and half-hour.(Admission free - the film is 20 minutes long).
The film 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.
Grand Canyon is a place of inspiration. Learn about the efforts to preserve and protect this special place as a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans.
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.Details >
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 >
Teachers, learn about bringing your class on a Ranger-led Field Trip at Grand Canyon, or how to arrange for a Distance Learning session with our Education Rangers.
From March 1, through November 30, Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. The freeHermit Road (Red Route) shuttle bus provides motorized access.
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 >
During winter months, Hermit Road may be closed by snowfall.
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. More about touringDesert 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 daily 9 am to 6 pm: Only the ground level View Room, with large picture windows, is open to the public. The tower itself is closed until further notice.Details >
Services include: Market/Deli, Trading Post with Coffee/Ice Cream, seasonal campground, and a pay-at-the-pump gas station. Details >
Tusayan Pueblo and Museum
CLOSED
Tusayan Pueblo is the remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View. The archaeological site and self-guiding trail are CLOSED for the season.
The institute provides immersive and educational adventures at Grand Canyon—all officially designed and developed in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park.
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.
Visit this webpage(updated daily) for the South Rim list of what is open and closed, hours of operation, and COVID-19 updates.
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline.
Grand Canyon Lodge, an Aramark property, will operate day-use services with limited food and beverage service beginning June 2. No overnight accommodations will be available until at least July 23, 2023.
There is a trail closure in effect on the North Kaibab Trail through at least June 15, 2023. The closure area is from north of Manzanita Rest Area to the North Kaibab Trailhead. No hikers will be allowed to pass through this area under any circumstances. Following June 15, the North Kaibab Trail will reopen with intermittent trail closures in effect to clear remaining rockfall areas. Additional trail updates >
CLOSED
The Visitor Center is located adjacent to the parking lot on Bright Angel Peninsula. The building is scheduled to be open from June 2, through October 15, 2023.
During the season the Visitor Center Store is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
Restrooms are located on the back side of the building.
North Rim Ranger Programs
CLOSED
Interpretive programs are free and are offered daily between during the season.
When you arrive on the North Rim, between June 2, and October 15, check bulletin boards or ask at the information kiosk about programs being offered during your visit.
When the North Rim is open, 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.
North Rim Scenic Drives
CLOSED
Beginning June 15, Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads will reopen to the public. Snow removal, damage assessment, and road repairs necessitate the closure of these roads until this date to ensure visitor and worker safety.
When open, Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via winding scenic drives you can tour in your vehicle.
Driving to both points, with short walks, and several stops at pullouts along the way, can take 4 to 5 hours.
Mule trips will be offered June 2, through October 15, this season. Until the North Kaibab Trail reopens, only the rides along the rim of the canyon will be offered:
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
As a result of substantial winter rockfall and landslides, trail repair work on the North Kaibab Trail continues. There is a trail closure in effect on the North Kaibab Trail until at least June 15, 2023.
"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.
Thanksfor doing what you can to help protect our environment!
