An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A
lock (
) or https:// means you've safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
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.
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.
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
Groups organizing youth field trips to the park can find activities and videos to prepare students prior to the trip and self-guided activities to facilitate during the experience.
From March 1, through November 30, Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. During this time, the freeHermit 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
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.
Offering bicycle rentals & guided bicycle tours, weather permitting, Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe is located by the Visitor Center.
Their coffee bar/café has 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 Shop (View Room) is open daily 8 am to 6 pm:
The upper floors of the tower are open, when staffing allows, from 8 am to 5:00 pm. The last tower access is at 5:00 pm, with the stairs closed for the day at 5:30 pm. Capacity is 25 people in the tower at one time. A ticket system admits 25 people with a 20 minute time limit. Admission is free.Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Desert View visitor services include: Market/Deli, Trading Post with coffee/ice cream, seasonal campground, and a pay-at-the-pump gas station.Details
Tusayan Pueblo and Self-guiding Trail
2025 Hours: Open Thursday through Monday: 9 am to 5 pm
Tusayan Pueblo, situated about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Desert View, is the site of a small Ancestral Puebloan village that was inhabited around 800 years ago. Visitors can walk a relatively flat 0.1 mile (200 m) self-guiding trail around the site, and view a number of partial walls that outline several rooms and a circular kiva.
Visit the Native American Artisan Market with authentic and beautiful arts and crafts for sale, sponsored by Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA).
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.
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.
North Rim
Open for the season: May 15, through October 15, 2025.
Grand Canyon Conservancy's Park Store is located within the North Rim Visitor Center building and features a wide variety of books, maps, and gifts to help you to plan or remember your trip to Grand Canyon. During the season.
Restrooms are located on the back side of the building.
In addition, park rangers are staffing the "Ranger Roost", an outdoor information desk open from 10 am to 4 pm daily, at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, just north of the Visitor Center, on the canyon side of the main parking lot.
North Rim Ranger Programs
Interpretive programs are free and are 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 the 2025 season schedule of programs and special events
The Transept and Widfross Trails are open, along with the Bridle Path.
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
Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads
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.
North Rim Trail Rides
Mule trips are 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
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!
