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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).
Hermit Road is open to private vehicles (under 22 feet) during the months of December, January and Februay, when there is no bus service.
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
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. During periods of high visitation, often there are shorter wait times at this entrance station.
(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 6 pm. The last tower access is at 5 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. Learn more
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 Museum
The site is open for the season April 2, through October 31, 2026. Thursdays through Mondays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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.
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).
The institute provides immersive and educational adventures at Grand Canyon—all officially designed and developed in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park.
Learn about additionalGuided Touroptions on the South Rim
Mule Trips
are offered year round on the South Rim.
The Canyon Vistas Ride is a 2 hour trip that travels along the canyon rim.
The Havasupai Gardens Ride is a 7 hour trip. Upon arrival at the Gardens, riders dismount and have an hour to enjoy an included sack lunch, soak in the panoramic views of the natural oasis, and visit with their fellow riders and guide.
Overnight Rides go to the bottom of the canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch. NOTE: the Phantom Ranch trips are cancelled through February 2027 due to trail damage from flooding.
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’s departs daily at 9:30 a.m. Arizona MST (except during November/December when it leaves at 8:30 a.m.). The train arrives on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 11:45 a.m. at the Grand Canyon Depot, built in 1910 (except during November/December arrival is at 10:45 a.m.).
The train departs the canyon at 3:30 p.m. and arrives back in Williams at 5:45 p.m (except during November/December when it departs at 2:30 p.m. and arrives at 4:45 p.m.).
The North Rim is open for day use only from October 16, through November 30, 2026, or after the first major snowstorm, whichever comes first
The General Store (adjacent to the campground), is open through October 15, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
The North Rim Campground is open through October 15, 2026. Reservations are available for booking at recreation.gov.
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel is not available within the park, so visitors should plan ahead and ensure they have sufficient fuel before entering the North Rim area.
Everyone planning a North Rim visit during this time needs to check current conditions, carry adequate food, water, fuel, and emergency supplies, and use extra caution as winter weather arrives.
North Rim Day Hiking
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is partially open for the 2026 season. Visit North Rim Status and Closures for more detailed information.
The following trails are closed.
CLOSED: Bright Angel Point and Trail
CLOSED:Transept and Widfross Trails
CLOSED:Uncle Jim Trail
CLOSED:Ken Patrick Trail west of Cape Royal Road
CLOSED:Arizona Trail between North Kaibab Trailhead and the W1-A (Old Entrance Road)
CLOSED: North Kaibab Trail - closed by damage from the August flash flood.
OPEN:Bridle Path
OPEN: Ken Patrick Trail between Point Imperial and Cape Royal Road
OPEN: Portions of theArizona Trail through Grand Canyon National Park (except for areas affected by current trail closures)
North Rim Scenic Drives
Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads
Paved roadways on the North Rim are open through Nov. 30, 2026, or after the first major snowstorm, whichever comes first, including Highway 67, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial Roads. These winding scenic drives can be toured in personal vehicles and provide access to many of the North Rim’s iconic viewpoints, including Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook, and Angels Window.
IMPORTANT: The Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads will be temporarily closed from sunset October 15, through sunrise November 3, for road repair and rehabilitation work.
Driving to both points, with short walks and several stops at pullouts along the way, could 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.
"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!
