Looking to exchange four wheels for two? Bicycling is a great way to experience the South Rim. Cyclists can enjoy approximately 13 miles (21 km) of roads and Greenway Trails that allow for more intimate explorations along the rim. If you get tired, load your bike or e-bike on one of the park’s bicycle-friendly shuttle buses - there is a bus stop every one-half to one-mile along the 13 mile-stretch.
Bicycles and e-bikes are allowed on all paved and unpaved roads on the South Rim. Be good to yourself and the environment – ride instead of drive.
An e-bike on the rim trail in a location where bicycles and e-bikes are allowed.
NPS Photo
Regulations: Open Areas to Bicycles and E-Bikes
Open Areas to Bicycles and Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes:
The following are open to bicycles and Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes:
(a) Greenway - South Rim Residential Sections: The South Rim residential greenway system.
(b) Greenway - VC to Entrance: The greenway beginning south of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and continuing south, parallel to South Entrance Road / Highway 64, to the park boundary, south of the South Entrance. This includes the spur greenway trails into Trailer Village and Mather Campground.
(c) Greenway - VC to SK: The greenway beginning south of Grand Canyon Visitor Center and continuing east to Pipe Creek Vista and the South Kaibab trailhead.
(d) Greenway - VC to Village: The greenway beginning south of Grand Canyon Visitor Center and continuing south of Village Loop Road to Grand Canyon Village.
(e) Hermit Road Greenway: The Hermit Road Greenway beginning at Monument Creek Vista and continuing to the junction with Hermit Road (approximately ¼ mile east of Hermit’s Rest).
(f) North Rim Bridle Trail: The Bridle Trail on the North Rim, between the North Kaibab Trailhead and the Grand Canyon Lodge.
Roads Open to General Motor Vehicle Traffic:
All roads open to general motor vehicle traffic are also open to bicycle and Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bike use.
Regulations: Closed Areas to Bicycles and E-Bikes
Closed Areas to Bicycles and E-Bikes:
All other areas of Grand Canyon National Park remain closed to the use of bicycles and e-bikes, including the section of greenway directly on the rim between the greenway intersection to the southeast of Mather Point and the Bright Angel Trailhead on the South Rim.
Regulations: E-bikes
E-Bikes: The term “e-bike” means a two-or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.).
Class 1, and Class 3 e-bikes are allowed in Grand Canyon National Park where traditional bicycles are allowed.
All e-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited.
Except where the use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike (Class 2) without pedaling is prohibited.
Cyclists riding along the Hermit Road Greenway. Photo courtesy Sarah Neal.
Bicycling on the South Rim: Hermit Road
Scenic Hermit Road follows the canyon rim for 7 miles (11 km) and is one of the best places in the park for cycling. Most of the year, private vehicle restrictions eliminate most traffic. Shuttle and tour buses do utilize the road, so cyclists should pull to the right shoulder in a safe location, dismount and let buses pass.
The Hermit Road Greenway Trail, between Monument Creek Vista and Hermits Rest, provides a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) bicycle path away from the road and, in places, along the rim of Grand Canyon.
The Hermit Road section of the Greenway Trail accommodates hikers, bicyclists, e-bicyclists, and visitors using wheelchairs. The trail meets Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas. Much of the trail follows the 1912 alignment of Hermit Road. There are six overlooks, including Pima Point, in addition to multiple resting areas along the trail.
Bicycling on the South Rim: S. Kaibab Trailhead & Yaki Point
Looking for a scenic, yet shorter cycling opportunity? Follow the paved Greenway Trail to the South Kaibab Trailhead and then ride along Yaki Point Road to Yaki Point. Access the Greenway near Grand Canyon Visitor Center and follow the South Kaibab Trailhead signs. In about 2.4 miles (3.9 km), you will come to the trailhead parking area.
From here, turn right and follow the trailhead road until you come to Yaki Point Road. Make a left and follow it 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to Yaki Point. There are plenty of spectacular canyon views along the Greenway Trail and once you reach Yaki Point.
Like Hermit Road, private vehicle restrictions eliminate most traffic. Shuttle and tour buses do utilize Yaki Point Road, so cyclists should pull to the right shoulder in a safe location, dismount and let buses pass.
If you become tired of cycling, you can catch the Orange Shuttle (Kaibab Rim Route) at Yaki Point, The South Kaibab Trailhead, or Pipe Creek Overlook, put your bike in the front rack, and ride the bus back to the Visitor Center.
Returning with bicycles to the Visitor Center on the Tusayan Shuttle, after riding the 6.5 mile (10.4 km) Greenway trail from Grand Canyon Village to the gateway town of Tusayan.
South Rim: Park in Tusayan & Ride the Shuttle
Want to leave the long entrance lines and parking frustrations behind? Ride the Tusayan (Purple) Route Shuttle into the park, then cycle along the park's roads and Greenway Trails.
The Tusayan (Purple) Route will be in service between Memorial Day and Labor Day, 2023.
If you are looking for a fun, mostly downhill ride back to Tusayan – pick up the Greenway Trail near Grand Canyon Visitor Center and follow the signs to Tusayan. It is a 6.5-mile (10.5 km), downhill ride on a smooth, paved trail.
You can also ride your bike or e-bike into the park from Tusayan, but be prepared for a steady, 6.5-mile uphill ride and no services, including water or cell phone coverage, until the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
You must have a valid park entrance pass to ride the Tusayan Shuttle. For more detailed information about the Tusayan (Purple) Route, and how to purchase a park entrance pass, visit this webpage >
Bright Angel Bicycles provides rentals and guided bicycle tours between mid-March and October 31. When the weather permits, rentals and tours may be offered at other times of the year - check their website for current availability.
There is also a small coffee bar and café with a grab & go menu targeted toward hikers, bikers and pedestrians. The café is open year-round.
South Rim: Bicycle Repairs
Cyclists should always carry a small repair kit. However, if you cannot repair your bicycle, Bright Angel Bicycles offers these services.
Bicycling on the South Rim: Rules of the Road/Safety
Cycling is a great way to experience the South Rim of the Grand Canyon; however, please remember the following rules and guidelines:
Cyclists, including e-bikes…
Are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles & share the road with vehicles
Should use extreme caution when riding on park roads - shoulders are narrow & vehicle traffic is heavy
Should ride single file with the flow of traffic - there are no designated cycling lanes
Must wear a helmet
Should see and be seen - wear bright colors
Must load and unload their own bikes and/or e-bikes from park shuttle buses
Should safely pull to the right side of the road, dismount and let buses pass (applies to Hermit and Yaki Point roads only)
Must yield to pedestrians & let them know you are approaching from behind with a bell or calm voice
Should bring sufficient water and snacks
Should acclimatize – the South Rim is at 7,000 feet (2,134 m) above sea level
Be prepared for possible weather changes
Bicycling on the South Rim: Touring/Camping
Traveling to the South Rim via bicycle?
Bicyclist campsites are available at Mather Campground on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bicycle/backpacker sites are $6.00 per person, per night.
NO cars are allowed.
WARNING:
The South Rim of Grand Canyon averages 7,000 feet / 2,134 meters above sea level. The North Rim averages 8,000 feet / 2,438. Visitors with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties. Exercising at this elevation can be strenuous. Please use caution and when engaging in any physical activities and use care not to push yourself. Always check the weather before exercising outside.
The North Rim Bridle Path is 1.2 miles (2 km) one-way and 45 minutes one-way. It connects Grand Canyon Lodge with North Kaibab Trailhead. Pets on a leash and bicycles are permitted on this hard-packed trail.
Bicycling on the North Rim
The North Rim also has cycling opportunities to allow for more intimate explorations through this delightful, forested landscape.
Bicycling on the North Rim: Bridle Path
The Bridle Path is a hard-packed, multiuse trail that traverses the forest in the North Rim developed area. It is a 1.9 mile (3.1 km) trail that connects the North Kaibab Trailhead with the Grand Canyon Lodge. Please refer to the North Rim Pocket Map for more details.
Bicycling on the North Rim: Arizona Trail
The Arizona Trail segment on the North Rim provides great mountain biking opportunities. The trail traverses 12.1 miles (19.5 km) of forest inside the park. The trail continues north of the park boundary in the Kaibab National Forest.
You can access the Arizona Trail on the North Rim from the North Kaibab Trailhead parking lot. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot.
Before embarking on this easy to moderate trail, please review important information at the following web site - https://aztrail.org/explore/passages/passage-39-grand-canyon-north-rim/
North Rim: Bicycling to Point Imperial or Cape Royal
Riding along the Point Imperial or Cape Royal roads is not recommended and is extremely hazardous. Both access roads are narrow, have minimal shoulders, and have numerous sharp corners, which can lead to blind spots for both drivers and cyclists. Vegetation along the roads also minimizes line of sight for all road users. There are other cycling opportunities along the North Rim, as outlined above.
The Arizona Trail segment on the North Rim provides great mountain biking opportunities.
Bicycling on the North Rim: Rules of the Road/Safety
Cycling is a great way to experience the North Rim; however, please remember the following rules and guidelines:
Cyclists, including e-bikes…
Are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles & share the road with vehicles
Should use extreme caution when riding on park roads - shoulders are narrow & vehicle traffic is heavy
Should ride single file with the flow of traffic - there are no designated cycling lanes
Must wear a helmet
Should see and be seen - wear bright colors
Must yield to pedestrians & let them know you are approaching from behind with a bell or calm voice
Should bring sufficient water and snacks
Should acclimatize – the average elevation on the North Rim is 8,000 feet (2,438 m)
Be prepared for possible weather changes
Bicycles are prohibited below the rim/in the canyon.
Bicycling on the North Rim: Touring/Camping
Traveling to the North Rim via bicycle?
Bicyclist campsites are available at the North Rim Campground on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bicycle/backpacker sites are $6.00 per person, per night.
NO cars are allowed in the bicycle/backpacker campsites.
