Fees & Passes

Arriving at Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is a remarkable destination that draws in excess of 5 million visitors annually from around the globe. Accessible through three distinct entrances, this natural wonder often experiences long lines at its gateways. To enhance your experience and minimize wait times, consider the following tips.

  • Visit outside of the Memorial Day to Labor Day (summer season).

  • Plan to enter the park on a weekday as weekends are particularly busy.

  • Arrive at the entrance either before 10 A.M. or after 2 P.M.

There is no guarantee that following these tips will prevent you from waiting in line, but it greatly improves your chances of not having to wait.

 
eight cars in two lanes are waiting to enter the park at an entrance station
South Entrance Station
 

Do You Need to Have a Pass to Enter?

All Visitors Must Have an Entrance Pass
 

View Pass Options >

Exception: 2024 Entry Fee-free Days

No entrance pass is required on these days:

  • Monday, January 15 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week

  • Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day

  • Sunday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act

  • Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day

  • Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Note: on entrance fee-free days, other fees for reservations, camping, lodging, and tours, are not included, unless stated otherwise

Educational Fee Waivers

National Park Service policy permits entrance fees to be waived for national and international academic institutions visiting parks for non-commercial educational purposes. However, Educational Fee Waivers are not issued automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the criteria to receive a fee waiver.

How to qualify for and apply for an Educational Fee Waiver 

Organized Non-commercial Groups include:

  • Church groups
  • College/school clubs and organizations
  • Large Girl Scout, Boy Scout and other youth groups
  • Service organizations, etc.

Organized Non-commercial Groups in vehicles with a manufacture's designed capacity of 16 or less are charged the $35.00 vehicle permit or a fee of $8.00 per person in vehicles with a manufacture's designed capacity of 16 or greater. Age and pass exemptions apply.

Find the best option for your group >

Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is required for any commercial tour company, regional shuttle service company, or local transit company that enters the park. 

Commercial Vehicles must show their CUA upon every entry to Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park only accepts credit or debit cards for all entrance fees, including commercial tour fees. No Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access, Grand Canyon Park Passes, or America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, will be accepted and there are no exemptions for age.

  • Vehicles with capacity of 1-25: will be charged a Flat Fee of $8.00 per person. Those age 15 and under will be exempt from payment of fees.
  • Vehicles with capacity of 26 or greater: will be charged a flat fee of $300.00.
  • Clients entering in their own vehicle in vehicle caravan or meet guide in the park: In any instance where the clients enter the park in their own vehicle, each vehicle will be charged the regular, single-vehicle fee ($30 Motorcycles, $35 Vehicle). If one or more group members own an America The Beautiful: Federal Lands Pass, each pass will be accepted for entry of one vehicle.

Learn more about Commercial Tour Fees, CUA Exceptions, and re-entering the park >

 

 

 
Two photos: Left - a motorcycle with two riders talking to a park ranger in an entrance station booth. Right - a campsite with two colorful tents and a picnic table.
Do you need a reservation to enter the park? How about for camping?
 

Do You Need a Reservation?

To enter Grand Canyon National Park

  • You do not need a reservation at this time.
  • There is no timed entry at this time.

Camping at Grand Canyon National Park is another story

  • While we do have a few first-come, first-served sites, and some cancellations at Mather Campground at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, having a reservation for camping there is highly encouraged.
     
 
a row of 5 interagency passes
 

Which Pass Should You Pick?

Access Pass

Cost: No Charge Lifetime Pass

Available for: US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship. Access passes are available at Grand Canyon National Park entrance stations.

Pass Usage Information:

  • Provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

  • Passes may not be issued as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.

  • Digital representations of the pass are not valid or accepted.

  • Pass is non-transferable.

  • The Access Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services.

  • The Access Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.

  • Golden Access Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass. Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility.

  • More Questions? > https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass

Military Active Duty Pass

Cost: No Charge Available for:

  • Current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members. Please check photo ID requirements before arriving.
Pass Usage Information:
  • Provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
  • Is valid from the month of purchase till end of the month the next calendar year.

Military Lifetime Pass

Cost: No Charge Lifetime Pass

Available for:
  • Gold Star Families with a valid Gold Star Family Voucher
  • US military veterans with a valid, veteran ID
Pass Usage Information:
  • Provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

4th Grade Pass

Cost: Voucher, valid for the duration of the 4th grader's school year though the following summer (September-August) Provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six Federal agencies. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle.

Available for: US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher. 


How to get a voucher and pass:

  • Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions.
  • Step 2: Exchange a printed voucher for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site.
  • NOTE: Digital versions of the paper voucher, such as on smart phones or tablets, are not accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass.
  • Educators may help students obtain 4th Grade Passes. Learn more at the Every Kid Outdoors website. Educators however, do not qualify for a 4th Grade Pass but may want to get one of the other Interagency Passes.

Senior Lifetime and Annual Passes

Cost:

  • $80 Lifetime Senior Pass
  • $20 Annual Senior Pass
Available for: US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

Pass Usage Information:
  • Provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
  • The Senior Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. (NOTE: The Senior Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.)
  • The Senior Annual Pass is valid from the month of purchase till end of the month the next calendar year and can be used to upgrade to the Senior Lifetime Pass even after pass expiration.
  • Golden Age Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass.
  • Passes may not be issued as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.

Interagency Annual Pass (America the Beautiful Pass)

Cost: $80 annual pass

Available for: Everyone

Pass Usage Information:

  • Provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
  • Is valid from the month of purchase till end of the month the next calendar year.
  • This pass is non-transferable to another person but two people can own the pass.
  • Digital representations of the pass are not valid or accepted.
  • More Questions? - Recreational Passes | USGS Store

Cost: $70 annual pass

Available for: Everyone

Pass Usage Information:

Available to the general public for purchase for unlimited visits to Grand Canyon National Park only. This is an annual pass, valid one year from month of purchase; it is non-transferable.

It admits the pass holder and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, or foot).

IN-PERSON PURCHASE LOCATIONS

  • Grand Canyon South Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • Desert View Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • North Rim Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

 

If you don’t qualify for, or need the above passes, review your additional options below

 

Standard Entrance Passes

$20.00–$35.00

Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is for 7 days and includes both the South Rim, and during their season, the North Rim. No cash is accepted at the park's 3 entrance stations; credit/debit card only. No refunds are given due to inclement weather. Grand Canyon Annual Passes and America the Beautiful passes are available at all 3 of Grand Canyon National Park's entrance stations.

Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers, up to a 15 person passenger van.

Organized non-commercial groups over 16 passengers require different charges. Commercial groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.

IN-PERSON PURCHASE LOCATIONS

  • Grand Canyon South Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • Desert View Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • North Rim Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its passenger(s).

IN-PERSON PURCHASE LOCATIONS

  • Grand Canyon South Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • Desert View Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • North Rim Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.

IN-PERSON PURCHASE LOCATIONS

  • Grand Canyon South Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • Desert View Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

  • North Rim Entrance Station
    Credit/Debit Only

 

Where to Purchase Your Pass

Authorized Third-party Vendors (Cash or Card)

Locations in the South Rim gateway town of Tusayan and the passes they sell

  • IMAX Visitor Center— $80.00 Interagency Annual Pass
  • Canyon Plaza Resort—$35.00 vehicle pass
  • Red Feather Lodge—$35.00 vehicle pass
  • Pink Jeep Tours (Inside IMAX)—$35.00 vehicle pass
  • Westwind Air (Grand Canyon Airport Main Terminal)—$80 Interagency Annual Pass and $35 vehicle pass

Automated Fee Machines (Card Only)

  • LOCATIONS
    • Williams, Arizona, Visitor Center (54 miles south)
    • Valle, Arizona, Chevron Station (28 miles south)
    • Imax Theater in Tusayan
    • Imax Theater - Shuttle Bus Stop in Tusayan
    • Grand Hotel - Shuttle Bus Stop in Tusayan
  • PRODUCTS
    • $35.00 vehicle pass
    • $30.00 motorcycle pass
    • $20.00 individual pass
    • $80.00 America the Beautiful Annual Pass voucher (to be redeemed at any of the 3 Grand Canyon National Park entrance stations,

 

Online

  • Grand Canyon National Park no longer offers entrance passes online.
    • For several years Grand Canyon National Park sold digital passes online through Recreation.gov, but no longer does, in order to keep more visitor fees in the park to improve the visitor experience.
  • Campground Reservations:

  • Grand Canyon South Entrance Station
    • Automated fee machine at the Mather Campground Office.
  • Desert View Entrance Station
  • North Rim Entrance Station
    • Automated fee machine at the North Rim Visitor Center.
 

The Grand Canyon Fee Team

 
four fee collection park rangers pose for a photo in and just outside of a fee booth window.
Members of the Grand Canyon Fee Team pose for a photo at the South Entrance Station.

NPS/M. Quinn

The Grand Canyon Fee Team is made up of over 60 Recreational Fee Technicians from all over the country. With many different people we have many different points of view and are dynamic while sharing the same vision of building public support for the National Park Service and collecting the vital funds that help make the visitor experience special.

We are excited to welcome our visitors and hope that your experience with us is positively remembered for years to come. If you have additional questions prior to your trip please email us here.

 

Last updated: January 10, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

Contact Us