Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes 2009 (U.S. National Park Service)

Jump to: The Hiker Express Shuttle Tusayan Park & Ride (Service ended Sept. 11, 2009)

This Fall, free shuttle buses are operating on three routes.

The routes interconnect, but do not overlap.
No tickets are required, and bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park by signs.
Buses are white with a green stripe.
The buses display the route name on the front and an appropriately colored square near each door.
All buses are equipped with bicycle racks. Bicycle one way and ride the shuttle the other.
Pets are not permitted on buses. Service may be suspended during inclement weather.

You may download our Transit Map. It shows the Grand Canyon Village bus routes, stops, operating times, points of interest and parking lots.

Download Fall 2009 S Rim Village Transit Map (234kb PDF File)

How do I use the free shuttle buses ?

Park your vehicle in one of the parking areas, proceed to the nearest bus stop, and board the next bus. It is that simple. The buses come by every 15–30 minutes. You are free to get on and off at any stop. The routes are designed so you can ride to a stop, enjoy the view, shop at a gift store, or walk along the rim and then hop on a later shuttle.

Village Route (BLUE) 60 minutes round trip

Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Point, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, campgrounds, parking lots, and other facilities in the Village area. This is not a scenic route, but rim views are available a short walk from many stops. It may be the best way to get to many of the ranger programs.

60 Minutes Round-trip (without getting off the bus)

September, October & November buses run every:
30 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
30 minutes from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Kaibab Trail Route (GREEN) 30 minutes round trip

Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Vista. This is the shortest scenic route and the only access to Yaki Point and the S. Kaibab Trailhead.

30 Minutes Round-trip (without getting off the bus)

September, October & November buses run every:
30 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
15 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to to one hour after sunset.

Hermit Rest Route (Red Route) 75 minutes round trip

On the scenic and historic Hermit Road, Shuttle bus service has resumed for the 2009 season. (Private vehicles are allowed access only between December 1 and February 28.)

Buses provide transportation between the Village Route Transfer Station and Hermits Rest (7 miles/ 11 km) with stops at nine canyon overlooks. During the return trip, buses stop only at Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave, and Powell Points.

75 Minutes Round-trip (without getting off the bus)

September, October & November buses run every:
30 minutes 5:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
15 minutes 9:30 a.m. to sunset
30 minutes sunset to one hour after sunset

The newly improved Hermit Road has some of the best Grand Canyon views that you can see anywhere. Read more...

The Hiker's Express Shuttle Bus

An early morning bus that leaves daily from the Bright Angel Lodge shuttle bus stop and the Backcountry Information Center shuttle bus stop, and Canyon View Information Plaza, and goes directly to the South Kaibab Trailhead.

September: 5:00 a.m., 6:00 a.m., and 7:00 a.m.

October: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., and 8:00 a.m.

November: 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 9:00 a.m.

Tusayan Route (Purple) 40 minutes round trip

Between mid-May and mid-September, the Tusayan Route, a part of Grand Canyon National Park’s visitor transportation system on the South Rim, provides "park & ride" shuttle bus service between the gateway community of Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park. (7 miles/11km south of the S. Rim village)

The service operates between mid-May and mid-September.
Service ended for the 2009 Season on September 11, 2009.
20 minutes each way (riding time; no stop)

Visitors entering the park from Tusayan via the shuttle bus must present a valid park entrance pass. Entrance passes may be purchased at park entrances or at various businesses in Tusayan.

Your phone provides a fun way to learn more about the Park. Listen to park rangers give 2 minute audio tours at various points of interest on the South Rim, from Hermit Road to Yaki Point, and the North Rim. Learn more...

2002 photo of Hermit Rest shuttle boarding

The South Rim Shuttle Bus System

For more than 30 years the National Park Service has provided a free shuttle bus system on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors and residents have made 75,000,000 boardings. Many of the buses use compressed or liquefied natural gas, a much cleaner burning fuel. Some of the buses have provisions for improved accessibility. Riding the shuttles makes your stay more enjoyable, while reducing pollution and decreasing traffic congestion.

News Releases

April 2, 2009
National Park Service to offer pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan again this year.

November 19, 2008
National Park Service reopens historic Hermit Road with a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the road and rehabilitation project

November 3, 2008
Grand Canyon National Park’s historic Hermit Road scheduled to reopen Saturday, November 15, 2008 with a dedication ceremony honoring the road and rehabilitation project

August 29, 2008
National Park Service to extend pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan

May 19, 2008
National Park Service to test a pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan

May 19th 2008
Grand Canyon National Park to begin operating a 100 percent dedicated fleet of compressed natural gas powered buses