The South Rim Visitor Center is open from 9 am to 4 pm today.
Information, Passport Stamps and Jr. Ranger books and badges are also available at the adjacent Park Store (8 am to 6 pm). On Wed. Dec. 11, store opens at 12 noon.
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.
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.
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
Bright Angel Bicycles also operate a coffee bar/café with 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 9 am to 5 pm: NOTE: This shop will open at noon on Thursday, December 12, 2024 because of annual inventory.
The upper floors of the tower are open, when staffing allows, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The last tower access is at 4:00 pm, with the stairs closed for the day at 4:30 pm. Capacity is 25 people in the tower at one time. A ticket system admits 25 people with a 20 minute time limit.
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
CLOSED - Season Over
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.
During the summer, 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.
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.
The North Rim is CLOSED for the Winter
Thepark entrance gate on State Route 67, which provides vehicular access to the North Rim, is closed to all vehicle traffic for the winter.
Between December 1, and May 14, North Rim roads are closed to all vehicles (including snowmobiles) No visitor services are available.
As in years past, the North Rim campground will be available for winter camping and is accessible via hiking inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing 45 miles from Jacob Lake.
To camp at the North Rim during the winter months, visitors need a backcountry permit, which can be obtained in advance through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center.
North Rim Visitor Center
CLOSED for the Winter
Open for the 2025 season: May 15, through October 15, 2025.
2025 Season hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily
Restrooms are located on the back side of the building.
North Rim Ranger Programs
CLOSED for the Winter Interpretive programs are free and will be 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 this season's schedule
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 CLOSED for the Winter
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
CLOSED: 2024 SEASON OVER
Mule trips will be 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!
