Place

Desert View Entrance Station

A tour van is purchasing a pass from a park ranger in a yellow brick entrance lane building — Rangers at the entrance station have park maps and can answer any questions you may have.
NPS/M. Quinn

Entrance Passes for Sale, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present

If traveling from New Mexico on I-40 or from Phoenix on I-17, consider taking US 89 from Flagstaff, Arizona, north to Cameron, Ariz. and then west on State Route 64 to the Desert View or East Entrance of the park, where you can enjoy your first views of the Grand Canyon from Desert View.

This entrance is also ideal for motorists traveling to/from Southwestern Colorado and Southern Utah.

Located approximately 74 miles (119 km) from Flagstaff, Arizona, the Desert View Entrance Station serves as a second gateway to the South Rim and the primary portal to the Desert View area. The entrance is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

The Desert View entrance tends to be less crowded than the South Rim's main entrance near Grand Canyon Village. Entering from Desert View can save you time waiting in the South Entrance Station's line, and make for a more relaxed experience.

During holidays, weekends, spring break and summer, avoid the crowds by starting at Desert View. Here you will find basic services including restrooms, Trading Post/ice cream/coffee, Grocery Store/Deli, Gas Station, and this historic Watchtower.

The 23 mile (34 km) scenic Desert View Drive towards Grand Canyon Village features marvelous panoramic views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Parking is available at every scenic overlook. There are six developed canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five unmarked pullouts with scenic views.

Entrance Fees and Passes

Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is valid for seven days. It includes both the North Rim and South Rim.

No refunds are given due to inclement weather.

Prices below reflect increases that went into effect on June 1, 2018:

Vehicle Permit: $35
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Organized groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.

Motorcycle Permit: $30
Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its passenger(s).

Individual Permit: $20 per person
Admits one individual when entering by foot, bicycle, park shuttle bus, Grand Canyon Railway, and private rafting trip. Individuals 16 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge.

Annual Passes

There are several types of annual passes available at each of the park's three entrance stations:

America the Beautiful - Annual Pass ($80)
America the Beautiful - Annual Senior Pass ($20)
America the Beautiful - Lifetime Senior Pass ($80)
"Every Kid Outdoors" - 4th Grade Pass (Free)
America the Beautiful - Lifetime Access Pass (Free)
Military Pass (Free)
Grand Canyon National Park Pass ($70)

Detailed information about these passes, and which one is right for you, here >

Documentation and ID are required when presenting or acquiring a pass.

At Grand Canyon National Park's Entrance Stations, credit and debit cards, digital passes, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is no longer accepted.

Group Tours

Organized, Non-commercial Groups >
Organized, non-commercial groups include church groups, college or school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc.

Commercial Tours

Commercial Tour Fees >
Fees are based on vehicle capacity for all tour groups and bus companies that originate outside a 100-mile (160 km) radius of an entrance station to Grand Canyon National Park. Taxis are classified as commercial tours since they do not have regularly scheduled service.