Village Route Transfer - Hermit Road (Red) Route

Start the Hermit Road (Red) Route here, or take a walk up the Rim Trail to Trailview Overlook.

NPS

Quick Facts

Significance:

Shuttle Bus Stop — Hermit Road (Red) Route

Amenities

2 listed

Bus/Shuttle Stop, Wheelchair Accessible

NOT IN SERVICE DURING WINTER

Hermit Road is open to private vehicles (under 22 feet) during the months of December, January and Februay, when there is no bus service.

• Between March 1, and November 30, Hermit Road can only be accessed by the free Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle bus, on foot, bicycle, or by commercial tour.

Outbound Only - to Hermits Rest

Located west of Bright Angel Lodge, at the start of Hermit Road, this covered shuttle bus stop is just a few steps beyond the look-alike Village (Blue) Route shuttle stop for Bright Angel Trailhead/Hermit Road Interchange.

• During the summer season, boarding lines can be long at the Hermit Road Transfer Station – you may have to wait for two to three buses. Arrive early in the morning for shorter lines. 

Before getting on the bus, take a moment to look over the canyon rim here. Below, you will see the start of the Bright Angel Trail, with intrepid hikers making their way up and down the switchbacks. The next stop, Trailview Overlook, will give you a grand sense of the journey that awaits those hiking thousands of feet down into the canyon. 

From this transfer station, board the Hermit Road (Red) Route bus to experience
the scenic 7 mile (11 km) road out to Hermits Rest, and Hermit Trailhead.

There are 9 outstanding viewpoints along the road, each with a designated bus stop.

The Canyon Rim Trail also follows the rim of the canyon for 7.8 miles (12.6 km) alongside Hermit Road, and offers the opportunity for short or long walks between viewpoints — on both paved and dirt trails. 

The shuttles are great when you use them in conjunction with the rim trail —you can get off at one stop, enjoy a scenic walk along the rim, then get back on a bus at the next stop.
 

Hermits Rest (Red) Route 

Tentative Spring 2025 Schedule
80 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

• First bus is a 8:00 am. Last bus: one hour after sunset.
• Every 15 minutes: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
• Every 10 minutes: 11:00 am to sunset 
• Be at a bus stop 30 minutes after sunset

Route Information

If you simply ride this shuttle bus without getting off at any stop, the entire loop will take approximately 80 minutes to return to where you started. From the Village Route Transfer shuttle stop, all buses travel outbound to Hermits Rest.

• Trailview Overlook (outbound only)
• Maricopa Point (outbound only)
• Powell Point (outbound and inbound)
• Hopi Point (outbound only)
• Mohave Point (outbound and inbound)
• The Abyss (outbound only)
• Monument Creek Vista (outbound only)
• Pima Point (outbound and inbound)
• Hermits Rest (inbound only)

The buses turn around at Hermits Rest, then return to the Village, stopping only at the following locations:

• Pima Point (outbound and inbound)
• Mohave Point (outbound and inbound)
• Powell Point (outbound and inbound)
• Village Route Transfer Station

Shuttle Bus Rules

• No eating or open drink containers.

• No pets allowed on shuttle buses. Service dogs are permitted (as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act).

• Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers in wheelchairs. Please note that wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 cm x 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses, and most motorized scooters will not fit.

• Collapse strollers before entering the shuttle bus. No oversized or jogging strollers. Remove baby-back carriers when seated.

• Shuttle buses can accommodate two or three bicycles, but not tag alongs, baby trailers, or children's bicycles with wheels less than 16 inches (41 cm). Riders must load and unload their bicycles from the front-facing rack.

• Shuttle buses only stop at designated bus stops.