Grand Canyon National Park — Visitor Information

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Grand Canyon draws over 5 million visitors a year to its South Rim — no reservation or timed entry is needed, but the park is cashless, several of its best hikes require serious planning, and a free shuttle system covers much of the South Rim. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: the North Rim is open for the 2026 season but is still recovering from the 2024 Dragon Bravo Fire, with some areas and services limited — always check the official Grand Canyon Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
South Rim: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Entrance Fee
$35 / vehicle, 7 days
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No — no timed entry
Payment
Cashless — credit/debit only
Permit Needed For
Below-rim backcountry camping, Phantom Ranch lodging
North Rim Season
Mid-May – Oct 15 (closed in winter)

Visitor Centers

Tap a visitor center for its official NPS hours & facility info.

Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim)
Near Mather Point — the park's main hub, open daily 8am–4pm, with trip-planning exhibits and the Grand Canyon Conservancy park store across the plaza.
Verkamp's Visitor Center
In the Village Historic District, open daily 8am–8pm — exhibits on the history of Grand Canyon Village plus a museum store.

The North Rim has its own visitor contact station, open only during its mid-May–mid-October season. Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Every vehicle entering Grand Canyon needs a park pass — the park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card.

  • Private vehicle: $35, valid 7 days (covers all passengers, South Rim admission)
  • Motorcycle: $30, valid 7 days
  • Per person (on foot/bike, age 16+): $20, valid 7 days
  • Grand Canyon Annual Pass: $70 (Grand Canyon only)
  • America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 — covers Grand Canyon and every other federal fee site

Note: non-U.S. residents (age 16+) pay an additional $100/person fee unless entering with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass.

Free Entrance Days (2026)

Feb 16 · May 25 · Jun 14 · Jul 3–5 · Aug 25 (NPS's 110th birthday) · Sep 17 · Oct 27 · Nov 11

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Every U.S. 4th grader (and their family, in the same vehicle) can get a free annual pass covering entrance to Grand Canyon and every other federal fee site. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov or at any entrance station.

South Rim Shuttle System

The free South Rim shuttle system is included with your entrance fee and is the only way to reach some overlooks and trailheads — Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles March 1 through November 30 each year.

  • Village (Blue) Route: connects the Visitor Center with lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza
  • Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: Visitor Center to South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and Yavapai Geology Museum
  • Hermit Road (Red) Route: the 7-mile scenic drive to Hermits Rest, closed to private cars in-season
  • Hikers' Express: early departures (4, 5, 6am) from Bright Angel Lodge to trailheads
  • Tusayan (Purple) Route: summer-only service to the gateway town of Tusayan

Full route maps and schedules on the official shuttle bus page — schedules shift seasonally.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park, ride the shuttle, or day-hike below the rim. You do need one for:

Backcountry Camping

Any overnight stay below the rim (outside Phantom Ranch) requires a backcountry permit, awarded through a monthly early-access lottery on recreation.gov, with remaining space opening to general booking afterward.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Grand Canyon has three developed rim campgrounds, all bookable via recreation.gov. Phantom Ranch, at the canyon bottom, is reached only by foot, mule, or raft — no vehicle or RV access. RV length limits and fees change year to year — use the links below for current details.

Mather Campground
South Rim, in Grand Canyon Village. Open year-round. Tent and RV sites (no hookups). Reservation required via recreation.gov; check current RV length limits.
Desert View Campground
South Rim, near the East Entrance and Desert View Watchtower. Seasonal. Tent and RV sites (no hookups, no generators). Reservation required via recreation.gov; check current RV length limits.
North Rim Campground
North Rim, near the North Rim Visitor Center. Open only during the North Rim's mid-May–mid-October season. Tent and RV sites. Reservation required via recreation.gov; check current RV length limits.

Phantom Ranch's dorms and cabins at the canyon bottom — reachable only by foot, mule, or raft — book through Xanterra. Rim lodges book separately as well.

Good to Know

  • Cashless park: entrance fees, shops, and most services are credit/debit only.
  • Heat & hiking: below-rim temperatures run far hotter than the rim — hiking rim-to-river-to-rim in one day is discouraged, especially in summer.
  • Cell service: reliable on the South Rim near developed areas, unreliable to nonexistent below the rim.
  • North Rim: open mid-May through mid-October only, and still in recovery from 2024 fire damage — check current status before planning a trip there.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, shuttle schedules, permit lotteries, and North Rim recovery status change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Grand Canyon National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Visitor Centers · NPS – Backcountry Permits · NPS – Shuttle Buses · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts