Operating
Hours, Seasons
The
SOUTH RIM is open 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year. Services are available and facilies are open
year round.
The
NORTH RIM is open mid-May through mid-October.
Weather permitting, the North Rim is open for day
use only following the close of facilities in mid-October.
After that time there are no services or overnight
facilites available inside the park on the North Rim.
Getting
There
PLANE
- Commercial air carriers
serve Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Grand Canyon
Airport (in Tusayan, just south of the park).
CAR
- Grand Canyon Village (SOUTH RIM) is located
60 miles north of Interstate 40 at Williams via highway
64, and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff via highway
180. Only ten miles from rim to rim as the crow flies,
the North Rim is 215 miles (about 4 1/2 hours) from
the South Rim by car. The NORTH RIM is 44 miles south
of Jacob Lake, AZ, via highway 67.
PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION -
SOUTH RIM: Bus Service
between Grand Canyon National Park and Flagstaff,
Arizona is offered by Nava-Hopi Tours, 800-892-8687,
and by South Rim Travel, 520-638-2748. Greyhound Bus
Lines offers service from Flagstaff and Williams to
points nationwide. Grand Canyon Railroad offers service
between Williams and the canyon, 1-800-THE-TRAIN.
NORTH RIM: A shuttle service is
provided seasonally between the North Rim and the
South Rim by Trans-Canyon Shuttle, 520-638-2820.
PARKING
-Upon arriving at the park, be
sure to read THE GUIDE and other information
provided at the entrance station. This information
will direct you to parking areas and access to visitor
services.
South
Rim - Parking is available
in lots throughout Grand Canyon Village. Please avoid
parking along the roadside except where signage or
lines on the road indicate that it is permissible.
The largest parking lots can be found at Park Headquarters
(Lot A), the Backcountry Information Center (Lot E)
near Maswik Lodge, and Market Plaza (Lot B). Parking
is often available near the railroad tracks (Lot D),
even when other lots are full. RVs are encouraged
to park at the Backcountry Information Center lot,
where oversized stalls are available. Easily accessible
shuttle bus stops are located at all parking areas.
More info...
Seeing
the Grand Canyon
Nearly
five million people see Grand Canyon each year. Most
of them see it from overlooks along the South Rim,
including Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest Road,
and Desert View Drive. The South Rim, 60 miles/97
km north of Williams and 80 miles/129 km northwest
of Flagstaff, Arizona, is the most accessible part
of the park and is open all year.
A much smaller number of people see the canyon from
the North Rim, which lies just 10 miles/16 km (as
the raven flies) directly across from the South Rim.
The North Rim rises 1000 feet/305 m higher than the
South Rim and is much less accessible. Heavy snows
close the North Rim from mid-October to mid-May each
year. Even in good weather the North Rim is harder
to get to. It lies 220 miles/354 km by car from the
South Rim, or 21 miles/34 km by foot across the canyon
by way of the North and South Kaibab Trails.
The Inner Canyon includes everything below the rim
and is seen mainly by hikers, mule riders, and river
rafters. Many opportunities exist here for adventurous
and hardy persons who want to backpack, ride a mule
to Phantom Ranch, or take a river tripdown the Colorado
River.
How do people get across the Colorado River within
Grand Canyon? The South Kaibab Trail crosses the river
on a narrow suspension bridge 70 feet/21 m above the
water. Only one way across the canyon is accessible
by automobile - the Navajo Bridge, located downstream
from Lees Ferry, where the canyon is only 400 feet/122
m wide.
Weather
& Climate
The
South Rim is 7000 feet above sea level, which means
snow in winter and cool nights even in summer. Inner
canyon hiking (below the rim) is another story, however:
summer temperatures along the Colorado River at the
canyon bottom can reach 120º F. The North Rim is 8000
feet above sea level and can receive snow throughout
most of the year. Weather is particularly changeable
in spring and fall; visitors should be prepared for
a variety of climates.
The high altitude of both the South and North Rims
may cause visitors with respiratory or heart problems
to experience difficulties. All walking at this elevation
can be strenuous.
Summer
Summer temperatures on the South
Rim, at 7000 feet/2134 m, are relatively pleasant
(50°s-80°s F/10°s-20°s C). But at
2400 feet/732 m, inner canyon temperatures are extreme.
Daytime highs at the river often exceed 100° F/38°
C. North Rim summer temperatures are cooler than those
on the South Rim due to increased elevation. The North
Rim is at 8000 feet/2438 m above sea level.
Winter
Winter conditions at the South Rim can be extreme.
Expect snow, icy roads and trails, and possible road
closures. Canyon views may be temporarily obscured
during winter storms. In such cases entrance fees
are not refundable. The North Rim is closed during
the winter.
Spring
& Fall
Spring and fall weather is extremely
unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden changes in the
weather at those times of year.
More
Weather Information
Accessibility
Facilities
vary a great deal. The National Park Service provides
wheelchairs for temporary day use by park visitors.
No rental fee is charged. A wheelchair is usually
available at Canyon View Center. To obtain a temporary
parking permit for designated parking, inquire at
the Entrance Gate, Canyon View Center, or Yavapai
Observtion Station.
Several of the daily interpretive Ranger Programs
are wheelchair accessible. Inquire at the Canyon View
Center or look in the "Guide" for specifics.
A copy of the Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility
Guide is available upon request at Canyon View Center,
Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, Tusyan Museum,
and Desert View Information Center. Or write for a
copy.
SOUTH RIM: Most shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs.
Accessible shuttle buses are available with a 48-hour
advance reservation. Call 520-638-0591.
More
Information
Getting
Around
SOUTH
RIM: Free shuttle service is available year
round throughout Grand Canyon Village and out to the
South Kaibab Trailhead. March - November free shuttle
service is available along Hermit Road. When the Hermits
Rest shuttle bus is running, Hermit Road is closed
to private vehicles. Taxis are available (on call)
from Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, call (520)
638-2631 ext. 6563.
NORTH
RIM: There is no shuttle service on the North
Rim.
More
Information
Medical
Services
The
South Rim Walk-In Clinic is open all year. Monday
- Friday, 9am - 6pm, (520) 638-2551. Emergency medical
services are provided by rangers and clinic staff.
A dentist serves the South Rim by appointment only.
Call (520) 638-2395. North Rim emergency medical services
are provided by rangers on duty.
Pets
Pets
are allowed in the park but must be restrained at
all times. Leashed pets are allowed on South Rim trails
throughout the developed areas in the park but not
below the rim, in park lodging, or on park buses.
The only exception is for certified service dogs.
Persons wishing to take a certified service dog below
the rim must check in first at the Backcountry Information
Center.
A
kennel is available at the South Rim. Call (520) 638-0534.
Reservations are suggested.
Pets
are not permitted on North Rim trails. It is recommended
that they be left at home. No kennels are available
on the North Rim.
