Most visitors come to the South Rim (open all year). The North Rim (open mid-May through mid October only) has fewer facilities and is less accessible (it is over 200 miles one way by automobile from the South Rim to the North Rim, a 5-hour drive for most). North Rim and Backcountry visitors should read the sections below on the North Rim and the Inner Canyon in this guide. When making reservations for lodging and camping remember to identify the rim you plan on visiting.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon averages 7,000 feet above sea level, the North Rim over 8000 feet above sea level. Visitors with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties; all walking at this elevation can be strenuous.
Grand Canyon National Park is in a remote part of the country. Remember:
- Bring an extra set of car keys it could be a long wait for a locksmith.
- Film is available at both rims, but the closest camera repair is in Flagstaff, Williams, or Page.
- There is an automobile mechanic on the South Rim, but you may experience delays waiting for parts.
- Distances are deceiving in this part of the country: it may look like you can visit three parks in one day, but reality is often different.
- Keep your gas tank full the next gas station may be quite some distance down the road.
- Carry water in your car, particularly during summer months.
- Cell phone service is very limited, if at all available, inside the Park.
General Information
Pets
Pets are allowed in the park but must be on a leash at all times. Leashed pets are allowed on 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 certified service dogs. Persons wishing to take a certified service dog below the rim must check in first at the Ranger Office (at the corner of Center Road and Village Loop Drive.)
A kennel is available at the South Rim only. It is open daily from 7:30am - 5pm. Call (928) 638-0534 for information. Reservations are suggested.
Fishing
Fishing in the park requires an Arizona state fishing license. Licenses are available at the Camping Department of the DNPS General Store at Market Plaza, Grand Canyon Village, South Rim. They are not available at the North Rim. Make sure you know the regulations before you fish.
The best time of year to fish for trout within the park is in the fall and winter. Bright Angel Creek by Phantom Ranch permits unlimited trout fishing; unlimited striped bass; unlimited catfish. Trout taken at Bright Angel Creek shall be killed and retained as part of the bag limit or immediately released.
Ranger-led Programs
National Park Service (NPS) rangers offer a wide variety of interpretive programs throughout the year on the South Rim, including a nightly evening program (indoors in colder weather, outdoors in summer) and throughout the season on the North Rim. All NPS programs are free and open to the public. Detailed program information is listed in the park's newspaper available at the entrance station.
Bus & Air Tours
Persons wishing to take a guided bus tour should visit our Grand Canyon Tours by Land: Hike, Ride, Rail, Walk. A variety of different tours are available throughout the year.
All scenic air tours operate from outside Grand Canyon National Park. Local commercial air tour operators are located in Grand Canyon Airport (just south of Tusayan). For a list of air tour operators, visit our Grand Canyon Helicopter & Air Tours page.
Bicycling
Bicycles are not available for rent in the park. If you plan to bring one, remember that in Arizona bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Use extreme caution when riding on park roads; shoulders are narrow and vehicle traffic is heavy. The West Rim Drive is open to bicycles throughout the year, but remember that during the summer months there is heavy bus traffic on the West Rim Drive. Use caution and do not obstruct traffic. Bicycles are not allowed on any park trails.
Mountain bikes are allowed only on those roads open to automobile traffic.
Shuttle Transportation
From March 13 to October 18 the park operates a free shuttle bus system on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village and along the West Rim Drive. These shuttles provide transportation; they are not tour buses. You must get off the bus to see the canyon. Most shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs. However, accommodations can be made with advance notice by calling 928-638-0591 at least 24 hours in advance.
Shuttle service is provided seasonally between the North Rim and the South Rim for a fee by Trans Canyon Shuttle (928-638-2820). Shuttles depart the North Rim daily at 7 a.m. with arrivals to the South Rim at noon; South Rim departures are at 1:30 p.m. daily with arrivals to the North Rim at 6:30 p.m.
Medical Services in the Park
The South Rim has a clinic and pharmacy (928-638-2551) open all year. Emergency medical services are provided by rangers and clinic staff - dial 9-1-1. North Rim emergency medical services are provided by rangers on duty - dial 9-1-1.
Accessibility
Not all park facilities meet the accessibility standards that have been set in recent years, and many of the buildings in the park are historic. However, many facilities are accessible with assistance, and an increasing number of facilities are accessible. Accessibility Guide may be downloaded here.
North Rim
Although it is only 10 air miles across the canyon, the North Rim is over 200 miles away from the South Rim by car or a 21-mile strenuous 2-to-3 day rim-to-rim hike. It is also possible to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and drive 566 miles, one-way or fly into Las Vegas and drive from there (454 miles, one-way). The park boundary is 30 miles south of Jacob Lake on highway 67; the canyon rim is an additional 14 miles south. Jacob Lake, which consists of a lodge and gas station, is located in northern Arizona on highway 89A, not far from the Utah border. There is no public transportation to the North Rim other than the Trans Canyon Shuttle from the South Rim (see Shuttle Transportation in the
Resources portion of this guide for detailed information).
The North Rim is only open from May 15 through October 16, weather permitting. Services are limited on the North Rim. The National Park Service maintains a visitor contact station on the North Rim. Interpretive programs are offered seasonally.
Mule trips are available from the North Rim (one-day and half-day trips) but do not go all the way to the river. Call Grand Canyon Trail Rides for reservations (435-679-8665).
Weather permitting, the North Rim is open for day use only in the fall following the close of facilities in late October. During this time there are no services or overnight facilities available inside the park on the North Rim. The road from Jacob Lake to the North Rim (highway 67) is subject to closure with little or no notice during this interval and then remains closed until mid-May.
Lodging Inside the Park
Overnight lodging is available on the North Rim through Forever Resorts; call 877-386-4383 for reservations. Prices range from $107 - $156 per night single or double occupancy. As with the South Rim, lodging on the North Rim is booked well in advance. Make reservations as far ahead as possible. Grand Canyon Lodge has a dining room and snack bar. There is no diesel fuel available. Shower and laundry facilities and a small general store are located at the North Rim campground.
Lodging Outside the Park
Lodging is available seasonally outside the park on the North Rim at Kaibab Lodge (18 miles north of the North Rim: 520-638-2389) and Jacob Lake Inn (45 miles north of the North Rim: 520-643-7232).
Camping Inside the Park
There is a campground (no hook-ups) in the park a mile from the rim. Reservations are strongly recommended and available through the National Park Reservations Service. For online reservations, visit http://www.recreation.gov or call them at 1-877-444-6777. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. $18 - $25 per night. Maximum six people, two vehicles (including cars, trucks, trailers, pop-up campers, tent trailers, fifth wheels, RVs, and motorhomes) three tents allowed per site. No more than 7 nights stay is allowed. The campground is open May 15 - October 15 annually.
Camping Outside the Park
Camping is available seasonally outside the park on the North Rim at De Motte Campground (in the national forest, 16 miles north of the North Rim, summer only, no hook-ups or reservations), Jacob Lake Campground (in the national forest, 45 miles north of the North Rim, summer only, no hook-ups or reservations), and Kaibab Camper Village, a private campground 1/4 mile south of Jacob Lake on highway 67, hook-ups available. Phone (928) 643-7804 May 15-October 15. Off-season phone (928) 526-0924, outside AZ 1-800-525-0924. Dispersed camping is permitted in the national forest outside the park; there are restrictions, however. Contact the North Kaibab Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, P.O. Box 248, Fredonia, AZ 86022 or call (928) 643-7298 for information.
Inner Canyon
Camping in the Backcountry
All overnight camping below the rim requires a permit from the Backcountry Office. This is true for undeveloped areas on the rim as well (camping in developed areas is restricted to existing campgrounds). Permits are required and must be made in person or by mail or fax. Telephone and email requests are NOT accepted.
Applying well in advance (up to, but no more than, 4 months) is recommended although a small number of permits are sometimes available for the same day. There is a fee of $20 per permit plus an additional fee of $4 per night per person. Address requests for Backcountry permit information (which includes permit application form) to:
Backcountry Office
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Persons arriving without permits may put their names on a waiting list for cancellations; go to the Backcountry Office as soon as you arrive in the park. Backcountry Office is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST daily. Names are accepted for the waiting list in person only.
Inner Canyon By Mule
Mule rides from the South Rim are arranged through Xanterra Parks & Resorts (303-297-2757). It is a 2-day round-trip to the Colorado River at the canyon bottom. A one-day trip is also offered which goes part way to the river. Overnight riders stay and eat at Phantom Ranch.
Mule trips may be booked 13 months in advance and fill up early. A waiting list is maintained for cancellations, but chances of obtaining reservations on the waiting list are slim. If you wish to make a trip into the canyon on mule, plan ahead! There are restrictions: mule riders must be over 4 feet 7 inches in height, weigh less than 200 lbs and cannot be visibly pregnant. Mule riders must be able to understand English.
Mule trips are available from the North Rim (one-day and half-day trips) but do not go all the way to the river. Call Grand Canyon Trail Rides for reservations (435-679-8665).
Inner Canyon On Foot
Grand Canyon's inner canyon (below the rim) is a place of extremes. Hiking below the rim requires preparation. Each season brings its own hazards, and all trails below the rim are steep and precipitous.
Permits are not required for day hikes below the rim, and many people hike a short distance below the rim. The park strongly recommends that you not attempt to hike from rim to river and back in a day; this is a strenuous 2-day journey for most people. In summer extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. Rangers respond to an average of 400 medical emergencies each year. Search and rescue operations are often difficult and expensive due to the remoteness of all inner canyon trails.
Overnight hikers may arrange to stay and eat at Phantom Ranch. Reservations for meals and lodging at Phantom Ranch are required (303-297-2757). All other overnight visitors to the inner canyon must obtain a backcountry permit.
When inner canyon temperatures are extremely high, access to inner canyon trails may be restricted to early morning and evening. Information on trail restrictions and trail closures is available at 928-638-7875.
Day Hiking Below The Rim
Day hikers may wish to hike a portion of either the Bright Angel Trail (which begins near Bright Angel Lodge in the village) or the South Kaibab Trail (which begins at Yaki Point, 3 miles east of the village). Check with the Backcountry Office for trail conditions upon your arrival. Inner canyon trails are steep - carry plenty of water and food. We strongly recommend that you drink one gallon of water per person per day in hot weather. Trails may be icy in winter; instep crampons are sometimes useful.
