Where is the Grand Canyon located?
Grand Canyon National Park is located in northern Arizona near the southern border of Utah and the southeastern tip of Nevada. 

What is the address for the Grand Canyon?
There is no "address" for the Grand Canyon.  However, you will see businesses with a Grand Canyon city address and a 86023 postal code.  These businesses are generally located in Tusayan, AZ near the entrance to the South Rim.  If you're using a GPS or search engine software like Google Maps or Mapquest, you may enter the following latitude and longitude coordinates to find the entrance to the South Rim of the National Park: 35.990372,-112.123353

How long is the drive to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon?
From Sedona (2.5 hours); Las Vegas (5 hours); Flagstaff (1.5 hours); Williams (1 hour); Phoenix (4 hours); Los Angeles (10 hours); San Francisco (13 hours); Salt Lake City (12 hours). Note: the North Rim is much closer to travelers originating from Utah.

Driving directions to the South Rim from surrounding cities like Flagstaff, Sedona, Las Vegas, Phoenix & more
Driving directions to the North Rim from surrounding cities like Flagstaff, Sedona, Las Vegas, Phoenix & more
Driving directions to the West Rim from surrounding cities like Flagstaff, Sedona, Las Vegas, Phoenix & more

Click the following links for more information, including helpful Grand Canyon regional and Grand Canyon National Park maps.

We recommend that you plan your Grand Canyon vacation using our online travel guide, thecanyon.com.  Here you can find everything you need to know about Where to Stay, What to Do and seeing the Grand Canyon by Air, Land or River.  Our travel guide is updated regularly by the hundreds of businesses listed, giving you the most comprehensive list of Grand Canyon service providers and the most current and up-to-date information.  Keep in mind that printed guides often only have a small selection of participating businesses and the information within could be out-of-date.  If you still feel you must have a printed mail-order guide,  we suggest ordering a Grand Canyon Travel Pack from the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce for a moderate price.

When is the best time of year to visit the Grand Canyon?
Most visitors come to the Canyon from May through September.  If you decide to come then, be aware that the high season, while beautiful, means large crowds and parking at a premium.  In the off-season from October through April, crowds are minimal and seeing the Canyon with a dusting of snow is worth the trip!  Beware that some parts of the park and some services are closed in the off-season. The South Rim is open all year, whereas the more remote North Rim visitor area is open from mid-May to mid-October.

What can I expect in terms of weather?
Grand Canyon weather is notoriously fickle, and temperatures difficult to predict. Generally speaking temperatures on the South and North Rims in the spring and fall are in the 70s during the day and 40s at night. Summer temperatures are 10-20 degrees warmer and winter 10-20 degrees cooler. Temperatures at the bottom of the Canyon are 20-30 degrees warmer than the top at any given time. Snow and ice are common in the winter, and the late summer is known for late-afternoon thunderstorms.  Check out our Maps, Directions, FAQs & Contact page for average highs, lows and precipitation.

How big/deep is the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon, incised by the Colorado River, is immense. It is 5000 ft (1500 m) deep, 277 mi (446 km) long, and up to 29 km (18 mi) wide

What are the park entrance fees?
As of May 1, 2006: Entrance to the park is $25 per private vehicle, $10 per pedestrian or cyclist. Fees for commercial bus passengers vary. Admission is for seven days and includes both rims. No refunds due to inclement weather. U.S. residents aged 62 or older may obtain a Golden Age Passport for a one-time fee of $10.00.

What are the park hours?
The South Rim and Grand Canyon Village are open year round and accessible throughout the day and night. The North Rim is open from mid-May through mid-October before closing for the winter. During that time the North Rim visitor is open twenty-four hours a day.

What are the most popular hikes, tours, and activities?
On the South Rim the most popular hike into the Canyon is on the Bright Angel Trail located near Grand Canyon Village (no permit needed for day hiking), and the most popular backpacking destination is Bright Angel Campground at the end of the Bright Angel Trail (National Park Service permit needed for overnight camping). Other popular activities include guided mule rides and Grand Canyon bus tours, the Grand Canyon Railway train ride from Williams to Grand Canyon Village, and Grand Canyon helicopter tours that originate at either Grand Canyon Airport five miles south of the park entrance station or Las Vegas/Grand Canyon helicopter tours, Grand Canyon air tours, and Sedona. On the North Rim the most popular hike is on the North Kaibab Trail (no permit required for day hiking). No Grand Canyon bus tours or helicopter tours are available on the North Rim.  Check out our directories of Grand Canyon Tours & Things to Do, and Grand Canyon Tours by Helicopter, Land & River Trips for more information on Grand Canyon tour providers.

Are there shuttles available within the park?
Grand Canyon National Park operates a free shuttle bus system on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village and along Hermit Road (formerly knows as 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.

Are there shuttles available from the South Rim to the North Rim?
Shuttle bus transportation between the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon is available from mid-May through mid-October. This service is provided by Transcanyon Shuttle. Group rates for 10 or more people are available. Rates are available by calling Transcanyon Shuttle directly. The shuttle departs North Rim at 7:00am and arrives at South Rim at 12 noon. Shuttle departure from South Rim is at 1:30pm, arriving back at North Rim at 6:30pm. Special schedule arrangements can be made with advance notice. Reservation deposit is requested at least 30 days in advance (deposit is 1/2 of the total price). Deposit can be made by personal check, cashier's check or money order. No credit cards are accepted at this time. Mail your reservation payment to: Transcanyon Shuttle PO Box 348 Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 Or, call them at (928)-638-2820 for more information.  

Are there bus tours available? Persons wishing to take a guided bus tour originating within the park (South Rim only) can find Grand Canyon van and bus tour companies right here on thecanyon.com

What are the best scenic viewpoints accessible by free park shuttle? South Rim = Hopi Point and Yaki Point, a 15-30 minute shuttle ride from Grand Canyon Village in either case (available dawn to dusk). Note: there is no park shuttle service on the North Rim.

What are the most dramatic scenic viewpoints accessible by private automobile? South Rim = Mather Point, Moran Point, and Lipan Point (a five, twenty and thirty minute drive from Grand Canyon Village respectively). North Rim = Cape Royal (one hour drive from Grand Canyon Lodge), and Point Imperial (half hour ride from Grand Canyon Lodge).

What type of public transportation to Grand Canyon National Park is available? A Friendly Cab provides taxi service from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, and other companies provide Grand Canyon tours from Flagstaff. Grand Canyon Railway provides a unique Grand Canyon tour from Williams; both can be found here on thecanyon.com.  Several helicopter tours service Grand Canyon’s West Rim and South Rim from Las Vegas including Maverick Helicopters, Papillon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Helicopters. Look here for Grand Canyon airplane tours from Maverick Airlines, Scenic Airlines or Grand Canyon Airlines. There are some commercial flights to the Grand Canyon area provided by US Airways Express. Taxis are available for the 30 minute ride to Grand Canyon Village from Flagstaff as well as from the Grand Canyon airport located just south of the park boundary.

I need information on the Grand Canyon Skywalk at the Grand Canyon West Rim.

We've gathered as much information as possible and put it together in its own article.  Click here to read all about the Grand Canyon West Rim: See the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

How fit do I have to be to walk or hike in Grand Canyon National Park?
Grand Canyon is a challenging place to navigate on foot, even under the best weather conditions. The ideal hiker has proportionate height and weight, no underlying medical conditions, is not heat sensitive, and is comfortable at high altitudes. You should always check with your doctor before embarking on any type of strenuous activity. No matter how ambitious your hike, be sure to drink plenty of water, eat salty foods, and dress in layers to be prepared for quickly changing weather. Check out our Grand Canyon hiking, camping and outdoor guide.