At a glance
Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present day Tribal Communities, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—a mile deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both north and south rims.
Things to do: Arts and Culture · Cultural Demonstrations · Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Road Biking · Boating · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) · Fishing
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Approximately 700 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (March – May, Sept – Nov).
Best time to visit
Peak season: March – May, Sept – Nov. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Since Grand Canyon has elevations that range from 2,500 feet at the bottom to 8,400 feet on the North Rim, weather can vary significantly depending on the season and the specific location within the park. Winters tend to be cold and snowy, and summers have periods of excessive heat. High temperatures inside the canyon tend to be 20 to 30 degrees warmer then on the canyon's rims.
Weather conditions can change rapidly, so it's wise to check forecasts before visiting.
Pack for Grand Canyon
Four things worth having for desert heat and long exposed miles. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
LMNT electrolytes
Rim-to-river hikers run out of salt before water.
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Outdoor Research Echo sun hoodie
Sun protection without the sunscreen-on-your-arms routine. Dries in minutes.
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Sun Bum sunscreen
High elevation sun is not the sun you're used to. Reapply at lunch.
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YETI Rambler bottle
Ice at the trailhead is still ice back at the car.
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Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers, up to a 15 person passenger van. Organized non-commercial groups over 16 passengers require different charges. Commercial groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.$35
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$30
- Entrance - Per Person — Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.$20
- Nonresident — Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Grand Canyon National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.$100
Annual Entrance - Park: $70. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ. Park center: 36.060°, -112.140°.
South Rim: Open all year, is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona (via route 64 from Interstate 40) and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff (via route 180). Grand Canyon lies entirely within the state of Arizona. ---- North Rim: Select areas are open to public access between Oct 1 and Nov 14. View the park's news releases for details.
The North Rim entrance station is located 30 miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ, on Highway 67; the actual rim of the canyon is an additional 14 miles south.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Las Vegas or Phoenix.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Grand Canyon National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $35. Entrance - Motorcycle: $30. Entrance - Per Person: $20.
When is the best time to visit Grand Canyon?
Peak season is March – May, Sept – Nov. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Since Grand Canyon has elevations that range from 2,500 feet at the bottom to 8,400 feet on the North Rim, weather can vary significantly depending on the season and the specific location within the park. Winters tend to be cold and snowy, and summers have periods of excessive heat. High temperatures inside the canyon tend to be 20 to 30 degrees warmer then on the canyon's rims.
Can you camp in Grand Canyon National Park?
Yes — about 700 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Grand Canyon National Park?
Flagstaff, AZ is the nearest major city. South Rim: Open all year, is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona (via route 64 from Interstate 40) and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff (via route 180). Grand Canyon lies entirely within the state of Arizona. ---- North Rim: Select areas are open to public access between Oct 1 and Nov 14. View the park's news releases for details.
What are the best hikes in Grand Canyon?
Popular trails include Bright Angel Trail (19.4 mi), South Kaibab Trail (14.5 mi), North Kaibab Trail (28.7 mi), Rim Trail (13.0 mi). The park has roughly 800 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.