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.
Official NPS WebsiteAlerts & Closures
Critical Backcountry Updates/Closures
Visit this link for the inner canyon weather forecast, current trail closures, today's heat risk, and drinking water availability.
CautionWhat's Closed and What's Open: South Rim & North Rim
Visit this link for a list of the available visitor services in Grand Canyon Village, Desert View, and the North Rim.
InformationActivities
- 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
- Food
Operating Hours
South Rim - South Entrance
Both Desert View (East Entrance) and South Entrance are Open 24 hours/day and 7 Days/week. Credit cards, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is not accepted at this time. The South Entrance Station, near Tusayan, Arizona, receives the most traffic, an experiences long lines and up to 2 hour wait times between 9:30 am and 4 pm. The East Entrance at Desert View - 32 miles east of the village (accessed via US 89 to Cameron, AZ, then west on SR 64, usually has shorter wait times.
- wednesday
- All Day
- monday
- All Day
- thursday
- All Day
- sunday
- All Day
- tuesday
- All Day
- friday
- All Day
- saturday
- All Day
South Rim - Desert View (East Entrance)
The East Entrance to the park at Desert View is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Visitors traveling through the Navajo Nation on US 89, turn west at Cameron, Arizona onto State Route 64, then drive 25 miles (40 km) to the park's East Entrance. A stop at Desert View provides spectacular first views of Grand Canyon and Colorado River. Most Desert View services are open for visitors. Desert View Campground will be open for the 2025 season between April 12 and October 12. 2025. Reservations are required.
- wednesday
- All Day
Trails & Things To Do
History Exhibit - The Amazing Kolb Brothers
See the Amazing Kolb Brothers; A Grand Life at Grand Canyon Exhibit - at Kolb Studio, house-turned-museum perched perilously on the precipice in Historic Grand Canyon Village. Examine their antique cameras, study paintings by plein-air artists through the decades, and watch the motion picture of their 1912 trip down the Colorado River.
Geology Talk (30 minutes) South Rim Village: 3:00 pm
Geology Talk Ranger Program - 3:00 pm daily (through May 22, 2026). Gain insight into Grand Canyon’s unique geologic story. Meet in front of Yavapai Geology Museum. Program duration: 30 minutes. Learn how this immense canyon formed and the science behind the landscape. Knowing some of the stories encoded in the rock layers will enrich your understanding and enhance your experience at Grand Canyon.
Park Films in the South Rim Visitor Center Theater
Park Films Are Shown Daily in the Visitor Center Theater. ►At the top of the hour, the 24-minute film, ‘We Are Grand Canyon’, welcomes visitors by sharing the heritage and viewpoints of the 11 tribal communities connected to the canyon. ►On the half hour, 'Grand Canyon - a Journey of Wonder', introduces the natural and human history of this special place —along with efforts to preserve and protect Grand Canyon as a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans.
Campgrounds (3)
Desert View Campground (Reservations Required)
49 total sites · 49 reservable
At the East Entrance, Desert View Campground offers a peaceful setting with 49 campsites. 30 feet (9.1 m) combined total length is the maximum length for RVs or vehicles pulling travel trailers. Campsites are available by reservation only at www.recreation.gov and can be made up to 6 months in advance, Sat. April 11, through the night of Sun. October 18, 2026. Make reservations online or call (877-444-6777). It is possible to make same day call-in and/or online reservations.
Mather Campground - South Rim
327 total sites · 300 reservable
Mather Campground is located in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. There are 327 sites. Each includes a campfire ring/cooking grate, picnic table, parking space and room for up to six people, three tents, and two vehicles. There are flush toilets and drinking water throughout the campground. No hookups are available, however there is a free dump station. Most RV spaces are pull-through.
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.
- Entrance - Motorcycle
- Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Entrance - Per Person
- Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.
- 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.