Plan Your Grand Canyon Vacation
Overview | South Rim | North Rim | Toroweap | Havasu Falls
To see the Grand Canyon you must be prepared to drive long distances into a remote area with a harsh environment, where summer temperatures are hot and water is scarce.
Make reservations well in advance. Lodging and camping facilities inside the park and in nearby communities often fill up on summer weekends; if you don't have reservations you may find yourself backtracking many miles to find accommodations.
Choose your rim. The South Rim is by far the most popular, developed and crowded area in the park. The North Rim is more remote, less developed, less crowded, and located at a higher elevation. Views are spectacular from either rim. Because of its higher elevation and the abrupt drop-off into the canyon, some think the North Rim view is the most impressive.
The North Rim fits nicely into a multi-park tour because it is relatively close to Zion, Bryce and Lake Powell. The South Rim is a considerable drive from these destinations.
As the crow flies, it is only about 10 miles from rim to rim, but by road it is some 200 miles. Because of that, most tourists choose to visit only one rim.
Miles from major airports:
- Phoenix to S Rim: 230
- Phoenix to N Rim: 370
- Las Vegas to S Rim: 265
- Las Vegas to N Rim: 280
- Salt Lake to N Rim: 394
- Salt Lake to S Rim: 520
How to get here
The closest major airports are in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Smaller commercial airports can be found in St. George, UT; Flagstaff, AZ; and the Grand Canyon Airport (in Tusayan, just south of the park). Rental cars, tours and shuttles are available in all of these cities.
Seasons & operating hours
The South Rim is open year-round, with services available 24-hours a day. Services and facilities at the North Rim are open from mid-May to mid-October. The area may be open for day use later into the season, depending on weather conditions. Hwy 67 is closed by snow through much of the winter.
Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Shuttle service
A shuttle service operates at the South Rim, and some scenic areas can only be reached via the shuttle. The North Rim does not have a shuttle service and private automobiles are allows to drive to viewpoints accessible by road.
Climate
Because the canyon is a mile deep in some places, climate and weather patterns vary widely from the bottom up to the rims. Summer temperatures along the river often climb above 100 F and can reach as high as 120 F. Temperatures are usually cooler on the rims, which have elevations ranging from 7,000 (South) to 8,000 (North) feet above sea level.
Weather conditions can vary drastically from hour to hour in spring and fall; visitors should be prepared for a variety of conditions.
Both rims receive snow during winter. Access to the North Rim is usually closed because of heavy snow from mid-November to mid-May. Snow is not as heavy at the South Rim and roads are kept open; however roads, trails and viewpoints may be closed during storms. Winter hiking can be very pleasant at the South Rim during mild periods.
Fees and Permits
Entrance fee is $20 per private vehicle or $10 per pedestrian, motorcycle rider, or cyclist. The entrance fee is valid for 7 days. Camping fees vary.
Additional information is available on the following North Rim activities
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