What you are looking at
The canyon is about 446 km (277 mi) long, up to 29 km (18 mi) wide and more than 1,800 m (5,900 ft) deep. The exposed layers range from young limestones at the top to basement rock almost two billion years old by the river.
01 · Opening · Arizona
Grand Canyon
446 km (277 mi) of canyon, two rims four hours' drive apart, and since 2026 an entry rule that costs visitors from abroad dearly.
First momentMather Point, a few steps behind the visitor centre: the canyon opens up more than 1,800 m (5,900 ft) deep and up to 29 km (18 mi) wide.
446km
of canyon, cut by the Colorado
1,800m
and more, from rim to river
2billion years
of rock in a single wall
1919since
a national park; eleven tribes, one river
Today in the park
What the National Park Service is reporting right now
- 2 danger
- 2 caution
- Danger
- Danger
- Caution
Overnight Lodging Suspended and Parkwide Stage 4 Water Restrictions ↗
- Caution
Alerts and road conditions on nps.gov ↗
Fetched automatically: 03 Oct 2026 14:06 UTC.
Original National Park Service alerts. The date is the last update of the alert, not a validity period. Closures can change within hours.
Crowds through the year
July is the busiest month, January the quietest
About 3.1 times as many people visit in July as in January.
Tap a month for the number
Visits per month, median of 2023–2025. In 2025 the park recorded 4.43 million visits.
What you are looking at
The Colorado as a tool
The Colorado River cut the canyon while the Colorado Plateau rose. The river wore the rock away as the land rose, which is why the canyon lies in a plateau and not in a mountain range.
Habitats stacked on top of each other
From the river to the North Rim you pass through habitats otherwise spread between Mexico and Canada: desert vegetation at the bottom, pine forest on the South Rim, spruce and aspen on the higher North Rim.
Dark skies
The park is certified as an International Dark Sky Park. On clear nights the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye, a reason not to leave right after sunset.
Grand Canyon park authority (National Park Service) · Ranger programme · free
Ranger astronomy programmes and the Star Party on the South Rim
Grand Canyon is certified as an International Dark Sky Park. Throughout the year the park authority offers free astronomy programmes on the South Rim, on the plaza in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center or in the McKee Amphitheater. Once a year the Star Party adds to this: an evening talk in front of the visitor centre, followed by amateur astronomers' telescopes in the car park behind it and constellation tours by the rangers.
- Free
- No booking needed
- Dates in the park's calendar
- Bring a red light and warm clothes
Meeting point Plaza in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center or McKee Amphitheater in Grand Canyon Village; place and time are given with each date.
Free and with no booking needed according to the park authority; park admission still applies. The park does not give fixed weekly times; whether an evening programme takes place during your trip is shown in the calendar and at the visitor centres. Outdoor programmes are cancelled in bad weather or when there is lightning danger, or moved indoors. Children only with an adult. Use a red light instead of a white torch or phone light; it gets cold quickly after sunset. In 2026 the Star Party took place in June; there was none on the North Rim because of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
Park authority page ↗Park authority programme · no partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Landscape image, not a provider photo · Photo: NPS/Jeremy M. White ↗ · Public domain ↗
How to approach the park
South Rim or North Rim
The South Rim takes almost all the visitors: open all year, with a visitor centre, village, shuttle buses and the famous viewpoints. The North Rim is about 300 m (1,000 ft) higher, more forested, cooler and much quieter. By road the two rims are about four hours apart, although only about 16 km (10 mi) separate them as the crow flies.
How much time you need
One day is enough for the South Rim viewpoints and a short descent. If you want to go into the canyon, plan two to three days: the way back takes about twice as long as the descent, and the park explicitly advises against hiking to the river and back in one day.
02 · The village, the rim, the light
South Rim: Mather Point, Hopi Point and the Rim Trail
Almost the whole visit happens here: village, visitor centre, shuttles and the famous viewpoints, open all year.
The first view
Mather Point
The first view for most visitors, a few steps behind the visitor centre.
- Coordinates
- 36.061650, −112.107946
- Access
- paved path from the visitor centre
- Shuttle
- Village and Kaibab Routes
- Open
- all year, around the clock
The last light
Hopi Point
A point jutting far out on Hermit Road, popular at sunset.
Dazu passt Grand Canyon National Park: Guided Sunset Hummer Tour- Coordinates
- 36.074522, −112.154885
- Access
- March to November by shuttle only
- Route
- Hermits Rest (red)
- Special feature
- views to both sides of the canyon
Along the rim
If you do not want to go down, walk the Rim Trail. It runs largely level along the rim, is paved for long stretches and can be started or finished at almost any shuttle stop: walk one way, take the bus back.
Buck Wild Hummer Tours · Sunset · in the park
Grand Canyon National Park: Guided Sunset Hummer Tour
Three hours to several viewpoints in the national park, timed for sunset. Pickup in Tusayan and in Grand Canyon Village.
- 3 hours
- In the national park
- Pickup included
- Guide in English
Departure Hotel pickup in Tusayan and in Grand Canyon Village; in the village not included in peak season.
The same applies here: according to the list of inclusions, park entry is only included for US citizens; the surcharge for non-residents is extra. The tour is guided in English.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 21 Sep 2026
Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide
Xanterra Travel Collection · Historic railway · 9 hours
From Williams: Grand Canyon Railway Return Train Ticket
Vintage train ride from Williams over 103 km (64 mi) to the station in Grand Canyon Village, with Western musicians on board. Return trip on the same day, wheelchair accessible.
- 9 hours
- Return trip
- Right into Grand Canyon Village
- Wheelchair accessible
Departure Williams station, Arizona. Collect the tickets at least 1 hour before departure; the person the booking is in needs photo ID to do so.
Important if you live outside the US: the provider's list of inclusions states explicitly that park entry is only included for people who live in the US. The $100 surcharge for non-residents is therefore extra. Drinks and snacks only in first class. Cancellation up to three days in advance.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide
03 · Going down is optional, coming back up is not
Bright Angel Trail: hiking into the canyon
This is where most bad plans fail: the way back takes about twice as long as the descent, and the park explicitly advises against going to the river and back in one day.
The way down
Bright Angel Trail
The best-known trail into the canyon, switchbacking down from the western edge of the village.
The best-known trail starts at the western edge of the village and switchbacks down. It is wide, well maintained and has rest houses along the way. For a first impression, going down to the first or second rest house is enough.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 36.057282, −112.143631
- Location
- western edge of Grand Canyon Village
- Along the way
- rest houses with water in season
- Way back
- about twice as long as the descent
- To the river and back in one day
- explicitly advised against by the park
Trails and rules
South Kaibab Trail
The second major trail follows a ridge instead of a side canyon, so it offers wide views from the start. In return there is neither shade nor water along the way. The trailhead has no parking and is served only by the shuttle. In 2026 the trail is closed below the Tipoff.
The most important rule
The park explicitly advises against hiking down to the Colorado and back in one day. The way back takes about twice as long as the descent, and in summer it is much hotter at the bottom than up on the rim.
Staying overnight in the canyon
Every overnight stay below the rim requires a backcountry permit. Demand far exceeds supply, and you apply well in advance. In 2026, Cottonwood and Bright Angel campgrounds are closed anyway.
No Rim-to-Rim in 2026
The classic crossing from rim to rim is not possible this season. The North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch is closed, as are Phantom Ranch itself, Cottonwood and Bright Angel campgrounds and both bridges over the Colorado. From the south, too, the South Kaibab Trail ends below the Tipoff.
The Desert Hiking Company · Guided hike · small group
Grand Canyon South Kaibab Day Hike
Six hours with a guide on the South Kaibab Trail into the canyon: along the ridge with all-round views to Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge and, depending on the group's pace, as far as Skeleton Point. Along the way the guide explains the canyon's geology, history and ecology. Small group of up to seven.
- 6 hours
- Small group up to 7
- Meeting point in the park
- Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Departure Grand Canyon Visitor Center, parking lot 4 behind the bike shop (6 S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village).
According to the provider, the guide, lunch, snacks, a backpack and trekking poles are included. Park admission, bottled water and tips are not included; if you live outside the US, the $100 surcharge is extra. The provider asks for at least a moderate level of fitness. There is neither shade nor water on the South Kaibab Trail. Below the Tipoff the trail is closed in 2026; the destinations named lie above it. The provider does not say how the group gets from the meeting point to the trailhead at Yaki Point; private cars are not allowed there, and the trailhead is served by the free shuttle (Kaibab Route). The provider is listed in the park authority's directory of authorised guided day-hiking companies.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Provider's product photo · Viator
Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes · Private hike · pickup included
Half Day Private Grand Canyon Guided Hiking Tour
Private guided hike below the rim, usually on the South Kaibab Trail; the provider also names the Bright Angel and Grandview trails. The guide explains the history, geology and wildlife and prepares the food along the way. Pickup at your accommodation in Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan or Grand Canyon Village.
- 5 hours
- Private, your group only
- Pickup included
- Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Departure Pickup at your accommodation or address in Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan or Grand Canyon Village; the provider sets the time and place by phone up to 48 hours in advance. No pickup in Sedona.
According to the provider, private transport, lunch, snacks, a backpack, trekking poles and a headlamp are included, as well as 'all fees and taxes'. The description, however, says that non-US residents need the America the Beautiful pass, so the $100 surcharge or the $250 pass is extra. Contradiction disclosed: the provider names a minimum group of three people, while Viator's booking data allow fewer; check before booking. Likewise it says 'suitable for all fitness levels', yet the hike goes far below the rim, and the provider advises against it with cardiovascular problems or during pregnancy. Sturdy hiking shoes, no jeans. Guide in English. The provider is listed in the park authority's directory of authorised guided day-hiking companies. Below the Tipoff the South Kaibab Trail is closed in 2026.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Provider's product photo · Viator
04 · The East Entrance and Mary Colter's tower
Desert View: East Entrance and watchtower
The 1932 tower stands at the East Entrance, 40 km (25 mi) east of the village, usually with a much shorter wait than in the south.
The 1932 tower
Desert View Watchtower
Mary Colter's 1932 tower at the East Entrance, 40 km (25 mi) east of the village.
Dazu passt From Tusayan: Grand Canyon Desert View Sunset Tour- Coordinates
- 36.044011, −111.826206
- Built
- 1932, designed by Mary Colter
- Entrance
- East Entrance, open all year
- Advantage
- usually a much shorter wait than at the South Entrance
Pink Jeep Tours - Sedona & Grand Canyon · Sunset · Desert View
From Tusayan: Grand Canyon Desert View Sunset Tour
Three hours from Tusayan in an open Jeep Wrangler to remote viewpoints in the Desert View area, on to Navajo Point, according to the provider the highest overlook on the South Rim, and to the canyon rim for sunset. With a guide on the canyon's geology, plants, wildlife and history. Small group of up to eight, guided in English.
- 3 hours
- Small group up to 8
- Entry included, according to the provider
- Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Departure IMAX Grand Canyon Visitor Center, 450 AZ State Route 64, Tusayan.
The list of inclusions names the national park entrance fees and an IMAX ticket as included. The same offer, however, states that non-US citizens will be contacted by the operator to collect the $100 surcharge per person. If you live outside the US, the surcharge is therefore extra.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide
Since 1919
National park since 1919
The Grand Canyon was declared a national park on 26 February 1919. Eleven present-day tribes connect their history with the canyon; at Desert View, the Tribal Heritage Project makes this visible.
05 · Higher, cooler, only partly open in 2026
North Rim 2026: what is open
About 300 m (1,000 ft) higher than the South Rim, more forested, cooler and much quieter. Open again since 15 May 2026, but only in part.
The highest point
Point Imperial
At 2,683 m (8,803 ft), the highest viewpoint on either rim, and open on the North Rim in 2026.
- Coordinates
- 36.278986, −111.977387
- Altitude
- 2,683 m (8,803 ft)
- View
- northeast over the Marble Platform
- Trail
- Point Imperial Trail, open in 2026
- Season
- in 2026 since 15 May
What is different in 2026
What is different in 2026
After the Dragon Bravo Fire in summer 2025, the North Rim reopened on 15 May 2026, but only in part. There is no lodging in the park there this season: the Grand Canyon Lodge burned down. The campground reopened on 1 June 2026 and is run by Aramark this season.
North Rim trails
Open in 2026 are, among others, the Cape Royal Trail, Cliff Springs Trail, Cape Final Trail, Roosevelt Point Trail and Point Imperial Trail. Closed are the Bright Angel Point Trail, Widforss Trail, Transept Trail and Uncle Jim Trail.
06 · 16 km (10 mi) as the crow flies, four hours by road
Between the rims: driving and flying
Two rims, one river between them. If you want to see both, plan the drive via Cameron and Lees Ferry.
„As the crow flies, 16 km (10 mi) separate the South Rim and the North Rim; by road, four hours.“
Grand Canyon National Park · South Rim in the evening
Maverick Airstar - South Rim · Scenic flight · 45 minutes
Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim Scenic Helicopter Tour
45-minute helicopter flight from the South Rim over the Grand Canyon: Kaibab National Forest, Painted Desert, Point Imperial and Marble Canyon, returning through the Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon. Small group of up to seven, pilot speaks English.
- 45 minutes
- Small group up to 7
- In English
- Cancellation up to 3 days in advance
Departure Check-in at Maverick Helicopters, 30 minutes before departure.
Flights must be reconfirmed 72 hours in advance. All passengers aged 18 or over need an original government-issued photo ID; without it, no check-in and no refund. From 125 kg (276 lb) body weight, an additional seat must be booked; seats are assigned by weight. Park entry is not mentioned in the list of inclusions. According to the provider, flights only go with at least four passengers. Not wheelchair accessible.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide
And around it
Combining both rims
If you want to see the South and North Rims on one trip, plan the drive via Cameron and Lees Ferry: about four hours. Hiking through the canyon is not possible in 2026.
Heading south
Flagstaff lies 130 km (81 mi) south and is the nearest larger town with a rail connection. Sedona, with its red rocks, is just under an hour further on.
Grand Canyon West is a different place
The Skywalk lies about 380 km (236 mi) west of the village on Hualapai land, outside the national park, with its own admission and its own rules. For trip planning, these are two different destinations.
07 · Before you go, and after
Before you go: film and onward travel
Eight and a half minutes from the park authority to set the scene, and what you should know before you set off.
Film by the park authority
More Than A View — Grand Canyon In Depth, Episode 1
Eight and a half minutes from the park authority: ranger Stephanie Sutton takes you beyond the rim and shows the canyon's life zones, landforms and cultural history. The first episode of the “Grand Canyon In Depth” series on the park authority's channel. In English.
Source: Grand Canyon National Park · View channel ↗
00My visit
Nothing saved yet. Every place card has a pin, and so does every place on the Map. What you save collects here, with days, notes and a preview you can share.
Reality check
Share
The plan is stored in the link itself. Anyone who opens it sees the preview and can use the plan.
Image for your phone, with stops and map.
01Best time to visit: seasons, shuttles and waiting times
The shuttle is included in the entrance fee, and at some points it is the only way in.
South Rim all year
The South Rim is open around the clock, 365 days a year, including Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. Most facilities operate all year; some close in winter. For spring, summer and autumn, the park explicitly recommends booking ahead.
Three shuttle routes in autumn 2026
From 12 September to 30 November 2026, the Village Route (blue), the Kaibab Route (orange), the early-morning Hikers' Express and the Hermits Rest Route (red) operate. All rides are free and included in the entrance fee.
Where the car stays behind
The Kaibab Route serves the South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point and the Yavapai Geology Museum; Yaki Point is closed to private cars all year. The red route runs along the eleven-kilometre (seven-mile) Hermit Road, which is also open only to the shuttle for most of the year.
No timed entry needed
You currently need no reservation and no timed-entry slot to enter. That explicitly does not apply to campgrounds and lodging: booking there is practically essential.
North Rim in the summer half of the year only
The North Rim lies at about 2,500 m (8,200 ft) and is cut off by snow in winter. The season usually runs from mid-May into October; in 2026 it began on 15 May.
Climate through the year
Weather and climate in the Grand Canyon
Best months by the climate data: April and May and September and October. Average daytime highs of 18 to 27 °C, lows of 2 to 12 °C, 13 to 29 mm of precipitation a month. The wettest month is August (50 mm), the driest June (7 mm). The hottest month is July, with average highs of 32 °C.
All monthly values as a table
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Precipitation mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.9 | −4.1 | 31 |
| February | 9.4 | −3.1 | 28 |
| March | 14.5 | −0.4 | 21 |
| April | 18.5 | 2.4 | 15 |
| May | 24.0 | 7.3 | 13 |
| June | 31.1 | 13.3 | 7 |
| July | 32.1 | 17.3 | 45 |
| August | 30.6 | 16.3 | 50 |
| September | 27.2 | 12.2 | 29 |
| October | 20.2 | 5.3 | 26 |
| November | 13.2 | −0.4 | 20 |
| December | 6.6 | −4.3 | 29 |
| Year | 314 |
Modelled values, not a weather station: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for a grid cell of about 55 × 55 km around the map point Mather Point (36.06° N, 112.11° W), with an average cell elevation of about 1,840 m. Averages for 2001–2020. Higher ground and valleys can differ markedly.
Source: NASA POWER, climatology 2001–2020 ↗ · retrieved 3 Oct 2026
Buck Wild Hummer Tours · Sunset · in the park
Grand Canyon National Park: Guided Sunset Hummer Tour
Three hours to several viewpoints in the national park, timed for sunset. Pickup in Tusayan and in Grand Canyon Village.
Departure Hotel pickup in Tusayan and in Grand Canyon Village; in the village not included in peak season.
The same applies here: according to the list of inclusions, park entry is only included for US citizens; the surcharge for non-residents is extra. The tour is guided in English.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 21 Sep 2026
Pink Jeep Tours - Sedona & Grand Canyon · Sunset · Desert View
From Tusayan: Grand Canyon Desert View Sunset Tour
Three hours from Tusayan in an open Jeep Wrangler to remote viewpoints in the Desert View area, on to Navajo Point, according to the provider the highest overlook on the South Rim, and to the canyon rim for sunset. With a guide on the canyon's geology, plants, wildlife and history. Small group of up to eight, guided in English.
Departure IMAX Grand Canyon Visitor Center, 450 AZ State Route 64, Tusayan.
The list of inclusions names the national park entrance fees and an IMAX ticket as included. The same offer, however, states that non-US citizens will be contacted by the operator to collect the $100 surcharge per person. If you live outside the US, the surcharge is therefore extra.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link. Offer details checked 2 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.
02How to get there: three entrances and a historic railway
From Las Vegas, Flagstaff or Phoenix, and a train that runs right into the village.
South Entrance near Tusayan
The most-used entrance is on Highway 64 north of Tusayan, open around the clock all year. This is also where the longest queue forms; the park recommends buying your pass digitally in advance.
East Entrance at Desert View
The Desert View entrance lies 40 km (25 mi) east of the village and is also open all year. If you are coming from Page or Monument Valley, you save time and avoid the queue at the South Entrance.
North Entrance on Highway 67
The North Rim is reached via Highway 67 from Jacob Lake and is only open seasonally; in 2026 since 15 May. The North Rim fuel station closed for the season on 19 September 2026; fill up in Jacob Lake or at the North Rim Country Store.
By Grand Canyon Railway
From Williams, the historic railway runs 103 km (64 mi) to the station in Grand Canyon Village, right on the rim. If you arrive this way, you need no car in the village: the shuttle buses start there.
Distances
From Las Vegas it is about 450 km (280 mi) to the South Rim, from Phoenix about 360 km (225 mi), from Flagstaff only 130 km (81 mi). The North Rim is a similar distance from Las Vegas, but about four hours by road from the South Rim.
Careful with tours from Las Vegas
Many day tours from Las Vegas do not go to the national park but to Grand Canyon West with the Skywalk. It lies on the land of the Hualapai Tribe, charges its own admission and has nothing to do with the national park. If you want to see the national park, look for South Rim or National Park in the tour title.
Parking at the visitor centre: Lots 1 to 4
From the South Entrance, signs lead to four numbered car parks around the Visitor Center Plaza. Lot 1 is closest to Mather Point and has pull-through spaces for RVs and trailers; Lots 2 to 4 do not. In the busy season you can usually find a space if you arrive by 10:00; during spring break, summer and holidays the lots often fill by late morning.
Parking in the village: Lots A to D as alternatives
More car parks lie at Market Plaza and in the historic village. Lot A near park headquarters rarely fills completely; Lot B at Market Plaza is the largest and may fill by early afternoon. Lot D at the Backcountry Information Center often has space and is the best base for the Hermit Road shuttle and the Bright Angel Trailhead. RVs can park in B and D.
Xanterra Travel Collection · Historic railway · 9 hours
From Williams: Grand Canyon Railway Return Train Ticket
Vintage train ride from Williams over 103 km (64 mi) to the station in Grand Canyon Village, with Western musicians on board. Return trip on the same day, wheelchair accessible.
Departure Williams station, Arizona. Collect the tickets at least 1 hour before departure; the person the booking is in needs photo ID to do so.
Important if you live outside the US: the provider's list of inclusions states explicitly that park entry is only included for people who live in the US. The $100 surcharge for non-residents is therefore extra. Drinks and snacks only in first class. Cancellation up to three days in advance.
View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026
Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link. Offer details checked 2 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.
03Tickets & entrance fees: $35 per car, $100 extra per non-resident
The surcharge introduced in 2026 fundamentally changes the sums for visitors from abroad.
| Vehicle, 7 days | $35 |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle, 7 days | $30 |
| On foot or by bike, 16 and over | $20 |
| Surcharge per person without US residency | $100 |
| Two adults in a car | $235 |
| America the Beautiful pass for non-residents | $250 per year, whole vehicle |
Der Grand Canyon
Since 2026, every person aged 16 or over without US residency pays $100 on top of the regular entrance fee. The Grand Canyon is one of eleven parks where this applies.
The surcharge goes back to a presidential order and is charged at eleven particularly busy parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. It comes on top of the regular entrance fee and also applies to people on commercial tours.
Two adults in a rental car therefore pay $235 for seven days at a single park. The America the Beautiful annual pass for non-residents costs $250, covers entrance and surcharge for the whole vehicle and is valid for a year at all federal recreation lands. If you visit more than one of the eleven parks, you save a lot.
The park's own $70 annual pass would do the same, but according to the park authority it is only available to US citizens and US residents. Two providers indirectly confirm this: both the Grand Canyon Railway and the sunset Hummer tour state explicitly in their lists of inclusions that park entry is only included for people who live in the US.
The standard fee
A private vehicle with all occupants costs $35 and is valid for seven days. A motorcycle costs $30; if you arrive on foot or by bike and are 16 or older, you pay $20. Children under 16 pay nothing. The park does not accept cash, only cards.
The non-resident surcharge
Since 2026, every person aged 16 or over who does not live in the US pays an extra $100. The fee applies at eleven particularly busy parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Sequoia as well as the Grand Canyon. It also applies to people on commercial tours.
What it costs in practice
Two adults in a rental car pay $35 plus twice $100, so $235 for seven days. A family with two adults and two children under 16 pays the same, because nothing is charged for the children.
The annual pass is usually cheaper
The America the Beautiful pass for non-residents costs $250, is valid for a year and covers entrance and surcharge for the whole vehicle, or for the pass holder plus three more adults where fees are charged per person. With two adults it is almost level at the very first park, and from the second park onwards it clearly pays off.
The park's $70 pass does not help
The $70 Grand Canyon Annual Pass would also cover entrance and surcharge, but according to the park it is only available to US citizens and US residents. For visitors from abroad, the $250 pass remains the only alternative to paying per person.
Also due on a booked tour
The surcharge explicitly also applies to people without US residency who enter as part of a commercial tour group. Operators are expected to know the number of their non-resident guests before entering and to declare it at the entrance station; since June 2026 they can prepay entrance and surcharge with a Commercial Site Pass on Recreation.gov. Whether an operator does this is rarely stated in its list of inclusions, so ask before you book.
The $250 pass also works in a tour group
The America the Beautiful pass for non-residents waives the surcharge not only in your own vehicle: in a commercial tour group it covers the pass holder and three more people aged 16 or over. The same applies to the entrance fee, which is charged per person on commercial tours. As proof of US residency, the park accepts a US passport, a state driver's licence or state ID, and a Green Card; anyone aged 15 or under pays neither entrance fee nor surcharge.
Fee-free days no longer apply to everyone
Since 2026, the National Park Service's fee-free days are reserved for US residents. If you do not live in the US, you pay the entrance fee and surcharge on these days too.
04Where to stay: in and near the park
Space in the park is tight, and on the North Rim in 2026 there is none at all.
In the South Rim village
Grand Canyon Village has several historic lodges right on the rim. They are in high demand all year; for spring, summer and autumn, the park strongly recommends booking early.
Camping on the South Rim
Mather Campground in the village is the large campground. Reservations are made through recreation.gov. There are some first-come, first-served sites, but do not rely on them.
North Rim 2026: no beds
This season there is no lodging in the park on the North Rim. The Grand Canyon Lodge was lost in the Dragon Bravo Fire. Accommodation is only available outside the park, for example in Jacob Lake or Kanab.
The North Rim campground
North Rim Campground reopened on 1 June 2026, with reservations through recreation.gov until 15 October. This season it is run by Aramark, so fees and cancellation terms may differ from those of the park's own campgrounds.
05Rules & safety: heat, altitude and the way back
Heat, altitude and distances are regularly underestimated here.
Heat in the canyon
In summer it is considerably hotter down in the canyon than up on the rim. If you go down, start early, carry water and salty snacks, and plan the midday hours as a break, not as walking time.
The way back counts double
Allow about twice the descent time for the climb back up. If you do not set your turnaround time in advance, you will almost inevitably misjudge it.
Altitude
The South Rim lies at about 2,100 m (6,900 ft), the North Rim at about 2,500 m (8,200 ft). If you arrive straight from the lowlands, you will notice it when walking, so take the first few hours slowly.
Card only, no cash
At the entrance stations the park accepts cards only. If you only have cash with you, you will not get in.
Keep back from the edge
Large parts of the rim have no railings. Leaving the trail, climbing onto rock ledges or stepping backwards for a photo are the most common causes of serious accidents here.
06Frequently asked questions: Grand Canyon
How much does the Grand Canyon cost for international visitors?
A private vehicle with all occupants costs $35 for seven days. On top of that, since 2026 every person aged 16 or over without US residency pays a $100 surcharge. Two adults therefore pay $235. The $250 America the Beautiful pass for non-residents covers both for the whole vehicle and is valid for a year.
Is the North Rim open in 2026?
Yes, since 15 May 2026, but only in part. After the Dragon Bravo Fire there is no lodging in the park this season; the Grand Canyon Lodge burned down. The campground reopened on 1 June. Several trails are closed, including the Bright Angel Point Trail, Widforss Trail and Transept Trail.
Can you hike rim to rim in 2026?
No. The North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch is closed, as are both bridges over the Colorado, Phantom Ranch itself and Cottonwood and Bright Angel campgrounds. From the south, the South Kaibab Trail ends below the Tipoff.
Do you need a reservation to enter the Grand Canyon?
No. There is currently no reservation requirement and no timed entry. For lodging and campgrounds, however, booking is practically essential.
Is the Skywalk in the national park?
No. The Skywalk belongs to Grand Canyon West on the land of the Hualapai Tribe, about 380 km (236 mi) west of Grand Canyon Village. It has its own admission and its own rules. Many day tours from Las Vegas go there and not to the national park.
Is one day at the Grand Canyon enough?
One day is enough for the South Rim viewpoints and a short descent. If you want to go further into the canyon, plan two to three days: the climb back up takes about twice as long as the descent.
Which 11 national parks charge a $100 non-resident fee?
Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. The surcharge applies to every person aged 16 or over without US residency, on top of the regular entrance fee, and also on commercial tours.
Do fee-free days apply to international visitors?
No. Since 2026, the National Park Service's fee-free days are reserved for US residents. If you do not live in the US, you pay the entrance fee and the $100 surcharge on these days too.
07Sources and updates
All information comes from the National Park Service, checked on 21 September 2026.
- National Park Service: Grand Canyon National Park ↗
- National Park Service: entrance fees and passes ↗
- National Park Service: Nonresident Fees ↗
- National Park Service: operating hours and seasons ↗
- National Park Service: current conditions ↗
- National Park Service: North Rim status ↗
- National Park Service: South Rim shuttle buses ↗
- National Park Service: directions ↗
- National Park Service: day hiking ↗
- National Park Service: lodging ↗
- National Park Service: backcountry permit ↗
- National Park Service: nature at the Grand Canyon ↗
- NPS: surcharge on commercial tours ↗
- National Park Service: parking at the South Rim ↗
How current is this information?
Researched 21 Sep 2026. Not a live status. Dates apply only to the year stated. A successful automatic fetch is not an editorial confirmation; outdated automatic values are hidden and replaced by the source link.
Current information from the park ↗
Image and map credits
- Stage, overview Photo: Dietmar Rabich ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- Place · Mather Point Photo: Bigmacthealmanac ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- Place · Bright Angel Trail Photo: Grand Canyon National Park ↗ · Public domain ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- Place · Desert View Watchtower Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- Place · Hopi Point Photo: Tuxyso ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- Place · Point Imperial Photo: Miguel Hermoso Cuesta ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- Quote Photo: Mgimelfarb ↗ · CC0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
- offer · Ranger astronomy programmes and the Star Party on the South Rim Photo: NPS/Jeremy M. White ↗ · Public domain ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Location sources: Entrances, visitor centres and viewpoints are taken from OpenStreetMap, each documented by its object address. The points are for orientation only; they do not confirm that a road is open and do not replace the park's directions. Markers do not imply that access is permitted. Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coastlines of the chapter map: Natural Earth.
End of the field book · Park authority ↗