Today, we kick off a series we’re calling Back(pack) to Basics series with a general guide to the Grand Canyon. We’ll answer all the basic questions about visiting the Grand Canyon in a lightweight, easy-to-carry guide you can stuff in your “backpack” of web resources and maybe even visit this Natural Wonder of the World this summer.
Simple Starters
Grand Canyon National Park is located entirely in northern Arizona near the southern border of Utah and the southeastern tip of Nevada.
Most visitors come to the South Rim (open all year). The North Rim (open mid-May through mid October only) has fewer facilities and is less accessible (it is over 200 miles one way by automobile from the South Rim to the North Rim, a 5-hour drive for most). When making reservations for lodging and camping remember to identify the rim you plan on visiting.
- Bring an extra set of car keys it could be a long wait for a locksmith.
- Film is available at both rims, but the closest camera repair is in Flagstaff, Williams, or Page.
- There is an automobile mechanic on the South Rim, but you may experience delays waiting for parts.
- Distances are deceiving in this part of the country: it may look like you can visit three parks in one day, but reality is often different.
- Keep your gas tank full the next gas station may be quite some distance down the road.
- Carry water in your car, particularly during summer months.
- Cell phone service is very limited, if at all available, inside the Park.
General Information
Pets
Pets are allowed in the park but must be on a leash at all times. Leashed pets are allowed on rim trails throughout the developed areas in the park but not below the rim, in park lodging or on park buses. The only exception is certified service dogs. Persons wishing to take a certified service dog below the rim must check in first at the Ranger Office (at the corner of Center Road and Village Loop Drive.)
A kennel is available at the South Rim only. It is open daily from 7:30am – 5pm. Call (928) 638-0534 for information. Reservations are suggested.
Fishing
Fishing in the park requires an Arizona state fishing license. Licenses are available at the Camping Department of the DNPS General Store at Market Plaza, Grand Canyon Village, South Rim. They are not available at the North Rim. Make sure you know the regulations before you fish.
The best time of year to fish for trout within the park is in the fall and winter. Bright Angel Creek by Phantom Ranch permits unlimited trout fishing; unlimited striped bass; unlimited catfish. Trout taken at Bright Angel Creek shall be killed and retained as part of the bag limit or immediately released.
Ranger-led Programs
National Park Service (NPS) rangers offer a wide variety of interpretive programs throughout the year on the South Rim, including a nightly evening program (indoors in colder weather, outdoors in summer) and throughout the season on the North Rim. All NPS programs are free and open to the public. Detailed program information is listed in the park’s newspaper available at the entrance station.
Bus & Air Tours
Persons wishing to take a guided bus tour should visit our Grand Canyon Tours by Land: Hike, Ride, Rail, Walk. A variety of different tours are available throughout the year.
All scenic air tours operate from outside Grand Canyon National Park. Local commercial air tour operators are located in Grand Canyon Airport (just south of Tusayan). For a list of air tour operators, visit our Grand Canyon Helicopter & Air Tours page.
Bicycling
Bicycles are not available for rent in the park. If you plan to bring one, remember that in Arizona bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Use extreme caution when riding on park roads; shoulders are narrow and vehicle traffic is heavy. The West Rim Drive is open to bicycles throughout the year, but remember that during the summer months there is heavy bus traffic on the West Rim Drive. Use caution and do not obstruct traffic. Bicycles are not allowed on any park trails.
Mountain bikes are allowed only on those roads open to automobile traffic.
Shuttle Transportation
From March 13 to October 18 the park operates a free shuttle bus system on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village and along 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. However, accommodations can be made with advance notice by calling 928-638-0591 at least 24 hours in advance.
Shuttle service is provided seasonally between the North Rim and the South Rim for a fee by Trans Canyon Shuttle (928-638-2820). Shuttles depart the North Rim daily at 7 a.m. with arrivals to the South Rim at noon; South Rim departures are at 1:30 p.m. daily with arrivals to the North Rim at 6:30 p.m.
Medical Services in the Park
The South Rim has a clinic and pharmacy (928-638-2551) open all year. Emergency medical services are provided by rangers and clinic staff – dial 9-1-1. North Rim emergency medical services are provided by rangers on duty – dial 9-1-1.
Accessibility
Not all park facilities meet the accessibility standards that have been set in recent years, and many of the buildings in the park are historic. However, many facilities are accessible with assistance, and an increasing number of facilities are accessible. Accessibility Guide may be downloaded here.
Lodging
In-Park
Lodging on the South Rim is booked well in advance. Be sure to make reservations as far ahead as possible. A variety of lodging facilities are available and reservations are handled by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Prices range from $45 to $285 per night for two people. There is no youth hostel in Grand Canyon National Park.
Out-of-Park
The following accommodations are available in Tusayan, 7 miles south of the South Rim. More details about these hotels can be found on our South Rim Lodging page
- Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
- Canyon Plaza Quality Inn & Suites
- Holiday Inn Express
- Red Feather Lodge
- Seven Mile Lodge
- The Grand Hotel & Canyon Star
Additional lodging is available in Williams, 60 miles south on Highway 64, and Flagstaff, 80 miles south on Highway 180. Check out our Williams, AZ lodging page.
Camping
In-Park
Camping in the park on the South Rim is restricted to established campgrounds, although a few remote sites are available with a Backcountry permit.
Mather Campground: Operated by the National Park Service and located in Grand Canyon Village, this campground offers tent and RV camping (no hook-ups). Reservations are required from April 1 through November. For online reservations, visit http://reservations.nps.gov. Fees are $12 to $15 per site depending on the season. Maximum of two vehicles and six people per site. Sites may be reserved up to five months in advance. Campsite reservations are booked well in advance; make reservations as far in advance as you can. Mather Campground is handled on a first-come, first-served basis from approximately December 1 to March 1 of each year. Cost: $10 per site.
Trailer Village: (adjacent to Mather Campground) offers RV sites with hook-ups; reservations may be made by calling 303-297-2757. Cost: $20 per site. A dump station is located adjacent to Mather Campground and Trailer Village on the South Rim (closed during the winter months).
Desert View Campground: (26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village; no hook-ups) is open mid-May through mid-October and operates on a first-come, first-served basis only. Cost: $12 per site (maximum of 2 vehicles and 6 people per site).
Out-of-Park
Ten-X Campground: The U.S. Forest Service operates this public campground 2 miles south of Tusayan. Open May through September. No hook-ups or showers; pit toilets and cold water faucets are located throughout the campground. Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and rarely fills. Cost: $10 per vehicle per night (maximum of two vehicles per site). Group site is available for groups of up to 100 people, reservations required. Call 520-638-2443.
Dispersed Camping: Dispersed camping, or camping “at-large” is permitted in the national forest outside the park. Camping must be at least 1/4 mile away from Highway 64. Other restrictions may apply. Contact the Tusayan Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, P.O. Box 3088, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 or call 520-638-2443 for information.
Services
A variety of services are available in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and in Tusayan, 7 miles south of the rim.
Dining
A wide variety of restaurants are available in the park from formal El Tovar Hotel to cafeterias at Yavapai and Maswik Lodges. Tusayan offers both fast food and more formal dining.
Fuel
Gas, diesel, and propane are available at Desert View, in Tusayan, and just outside the south entrance.
Showers and Laundry
Located adjacent to Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village and in Tusayan.
Groceries
Available in Grand Canyon Village, at Desert View, and in Tusayan.
Camping Equipment
Sales and rentals in the Grand Canyon Village. Other: Post office, Western Union office, bank, automatic teller machine (ATM).
Park Headquarters & Visitor Center
The main park Visitor Center and Headquarters building is located on the South Rim at the east end of Grand Canyon Village, 6 miles from the South Entrance Station, and is open all year. Other visitor contact stations open year-round with exhibits, ranger staff, and/or bookstore operations include Tusayan Museum, Desert View, and Yavapai Observation Station. North Rim Visitor Center is open during the summer months.
How to See the Canyon
There are many overlooks accessible by car that offer spectacular views of the canyon. The East Rim Drive (Highway 64) follows the canyon rim for 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village to Desert View (the east entrance to the park). The East Rim Drive is open to private vehicles throughout the year. The West Rim Drive follows the rim for 8 miles west from Grand Canyon Village to Hermits Rest. The West Rim Drive is closed to private automobiles from mid-March through mid-October. At that time of year the park runs a free shuttle bus to provide transportation to overlooks on the West Rim Drive.
A hiking trail follows the rim from Yavapai Point to Hermits Rest; the Rim Trail is paved from Yavapai Point west only as far as Maricopa Point. Unpaved portions of the trail are narrow and close to the edge.
Yavapai Observation Station (at Yavapai Point, just west of Mather Point on the South Rim) offers panoramic views of the canyon (including the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch) from inside the building and is open all year.
For viewing and photographing the canyon, the light is most dramatic early or late in the day; mid-day sun tends to flatten the view and soften the colors. Remember that days are short in the winter and long in the summer. Times for sunrise and sunset are listed in THE GUIDE, the park newspaper issued at the park entrance. If you’re planning to see the canyon at sunrise or sunset, it is recommended that you be on the rim at least an hour beforehand.
The Colorado River, which is responsible for the existence of Grand Canyon, lies at the bottom of the canyon, 5000 feet below the rim. Because of the enormous depth of Grand Canyon, the river is visible only from certain viewpoints. It is a two-day (round-trip) hike to the river from the South Rim for most people; it’s a longer trip from the North Rim. It is possible to drive to the Colorado River at Lees Ferry (near Marble Canyon, Arizona) but this is a 2 1/2 hour drive (one way) from the South Rim. Lees Ferry marks the official beginning of Grand Canyon, and the canyon is only a few hundred feet deep at this point.
Hiking and Backpacking
Grand Canyon offers some of the most challenging hiking and backpacking found anywhere in North America. Steep trails, intense heat, fast changing weather, and elusive water and shade combine to make for harsh conditions–even on a good day. Over 250 visitors are evacuated from the Canyon for medical emergencies by the park service Search and Rescue team each year. Proper planning and training is imperative.
With few exceptions the 1.2 million acre national park is fair game for foot traffic. Due to the difficult terrain the vast majority of the backcountry is only accessible by experienced off-trail hikers or uphill forays from rafting trips. To assist the rest of us there are approximately two dozen established trails that provide access to some of the park’s most remarkable destinations.
These trails begin on the North or South Rim and eventually make their way to the rock bottom of the Canyon a vertical mile below. The trails vary in length and difficulty. A backcountry permit is required for all overnight camping in the park. Find out more about securing a permit by following this link http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm
Day hikers are not required to obtain a permit from the park service. They should choose their route carefully, and let someone know where they are going and when they plan on returning. Each year several day hikers become lost or disoriented in the Canyon, and several perish as a result. Don’t become a statistic. Do your homework, don’t take any undue risks, and stay well within your known limits in terms of physical exertion.
Best Day Hike
Bright Angel Trail
The best day hike for newcomers to the Grand Canyon is a descent of the Bright Angel Trail. This historic trail begins in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and tumbles seven miles to the Colorado River below. However, going to the river and back in a single day is strongly discouraged for any hiker on any day. The good news is that there are obvious places to change course and head back uphill including the rest houses (with treated drinking water during the hot summer months) that are found at 1.5 mile increments between the top and Indian Garden Campground which is half the distance to the bottom. Plan for twice as much time and effort to go up than it takes to go down.
As with all day hikes, get a reliable weather forecast and dress accordingly, wear sturdy shoes and a brimmed hat, and take a few quarts of water and salty snacks for each person in your party. All this same advice follows for the best day hike on the North Rim that can be found on the precipitous North Kaibab Trail.
Best Backpacking Destinations
Bright Angel Campground &Amp; Indian Garden Campground
For first-time backpackers in Grand Canyon National Park the most popular itinerary is to spend a few nights at either Bright Angel or Indian Garden Campground. The Bright Angel Campground can be accessed by either the Bright Angel or the South Kaibab Trail (off the South Rim); Indian Garden by the Bright Angel Trail. Advance campground reservations are recommended.
Both campgrounds have restrooms, treated drinking water, established campsites, individual food storage canisters (to thwart the critters), and are frequently staffed by helpful park rangers. Packing correctly will make or break your experience. For a list of backpacking gear follow this link http://www.hitthetrail.com/equipment.php
Once you’ve mastered the “easier” trails in Grand Canyon you can graduate to the next tier of more remote trails in the Hermit and Grandview Trails (South Rim). Also popular is Havasu Canyon including the waterfalls at Havasupai and Mooney Falls.
Havasupai And Mooney Falls
Havasu Canyon, home to the Havasupai Indians, is a paradise located in western Grand Canyon known worldwide for its towering waterfalls and beautifully sculpted rock. In this idyllic setting of lush side canyons and sun-splashed cliffs a small group of indigenous hunters and farmers arrived centuries ago and carved out a simple lifestyle; one that continues to this day.
Havasu Creek, the carver of this serpentine side canyon beneath the South Rim, is fed by a deep aquifer. The perennial desert stream tumbles over several major waterfalls on its journey to the Colorado River on the floor of the Grand Canyon. The presence of calcium carbonate in the highly mineralized, spring-fed water gives Havasu Creek its distinctive blue-green color. This same robust creek sustains a rich riparian ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of plants, birds, and animals.
Though many Supai tribal members continue to farm in this flood-prone drainage, tourism has emerged as the tribe’s primary source of income. Fee-based camping is offered year round. In addition to backpackers, visitors arrive by helicopter and horseback, some staying in the tribe’s rustic lodge. Camping in Havasu Canyon requires an permit that can be obtained directly from the tribe. For more information on visiting Havasu Canyon follow this link http://www.havasupaitribe.com.
The South Rim
Rim Trail
Begin from any viewpoint in the Grand Canyon Village or along Hermit Road. The Rim Trail extends from Mather Point in the Village west to Hermits Rest. It offers excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon and for visitors who desire an easy hike.
Bright Angel Trail
The trail begins just west of Bright Angel Lodge. It is well-maintained and follows switchbacks to the Indian Garden Campground and Inner Gorge. After Indian Garden, the trail heads east along the river to the Bright Angel Suspension Bridge and on to Phantom Ranch. The roundtrip length of the Bright Angel Trail is 19 miles and descends 4,400 feet.
South Kaibab Trail
This trail begins south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. It is 12.6 miles roundtrip and is steep, dropping 5,000 feet in 6.3 miles. The trail follows ridge lines rather than side canyons. It goes to the Inner Gorge where it meets with the Kaibab Suspension Bridge on the way to Phantom Ranch.
Grandview Trail
Caution is required as this trail is unmaintained, steep, and very strenuous. It begins at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive 12 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. The 6 mile roundtrip trail descends to Horseshoe Mesa.
Hermit Trail
Hermit Trail begins 500 feet west of Hermits Rest which is 8 miles west of Grand Canyon Village. It is unmaintained, steep, and very strenuous. The 17 mile roundtrip leads from the canyon rim to the Colorado River. Sights include Hermit Gorge, The Supai Formation, Santa Maria Spring, and the Redwall Formation.
The North Rim
Widforss Trail
The trail can be reach by leaving Grand Canyon Lodge and going 2.7 miles north on the highway, then turn left one mile on a dirt road; the turnoff is 0.3 mile south of the Cape Royal turnoff. This is a relatively easy hike with great canyon views. It skirts the head of Transept Canyon and across a plateau with ponderosa pine to an overlook near Widforss Point. Below the trail’s end is Haunted Canyon flanked by the Colorado River on the right and Many Temple and Budda Temple on the left. The trail is 10 miles roundtrip and is frequented by mule deer.
Ken Patrick Trail
The 19.8 roundtrip trail starts at Point Imperial and goes along the rim to Cape Royal Road. Then it continues through forest to the North Kaibab trailhead. Great hiking through the forest with views across the headwaters of Nankoweap Creek.
Uncle Jim Trail
The first mile of the trail is along the Ken Patrick Trail and then breaks off to Uncle Jim Point. It is 5 miles roundtrip and has views of Roaring Springs Canyon and North Kaibab Trail.
For further reading you may want to purchase the Official Guide to Hiking the Grand Canyon which features all the Grand Canyon trails as well as giving tips on packing, permitting, and safety. This book is published by the Grand Canyon Association (GCA) and can be purchased online at http://www.grandcanyon.org. For a guided backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon consider joining an educational outing with the GCA’s field seminar program, the Grand Canyon Field Institute (a link available on the GCA homepage). There are also numerous commercial guiding companies that can be hired for backpacking or day hiking. Find them on this site under Grand Canyon Tours & Things to Do and Grand Canyon Tours By Land: Hike, Ride, Rail, Walk.
On a final note, please remember that the Inner Canyon is a fragile desert ecosystem, and that the desert “grows by the inch and dies by the foot.” A single careless boot print off the trail can last for decades in such an environment. Be sure to tread lightly, and leave the Canyon the way you found it. For more on Leave No Trace hiking and backpacking follow this link http://lnt.org/programs/
Grand Canyon Weather, Temperatures and Precipitation
Grand Canyon South Rim Weather:
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Avg Precip (in) |
| Jan | 40.7 | 18.2 | 1.44 |
| Feb | 44.8 | 20.9 | 1.59 |
| Mar | 51.1 | 25.3 | 1.30 |
| Apr | 60.4 | 32.1 | 0.86 |
| May | 69.8 | 39.1 | 0.64 |
| Jun | 81.0 | 46.9 | 0.39 |
| July | 84.3 | 54.2 | 1.93 |
| Aug | 81.4 | 52.8 | 2.23 |
| Sept | 76.1 | 46.8 | 1.52 |
| Oct | 64.5 | 36.1 | 1.15 |
| Nov | 52.1 | 26.7 | 0.91 |
| Dec | 43.3 | 20.0 | 1.58 |
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Avg Precip ( in) |
| Jan | 37.0 | 16.0 | 3.17 |
| Feb | 39.0 | 18.0 | 3.22 |
| Mar | 44.0 | 21.0 | 2.63 |
| Apr | 53.0 | 29.0 | 1.73 |
| May | 62.0 | 34.0 | 1.17 |
| Jun | 73.0 | 40.0 | 0.86 |
| July | 77.0 | 46.0 | 1.93 |
| Aug | 75.0 | 45.0 | 2.85 |
| Sept | 69.0 | 39.0 | 1.99 |
| Oct | 59.0 | 31.0 | 1.38 |
| Nov | 46.0 | 24.0 | 1.48 |
| Dec | 40.0 | 20.0 | 2.8 |
Grand Canyon West Rim Weather:
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Avg Precip (in) |
| Jan | 64.1 | 38.7 | 0.70 |
| Feb | 70.2 | 43.3 | 0.77 |
| Mar | 77.1 | 48.5 | 0.84 |
| Apr | 86.2 | 55.9 | 0.21 |
| May | 96.3 | 64.8 | 0.25 |
| Jun | 107.7 | 72.8 | 0.10 |
| July | 112.5 | 79.1 | 0.37 |
| Aug | 109.9 | 77.6 | 0.59 |
| Sept | 102.3 | 70.1 | 0.59 |
| Oct | 89.0 | 58.5 | 0.42 |
| Nov | 73.6 | 46.6 | 0.34 |
| Dec | 64.3 | 38.9 | 0.45 |
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Avg Precip (in) |
| Jan | 55.5 | 36.0 | 0.67 |
| Feb | 62.9 | 40.2 | 0.74 |
| Mar | 71.0 | 46.1 | 0.80 |
| Apr | 82.6 | 54.8 | 0.48 |
| May | 91.3 | 62.4 | 0.37 |
| Jun | 101.4 | 71.0 | 0.37 |
| July | 106.3 | 76.8 | 0.83 |
| Aug | 102.6 | 74.0 | 1.59 |
| Sept | 97.6 | 68.1 | 0.81 |
| Oct | 85.8 | 58.4 | 0.68 |
| Nov | 67.7 | 44.8 | 0.39 |
| Dec | 56.9 | 36.3 | 0.71 |
So, there you go! That’s our primer all the basics of visiting the Grand Canyon. Did we leave anything out? What else would you like to know? Feel fee to comment and we will reply!
This is a ton of helpful information about the Grand Canyon. I recently booked my first Grand Canyon hiking trip with Just Roughin’ It and am very excited to see it in person and experience the adventure. Luckily Just Roughin’ It provides a lot of the supplies we need, but I’m glad I read your post because you provided a lot of info on things I didn’t know about. There is so much to know before hiking the Grand Canyon that’s why I’m going on a group trip because there’s no way I could be prepared to hike the Grand Canyon alone.
Hey guys.
I’m coming all the way from tel aviv to Phoenix Arizona to see my relocated brother :)
While looking for a place to hike I got across your blog and was exited to read about grand canyon. Unfourtunally weather seems really. Ad this time of the year (end dec to jan).
Do you have any recommendations for a good place to hike? Would loveeee to go to grand canyon though. I’m planing on a four nights hike. I am well experienced with hiking and in good feet.
Thank you for your time
Ruby Magen
Hi, Ruby.
While hiking down into the Grand Canyon in the winter, when there is snow on the trail, can be tricky, it’s still possible and a popular activity. I suggest doing Hermit Trail from the South Rim down to the river and back as an overnight trip because it is a well traveled trail year round and given you have appropriate hiking boots and perhaps a walking stick, you should be fine. The Hermit Trail has less snow and ice than any other trail on the South Rim. This is due in part to the trailhead being at less than 7000ft. In addition, at about 0.5 miles the trail turns from north-facing to southwest-facing as it descends through the Coconino Sandstone. So expect some snow and ice at first, but with quickly improving conditions as you descend.
Be sure to get your backcountry camping permit and trail updates in advance from the National Park Service. Get details here: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm
Get more details straight from the National Park Service on their Winter Hiking page here: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.htm.
I am planning of coming to the Grand Canyon. I would like to go down the canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch. Is it better to begin this trip on the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail?
Thnaks!
deb
Hi, Deb. It’s a matter of personal preference, of course, but the hike down the South Kaibab Trail is shorter – 7.3 miles (about 3 – 4 hours hiking time) – than the hike down Bright Angel Trail, 10.3 miles (4 – 6 hours hiking time.) However, there is no shade on the South Kaibab Trail, so it is highly recommended that you take the Bright Angel Trail back out of the Canyon for sure. Of course, pack PLENTY of water, no matter what trail or time of year you hike; about 1 gallon of water per person per day, especially if you start at the South Kaibab trailhead, as there is no water source there so you’ll need to be prepared ahead of time. Be sure to make your Phantom Ranch reservations well in advance (up to a year) and have a great hike!
I love this blog site! The info is invaluable. Thanks for all the articles and making my personal week. Cheers, There is
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