Grand Canyon National Park - The Insider's Guide

Grand Canyon National Park (SOUTH RIM) 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.

There are over 19 points at which you can stop and take in the breathtaking scenery at the South Rim. There are, however, highlights among these that shouldn’t be missed.

The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwest United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. It is the only point in the United States shared by four states, leading to this area being called the Four Corners region.

Information you will need to know before you get to the Grand Canyon including the entrance fees and hours of operation.

Monument Valley entrance to the four corners.

Take to the skies for the ultimate Grand Canyon experience. Helicopter tours of Grand Canyon National Park offer limitless expanses of natural beauty. View our featured Grand Canyon helicopter tour savings packages.

Ride the river! Grand Canyon river rafting tours are an exciting way to experience the unforgettable beauty of Arizona. See our featured river rafting expeditions, which can be booked directly at the hotel.

Grand Canyon Skywalk has been a controversial attraction, since before it was even completed in 2007. Scaling skyscraper-like heights of more than 3,600 feet above the canyon floor, the horse-shoe shaped glass bridge offers unparalleled Grand Canyon views.

Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be both exhilarating and challenging. Smart preparation is the key. These handy Grand Canyon hiking and trail tips will help keep you on the right path.

Grand Canyon Sunset Jeep Tours offer a dramatic and unforgettable way to experience the beauty of the southwest. Get in on all the off-road fun of an exciting Grand Canyon Jeep adventure tour.

Arizona’s Route 66 offers a legendary stretch of national landmarks and unforgettable desert attractions. Get a little background information about attractions and facts on the stunning natural wonders and historical landmarks that dot fabulous Route 66.

You only think you know the Grand Canyon! To learn more about the world’s most-visited 17-million-year-old hole in the ground, check out these interesting Grand Canyon fun facts and figures.

This spring, free shuttle buses are operating on three routes.

•The routes interconnect, but do not overlap.
•No tickets are required, and bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park by signs.
•Buses are white with a green stripe.
•The buses display the route name on the front.
•All buses are equipped with bicycle racks. Bicycle one way and ride the shuttle the other.
•Pets are not permitted on buses. Service may be suspended during inclement weather.

How do I use the free shuttle busses?
The shuttle buses take you to places in the park you cannot drive. Park your vehicle in one of the parking areas, proceed to the nearest bus stop, and board the next bus. Information about bus routes is available on the map (that you may download above) and at bus stops. Buses display the route name on the front marquee. It is that simple. The buses come by every 15–30 minutes. You are free to get on and off at any stop. The routes are designed so you can ride to a stop, enjoy the view, shop at a gift store, or walk along the rim and then hop on a later shuttle.

Village Route 50 minutes round trip.

Village Route bus stop below the El Tovar Hotel.

Buses provide transportation between:

Visitor Center, Bookstore and Plaza,

Market Plaza:
General Store, Bank, Post Office

Historic District:
lodges, restaurants, gift shops

Campgrounds, parking lots,
ranger programs,
and other facilities in the Village area. .

Boarding Village Route bus at the Transit Center.

50 Minutes Round-trip
(without getting off the bus)

Buses run every:
30 minutes: 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
15 minutes: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
30 minutes: 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Note: The last buses leave from Grand Canyon Visitor Center (headed Westbound) and Maswik Lodge (headed Eastbound) at 10:00 p.m.
This is not a scenic route, but rim views are available a short walk from some stops.

——————————————————————————–

Kaibab/Rim Route 50 minutes round trip
Buses provide transportation between Grand Canyon Visitor Center, South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, Pipe Creek Vista, Mather Point, and Yavapai Geology Museum. This is the shortest scenic route and the only access to Yaki Point, the South Kaibab Trailhead and the Yavapai Geology Museum. .

Kaibab/Rim Shuttle Bus at the Yaki Point Stop
50 Minutes Round-trip
(without getting off the bus)

Buses run every:
30 minutes: 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
15 minutes: 6:30 a.m. – 1 hour after sunset

Learn more about the:
Yavapai Museum of Geology
The South Kaibab Trail

——————————————————————————–

Hermits Route (Red) 75 minutes round trip
From March 1 through November 30, the Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles.

Shuttle buses provide transportation between the Village Route Transfer Station and Hermits Rest (7 miles/ 11 km) with stops at nine canyon overlooks.
.

NPS Photo by michael quinn

Last Stop: Hermits Rest
During the return trip, buses stop only at 4 stops: Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave, and Powell Points.

75 Minutes Round-trip
(without getting off the bus)

Buses run every:
30 minutes: 4:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
15 minutes: 7:00 a.m. – sunset
30 minutes: sunset – 1 hour after sunset

The newly improved Hermit Road has some of the best Grand Canyon views that you can see anywhere. Read more…

——————————————————————————–

Tusayan Route 40 minutes round trip:
Operates mid-May through mid-September 2011
Between mid-May and mid-September, 2011, the Tusayan Route, a part of Grand Canyon National Park’s visitor transportation system on the South Rim, provides “park & ride” shuttle bus service between the gateway community of Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park. (7 miles/11km south of the S. Rim village)

•The service will operate between mid-May and mid-September, 2011.

•The service will run at 15 minute intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

•20 minutes each way (riding time; no stop)
Visitors entering the park from Tusayan via the shuttle bus must present a valid park entrance pass. Entrance passes may be purchased at park entrances or at various businesses in Tusayan.

Park in Tusayan and ride the free shuttle into the park. The airport parking lot is shown above.

——————————————————————————–

The Hiker’s Express Shuttle Bus
An early morning bus with service to South Kaibab Trailhead. Bus departs from Bright Angel Lodge bus stop on the hour; second stop at Backcountry Information Center; third stop at Grand Canyon Visitor Center; last stop at South Kaibab Trailhead.

April: 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 a.m.
May: 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 a.m.

——————————————————————————–

Page is one of the best gateways from the Grand Canyon