Grand Canyon National Park Travel Guide

Grand Canyon National Park is so big it covers both the north and south rims. A hikers dreamscape, its breathtaking views should be on every bucket list and experienced at least once in a lifetime. 

Get to Know Grand Canyon National Park

Region: Western
State: Arizona
URL:  https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm 
Webcams: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm 
Established: February 26, 1919
President: Woodrow Wilson
By the numbers:  

• 5.9 million+ visitors per year (2019)
• 1.2 million+ acres
• Lat. 36.10692, Long -112.11294
• 3 park entrances
• 2 visitor centers
• Highest elevation 3,170 ft.
• Lowest elevation 0 ft.

Entrances to Grand Canyon NP

There are three park entrances plus another way to see the canyon from afar. 

1. South Rim and Desert View East Entrance - Open all year, is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona (via route 64 from Interstate 40) and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff (via route 180). 
2. North Rim - Closed for the Winter between December 1 and May 15. The North Rim is located 30 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67; the actual rim of the canyon is an additional 14 miles south.
3. East Entrance - From Cameron, Arizona travel about 32 miles on AZ-64 W/Desert View Drive. Make a quick stop after entering to see the Desert View Watchtower or have a picnic.
4. Grand Canyon West - While not actually part of the national park system, there is another alternative to experiencing the Grand Canyon. This entrance is a tribal enterprise of the sovereign Indian Nation of the Hualapai Tribe. When you visit Grand Canyon West, you are entering the Hualapai Reservation where you can experience their heritage and rich traditions.https://grandcanyonwest.com/ It is about 5 hours west of the main national park. 

 

JOURNAL ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WITH A NATIONAL PARKS BUCKET JOURNAL

Memories are best made with adventure! All 63 US National Parks are full of unique experiences, dramatic views and natural wonders you simply have to see to believe. 

With a National Parks Bucket Journal, you will never forget the trips you take, the adventures you have, and the people you share it with. A bucket journal makes recording your trip's highlights, and planning your next adventure that much easier!  

Visitor Centers in Grand Canyon National Park

There are three visitor centers and an information center within Grand Canyon NP.  These are essential stopping places if you are planning to venture into the canyon. 

South Rim and Desert View Visitor Center - Grand Canyon Visitor Center is close to Mather Point, where most visitors park and get their first look at the Grand Canyon. Four large parking areas are located here as well as the transit center for the park's free shuttle buses. This visitor center is currently closed to the public.  

North Rim Visitor Center - The North Rim Visitor Center building is located within the Grand Canyon Lodge complex, adjacent to the main parking area for the lodge and Bright Angel Point — at the southern terminus of Arizona State Route 67, near the rim of Grand Canyon. At this time, inside the building, the Grand Canyon Conservancy Shop/Bookstore is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Outside, park rangers are staffing an information table at the nearby Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk. Hours: 10 am to 3 pm daily.  

Verkamp’s Visitor Center - A curio shop and family home for more than a century. It is located west of the South Rim Visitor Center on South Entrance Road. Daily hours are 9 am - 7 pm. View exhibits about the history of Grand Canyon Village and gift shop/bookstore. 

Backcountry Information Center - Going on a hike is a wonderful way to experience some of the canyon’s rich natural beauty and immense size. However, even if you are an avid hiker, hiking the Grand Canyon is very different from most other hiking experiences. If you are interested in doing backcountry hiking, this is the place to go so you are sure you understand how to best be prepared. Located Southwest of Verkamp’s Visitor Center on Backcountry Road. Open 8 am - 12pm; 1 pm - 5 pm.

Entrance Fees to Grand Canyon NP

General Passes are good for entry for 7 days from the date of purchase.

• $35 non-commercial vehicle
• $30 motorcycle or snowmobile
• $20 for an individual on foot, bicycle, park shuttle bus, Grand Canyon Railway, and private rafting trips.
• $70 Grand Canyon NP Annual pass good for one year. It admits the pass holder and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, or foot).
• $80 America the Beautiful 2021 Annual Pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an entrance or fee. It is good for one year - beginning from the date of sale.  

Find out more about fees on the NPS website. You can buy entrance passes at these Entrance Stations using credit and debit cards. Digital passes, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is not being accepted at this time.

• NPS North Rim Entrance Station
• NPS South Entrance Station
• NPS Desert View Entrance Station 

Grand Canyon Park Hours and Access

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, which includes Grand Canyon Village and Desert View, is open daily, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, most services are available year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during spring, summer, and fall. Some facilities close during the winter months.  

The North Rim is open with most services between May 15 and October 15.

• Between October 15 and October 31, the North Rim is open for Day Use Only - unless you have a reservation to camp overnight in the North Rim Campground. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov.
• Between November 1 and November 30, the North Rim is open for Day Use only.
• Between December 1st and May 14th, North Rim roads are closed to all vehicles and no visitor services are available.

Check the NPS website for details about the season you will be visiting. Open all year? Yes, with some road closures for each entrance, dependent on weather.

Airports Closest  to the Grand Canyon 

If you are not close enough to drive to the Grand Canyon try flying into one of several airports and then driving to the park. While the Flagstaff/Pulliam Airport is the closest, PHX and LAS offer additional sightseeing opportunities!

• Flagstaff/Pulliam Airport [FLG] 85.5 miles, 1 hr 22 mins
• Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport [PHX] 229 miles, 3 hrs 38 mins
• Las Vegas McCarran [LAS] 270 miles, 4 hrs 15 mins

Things To Do In Grand Canyon NP

There are so many outdoor activities inside the park, be sure to take time and appreciate the animal life around you. There are opportunities for birding, wildlife viewing, and of course photographing the beauty around you.  

Enjoy getting around the park with one of the guided tours or venture out on your own by hiking, biking, mule riding, river tours, backcountry hiking, and camping, or other guided or ranger-led tours.   

You’ll find markers for many of the trailheads, viewpoints, and museums on the interactive map below. 

How Much Time Do You Need to Explore Grand Canyon National Park?

Most people recommend at least three days to get acquainted with all the Grand Canyon has to offer.

If you have one day in the summer, try taking the Grand Canyon Railroad from Flagstaff. It’s a full-day, guided tour that takes you to several viewpoints, the Desert View Watchtower, and lets you explore both North and South rims.   

If you have 3 days get ideas from this itinerary from Grand Canyon Guru, and if you have 5 days to spend in Grand Canyon NP, we found this itinerary at Inspirock helpful. Click on the “see day by day plan” button to open the details. 

My Bucket Journals Top Grand Canyon NP Picks

• Grand Canyon Geology Tour
• South Rim Tour
• Hike part of Bright Angel Trail on the North Rim
• Mather Point to Yavapai Geology Museum (south rim)
• Bridle Path Trail (north rim)
• North Rim Visitor Center
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center

The Best Way to See the Grand Canyon - Hike the Trails 

Grand Canyon hiking can either be a carefree vacation or a true-blue challenge. Depending on how prepared a hiker is, and what particular mood the canyon is like at such time, Grand Canyon hiking may serve to be a huge revelation or a painful ordeal. 

The park has a desert climate, and with the canyon’s 1.2 million acres, most of it is totally inaccessible. Grand Canyon hiking is surely a feat for the bravest. The canyon is divided in half by the Colorado River. Those who want to hike the canyon from one rim to the other have to pass through the river and should be prepared to handle elevation differential beyond 10,000 feet. Normally, the majority of park guests start and finish their hikes at the South Rim.  

Grand Canyon hiking at the North Rim is not typical. This is because the North Rim is the remotest part of the canyon. All roads leading towards it are closed due to heavy snow during the winter months. Grand Canyon hiking starting at the North Rim down to the canyon floor is twice the distance as when hiking at the South Rim to the canyon floor. A roundtrip North Rim hike requires at least three nights.  

These are the most common areas to explore: 

South Rim (DAY)

• The Trail of Time - start at Yavapai Geology Museum and end at Grand Canyon Village, it’s a mostly flat interpretive walking trail to understand the magnitude of geologic time and the stories told by canyon rock layers and landscapes. EASY
• The Rim Trail - The Rim Trail extends from the village area to Hermits Rest. Begin from any viewpoint in the Village or along Hermit Road. The Rim Trail offers excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon and for visitors who desire an easy hike. No water west of Bright Angel Lodge. By using the shuttle buses, you can customize your hike to meet your needs. Part of the trail is paved and accessible. EASY
• Bright Angel Trail - The Bright Angel Trail begins just west of Bright Angel Lodge and offers day hikes that range in distance up to 12 miles (round trip). Some shade. Seasonal water is subject to pipeline breaks. Check at the Visitor Center or Backcountry Information Center for water status. Upper portion of the trail may be extremely icy in winter or early spring.MODERATE -  HARD
• South Kaibab Trail - The South Kaibab Trail begins south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. Access to the trailhead is by shuttle bus (Kaibab Trail Route). Offers day hikes that range in distance up to 6 miles (round trip). Best views for a relatively short hike. Steep trail, no water, little shade. Water available seasonally at the trailhead. The upper portion of the trail may be extremely icy in winter or early spring. HARD
• Hermit Trail - The Hermit Trail offers hikes to Santa Maria Spring, 5 miles (round trip), and Dripping Springs, 7 miles (round trip). Trail conditions are tougher than the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. An unmaintained steep trail requires caution. Begins 500 feet west of Hermits Rest. Water from springs must be treated before drinking. For experienced desert hikers. Hiking boots recommended. HARD
• Grandview Trail - The Grandview Trail offers hikes to Coconino Saddle, 2.2 miles (round trip), and Horseshoe Mesa, 6.4 miles (round trip). Trail conditions are tougher than the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. An unmaintained steep trail requires caution. Begins on canyon side of retaining wall at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive (12 miles east of the village). For experienced desert hikers. Hiking boots recommended.MODERATE 

North Rim (DAY)

• Bright Angel Point Trail - 0.5 mi. / 0.8 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. A short walk on a paved trail to a spectacular view of the canyon. The trail begins at the log shelter in the parking area by the visitor center or at the corner of the back porch behind the lodge. Self-guiding nature trail pamphlets are available from a box along the trail. EASY
• Transept Trail - 3.0 mi. / 4.8 km round-trip; 1.5 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Follows the canyon rim from Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground. MODERATE
• Bridle Trail - This trail follows the road as it connects the Grand Canyon Lodge with the North Kaibab Trailhead, a distance of 1.2 miles / 2 km one-way. Pets on leash and bicycles are permitted on this hard-packed trail. EASY
• North Kaibab Trail - Distance and hiking times vary. This is the only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim. Even a short hike to Coconino Overlook (1.5 miles / 2.4 km round-trip) or Supai Tunnel (4 miles / 6.5 km round-trip) can give you an appreciation for the canyon's rich natural beauty and immense size. A hike to Roaring Springs and back is extremely strenuous and takes a full day (7-8 hours) - begin your hike before 7 a.m. Roaring Springs lies 3,050 feet / 930 m below the canyon rim and is 9.4 miles / 15 km round-trip. A day hike beyond Roaring Springs is not recommended.  HARD
• Ken Patrick Trail - 10 mi. / 16 km one-way; 6 hours approximate one-way hiking time. Winds through the forest and along the rim from Point Imperial to the North Kaibab Trail parking area. MODERATE
• Uncle Jim Trail - 5.0 mi. / 8.0 km round-trip; 3 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Winds through the forest to a point overlooking the canyon and the North Kaibab Trail switchbacks. Begins at the North Kaibab Trail parking lot. This trail is also used by mules. EASY
• Widforss Trail - 10 mi. / 16 km round-trip; 6 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Blends forest and canyon scenery. Even a short walk can be very satisfying. Take the dirt road 1/4 mile/0.4 km south of Cape Royal Road for 1 mile / 1.6 km to the Widforss Trail parking area. Self-guiding trail brochure available at trailhead. MODERATE
• Arizona Trail - The Arizona Trail is an ambitious project that traverses the length of Arizona from the Utah border to Mexico. A section of this trail enters the park near the North Entrance and roughly parallels the highway until it connects with the North Kaibab Trail, a distance of approximately 10 miles / 16 km. HARD
• Cape Royal Trail - 0.6 mi. / 1.0 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. An easy walk on a flat, paved trail providing views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. Markers along the trail interpret the area's natural history. Trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area. EASY
• Cliff Springs Trail - 1.0 mi. / 1.6 km round-trip; 1 hour approximate round-trip hiking time. Meanders down a forested ravine and ends where a chest-high boulder rests under a large overhang. The spring is on the cliff side of the boulder. Please do not drink the water as it may be contaminated. Trail begins directly across the road from a small pullout on a curve 0.3 miles / 0.5 km down the road from Cape Royal. EASY
• Cape Final Trail - 4.0 mi. / 6.4 km round-trip; 2 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. A 2-mile walk from the dirt parking area to Cape Final. This trail offers a view of the canyon. EASY
• Roosevelt Point Trail - 0.2 mi. / 0.3 km round-trip; 20 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. This trail is a short, secluded woodland loop with spectacular views. Offers benches for relaxed enjoyment of the canyon. EASY
• Point Imperial Trail - 4.0 mi. / 6.4 km round-trip; 2 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. This easy trail passes through areas burned by the 2000 Outlet Fire and ends at the north park boundary. From there connections are possible to the Nankoweap Trail and U.S. Forest Service roads. EASY

There are 16 additional trails in Grand Canyon NP that can be used for overnight hiking. 

Take a Scenic Drive in Grand Canyon National Park

Desert View Drive is 23 mile length of SR 64 from Grand Canyon Village around mile marker 241.5 to the East Entrance. There are six developed canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, five unmarked pullouts, and the Tusayan Museum and ruin site. 

• Pipe Creek Vista - Mile Marker 242.5
• Duck on a Rock - Mile Marker 246
• Grandview Point - Mile Marker 251
• Moran Point - Mile Marker 258
• Tusayan Pueblo Ruins & Museum - Mile Marker 262
• Lipan Point - Mile Marker 263.5
• Navajo Point - Mile Marker 264
• Desert View - Mile Marker 264.5

Tours inside the Grand Canyon

There are many ways to enrich your visit to Grand Canyon NP by participating in a ranger program, becoming a junior ranger, exploring as a young scientist, or going on a guided tour.  

The National Park Service requires specific authorizations for commercial businesses to operate in national parks. Approved companies provide a variety of services and tours inside the Grand Canyon, including: 

• Air Tours
• Audio Tour
• Backcountry Hiking Tours
• Bus Tours
• Guided Hikes
• Jeep and Van Tours
• Mule Trips
• Ranger Tours
• Rafting Tours
• Scenic Drive

Learn more about guided tours at the National Park Website.  

Lodging in the Park

Recognized by many as the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World, the Grand Canyon is truly an awe-inspiring sight. No amount of postcards or glossy magazine photos will spoil you for its beauty. When you get there, you want to come back again and again. It is just that breathtaking.  

Once you’re there, stay at any one of the eight Grand Canyon lodges and ranches available within the park. To help you decide which suits your taste, we’ve provided descriptions of each one. 

Grand Canyon Lodge 
This is the only lodge on the North Rim that visitors can stay at within the park. Bookings are only available between May 15 - October 15 each year, and reservations are made well in advance. The Grand Canyon Lodge has a dining room offering breakfast, lunch, and reservations for dinner. There is also a saloon, deli, and general store. 

El Tovar Hotel 
Considered as the premier Grand Canyon lodge, the El Tovar Hotel opened way back in 1905. El Tovar is located right on the Southern Canyon rim, offering you fantastic views of the scene below as you fine dine in a gorgeous room. If you can’t snag a reservation for lunch or dinner, try their food truck nearby at the Hopi house. 

Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins
With its natural, rustic character and homey ambiance that draws the crowd in, Bright Angel Lodge has always been a popular place to stay at the Grand Canyon. It was designed in 1935 by the famed architect Mary Jane Colter (Mary E.J. Colter) and is now considered a Registered National Historic Landmark, the same as the El Tovar. They have 2 restaurants, a coffee house, a grab & go place, and a tavern. 

Thunderbird Lodge
Sandwiched between the Kachina and Bright Angel Lodges, is Thunderbird. This lodge which was built in the ’60s is more of a contemporary design and is family-focused. Along with the other lodges, it is in the middle of the heart of the Historic District which means everything is a short walking distance away. 

Kachina Lodge 
Between elegant El Tovar and rustic Bright Angel is a contemporary Grand Canyon lodge called the Kachina Lodge. Smaller than the other two and yet somehow managing to keep up, the Kachina Lodge offers partial views of the canyon in almost each of its rooms. This Grand Canyon lodge is ideally suited for families with spacious rooms that contain two queen beds (or one king bed), in-room coffee, safe, television, refrigerator, full bath, and a telephone. What’s more, many of the dining facilities of the El Tovar and Bright Angel are within walking access from Kachina Lodge. 

Maswik Lodge 
Another Grand Canyon lodge boasting of modern facilities, the Maswik Lodge spreads over several acres of ponderosa pine forest. It is located about ¼ of a mile from the Canyon’s edge and provides you with many excellent views of the pine-covered plateau. This Grand Canyon lodge offers a cafeteria, sports bar with a widescreen TV, transportation/desk services, and a curio shop filled with gift items and handicrafts. 

Yavapai Lodge 
Split into East and West buildings, these rooms are family-friendly, bike friendly, and pet friendly. The East buildings are six 2-story buildings with some accessible rooms available. The West building is all single story where you and your four-legged friends can hang out. Yavapai is close to the market, but also has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have a coffee shop and tavern. Yavapai also offers limited wifi only in the guest lounge area.  

Phantom Ranch 
Phantom Ranch is a historic oasis nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is on the north side of the Colorado River tucked in beside Bright Angel Creek. Phantom Ranch is the only lodging below the canyon rim, and can only be reached by mule, on foot, or by rafting the Colorado River. 

Looking to stay outside of the park? 

On the North Rim side, there are Kaibab Lodge (18 miles), Jacob Lake Inn (45 miles), Cliff Dwellers Lodge (75 miles), Lees Ferry Lodge (80 miles), and Marble Canyon Lodge (84 miles). Interested in exploring the South Rim?  Try the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in nearby Williams and catch a ride up to the Canyon on the train and avoid the traffic. There are many smaller communities that provide hotels, cabins, bed and breakfast, and campgrounds outside of the park. 

Campgrounds in and Out of the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon offers many opportunities for those who seek thrills to spice up their vacation. One such option is the pleasurable experience of Grand Canyon camping. 

There are many Grand Canyon camping grounds to choose from and from four different locations: North Rim, South Rim, East Rim, Outside the Park, and Backcountry. 

North Rim 

North Rim Campground

They say the North Rim offers some of the best views of the Grand Canyon. The North Rim Campground, operated by the National Park Service, is no different. Open from the middle of May to the middle of October, this camping ground allows a maximum of two vehicles, three tents, and six people per site. 

Outside the North Rim

DeMotte Campground 
Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, it is 16 miles North of the canyon rim. There are no hook-ups and typically half the sites may be reserved. Depending on snowfall, this campground is open May 15 - October 15.

Jacob Lake Campground 
This Grand Canyon camping ground is operated by the US Forest Service. Located 45 miles (75 km) north of the North Rim, Jacob Lake Campground is open only during the summer and offers no hookups or reservations. 

Kaibab Camper Village 
This is a commercial campground ¼ mile away from Jacob Lake. Full hook-ups are available. On season, May 15 - October 15 make your reservations at 928-643-7804. Off-season call 928-526-0924. 

Dispersed camping is allowed in the National Forest outside the park. Ask for more information at the North Rim Visitor Center or call Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake 928-643-7298. In winter, call the North Kaibab Ranger District at 928-643-7395.

South Rim 

Mather Campground 
This is an excellent Grand Canyon camping ground, operated by the National Park Service. It is open year-round, however, if you do decide to visit this Grand Canyon camping ground, it is recommended that you book your reservations early since the sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Trailer Village 
Located right next to the Mather Campground, Trailer Village is an RV campsite, complete with hookups. The site is not as popular as its next door neighbor, making it perfect for those looking to avoid the crowd. You can make your advance reservations by calling (888) 297-2757. Same-day reservation calls are also available.

East Rim

Desert View  
This small campsite on the East Rim offers 49 campsites for tents, small RV’s or vehicles with small travel trailers (no more than 30 ft in total length). Reservations are first come, first serve and made online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made April 29 - October 16.

Outside the South, East, and West Rim 

Ten-X Campground 
Operated by the U.S. Forest service about 2 miles south of Tusayan. There are no hook-ups or showers, but have pit toilets and cold water faucets throughout the campground. They have 15 group sites, and 70 family sites that can be reserved May 14 - September 30 at www.recreation.gov.  

Grand Canyon Camper Village 
This is a commercial campground that is 7 miles south of Grand Canyon Village in Tusayan. It is open seasonally, has hook-ups and coin-operated showers. For reservations, call 928-638-2887. 

Dispersed Camping on the South Rim is permitted in the National Forest but must be at least ¼ mile away from Highway 64. 

Camping on nearby tribal lands of the Havasupai, Hualapai, and Navajo peoples are through tribal permit only. For more information, check out their websites.

https://www.havasupaireservations.com/public/login 

https://grandcanyonwest.com/ 

https://navajonationparks.org/ 

Backcountry

While Grand Canyon camping is usually restricted to designated campsites, it is possible for you to camp in a location other than a developed campground. As long as you stay within the Park boundaries, you can obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center to camp in specific areas. Note that all the sites found in the inner canyon require a backcountry permit.  

Bright Angel Campground 
This is the only established campground at the bottom, of the Grand Canyon. It is open year-round and offers drinking water and toilets.

Indian Garden Campground 
Located halfway down the Bright Angel Trail, there is a small creek that runs through the campground that feeds tall cottonwood trees planted by pioneers in the 1900’s. It is open year-round and has drinking water and toilets.

Cottonwood Campground 
Located halfway down the North Kaibab Trail and is a great place to stop for day hikes to Roaring Springs, Ribbon Falls and Manzanita Canyon. Open year-round and offers drinking water from mid-May to mid-October. 

If you are an experienced hiker and want to check out some other off the beaten path places to camp away from Corridor Trails, check out the NPS website for planning your backcountry trip.   

Is it Hard to Get Camping Reservations at the Grand Canyon? 

Yes, nearly all reservations for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available. Usually seconds or minutes after the 7 am opening bell!

Advance campground reservations can be made for all 3 NPS campgrounds within Grand Canyon National Park. Advance reservations are now required at Desert View Campground.

Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to six months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. 

To make a campground reservation visit www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. 

Get Connected to the Park

The National Park Service App (NPS App) features downloadable information for all the national park sites in the country, including [park name].  This includes an interactive map, self-guided audio tours, and information to make your trip smoother and more interesting. It does not yet include live updates to lodging, campground, road status, or geyser predictions. 

Dig Deeper

The NPS rand Canyon App features live updates to the status of lodges, campgrounds, roads, and weather predictions when in cell service. Users can tailor their visit to Grand Canyon by taking advantage of the app’s bookmarking and sharing features, which include the option to share their park experience with friends and family using the photo collage feature. An interactive map feature is also available and highlights overlooks, hiking trails, and ranger stations. 

Visitor TIP

Cellular service within the park is spotty. In order to make use of the app while in the Grand Canyon, follow these simple steps before you arrive:

• Download the app.
• In the app, select the "Settings" option.
• Tap the choice "Download Offline Content." 

This gives you access to most of the app content (except alerts, calendar updates, and real-time updates, although accessing those items before leaving service will keep that information available in the app) Even without cellular service, the app will be able to share your location on the map and bring up all site content.

Online Map of the Grand Canyon National Park

Use our interactive map to plan your trip and view details about visitor centers, campgrounds, lodging, walking tours, and attractions. 

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left-hand corner of the map to view the layers. You can click the checkmarks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.  

If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Pin This for Later!