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Bringing you the best in Grand Canyon travel information!
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:: About
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Welcome to our Grand Canyon Travel Site. The intent of
this website is to bring you information about planning
a trip to visit the Grand Canyon. We will give you information
about Grand Canyon Tours whether they are Grand Canyon Flight
Tours, Grand Canyon River Trips or Grand Canyon Bus and Van Tours. We
also try to give you information about Grand Canyon Lodging
whether it be Grand Canyon Hotels, Bed and Breakfast or RV Parks,
so you know where to stay when visiting the
Grand Canyon.
All of this wealth of Grand Canyon Information is free of charge.
If you find you like this site and the Grand Canyon Information
within, you can visit this link
to see how you can help us keep this Grand Canyon site running.
But regardless, we hope you enjoy your trip to the Grand Canyon.
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:: Where to stay
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The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long. It ranges from Lees Ferry up near the city of
Page, Arizona, and continues to Grand Wash Fault near Lake Mead where it ends. There
are several towns and cities in this long stretch which can serve as your portals
to the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon and Tusayan, Arizona
First and closest is staying inside the Grand Canyon National Park itself or in
the town of Tusayan which is 1 mile outside the Grand Canyon National Park entrance.
This provides the closest lodging to the Grand Canyon South Rim. If you want to be a
walk or short drive from the South Rim, this is definitely your best choice. The only
thing to note is that lodging inside the Grand Canyon National Park often requires
reservations months in advance during peak season (May-August).
To get to the Grand Canyon and Tusayan:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 231 miles north.
2. Fly via U.S. Airways/America West to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and drive 81 miles north.
3. Fly via private or charter aircraft to Grand Canyon airport in Tusayan, 1 mile south
of the National park entrance.
Flagstaff and Williams, Arizona
Next option to stay is the Flagstaff and Williams areas. Both Flagstaff and Williams are
gateway cities to the Grand Canyon. Many people stay in these cities because they are
close to the Grand Canyon but also service many other activities throughout Northern
Arizona such as Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater, the Petrified Forest, the Painted
Desert, Sedona, and much more.
To get to Flagstaff and Williams:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 151 miles north.
2. Fly via U.S. Airways/America West to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and drive 81 miles north.
Note: Williams is located 35 miles west of Flagstaff.
Sedona, Arizona
A very popular location is Sedona. Sedona was voted "The Most Beautiful Place in America"
by USA Weekend magazine. Many agree that Sedona is a must see if you are staying
in Northern Arizona. Sleeping among the "Red Rocks" is an experience of a lifetime.
Even if you don't stay in Sedona, it's worth the effort to visit.
To get to Sedona:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 115 miles north.
2. Fly via private or charter aircraft to Sedona Airport.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a popular city to get to the Grand Canyon because of it's major airport and
other attractions associated with Las Vegas. One of the big benefits of staying in Las
Vegas is most tours from Las Vegas include a stop at the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is a
very interesting piece of Arizona and is definitely worth the stop.
To get to Las Vegas:
1. Fly to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is a destination due to it's inexpensive airfare and lodging. Most visitors which
arive through Phoenix drive up to Flagstaff and take a tour or drive the 4 hour drive to
the Grand Canyon themselves.
To get to Phoenix:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
View hotel
information in these areas.
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:: Accessibility
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Many of the Grand Canyon facilities date back over 100 years. As of that time
there weren't the standards there are today, however with some assistance, they
still can be accessible. A copy of the Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility
Guide is available on the South Rim at Canyon View Center, Yavapai Observation
Station, Kolb Studio, Tusayan Museum, and Desert View Information Center and on
the North Rim at the Visitor Center. Or write for a copy:
Accessibility Guide
PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
While the park service is constantly making improvements, the terrain at the Grand
Canyon is rough and rugged. People requiring wheelchairs or someone with a visual
imparement often need assistance in navigating the Grand Canyon area as railings
and protective walls are intermittent.
The Golden Access Passport, available at Canyon View Center, Desert View Information
Center, Tusayan Museum, and the North Rim Visitor Center waives entrance fees for
permanently disabled individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the
United States.
The National Park Service provides wheelchairs for temporary day use by park
visitors free of charge. You can get one on the South Rim at the Canyon View
Center and at the North Rim at the Visitors Center and Grand Canyon Lodge.
Most shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs on the South Rim, however you can
call 928-638-2631 for a wheelchair accessible shuttle. 48 hour notice required. A
temporary accessibility permit is available at the park entrance for access to shuttle
only areas via private vehicle.
Many tour companies in the surrounding Grand Canyon areas are wheelchair accessible.
Visit our Grand Canyon Van and Bus Tour page for more
information.
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:: Destinations
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The first part of planning your Grand Canyon Vacation is choosing a
Grand Canyon Destination. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and there
is so much to see along those 277 miles.
The South Rim
Over 3 million people per year visit the South Rim. It is the most
developed part of the Grand Canyon and it is within the Grand Canyon
National Park. It has a wide selection of Grand Canyon Lodging and
Grand Canyon Tours available to it. 2 of the 3 most traveled Grand
Canyon hiking trails originate at the South Rim.
Get more information about the South Rim
The North Rim
Approximately 750,000 people visit the North Rim. It is less developed
than the South Rim but it also is ideal for those who would prefer
fewer corwds and a more pristine environment. The North Rim of the
Grand Canyon is also located within the Grand Canyon National Park.
There are Grand Canyon Hotels and Grand Canyon Tours available for the
North Rim however they are limited and the North Rim closes from
mid-October through mid-May.
Get more information about the North Rim
The West Rim
The West Rim is a relatively newly developed area of the Grand Canyon.
Approximately 500,000 people a year visit the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The West Rim is operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. The Hualapai Indian
Reservation borders the Grand Canyon National Park. Most of the Grand
Canyon Lodging and Tours to the West Rim are located in Las Vegas.
Get more information about the West Rim
View our Grand Canyon Trip Planner for more information
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:: When to come
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This page will give you some general information on good times of the year
to visit the Grand Canyon. Everybody likes different weather conditions
and temperatures, so we won't tell you when you should plan your trip,
but we will give you some general Grand Canyon information to help you
make an informed decision.
The "busy" season
Somewhere between 5-6 million people a year visit the Grand Canyon. Most
of them come during certain months. Summer is the peak season for the
Grand Canyon. July is by far the busiest month for Grand Canyon visitors,
but the busy season is from mid-May through mid-September.
There are also several busy weeks or weekends. These are primarily during
holidays.
* Between Christmas and New Years can be the busiest time at the
Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon staff is often seasonal and this week can
be exceptionally frustrating due to the fact that many of them are gone
during this busy week which creates long lines at the Grand Canyon National
Park entrance.
* Spring Break is a busy week due to schools being out for the week. Many families
plan trips to the Grand Canyon during Spring Break.
* Thanksgiving can have a small spike at the Grand Canyon but most of the time, it's
slow enough to not be bothersome.
* Any and all summer holidays including 4th of July, Labor Day and Memorial Day, are some
of the busiest times at the Grand Canyon.
Solutions to avoiding the crowds
Even during the busiest seasons, you can avoid the long lines and crowds. We will give
you some tips on how to do that.
* Book a tour. Booking with one of the Grand Canyon tour companies can be a vacation saving experience.
The tour companies have access to better parking and quicker lines at the Grand Canyon National
Park. They also know which Grand Canyon viewpoints are the least crowded with the best views.
View Grand Canyon Tour Company Information.
* If you plan on going yourself to the Grand Canyon National Park, here's a few things to recommend:
1. Avoid "Mather Point". It's the first viewpoint everybody stops at when entering the Grand Canyon
National Park and it is by far the busiest. Less than a mile beyond Mather Point is Yavapai Point which
is just as good of a view with 1/4 of the crowds.
2. Use the East Entrance and avoid the South Entrance. This is only good if you are staying in Flagstaff,
Williams or Sedona. The East Entrance will save you anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours in line.
Visit How To Get to the Grand Canyon for information on directions to the East
Entrance.
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:: Fees
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Below is a set of fees to expect when visiting the Grand Canyon National
Park.
Vehicle Permit- $25.00
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
Organized groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.
Individual Permit - $12.00/person
Admits one individual when entering by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or
non-commercial group. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free
of charge.
Individual Permit Organized Non-Profit Group - $12.00/person
This fee only applies to organized non-profit groups (service organizations,
scouts, church groups, college/school clubs). Admits one individual
irrespective of mode of transportation. Individuals 15 years old and younger
are admitted free of charge.
National Park Pass - $50.00
The National Parks Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any
national park charging an entrance fee. The National Parks Pass admits the
pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park
has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged,
the National Parks Pass admits the pass signee, spouse, children and parents.
The National Parks Pass is nontransferable and does not cover or reduce use
fees such as charges for camping, parking, tours, and concessions. The
National Parks Pass can be purchased four ways: in any national park where
an entrance fee is charged, and at participating park book stores operated
by cooperating associations online at www.nationalparks.org by calling
1-888-GO-PARKS by sending a check or money order payable to the National
Park Service for $50 (plus $3.95 for shipping and handling) to: National
Park Foundation P.O. Box 34108 Washington, DC 20043-4108
Golden Eagle Hologram - $15.00
A Golden Eagle hologram may be purchased and affixed to a National Parks
Pass to cover entrance fees at not only national parks, but also at sites
managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U. S. Forest Service,
and the Bureau of Land Management. The Golden Eagle holograms are available
at National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land
Management fee stations. The Golden Eagle admits the pass signee and any
accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per vehicle
entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Eagle
admits the pass signee, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Eagle is
nontransferable and does not cover or reduce use fees such as charges for
camping, parking, tours, and concessions. It is valid for entrance fees
only. The Golden Eagle hologram is valid until the expiration of the
National Parks Pass to which it is affixed.
Golden Age Passport - $10.00 (one time charge):
The Golden Age Passport
is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites,
recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance
fee (for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are age
62 or older). The Golden Age Passport admits the pass signee and any
accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per vehicle
entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Age
Passport admits the pass signee, spouse, and children. The Golden Age
Passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for
facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching,
and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass signee
will be given the 50% price reduction. The Passport is nontransferable
and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged
by concessioners. A Golden Age Passport must be obtained in person at a
federal area (National Park, Historic Site, Wildlife Refuge, etc.) where an
entrance fee is charged. There is a one-time $10 processing charge to
obtain the Golden Age Passport. It is available only to citizens or
permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years of age or older.
You must show proof of age, such as a state driver's license, birth
certificate, or similar document.
Golden Access Passport - Free
Free for citizens or permanent residents of the
United States who are blind or permanently disabled). The Golden Access
Passport is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments,
historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that
charge an entrance fee. The Golden Access Passport admits the pass signee
and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per
vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the
Golden Access Passport admits the pass signee, spouse, and children. The
Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees
charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking,
boat launching, and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only
the pass signee will be given the 50% price reduction. The Passport is
nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit
fees or fees charged by concessioners. A Golden Access Passport must be
obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. It
is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States
who are medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. You may
obtain a Golden Access Passport by showing proof of medically determined
permanent disability, or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal
law.
Grand Canyon National Park Pass - $50.00
Valid for twelve months from the date of purchase, for unlimited visits to
Grand Canyon National Park. It admits the purchaser and any accompanying
persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the purchaser
and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry
is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, foot, and boat). This passport
covers entrance fees only and is not refundable and/or transferable.
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This page contains information about:
Grand Canyon National Park :: Grand Canyon Information :: Grand Canyon Hotels :: Grand Canyon Tours :: Grand Canyon Vacation :: Grand Canyon Lodging :: Grand Canyon Weather :: Grand Canyon South Rim :: Grand Canyon North Rim :: Grand Canyon Map
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