A 7-day vehicle pass to the Grand Canyon costs $30 and requires a credit or debit card at the gate. The South Rim admits visitors 24 hours a day year-round, while the North Rim remains closed for the entire 2025 season.
The South Rim operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Facilities inside the park run on specific daily schedules, with the South Rim Visitor Center opening from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM during summer. The North Rim is completely closed for the 2025 season due to the Dragon Bravo Fire.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 Hours | South Rim operates continuously. Arrive before 9:30 AM or after 4:00 PM to avoid two-hour wait times at the entrance station. |
The South Rim never closes for national holidays, remaining accessible every day of the year. Seasonal weather dictates the North Rim's standard schedule, which usually runs from May 15 through October 15. Fire damage from the Dragon Bravo Fire forced the complete closure of the North Rim for the 2025 season.
A standard 7-day vehicle pass costs $30, covering all occupants for both the South and North Rims. Individuals arriving by shuttle, train, bicycle, or on foot pay $15 each. The park is entirely cashless, requiring visitors to pay all entrance fees with a credit or debit card.
Children under 16 receive free admission, and entrance fees are waived for holders of the $80 America the Beautiful Interagency Pass.
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View All ToursSpring (March to May) and fall (September to November) provide the safest hiking conditions. Temperatures drop from the 105°F summer peaks, keeping inner canyon trails comfortable. Peak summer draws the heaviest traffic, while winter months between November and February offer the smallest crowds alongside frequent snow closures.
A typical visit lasts anywhere from a single 12-hour day to 10 full days. Your timeline depends heavily on whether you stick to a quick highlight tour along the South Rim or commit to extensive inner-canyon hiking, rim-to-rim trekking, and river rafting. Shorter trips focus on paved overlooks, while multi-day itineraries require backcountry permits for designated camping areas.
Arrive before 9:30 AM or after 4:00 PM to bypass two-hour waits at the South Entrance Station. Midday crowds choke the entry gates during peak seasons. Parking near the rim fills quickly, so leave your car at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and ride the free shuttle buses.
Grand Canyon National Park operates entirely cashless at all entrance stations. Bring a credit or debit card to pay the $30 vehicle admission fee. Cash is completely useless at the gates.
Inner canyon temperatures easily exceed 105°F (40°C) between June and August. Pack salty snacks and carry extra water to replace electrolytes lost to the dry desert climate. Spring and fall offer milder weather for hiking the steep switchbacks of the Bright Angel Trail.
Ask for a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit at the entrance gates if anyone in your vehicle has mobility issues. This pass opens access to private routes like Hermit Road that block public traffic. Without it, you must rely on the wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses with 30-by-48-inch ramps to reach viewpoints.
The Hualapai Tribe bans all phones, cameras, and backpacks on the Grand Canyon Skywalk. You must deposit personal items in a locker to prevent scratched glass and dropped objects. Federal rangers also strictly prohibit drones across the entire 1,904-square-mile national park airspace.
A standard entrance pass costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 for individuals entering on foot or bicycle. Passes remain valid for seven days at both the South and North Rims. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an additional $100 fee unless holding an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.
Grand Canyon National Park operates as an entirely cashless system, accepting only credit or debit cards at all entrance stations. Bring physical cards or digital wallets. Wait times at the South Entrance Station can reach two hours during peak seasons, so arrive before 9:30 AM or after 4:00 PM to minimize delays.
The South Rim stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. Facility hours vary. The South Rim Visitor Center operates from 8 AM to 4 PM during the summer schedule, while the Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store remains open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM.
The North Rim closes completely for the 2025 season due to the Dragon Bravo Fire. Under normal conditions, this section operates seasonally from May 15 through October 15. Winter weather brings severe snow and facility closures from November to February.
Standard day visits require only an entrance pass, but camping outside designated campgrounds mandates a backcountry permit. You must obtain special permits through the National Park Service for commercial filming or special events. Visitors with mobility issues can request a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit at the entrance gates to drive personal vehicles on restricted routes like Hermit Road.
Park rangers strictly enforce a total ban on drones throughout the national park airspace, with violations resulting in equipment confiscation and fines. The Hualapai Tribe prohibits personal cameras and cell phones on the Grand Canyon Skywalk to prevent dropped items from scratching the glass floor. Ground-based photographers must stay at least 6 feet from the canyon edge.
Free wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses operate throughout the South Rim, departing from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The historic Grand Canyon Railway provides daily 63-mile trips from Williams, Arizona, directly to the South Rim depot. Hikers planning a rim-to-rim trek can book the Trans-Canyon Shuttle for $90 each way, departing daily at 8:00 AM and 1:30 PM between mid-May and mid-October.
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