Grand Canyon National Park

Est. 1919National Park · National Park Service
Grand Canyon National Park — landscape
Marek Ślusarczyk ( Tupungato ) Photo portfolio · CC BY 3.0
Established
February 26, 1919
Area
1,201,647 acres · 1,878 sq mi
State
Arizona
Coordinates
36.055, -112.122
Campgrounds
3
Visitor centers
2
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Official park boundary · National Park Service

Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present day Tribal Communities, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—a mile deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both north and south rims.

Grand Canyon National Park is a national park of the United States located in northwestern Arizona, the 15th site to have been named as a national park. The park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the Wonders of the World. The park, which covers 1,217,262 acres of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties, received more than 4.9 million recreational visitors in 2024. The Grand Canyon was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. The park celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 26, 2019.

South Rim: 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). Grand Canyon lies entirely within the state of Arizona. ---- North Rim: Select areas are open to public access between Oct 1 and Nov 14. View the park's news releases for details. The North Rim entrance station is located 30 miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ, on Highway 67; the actual rim of the canyon is an additional 14 miles south.

Since Grand Canyon has elevations that range from 2,500 feet at the bottom to 8,400 feet on the North Rim, weather can vary significantly depending on the season and the specific location within the park. Winters tend to be cold and snowy, and summers have periods of excessive heat. High temperatures inside the canyon tend to be 20 to 30 degrees warmer then on the canyon's rims. Weather conditions can change rapidly, so it's wise to check forecasts before visiting.

Source: National Park Service

Entrance - Private Vehicle$35

Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers, up to a 15 person passenger van. Organized non-commercial groups over 16 passengers require different charges.

Entrance - Motorcycle$30

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person$20

Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.

Nonresident$100

Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Grand Canyon National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

  • History Exhibit - The Amazing Kolb Brothers

    See the Amazing Kolb Brothers; A Grand Life at Grand Canyon Exhibit - at Kolb Studio, house-turned-museum perched perilously on the precipice in Historic Grand Canyon Village.

  • Geology Talk (30 minutes) South Rim Village: 3:00 pm

    Geology Talk Ranger Program - 3:00 pm daily (through May 22, 2026). Gain insight into Grand Canyon’s unique geologic story. Meet in front of Yavapai Geology Museum. Program duration: 30 minutes. Learn how this immense canyon formed and the science behind the landscape.

  • Park Films in the South Rim Visitor Center Theater

    Park Films Are Shown Daily in the Visitor Center Theater. ►At the top of the hour, the 24-minute film, ‘We Are Grand Canyon’, welcomes visitors by sharing the heritage and viewpoints of the 11 tribal communities connected to the canyon.

Source: National Park Service

Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsAuto and ATVScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)FishingFoodFlyingGuided ToursHands-OnVolunteer VacationHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingPaddlingWhitewater RaftingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store
At Sunset, swirling rain clouds above a vast canyon filled with colorful peaks and cliff walls.
NPS/M. Quinn
a small ancestral masonry storage room in a cliff above a muddy river.
NPS/M. Lellouch
The last glow of sunset across the canyon rim with a full moon rising above a pointed peak
NPS/M. Quinn
winter clouds and fog passing around a snow covered promentary within a vast mile deep canyon
NPS/M. Quinn
A cylindrical, stone tower, 70 feet (21 m) is on the edge of a vast, mile-deep canyon
NPS/M. Quinn
Colorful sunset clouds in the sky above a rustic, four-story hotel on the edge of a precipice.
NPS/V. Diaz
  • Desert View Campground (Reservations Required)
  • Mather Campground - South Rim
  • Trailer Village RV Park - South Rim
  • Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim)
  • Verkamp's Visitor Center (South Rim)

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