Plan Your Trip

Getting to the Grand Canyon

Find the best routes to reach the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon.

Getting to the Grand Canyon is an adventure in itself. Whether you're coming from outside the state, within Arizona, or mere minutes away, you're sure to have the ride of your life with miraculous views.

Driving

For the kings of the road, driving to the Grand Canyon is an enjoyable experience filled with many scenic detours or quick direct routes. To reach the South Rim, the drive from Flagstaff along Highway 180 to Highway 64 is particularly pretty as you wind your way through the beautiful Kaibab National Forest.

For the rugged North Rim, note that Highway 67, which heads south from Jacob Lake into the park, is only open seasonally – usually from mid-May to mid-October.

Grand Canyon Railway

All aboard these restored vintage locomotives, which are filled with Grand Canyon lore. With round trips from Williams to the South Rim of the canyon, the Grand Canyon Railway offers a unique experience that takes you on a journey through history. For a spectacular view, grab a seat in the observation dome and watch as the countryside terrain changes before your eyes.

The Grand Canyon is as much a destination as it is a journey.

Public Transportation, Parking & Shuttle Service

Relax and leave the navigation to someone else. There are a number of safe, affordable, and reliable public transportation options from the surrounding area and beyond. Groome Transportation (formerly Arizona Shuttle) has a number of park-and-ride locations where you can hop aboard a bus to the Grand Canyon.

Starting March 1, 2019, the National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan. Avoid entrance station lines, parking frustrations and help reduce vehicle congestion in the park.

The NPS Tusayan Route will run at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily for visitors with a valid park pass.

Park anywhere in town and catch the shuttle at the following stops:

  • IMAX Theater/RP’s Stage Stop (first bus to Grand Canyon Visitor Center departs at 8 a.m.)
  • Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
  • The Grand Hotel
  • Big E Steakhouse and Saloon
  • Grand Canyon Visitor Center (last bus departs back to IMAX Theater in Tusayan at 9:30 p.m.)

Additional shuttle bus information is available online at Grand Canyon – South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes.

Grand Canyon Airport (GCN)

For a bird's-eye view of the canyon, consider flying in on a private or charter aircraft. The Grand Canyon Airport (GCN) is situated in Tusayan, near the South Rim, and offers a one-of-a-kind view of the canyon.

Plan Your Visit

More Travel Tips

Family Activities

The Grand Canyon by Rail

Skip the hiking boots and helicopters to experience the Grand Canyon on the historic Grand Canyon Railway.

Arizona's Must Sees

Grand Canyon Air Tours

See the canyon from high above with a helicopter or airplane tour.

Outdoor Adventures

First-Timer's Guide to the Grand Canyon

For those making their first trip to the Grand Canyon, here's an expert take on when to go, where to stay, and how to get around.

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventure at the Grand Canyon

Find your favorite way to explore the Grand Canyon — from birding and biking to hiking, horseback riding and more.

Outdoor Adventure

Rafting the Canyon

Choose from motorized or oar-powered expeditions ranging from four days to two weeks for a new perspective.

Discover

Cities & Regions

From the abundance of Saguaro cactuses and unique wildlife in the Sonoran Desert to the high country and forests of the White Mountains to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, Arizona’s regions are full of experiences that don’t disappoint.