National park · Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

A mile-deep, 277-mile-long gorge carved by the Colorado River through Arizona, designated a national park in 1919 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exposed two-billion-year geologic record.

Entrance
$35 private vehicle
Hours
Open 24 hours daily South Rim - South Entrance
Established
February 26, 1919
Region
Desert Southwest
Grand Canyon National Park
Photo: Murray Foubister · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Grand Canyon National Park patch

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History

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the United States, recognized for its immense size and intricate landscape. Its designation as a national park in 1919 marked a significant achievement for the conservation movement, helping to preserve its natural beauty for future generations.

Key events

  1. The first attempt to establish Grand Canyon National Park was in 1882, but it was not designated until 1919.
  2. President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Grand Canyon in 1903 and advocated for its preservation, stating it should remain untouched for future generations.
  3. The park was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
  4. In 2010, Grand Canyon National Park was honored with its own coin as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters program.
  5. The park celebrated its 100th anniversary of national park designation on February 26, 2019.

Trails

  • Bright Angel Trail 12 mi · Hard
  • South Kaibab Trail 7 mi · Hard
  • Rim Trail 13 mi · Easy
  • North Kaibab Trail 14 mi · Hard
  • Hermit Trail 9.4 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · South Rim - South Entrance

Open 24 hours, every day

Both Desert View (East Entrance) and South Entrance are Open 24 hours/day and 7 Days/week. Credit cards, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is not accepted at this time. The South Entrance Station, near Tusayan, Arizona, receives the most traffic, an experiences long lines and up to 2 hour wait times between 9:30 am and 4 pm. The East Entrance at Desert View - 32 miles east of the village (accessed via US 89 to Cameron, AZ, then west on SR 64, usually has shorter wait times.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $35
  • Motorcycle $30
  • Per Person $20
  • Nonresident $100

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Spring. Ideal hiking temps 60s°F, wildflowers, fewer crowds than summer
  • Fall. Clear skies, comfortable 65-75°F, wildlife active, fall colors
  • Winter. Solitude, snow-dusted rims, mild inner canyon temps
  • Summer. All facilities open but extreme heat 100°F+, best for rim activities only

Wildlife

California condorsMule deerElkBighorn sheepMountain lionsBald eaglesRingtailsKaibab squirrels

Nearby patches

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