Northern Arizona
Discover the best dining, lodging, experiences, hiking trails, and transportation on both rims of the Grand Canyon.
Overnight Lodging Suspended and Parkwide Stage 4 Water Restrictions
Grand Canyon National Park has implemented Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim due to extensive flash flood damage to the Transcanyon Waterline. Overnight accommodations are suspended, and only dry camping is allowed. The park remains open for day use, with food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and Post Office remaining open. Visitors are asked to bring water with them when visiting the park.
INNER CANYON TRAIL CLOSURES
Current trail closures: The entire North Kaibab Trail (including Cottonwood Campground), Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, Silver Bridge, the South Kaibab Trail below Tip-Off, the River Trail east of the River Resthouse to the South Kaibab Trail junction, and the Black Bridge. Please do not attempt to access the closed areas.
INNER CANYON WATER SHUTOFFS
Beginning Sep. 6, no potable water will be available in the inner canyon, including along the Bright Angel Trail (1.5 Mile Resthouse, 3-Mile Resthouse, Havasupai Gardens day use and campground). All backpackers and hikers should carry water filtration and treatment OR carry all water with them.
Critical Backcountry Updates/Closures
Visit this link for the inner canyon weather forecast, current trail closures, today's heat risk, and drinking water availability.
Everything you need for your perfect Grand Canyon trip, all in one place.
Real-time conditions at Grand Canyon National Park
A few things to sort out before you go — then browse every campground, RV park, and backcountry option we track.
Browse CampingPopular sites can book out months ahead, especially summer weekends.
Some campgrounds close or reduce services outside peak season.
Restrictions change with conditions — check current status before you go.
Not every site has potable water — some require you to bring your own.
The latest Grand Canyon travel guides and updates from our newsroom.
Havasu Falls sits on the Havasupai Reservation, not inside Grand Canyon National Park — here's the real permit process, the 10-mile hike from Hualapai Hilltop, and what the falls are actually like.
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The South Rim runs as a 30-mile strip, not one overlook. This guide shows how Grand Canyon Village, Hermit Road, Desert View Drive, parking, and shuttles fit together.
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25 hours each way and includes 3+ hours at the rim, while driving cuts travel time in half. Choose the train for scenery and history, or drive for flexibility and cost savings on a South Rim visit.
Read Article →Get seasonal tips, new listing alerts, and insider guides for planning your Grand Canyon adventure. No spam, just the good stuff.
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Handpicked favorites from around the Grand Canyon area.
Local guided tours into Buckskin Gulch and White Pocket from Kanab
Guided 4x4 access to White Pocket and the Paria Canyon slot canyons
Guided access to the Vermilion Cliffs' most surreal sandstone, no permit luck required.
Where the Bright Angel Trail starts to feel like the canyon
Tips and insights for making the most of your time at the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon spans a huge elevation range, so conditions vary a lot by rim and season. The South Rim is open year-round with mild spring/fall weather and hot summers. The North Rim sits over 1,000 feet higher, runs noticeably cooler, and closes to vehicle access in winter.
View forecast →The South Rim is the main hub, reachable via Williams or Flagstaff. The North Rim is a different trip entirely — about a 5-hour, 215-mile drive around the canyon from the South Rim, accessed via the single paved road through Jacob Lake. The two rims are not a same-day pairing.
Spring and fall bring the best balance of weather and crowds on the South Rim. The North Rim has a short window — check current seasonal access before planning, since in-park services there can vary year to year.
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El Tovar is the priciest room on the Grand Canyon's South Rim, and the rooms are not the reason. What the rate covers, the 2026 renovation, and who should book elsewhere.
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Where to stand for golden hour on the Grand Canyon South Rim, and how the Hermit Road shuttle, parking, and this year's Lipan Point closure decide which viewpoints are actually reachable.
Read Article →Everything you need to know before you go
Spring and fall bring mild rim temperatures and thinner crowds. Summer is the busiest season — the South Rim itself stays comfortable thanks to elevation, even though it's hot below the rim. The South Rim stays open year-round; the North Rim closes seasonally.
One day covers the main South Rim overlooks. Two to three days allows a rim-trail hike, sunrise and sunset at different viewpoints, or a day hike partway below the rim.
$35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass (valid for both rims), $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person for pedestrians and cyclists.
No permit is needed for day hikes below the rim. Overnight backcountry camping below the rim requires a competitive backcountry permit — apply well in advance. Phantom Ranch has its own separate lottery.
Free shuttle buses run the Village, Kaibab Rim, and (seasonally) Hermits Rest routes. Hermit Road itself is closed to private vehicles most of the year.
Sun protection and far more water than feels necessary if hiking below the rim — heat and dehydration are the park's most common real hazards. Bring layers for the rim's cooler temperatures.
In-park lodges in Grand Canyon Village book up far in advance. Tusayan, just outside the South Entrance, and Williams, about an hour away, have the next-closest options.