Grand Canyon National Park
National park · AZ, USA
Grand Canyon National Park in AZ, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
When is Grand Canyon National Park open?
- Mon–Sun open 24 hours
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
Free admission.
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.
When is the best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October.
The weather works against it in January, February, July, and December.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 90°F (32°C); the coolest is December, near 42°F (6°C).
August is the wettest month, with about 2 in (51 mm) of precipitation in a typical August.
Official facts
On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Grand Canyon National Park's mapped point sits in the low wildfire hazard class; that is a measure of the land, not a forecast.
For river levels near Grand Canyon National Park, the USGS gauge Pump House Wash Spring Near Grand Canyon, AZ (09403013) posts live readings, 2.6 km away.
Public access: Open access.
Protected area: 1,177,837 acres (476,654 ha).
Designation: National Park. Listed as "Grand Canyon National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity, natural processes allowed (GAP 1). IUCN category II.
Established: 1919.
Managed by: NPS.
At the park
- Visitor center
- Camping
- Photography
- Scenic drives & overlooks
- Stargazing
- Hiking trails
- Boating
Shows and experiences
- Junior Ranger program
What's on at Grand Canyon National Park
The park's own calendar lists seven dated events from September 27, 2026 to March 31, 2027, five different events in all.
November 2026 is the busiest month, with six events.
Four of the six one-day events fall on a weekend; Sunday has the most, with two.
Celebrate the Night | Evening Program | Grand Canyon Visitor Center is held on two dates and The Sky is a Time Machine | Evening Program | Grand Canyon Visitor Center is held on two dates.
Most listed start times are in the evening, from 8 am to 6:30 pm.
Events
- Fine Art Exhibition and Sale | South Rim Village - Kolb Studio | Grand Canyon Celebration of Art 2026
- How You Can Save the Night - Evening Program
- Celebrate the Night | Evening Program | Grand Canyon Visitor Center
- The Sky is a Time Machine - Evening Program
- The Sky is a Time Machine | Evening Program | Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Places to eat
- Grand Canyon
- Yavapai Dining Hall
- Yavapai Tavern
Before you go
- First aid
- In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.
- Limits
- Permits are not required for day hikes below the rim, but you must obtain a backcountry permit if you plan on camping overnight
- Limits
- Leashed pets are allowed on the rim trails throughout the developed areas in the park but not below the rim
- Getting there
- 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.
- Weather & when to go
- 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.
Facilities on the park map
1 first aid station, 16 restrooms, 1 shade zone, 19 water fountains.
Where to stay
- Yavapai Lodge
- El Tovar Hotel
- Kachina Lodge
- Thunderbird Lodge
- Bright Angel Lodge
- Maswik Lodge
History
- Opened
- 1919
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Park opened