See the Grand Canyon

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When people are going

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Planning guide

At a glance

Best time: March to May and September to November. Summer is crowded and very hot inside the canyon
How long: 2 to 3 days at the South Rim; add days for a rim-to-river hike or rafting
Fitness: easy at the rim; very hard if you hike down and back up

South Rim or North Rim?

The South Rim is open all year and has most viewpoints, lodges and the shuttle buses. The North Rim is higher, cooler and quieter, and normally open mid-May to mid-October. The 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge there. Parts of the North Rim reopened in May 2026, but services are limited, so check the park's North Rim status page before you plan around it.

Fees (2026)

The vehicle entry fee is US$35 for 7 days. Since January 1, 2026, visitors who aren't US residents and are 16 or older pay an extra US$100 per person at the Grand Canyon and 10 other popular national parks, unless they buy the US$250 non-resident annual pass. US residents' annual pass is US$80. Bring US ID if you live in the US.

Hiking into the canyon

Going down is easy; coming up takes twice as long. Rangers strongly advise against hiking to the river and back in one day. Overnight stays at Phantom Ranch or inner-canyon campgrounds need a lottery booking or backcountry permit, often many months ahead.

Rough costs per person (excluding flights)

$ to $$: camping or motels in Tusayan or Williams, groceries: about US$70 to $130 a day
$$$: park lodges, a hire car: about US$200 to $350 a day
$$$$: helicopter flight or multi-day rafting trip: from about US$300 for a flight to US$3,000+ for rafting

Good to know

Carry plenty of water and salty snacks; heat illness is the most common emergency.
Phoenix (about 3.5 hours) and Las Vegas (about 4.5 hours) are the nearest big airports.

Sources

Safety: Hiking into the canyon is strenuous. Check conditions with the park service.

Researched 16 October 2026. Prices are rough estimates and fees change, so check official sources before you book. This guide is not medical, legal or visa advice.

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