The Grand Canyon is in northern Arizona, and the side nearly everyone visits is the South Rim, open all year. That is where the famous viewpoints are, along with a flat trail that follows the edge and free shuttle buses that connect everything. What changed in 2026 is the price for visitors from abroad: on top of the $35 per car, every nonresident visitor aged 16 or older pays a $100 surcharge. This guide explains the Grand Canyon entrance fee, how to get around the park on the free shuttles, which viewpoints not to miss, the best time to go, what happened to the North Rim and how to get there from Phoenix, Flagstaff or Las Vegas. Last checked October 27, 2026.
Before you go
- Where it is. Northern Arizona. The South Rim is about 90 minutes from Flagstaff and about 4 hours from Phoenix.
- Entrance. $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, plus $100 for each nonresident aged 16 or older.
- The pass worth buying. The $250 America the Beautiful nonresident pass, which waives the surcharge.
- Hours. The South Rim is open all year, and its entrances are open 24 hours.
- Free shuttles. Four routes inside the park, including Hermit Road.
Grand Canyon entrance fees in 2026
According to the National Park Service, these are the 2026 fees:
| Type of entry | Price | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 | 7 days |
| Person on foot or bicycle | $20 | 7 days |
| Nonresident surcharge, age 16 and older | $100 per person | Added to the entrance fee |
Do the math before you go. Two foreign adults in a rental car pay $35 plus $200: $235. Children under 16 do not pay the surcharge.
The way to avoid it is the America the Beautiful nonresident annual pass, which costs $250. It covers the vehicle and waives the surcharge at the Grand Canyon and the other parks that charge it, such as Zion, Bryce, Yosemite and Yellowstone. If you are visiting two or more of them, it almost always pays off. The $80 pass is for residents only. Everything is explained in our guide to US national parks for international visitors.
Getting around the park: the free shuttles
On the South Rim you don't need to drive from viewpoint to viewpoint. The park runs free shuttle buses, and in the fall 2026 season, from September 12 to November 30, four routes operate:
- Village (blue). Connects the visitor center with the hotels, campgrounds and Market Plaza, where the grocery store is. Runs from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Kaibab Rim (orange). Goes to the South Kaibab trailhead and Yaki Point. The first bus leaves at 6 a.m.
- Hikers' Express. An early-morning bus from Bright Angel Lodge for hikers heading into the canyon.
- Hermits Rest (red). Runs along Hermit Road, with several viewpoints, from 8 a.m. until sunset. In season, that road is open to shuttles only.
Schedules change with the season; check them on the park website. Park once near the visitor center and get around by shuttle. In summer the parking lots fill up by mid-morning, so arriving early also saves you from circling.
What to see on the South Rim
- Mather Point, the overlook next to the visitor center and the first view of the canyon for almost everyone.
- Yavapai Point, with a geology museum that explains how the canyon formed.
- The Rim Trail, a mostly flat, paved path along the edge. You can walk a stretch and ride the shuttle back.
- Hermit Road, with viewpoints such as Hopi Point, one of the favorites for sunset.
- Desert View, at the far eastern end, with its stone watchtower, about 40 minutes by car from the village.
If you plan to hike into the canyon, remember that the return trip is all uphill and it is much hotter at the bottom than on the rim. The park asks visitors not to attempt to reach the river and back in a single day. Carry plenty of water and start very early. A rescue or medical care in a remote park can cost thousands of dollars, which is why it makes sense to travel with travel insurance.
When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?
The South Rim sits at about 2,100 meters (7,000 feet), so the weather is different from the desert below:
- Spring and fall, April to May and September to October, are the best times: mild temperatures and fewer people than in summer.
- Summer is the busiest season. The rim is pleasant, but the heat inside the canyon is dangerous, and afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning.
- Winter brings snow and ice on the roads and nights below freezing. The South Rim stays open and a snowy canyon is a great sight, but drive carefully.
The North Rim after the fire
The North Rim is a different world, higher, cooler and far less visited, but in 2026 it is very limited. The 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. According to the park, the North Rim reopened on May 15, 2026, for day visits only, with no lodging inside the park, and in 2026 it stays open until November 30 or the first heavy snowfall. The store and campground closed on October 15, and there is no gas on the North Rim.
For a first trip, the South Rim is the clear choice. If you continue on to Utah, Zion and Bryce Canyon are a few hours' drive away, as explained in our guide to Zion and Bryce from Las Vegas.
How to get to the Grand Canyon
According to the park, the south entrance is about 90 minutes from Flagstaff, about 60 minutes from Williams and about 4 hours from Phoenix, the nearest major airport. The Grand Canyon Railway also leaves from Williams and arrives daily at the historic South Rim depot.
From Las Vegas it is about 450 kilometers (280 miles), roughly four and a half hours by car. Don't confuse the South Rim with the West Rim, home of the Skywalk, which belongs to the Hualapai Tribe and is not part of the national park.
To stay inside the park, book far in advance. Outside, the town of Tusayan sits right at the south entrance, and Williams and Flagstaff have more options and lower prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Grand Canyon entrance fee?
$35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, plus $100 for each nonresident visitor aged 16 or older.
Where is the Grand Canyon?
In northern Arizona. The South Rim is about 90 minutes from Flagstaff and about 4 hours from Phoenix.
When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?
Spring and fall, with mild temperatures and fewer people than in summer.
Is the Grand Canyon open all year?
The South Rim is, with its entrances open 24 hours. The North Rim closes in winter and in 2026 operates with minimal services.
Is there free transportation inside the Grand Canyon?
Yes, the park runs free shuttles connecting the visitor center, hotels, viewpoints and Hermit Road.
Is the Skywalk in the national park?
No. It is on the West Rim, on Hualapai tribal land, with its own tickets.