Trail closures: Bright Angel Trail between Havasupai Gardens and including the Silver Bridge CLOSED. River Trail CLOSED. Phantom Ranch CLOSED. Plateau Point and Plateau Point Trail CLOSED. Hikers visit this link for details and water availability.

Thursday, February 20, 2025 —South Rim High 50°F (10°C) —Low: 25°F (-4°C).

South Rim Visitor Center is open today from 9 am to 4 pm. Ranger programs are being presented. Follow the link for a list of visitor services and their hours of operation. The North Rim has closed to all vehicle traffic for the winter. Reopens May 15.

What's Closed and What's Open? (Park Operational Updates) Thursday, February 20, 2025

This email is checked frequently, and individual questions or concerns are directed to park management, or to the employee who is best able to reply.

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.

Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers, up to a 15 person passenger van. Organized non-commercial groups over 16 passengers require different charges. Commercial groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.

Entrance - Private Vehicle

Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its passenger(s).

Entrance - Motorcycle

Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.

Entrance - Per Person

Available to the general public for purchase for unlimited visits to Grand Canyon National Park only. This is an annual pass, valid one year from month of purchase; it is non-transferable.

It admits the pass holder and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, or foot).

Annual Entrance - Park

The canyon glows orange as people visit Mather Point, a rock outcropping that juts into Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Mather Point Sunset on the South Rim

The Cape Royal viewpoint curves into the distance and closer rock formations jut into the canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park: View from Cape Royal on the North Rim

The Desert View Watchtower looms 70 feet into the air over a vast and dramatic view of the canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park: Desert View Watchtower (South Rim)

Tall canyon walls frame the wide Colorado river weaving back and forth.

Looking down the Colorado River from Nankoweap at river mile 53

Grand Canyon

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.

South Rim - South Entrance

The North Rim has a short season. The 2025 season (with visitor services) is May 15, through October 15, 2025. Day use only from October 16 through November 30, 2024.The North Rim is closed for the winter to all vehicles between December 1st and May 14th, and no visitor services are available. 2025 Lodging reservations are recommended. Campground reservations are required. The North Rim is over 8000 feet/2438 m. in elevation. Individuals with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties.

North Rim - October and November Day Use Period

North Rim Closed for Winter

North Rim

The East Entrance to the park at Desert View is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Visitors traveling through the Navajo Nation on US 89, turn west at Cameron, Arizona onto State Route 64, then drive 25 miles (40 km) to the park's East Entrance. A stop at Desert View provides spectacular first views of Grand Canyon and Colorado River. Most Desert View services are open for visitors. Desert View Campground will be open for the 2025 season between April 12 and October 12. 2025. Reservations are required.

South Rim - Desert View (East Entrance)

Museum Exhibits

See the Amazing Kolb Brothers; a Grand Life at Grand Canyon Exhibit - at Kolb Studio, house-turned-museum, perched perilously on the precipice in Historic Grand Canyon Village.  Examine their antique cameras, study a collection of Grand Canyon paintings by plein-air artists through the decades, and watch the motion picture of their 1912 "Journey by Boat" down the Colorado River. Above the exhibit hall is a small bookstore/shop operated by Grand Canyon Conservancy.

All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian

Some take a quick walk through to experience the building's interior. Others spend more time and learn the story of the Kolb Brothers by reading indepth information presented in the exhibits.

interior of an exhibit hall with a stairway descending from the second story.

The Amazing Kolb Brothers Exhibit

Kolb Studio is located in the Historic District of Grand Canyon Village, just west of Bright Angel Lodge, and near Bright Angel Trailhead. The historic, sprawling, 5-story and 23-room Kolb Studio is perched right on the rim of Grand Canyon. From the Village and Hermit Road bus stops at Hermit Road Interchange, it is a short walk east (towards the village) and up the hill to Bright Angel Trailhead and Kolb Studio. 

<h3>The Amazing Kolb Brothers: A Grand Life at Grand Canyon</h3> Kolb Studio is open 8 am to 6 pm daily. If you are planning a visit to Historic Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim this year? We encourage you to stop by Kolb Studio to check out the Amazing Kolb Brothers Exhibit where you can learn about the grand adventures of pioneer photographers, Emery and Ellsworth Kolb.  From capturing unorthodox photos of hard-to-reach areas of the canyon, to documenting their 101 days running the Colorado River with a hand-crank motion-picture camera, Emery and Ellsworth revealed images that few could have imagined. Selling their images in the studio in leather-bound books for three dollars each and touring the country to present their film lecture series, the Kolb brothers made a name for themselves and helped to open the eyes of a nation to this wonder of the world. By taking daily photos of mule trips entering the canyon, it is estimated that the studio made photographs of more than 1.5 million park visitors over the 73 years it was in operation. (1903 through 1976) Today, Historic Kolb Studio is open year-round and in addition to the exhibit hall, there is a bookstore/shop, and information desk - all operated by Grand Canyon Conservancy.

See the Amazing Kolb Brothers; A Grand Life at Grand Canyon Exhibit - at Kolb Studio, house-turned-museum perched perilously on the precipice in Historic Grand Canyon Village. Examine their antique cameras, study paintings by plein-air artists through the decades, and watch the motion picture of their 1912 trip down the Colorado River.

During Winter 2025, Kolb Studio is open from 8 am to 6 pm. 

History Exhibit - The Amazing Kolb Brothers

Photography

Scenic Driving

During December, January and February, private vehicles (under 22 feet total length) may tour scenic Hermit Road. Parking is limited along Hermit Road, especially during Christmas and New Year's weeks.The best time to tour is in the morning, before 10:30 am. Paring is not available for RVs over 22 feet in lengh.    <ul> <li>The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/RimTrail.pdf">Canyon Rim Trail</a> follows the rim of the canyon for 7.8 miles (12.6 km) alongside Hermit Road. Hermit Road is also accessed throughout the year by hikers, runners and bicyclists.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>During winter months, motorists must be on the lookout for bicyclists, especially when the road is icy. </li> </ul>

All ages are welcome, however, minors must be with an adult parent or guardian at scenic overlooks, or when walking along the Canyon Rim Trail..

Allow 90 minutes for a round-trip drive out to Hermits Rest and back (14 miles - 22.5 km).  One can easily spend 3-4 hours, depending how many stops you make along the road to get out to stretch, experience the scenic views, and to walk portions of the Canyon Rim Trail between the scenic overlooks

There is no fee or toll required to tour scenic Hermit Road.

A paved scenic road in a forested area on the edge of a mile deep canyon filled with colorful peaks

Aerial View of Hermit Road

Scenic Hermit Road begins at the interchange, on the west side of the Village Historic District, near Bright Angel Lodge. During winter months, the gate arms will be open when Hermit Road is open. If you find the gate arms closed, that means that the road and overlooks are being cleared of ice and snow by work crews. From the interchange, the road climbs a steep hill, then follows the canyon rim for 7 miles (11 km) out to Hermits Rest, and the Hermit Trailhead.

Hermit Road is a scenic route along the west end of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim which follows the rim for 7 miles (11 km) out to Hermits Rest. This extremely popular road is accessed by free park shuttle bus, foot, bicycle, or commercial bus tour most of the year. Hermit Road is only open to private vehicles during the winter months of December, January and February. There is no shuttle bus service during these months. Parking is limited along Hermit Road, especially during Christmas and New Year's weeks .Parking is limited to vehicles less than 22 feet, total length. The Canyon Rim Trail also follows the rim of the canyon for 7.8 miles (12.6 km) alongside Hermit Road and offers the opportunity for short or long walks between viewpoints on both paved and dirt trails. <ul> <li>Hermit Road provides some of the best Grand Canyon views that you can see anywhere. Once you get out to Hopi Point, the Colorado River comes into view, and on a quiet day at Pima Point, you can hear the roar of the Colorado River as it crashes through Granite Rapid.  </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles between March 1 and November 30. During this 9 month period, most visitors access the road via the free <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hermit-red-route.htm">Hermits Rest (Red) Route Shuttle ></a>  </li> </ul>   <ul> <li><a href="https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/plan/interpretive-bus-tours/">Commercial Bus Tours</a> are available throughout the year.</li> </ul>

Leashed pets are allowed at the scenic overlooks and along the trail. Pets are not allowed on Hermit Trail, or on any other trails the descend into the depths of Grand Canyon. (With the exception of service dogs (as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act)

No reservations are required to tour Hermit Road, however during the Christmas and New Year's holiday weeks. the road often becomes congested after 12 noon, and through sunset. The best time to tour Hermit Road is from sunrise until 10:30 am.

Hermit Road is only open to private vehicles during the three winter months of December, January and February, when there is no shuttle service.  The Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle is in operation between March 1, and November 30. During those nine months, Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles.

Scenic Hermit Road begins on the west side of Grand Canyon Village. The road is open to private vehicles during Dec, Jan. and Feb. It follows the canyon rim for 7 miles (11 km) out to Hermits Rest, and the Hermit Trailhead. Along the canyon rim are 9 designated viewpoints. The Canyon Rim Trail also follows the rim of the canyon for 7.8 miles (12.6 km) alongside Hermit road and offers opportunities for short or long walks between viewpoints — on both paved and dirt trails.

During winter months, snow storms can close Hermit Road for days at a time. it is best to plan on touring the road during the day, when there is greater visibility and warmer temperatures.

Alert: Thursday, February 20, 2025 —South Rim High 50°F (10°C) —Low: 25°F (-4°C).

Grand Canyon

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History Exhibit - The Amazing Kolb Brothers

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Tour Scenic Hermit Road in Your Vehicle (Under 22 feet)

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