Grand Canyon National Park Information - South Rim

The South Rim, with its classic vistas, is the most popular area of the Grand Canyon National Park. The park is open 365 days a year, 7 days a week. Visitor services and facilities are open and available every day of the year. The least crowded time is November through February. Summer is the busiest.

Free Shuttle Buses
Free shuttle buses operate on 4 routes at Grand Canyon National Park: Hermits Rest Route, Village Route, Kaibab Trail Route, and Canyon View/Mather Point Route. No tickets are required. Bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park by signs. The Hermits Rest Route is not in service between December 1 and February 28.

For those taking our Free Spirit and Overnight tours, the shuttles provide a very convenient way for getting around to all of the facilities, viewpoints, and trailheads. Most routes operate on a frequency of every 15 minutes. Upon entering the park you will receive an information newsletter with a map of routes and schedule information.

Day Hikes
Our guests taking the Free-Spirit and Overnight tours will have time for day hiking. The two-night tour will provide a full day of hiking or exploring time. There are two hiking trails into the canyon below the rim beginning near the park main village facilities and one trail along the rim. Always carry your own water on each of the trails.

The Rim Trail
An easy hiking trail, known as the Rim Trail, follows the rim for over nine miles. Part of the trail is paved through the Village area and wheelchair accessible. Unpaved portions of the trail, between Maricopa Point and Hermits Rest, are narrow and very close to the edge. The Rim Trail is relatively flat, for a Grand Canyon trail. The shuttle buses provide easy access to the Rim Trail at many scenic overlooks.

Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trail head is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge. The Bright Angel is the most popular trail into the canyon and is also used by the mule rides. It is well maintained. A great hiking experience below the rim is a half-day hike down to the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse (elevation loss: 1120 feet ; about the height of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas) and back for a total of 3 miles round trip. The trip back up seems a lot longer and can be strenuous, depending on your physical condition. The trail can be extended down to the Three-Mile-House for a six-mile roundtrip (2,020 feet elevation loss). Yes, that’s 2,020 vertical feet. Seasonal drinking water and toilets are available at the resthouses.

South Kaibab Trail
The South Kaibab trail is also a very popular trail into the canyon. A good half-day hike is down to Cedar Ridge (toilet available) for panoramic views below the rim (elevation loss: 1150 feet).

Climate

SUMMER
Summer temperatures on the South Rim, at 7000 feet (2134m) are relatively pleasant 50s-80s°F (10°-20°C). Thunderstorms frequently occur during July, August, and early September. Inner canyon temperatures are extreme. Daytime highs at the river, 5000 feet (1500m) below the rim, often exceed 105°F (40°C).

WINTER
Winter conditions at Grand Canyon National Park South Rim can be extreme. Be prepared for snow, icy roads and trails, and possible road closures. Roads on the South Rim are plowed when needed. Canyon views may be temporarily obscured by fog during passing storms. Entrance fees are not refundable because of weather conditions.

SPRING AND FALL
Spring and fall weather is unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather at those times of year. May and October can be some of the driest months, although snowstorms may occur. Late April and May can be windy. Spring and fall can be the best times to be hiking in the canyon.