Grand Canyon National Park Overview
Grand Canyon National Park, located in northern Arizona, protects one of the world's most recognizable canyon landscapes. The Colorado River and its tributaries have cut through layers of rock over geologic time, exposing cliffs, temples, buttes, and side canyons that draw visitors to the South Rim, North Rim, inner canyon, and river corridor.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson designated the Grand Canyon as a national park, ensuring its protection and preservation. The United Nations later declared it a World Heritage Site in 1979. Today, the park covers an impressive 1,218,375 acres, equivalent to approximately 1,904 square miles (4,931 square kilometers).
The Colorado River winds through the canyon for 278 river miles (447 kilometers). At its narrowest point (Marble Canyon), the canyon spans 600 feet (180 m). The average rim-to-rim width is 10 miles (16 km), while the maximum rim-to-rim distance reaches 18 miles (28.8 km). The average depth is 1 mile (1.6 km), and the South Rim stands at 7,000 feet (2,100 m), while the North Rim reaches 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level.
People have lived in and traveled through the Grand Canyon region for thousands of years, and the park recognizes ongoing connections with associated Tribal Nations. Spanish expeditions reached the region in the 1500s, while later scientific, mapping, railroad, tourism, and conservation efforts shaped the modern national park. For current history, cultural, and Tribal information, use the official NPS resources linked below.
For more information see the park's Wikipedia page.
Top Hikes
Grand Canyon hiking conditions change quickly with heat, water availability, ice, storms, trail work, and seasonal access. Before starting a hike, check official NPS day hiking, backcountry, weather, and trail condition pages and talk with a ranger if your route enters the canyon.
There are many great day and backpacking ( permits ) hiking trails in Grand Canyon National Park, some of the most popular and scenic ones are:
South Kaibab Trail This trail offers stunning views of the canyon from various points, such as Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, and Skeleton Point. It is a steep and exposed trail that descends to the Colorado River, so be prepared for a challenging hike back up.
Grandview Trail This trail is named for its spectacular vistas of the Hance Creek Valley and the eastern Grand Canyon. It is a historic trail that was built by miners in the 1890's and leads to the remains of an old copper mine. It is also a steep and rugged trail that requires caution and experience.
Bright Angel Trail This trail is one of the most popular and well-maintained trails in the park. It follows a natural fault line and passes by several springs and historic sites, such as Indian Garden and Phantom Ranch. It is a long and gradual trail that also descends to the Colorado River, so plan ahead and bring plenty of water.
Rim Trail This trail is an easy and accessible trail that runs along the edge of the South Rim. It offers panoramic views of the canyon and connects several viewpoints, such as Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Grand Canyon Village. It is mostly paved and flat, and you can hop on and off the free shuttle bus at various stops.
North Kaibab Trail This trail is the only maintained trail that crosses the canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim. It traverses diverse landscapes, such as forests, meadows, bridges, and waterfalls. It is a long and strenuous trail that requires a backcountry permit and overnight camping if you want to hike the entire length.
Rim-to-rim routes require careful planning, training, water strategy, permits for overnight use, and current information from the park.
North Rim to South Rim: The North Kaibab Trail starts near the North Rim and descends toward Phantom Ranch before many hikers continue up Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail. Water availability, shuttle options, trail conditions, lodging, and North Rim access can change by season, weather, and park operations, so confirm details with NPS before planning this route.
For an overnight stay, you can stay or camp at Phantom Ranch. Food is available, but you may need to reserve it beforehand. Also, accommodations are difficult to get at Phantom Ranch. Lastly, there is a shuttle that will take you to the North Rim from the South Rim.
Campgrounds
Grand Canyon camping options vary by rim, season, operator, and reservation system. Use the official NPS camping page, Recreation.gov, and individual campground pages below before planning around availability, opening dates, road access, or RV length limits.
South Rim Year-Round
Mather Campground is a popular camping facility and offers 327 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs. It has amenities such as flush toilets, drinking water, camp store, laundry, and dump station. The campground is open year-round and reservations are recommended during peak season (March - November). Mather Campground is close to many attractions and activities in Grand Canyon Village, such as scenic overlooks, hiking (including Bright Angel), biking trails, visitor center, and shuttle bus system.
Trailer Village RV Park is the only RV campground in the park that offers full hookups (sewage, water, and electrical with 30 amp and 50 amp sites available). The park is open year-round and features paved pull-through sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 50 feet long. The campground is operated by Delaware North. The campground has 123 sites in total, out of which 80 sites have electric hookups and 43 sites do not have any hookups. The park has several amenities such as cell phone reception, trash/recycling collection, camp store, ice for sale, staff on site, laundry, dump station, and potable water.
South Rim Seasonal
Desert View Campground is situated at an altitude of 7,463 feet (2,274 m) and is located 23 miles (37 km) to the east of Grand Canyon Village. The campground has 49 campsites that are available by reservation only. The maximum length for RVs or vehicles pulling travel trailers is 30 feet (9 m). The campground offers spectacular scenery, less crowds, and amazing photography opportunities, especially at sunrise when first light paints the canyon in soft pastels. There are no electric hookups or RV-only sites available at the campground. However, the campground has several amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, flush toilets, and potable water. The campground is open from mid-April to mid-October.
Ten-X Campground is located south of Grand Canyon Village in Kaibab National Forest at about 6,600 feet of elevation. Sites, reservation windows, first-come availability, seasonal dates, group camping, and amenities should be confirmed on the official Recreation.gov campground page before travel.
North Rim - Seasonal
The North Rim Campground is situated at an altitude of 7,800 feet (2,400 meters). The campground has 90 mixed-use campsites among a beautiful ponderosa pine forest. There are 78 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs, as well as 12 additional tent-only campsites. The maximum length for RVs or vehicles pulling travel trailers is 30 feet (9.1 meters). The campground offers spectacular views of the canyon, less crowds, and amazing photography opportunities. The campground has several amenities such as a camp store, and pull-through sites. North Rim Campground operations are seasonal and can be affected by weather, road access, and recovery work; check official NPS and reservation information before travel.
DeMotte Campground is situated at an altitude of 7,800 feet (2,400 meters). The campground has 38 single family campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and small motor homes. Half of the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the other half are available with reservations. The campground offers spectacular views of the canyon, less crowds, and amazing photography opportunities. The campground has several amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, flush toilets, and potable water. DeMotte Campground is open from mid-May to mid-October for overnight camping, depending on weather and current operating conditions.
Lodges and Hotels
Grand Canyon lodging is split between South Rim and North Rim areas and is managed by park concessioners. Room counts, seasonal openings, dining, and reservation rules can change, so use the official lodging links below before planning a stay.
South Rim
The Bright Angel Lodge is a historic lodge designed by architect Mary E.J. Colter in 1935 and has a natural rustic character. The lodge is a Registered National Historic Landmark and is rich with cultural history. Over the years, it has gone through many transformations - originally a hotel, then a camp, and finally a lodge. The lodge has 90 lodging units ranging from cozy historic units with shared bathrooms to standard lodge rooms and historic cabins to the one of a kind “Buckey O’Neill Cabin”, originally home of the Rough Riders. Accommodations range from rustic cabins (with satellite TV and private bath) to lodge rooms (all with no television and some with a shared bath). The Bright Angel Lodge is located at the top of Bright Angel Trail Head.
El Tovar is a celebrated historic hotel located directly on the rim, first opened in 1905. The hotel was designed by Charle Whittlesey, Chief Architect for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. It cost $250,000 to build, and it was considered it the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi River. In 1987 the Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark. El Tovar has 78 rooms, many of which are suites. Due to the historic nature of the hotel, no two rooms are alike, giving the hotel distinctive charm. There are 12 hotel suites.
The Kachina Lodge is a contemporary lodging option located at the South Rim. It was built in the late 1960s and sits directly on the canyon rim next to El Tovar Hotel. The guest rooms have a comfortable modern ambiance. Many guests choose Kachina due to its prominent location in the center of the historic district. Kachina Lodge is also walking distance to restaurants, gifts shops, Kolb Studio, Verkamp’s Visitor Center, and Bright Angel Trail Head. The facility is open year-round and the front desk is open 24 hours.
Thunderbird Lodge is a contemporary South Rim lodging option near the canyon rim and Grand Canyon Village services. Check the official lodging page for current room types, accessibility, check-in details, and availability.
The Maswick is located in Grand Canyon Village and about 0.25 mile inland from the historic district. Originally built in 1927 by Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad. The lodge has 280 rooms. Maswick is named for a Hopi Kachina who guards the canyon.
Yavapai Lodge is located on the South Rim away from the canyon rim, near Market Plaza and shuttle service. Reservations and current lodging details are handled by the concessioner.
North Rim
The Grand Canyon Lodge serves the North Rim when that area is open for visitor services. North Rim lodging and dining are highly seasonal and can be affected by weather, road access, and recovery work, so confirm status with the official concessioner and NPS current conditions before travel.
Restaurants
There are several restaurants located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Here are some of the most popular ones:
El Tovar Dining Room: This is a classic national park dining restaurant that offers both international and local Southwest influences. It is located at the El Tovar Hotel and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Yavapai Tavern: This is a great place to enjoy a drink and a meal after a long day of exploring the park. The tavern offers a variety of food options and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Big E Steakhouse & Saloon: This is the premier steakhouse in the Grand Canyon and offers a variety of food options including steaks, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. They also have a video wall and a pet-friendly patio.
Arizona Room: This restaurant is located at the Bright Angel Lodge and offers a variety of American and Southwestern dishes. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Bright Angel Restaurant, Fountain & Bar: This restaurant is located at the Bright Angel Lodge and offers a variety of American dishes. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Harvey House Cafe: This restaurant is located at the Bright Angel Lodge and offers a variety of American dishes. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
North Rim
Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room: This restaurant is located at the Grand Canyon Lodge and offers a variety of food options including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are required for dinner.
Deli in the Pines: This restaurant is located at the Grand Canyon Lodge and offers a variety of food options including sandwiches, salads, and other quick bites.
Roughrider Saloon: This is a great place to enjoy a drink and a meal after a long day of exploring the park. The saloon offers a variety of food options and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Coffee Saloon: This restaurant is located at the Grand Canyon Lodge and offers a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, and snacks.
Bottom of Canyon: Phantom Ranch is our favorite. After a long hike, this is the perfect place to grab a cold drink and something and a snack.
Groceries
Groceries and supplies are limited inside the park and vary by rim and season. South Rim services are generally more developed, while North Rim services are seasonal. Check official NPS current conditions and concessioner pages before relying on in-park food, fuel, or grocery options.