Northern Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

Carved by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon exposes nearly two billion years of the Earth's history in its rock layers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Official visitor website

All landmarks

Photo: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

Nature & National Parks
Indigenous History & Living Cultures

Why it matters

Carved by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon exposes nearly two billion years of the Earth's history in its rock layers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why it may matter to you

National parks belong to everyone in the country. The South Rim offers some of the most famous views in America.

The fuller story

The canyon is the ancestral and present-day homeland of many tribes, including the Havasupai, Hualapai, Navajo, and Hopi. Some were pushed off land when the park was created.

Plan your visit

Hours, prices, reservations, and closures change. Check the official visitor website.

Time to allow: 1–3 days (our estimate)
Setting: Mostly outdoor
Tickets and reservations: Entrance fee per vehicle or person; lodging and some activities need reservations. Check the official visitor website.
Getting there: A car is the most common way; distances to and inside the park are long. A free shuttle runs on the South Rim.
With family: Stay behind railings near the edge. Hiking down is much easier than hiking back up; heat can be dangerous.
Seasons and weather: The South Rim is open year-round; the North Rim has seasonal access. Summer heat in the canyon is extreme.
Accessibility: Accessibility information from the operator(opens nps.gov in a new tab)

Times are estimates and distances are straight-line. Citizen Navigator is an independent educational resource. Visitor access and conditions change. Confirm current details with the destination's official operator.