Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Grand Canyon National Park's summer season has begun; plan ahead to make the most of your trip!

Trip Planning Tips

Save time and purchase your entrance pass online! With Your Pass Now visitors can purchase their Grand Canyon annual pass ($70), motorcycle pass ($30), vehicle pass ($35) or pedestrian pass ($20) online before they get to the park. At the park entrance, just show either a printed copy of the pass or have it saved on their mobile device to enter the park. Visitors traveling from Albuquerque or Phoenix are encouraged to drive to the park's eastern entrance gate for shorter wait times.

Don't spend time looking for a parking spot within the park; park in Tusayan and ride the shuttle bus in. Visitors traveling to the Village area who are planning to arrive after 10 a.m. when parking lots are full, can maximize their time in the park by riding the Tusayan shuttle bus.

Conditions On The North Rim

While most facilities are open, some scenic areas on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park such as Point Imperial, Cape Royal, and Point Sublime might have delayed accessibility due to lingering snowpack and/or waterlogged areas created by melting snow. Check ahead for current conditions.

Water conservation measures including portable toilets in public areas, use of disposable plates and utensils in all dining facilities and the closure of the public laundry and shower are currently in place until repairs to the park's waterline are completed measures. As a reminder, all visitors to Grand Canyon National Park should be aware of their water use and practice water conservation measures while visiting the park.

Hike Smart

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park, especially those hoping to visit the inner canyon, need to prepare for summer temperatures in the park and on the trails. Anyone planning to hike into the canyon should take extra precautions to hike smart. This includes hiking before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., packing plenty of water, dressing appropriately for weather, and carrying plenty of salty snacks.

In the summer, temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can reach over 120 F (49 C). Hiking in extreme heat can lead to serious health risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyponatremia, and hyperthermia. Rangers advise that anyone hiking in heat needs to balance food and water intake, drink when thirsty, and get wet to stay cool.

This year, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates 100 years since its designation as a national park!