Angels Window

• A short, easy side trail from the Cape Royal trail leads to an area above Angels Window, which offers visitors the chance to stand over a natural arch and enjoy a magnificent viewpoint. The views are stunning and one may feel as if they are floating above the canyon. Railings and fencing secure the area. However, walking above Angels Window may not be a good idea if you are afraid of heights!

Animal Life Appeared About 630 Million Years Ago

• The record of life and the stories of the diverse creatures that once lived here are captured in the rocks that make up the walls and cliffs of Grand Canyon today in the form of fossils, tracks, and various clues deciphered by paleontologists.

Arizona Steakhouse (at Bright Angel Lodge)

• The Arizona Steak House (at Bright Angel Lodge) Lunch 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, Dinner 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Located on the east side of Bright Angel Lodge in the South Rim Village Historic District, the Arizona Steakhouse is one of the few restaurants in the park offering canyon views from the dining area. Southwestern flavors and ingredients inspire the cuisine.

Arizona Trail

• The Arizona Trail is an ambitious project that traverses the length of Arizona from the Utah border to Mexico. A section of this trail enters the park near the North Entrance and roughly parallels the highway until it connects with the North Kaibab Trail, a distance of approximately 10 miles (16 km).

Backcountry Information Center

• The Backcountry Info Center is open daily from 8 am–noon; and 1 pm–5 pm, and provides information, permits, and trip planning assistance about day and overnight hikes into the canyon. The building is located in the village by Parking Lot D, and across the railroad tracks from Maswik Lodge. Park in Lot D, then take the free, early morning Hikers' Express bus from Backcountry Info Center to South Kaibab Trailhead.

Backcountry Information Center Bus Stop - Village (Blue) Route

• Parking Lot D has 150 standard parking spaces, and 30 sized for RVs or buses. The Backcountry Information Center provides restrooms, water, trail information, and helpful park rangers ready to answer your questions and help plan your trip. (Permits are required for all overnight trips into the canyon.) The early morning Hikers' Express shuttle bus also stops here daily on its way to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Visit the link for current schedules.

Bridle Path (North End)

• This trail follows the road (AZ 67) and connects Grand Canyon Lodge with the North Rim Campground, the Backcountry Information Center, and North Kaibab Trailhead. It is 1.9 miles through the forest, with minimal elevation gain. Bicycles and leashed pets are permitted on this hard-packed trail.

Bridle Path (South End)

• This trail follows the road (67) and connects Grand Canyon Lodge with the North Rim Campground, the Backcountry Information Center, and North Kaibab Trailhead. It is 1.9 miles through the forest, with minimal elevation gain. Bicycles and leashed pets are permitted on this hard-packed trail.

Bright Angel Fault Fossil Beds

• Thousands of feet of exposed rock layers at Grand Canyon provide a veritable playground for scientists to explore and this site tells the tale of a world far different than the one we see here today. With careful eyes the exposed fossilized remains of creatures from an ancient marine environment can be seen.

Bright Angel Lodge

• Opened in 1935, Bright Angel Lodge offers several dining options: Bright Angel Fountain/Coffee and Grab and Go: 5:30 am to 6 pm daily. Fred Harvey Burger: Breakfast: 6:30 am to 10 am, Lunch: 11 am to 4 pm, Dinner: 4 pm to 9 pm daily. Fred Harvey Tavern: 11 am to 10 pm (food until 9 pm) daily. Arizona Steakhouse: . Lunch 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, Dinner 4:30 pm to 9 pm. Bright Angel lodge is located right along the canyon's edge in the Village Historic District.

Bright Angel Lodge Bus Stop - Village (Blue) Route

• Located on Village Loop Road and just east of Bright Angel Lodge, this shuttle stop offers quick access to the canyon rim. Thunderbird and Kachina lodges (guest rooms) and Bright Angel Lodge (including Fred Harvey Burger, Bright Angel Coffee Bar and Fountain). The early morning Hikers' Express Shuttle, with service to South Kaibab Trailhead, also departs daily from this stop. Visit the link for the current schedule.

Bright Angel Point

• As of Friday, June 21, 2024, the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim —leading from Grand Canyon Lodge to Bright Angel Point —is now closed for construction. This closure is necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive repair effort to the Trail. This viewpoint on the North Rim is usually accessed from a steep, paved trail below Grand Canyon Lodge.

Bright Angel Point Trail

• As of Friday, June 21, 2024, the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim —leading from Grand Canyon Lodge to Bright Angel Point —is now closed for construction. This closure is necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive repair effort to the Bright Angel Point Trail. This narrow, paved path provides spectacular views, though it drops off dramatically on both sides in some places, and certain sections are surprisingly steep.

Bright Angel Trail

• Bright Angel Trail lets hikers walk in the footsteps of the canyon's Indigenous Peoples, miners, and early tourists, as they descend into the canyon's depths. Offering big views, morning and afternoon shade, resthouses, vault toilets, and water stations during the summer. As of April 13, 2025, the water is ON at 1.5- and 3-mile resthouses and Havasupai Gardens. Portions of Bright Angel Trail are closed for waterline construction, Visit the link for a list of trail closures.

Bright Angel Trailhead

• Bright Angel Trailhead is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, and Kolb Studio. At 6,840 feet (2,085 m), it provides access for hikers and mules to many inner canyon destinations. From the Hermit Road Interchange shuttle bus stops, it is a short walk to the east, and up a hill, on a paved footpath to the trailhead. This spring, Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens is closed through May 15. Visit the link for details.

Buckey O'Neill Cabin

• This cabin is the only remaining building from the early pioneer settlement era of the Village. Built on this site in 1895 by William Owen "Buckey" O'Neill, the 2-room office and bunkhouse—complete with v-notched logs, rough mortar chinking, and a native stone chimney—was the rustic home of Buckey and his wife while they operated a small hotel on the South Rim.

Buggeln Picnic Area

• The Buggeln picnic area features vault toilets, multiple picnic tables, shade, and exhibit panels describing the local forest habitat; no water. There is no direct view of the canyon from this site, but a few small glimpses can be seen through the gaps in the trees. The small, teardrop-shaped parking area is fine for cars and small RVs, but larger vehicles and those towing trailers will find turning around a bit tight.

CCC Legacy and Transcanyon Line Monument

• Many of our national parks have benefited from the hard work of the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and Grand Canyon is no different. This site marks where CCC workers built the transcanyon telephone line in 1935.

Camper Services — Laundry and Showers

• Camper Services (Laundry and Showers) is located near the entrance to Mather Campground. Hours of Operation: 7 am to 10 pm daily. Last laundry load: 9 pm — Last shower: 9:45 pm. The Camper Store is closed at this time. Adjacent to Camper Services is a free dump station and potable water filling station for RVs. Several picnic tables are located outside the building.

Canyon Adventures Bike Tours & Café —Visitor Center Plaza

• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours & Café offers bicycle, eBike, stroller, and wheelchair rentals, as well as a full espresso bar and grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, pastries, drinks, and more. Hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily. Located in the South Rim Visitor Center's Plaza, adjacent to Parking Lot 4. During spring, summer and fall, guided bicycle tours are available. Some outdoor accessories are also on sale, like hats, sunglasses, water bottles and trekking poles. 

Canyon Village Market & Deli

• Canyon Village Market & Deli is located in Market Plaza, across the parking lot from Yavapai Lodge and next to the US Post Office. The Market/General Store is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm. The Deli is open daily from 7 am to 6:30 pm. A large selection of groceries and souvenirs are available, along with outdoor gear for campers and backpackers.

Cape Final

• Named by geologist Clarence Dutton in 1880, this scenic viewpoint rewards hikers for their 4-mile (6.4 km) round-trip hike with unique, spectacular views of the Painted Desert beyond Grand Canyon. According to Dutton, "Point Final is doubtless the most interesting spot on the Kaibab."

Cape Final Trail

• This relatively flat, forested trail leads hikers 2.1 miles (3.4 k) to the end of Cape Final, for a 4.2 miles (6.8 k) round trip hike. The trail begins at a dirt parking lot 2.4 miles (3.9 k) north of the Cape Royal parking lot. The first half of this rocky trail is entirely within the forest, but views of Grand Canyon begin peaking through the trees around the halfway mark. The trail comes to an end at Cape Final, one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the North Rim.

Cape Royal

• Cape Royal and Angel's Window are some of the only spots with views of the Colorado River from the North Rim. From the southeast side of the parking lot, a short wheelchair-accessible path leads to several spectacular viewpoints. The west side of the parking lot is where you can find a picnic area.

Cape Royal Road (North Rim Scenic Road)

• Cape Royal Road (Also known as Fuller Canyon Road and the North Rim Scenic Road) is a fantastic scenic drive leading to various points of interest, including Point Imperial and Cape Royal. Diverse viewpoints and several trails can be reached via this winding scenic drive. Allow at least 4 hours to tour the entire road with stops at the major pullouts and overlooks.

Cathedral Wash at Lees Ferry

• Trailhead for Cathedral Wash hike

Center Road Bus Stop - Village (Blue) Route

• This bus stop along the Village (Blue) Route provides direct access to Parking Lot C, a small public lot with 38 spaces, but often one of the last parking areas to fill during busy days. This stop is centrally located within the historic district of Grand Canyon Village with historic buildings located to the east, north and west of this point. Visit the link for the current schedule.

Cliff Spring Trail

• This short, unique trail is accessed from a pullout on the left side of a curve in the road, 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from Cape Royal. The trail heads down along a wash down into a forested ravine.

Deli in the Pines

• CLOSED: 2024 Season Is Over - Deli in the Pines is located in the main lodge building. Coffee drinks are available daily in addition to grab-and-go sandwiches, pizza, soup/chili and snacks. For convenience, all items are available for takeout dining —perfect for a picnic or during a hike. Open for the season between May 15 and October 15. Hours of operation: 10 am to 8 pm daily.

Desert View Amphitheater

• During the Summer of 2025, Sunset Talks by park rangers take place at the amphitheater on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at 6:30 pm. Enjoy a program with a beautiful sunset backdrop. The talks start an hour before sunset, and end with enough time to take pictures and enjoy the view. This is also the location of "Grand Canyon Speaks presentations", in which members of Grand Canyon's Native American Communities share their rich history and culture.

Desert View Entrance Station

• Approximately 30 miles (48 km) west of Cameron, AZ, and 23 miles (37 km) east of Grand Canyon Village, the Desert View Entrance Station serves as a secondary gateway to the South Rim and the primary portal to the Desert View area. It is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. This entrance is ideal for motorists traveling to/from Southwestern Colorado, Southern Utah, New Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona.

Desert View Gas Station

• Self-service gasoline and diesel fuel (pay at the pump with credit or debit card) is available year-round, 24 hours a day. The convenience store is CLOSED for the season. The park's only gas station on the South Rim offers visitors one last chance to fill-up before heading to the next closest gas stations 30 miles (48 km) east in the town of Cameron, Arizona —or 30 miles (48 km) west in the town of Tusayan, Arizona (just outside of the park's south entrance).

Desert View Market & Deli

• Located on the eastern side of the Desert View settlement, near the restrooms, the market sells groceries and souvenirs, including t-shirts, keychains and coffee mugs. Current hours of operation are from 9 am to 5 pm daily. The deli, inside the market, is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. Stock up on groceries for camping, or road trip snacks and drinks.

Desert View Point and 1956 Aviation Memorial

• Below Desert View Point, the Colorado River makes a sharp 90-degree turn to the west, cutting directly into a major uplift. Looking to the west, one can glimpse in the distance where the river plunges into the black, narrow, confined depths of the Granite Gorge. Also at Desert View Point, a plaque and stone memorial commemorate the 1956 Grand Canyon TWA-United Airlines Aviation Accident Site, a horrific airline collision over Grand Canyon that took place on June 30, 1956.

Desert View Trading Post

• Within sight of Desert View Point and the Watchtower, the Trading Post is just up the walkway from the rim of the canyon. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily. A snack bar is located inside the Trading Post. The snack bar is temporarily closed. When it reopens, it offers ice cream, sweet treats and coffee drinks. There is an outdoor patio. When it comes to authentic Native American crafts, the trading post gallery/shop features handicrafts from Grand Canyon's associated tribes.

Desert View Watchtower

• Desert View Watchtower Retail Store (View Room) is open daily: 8 am to 6 pm. The upper floors of the tower are open, when staffing allows, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The last tower access is at 5:00 pm, with the stairs closed for the day at 5:30 pm. A ticket system admits 25 people with a 20-minute time limit. A National Historic Landmark, the Watchtower was constructed in 1932.The design by Mary Colter is based on Ancestral Puebloan architecture found in the southwest.

Duck on a Rock

• This unsigned pull off on Desert View Drive offers plenty of parking for cars, larger vehicles, and RVs to stop and view Grand Canyon and a well-known rock formation.

Edge of Vastness Wayside

• It can be hard to put into context how vast Grand Canyon is. Nestled between the Kolb Studio and the Bright Angel Trail, this wayside attempts to put it into perspective, while offering sweeping overlooks of the canyon itself.

El Tovar Hotel

• Located directly on the rim of Grand Canyon, El Tovar Hotel features a fine dining room, lounge, gift shop, and newsstand. Dining Room: Breakfast: 6:30 am to 10 am, Lunch: 11 am to 2:30 pm, Dinner: 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. *Advanced reservations are required for lunch and dinner at El Tovar Dining Room. (928) 638-2631, ext. 6432 - El Tovar Lounge 11 am to 10 pm. (food until 9:30 pm).

El Tovar Monument

• The first modern hotel constructed in the Village, El Tovar Hotel eventually became the eventual heart of Grand Canyon National Park, and a National Historical Landmark. Constructed to the highest standards of the time, El Tovar Hotel helped lure visitors to a remote and rough canyon region.

Grand Canyon Conservancy

• Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, funding projects not covered by federal money.

Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store in the North Rim Visitor Center

• CLOSED: SEASON OVER. Grand Canyon Conservancy's Park Store within the North Rim Visitor Center building features a wide variety of books, maps, and gifts to help you plan or remember your trip to Grand Canyon and to learn more about its geology, ecology, and history. Store employees can direct you to the nearby "Ranger Roost", an outdoor information desk staffed by park rangers. Both will be open for the 2025 season between May 15, and October 15, 2025.

Grand Canyon Kennel

• Located on the South Rim near Maswik Lodge, Grand Canyon Kennel is operated by Xanterra, and accepts dogs and cats only. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during spring break and summer. The kennel is open 7:30 am – 5 pm, 7 Days/Week. Overnight boarding is available. The kennel can provide a safe place for your furry friend to stay while you explore all that Grand Canyon has to offer.

Grand Canyon Lodge

• CLOSED: 2024 Season over. Open for the 2025 season May 15, through October 15, 2025.- Dining Room: (Breakfast 6:30 am to 10 am) Lunch 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. (Dinner 4:30 pm to 9:45 pm). The lodge features private cabins, both along and near the rim of Grand Canyon in the forest. Accommodations are very popular and typically book up a year in advance. Be sure to book your rooms before travelling to the park.

Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop

• CLOSED: 2024 Season Over - Located in the Grand Canyon Lodge building, the gift shop offers visitors to the North Rim postcards, along with gifts and souvenirs of their trip. From clothing and accessories to Native Americans handicrafts, the shop has something for everyone. Open for the season May 15, through October 15, 2025. Hours of operation: 8 am to 9 pm daily.

Grand Canyon National Park Headquarters

• Park Headquarters is currently closed to the public. Between 1957 and 2001, this building was the South Rim Visitor Center. Basic trip planning and hiking information, along with ranger program schedules are posted on signs in front of the building. A paved footpath, just beyond the left side (southwest side) of the building reaches the canyon rim in 0.5 mile/ 0.8 km.

Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery

• Located next to Shrine of the Ages the Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery is the final resting place of many historical figures involved in the development and protection of Grand Canyon as a National Park. Captain John Hance, Ralph Cameron, Pete Berry, Ellsworth Kolb, Gunnar Widforss, and Eddie McKee are just a few of the folks you might visit here.

Grand Canyon South Entrance Station

• The South Entrance Station is the entry point for most visitors to Grand Canyon National Park. It is the closest entrance to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. The entrance is open 24 hours/day and 7 days/week, unless closed by snow. Located in Arizona, it is 5 miles (8 km) north of the gateway town of Tusayan; 55 miles (89 km) north of Williams, Arizona via SR 64 from I-40; and 80 miles (129 km) north of Flagstaff via US 180,

Grand Canyon Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal

• This terminal is the main hub for the park's free shuttle buses. During winter, the Village (Blue) Route shuttle connects the Visitor Center Plaza with lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (general store, deli, and U.S. Post Office). The Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route eastbound to South Kaibab Trailhead, or westbound to Yavapai Geology Museum. During summer only, the Tusayan (Purple) Route - transports visitors to the gateway town of Tusayan.

Grand Canyon's Rocks Are Incredibly Old

• Geologically speaking, the canyon is considered to be a "young" feature, having largely been eroded in just the last few million years. But the rocks of Grand Canyon are a different matter entirely. The age range of Grand Canyon's rocks encompasses over 1.5 billion years of Earth's past, from the oldest known rock, at an ancient 1.8 billion years old, to the youngest, a mere 270 million years old.

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