Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
At 277 river-miles long, an average of ten miles wide and nearly one mile deep, the Grand Canyon is widely proclaimed as one of the wonders of the natural world. Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate this immense canyon that will surely overwhelm your senses.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Stephen MartinPhone Number: 928-638-7888
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $12; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $25
Sights: Grand Canyon of the Colorado River; Bright Angel Lodge; Canyon View Plaza; Desert View Watchtower; El Tovar Hotel; Hermit's Rest; Kolb Studio; Mather Point; Yavapai Observation Station
Endangered Species: Humpback Chub; Razorback Sucker; Kanab Ambersnail; California Brown Pelican; Yuma Clapper Rail; Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
Important Dates
Established as Park: February 26, 1919By The Numbers
Acres: 1,217,400.00Highest Point: Lookout Tower Ridge (9180 feet)
Annual Visitation: 4,279,439 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.114530 / -113.240010 (map it)
State: AZ
Nearby Big City: Grand Canyon, AZ
Gateway Communities: Grand Canyon, AZ; North Rim, AZ
Nearby Airports: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS); Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX); Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Bright Angel Trail Hike
Tom Grundy
Canyon Landscape
Sourav and Joyeeta Chowd...
Cedar Ridge
Ryan Morgan
View More Grand Canyon Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs The South Rim of the park is open all year. Each magical season has its own mood and activities. SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL Spring comes late in the high country, but a trip into the canyon brings dese ... read more.
At Your Fingertips Park Headquarters and Information: (928) 638-7888; www.nps.gov/grca Emergencies—911: If calling from a lodge: 9-911 Emergency Vehicle Repair/Towing: (928) 638-2631, ext. 6502 Backcountry Inform ... read more.
Field Institute In its 14th season, the Grand Canyon Field Institute (GCFI) offers visitors the opportunity to explore one of North America's premier destinations in the company of seasoned guides. A program of the ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Because the Grand Canyon ranges from 1,200 feet at the canyon's western bottom to more than 9,100 feet on the North Rim, it supports a variety of plant and animal life indigenous to both desert and m ... read more.
Fred Harvey Known as the "Civilizer of the West," Fred Harvey helped make the West more comfortable for travelers. An immigrant from England, he started his first restaurant in 1876 in Topeka, Kansas. Eventually ... read more.
Getting to the North Rim By Air: Delta Connection serves St. George, Utah, the near--est public transportation departure points to the North Rim. Airlines also serve Las Vegas, Nevada, where you can take connecting flights ... read more.
Grand Canyon Campgrounds ON THE RIM Mather Campground Located one mile southwest of Canyon View Information Plaza, the most popular of the South Rim campgrounds, Mather requires reservations from March 1 through mid-November ... read more.
Grand Canyon Camping Campers have their choice of two campgrounds and one RV campground on the South Rim. There are numerous primitive backcountry campgrounds, as well as two campgrounds located just outside the park. Pa ... read more.
Grand Canyon Geology Grand Canyon attracts the attention of the world for many reasons, but perhaps its greatest significance lies in the geologic record preserved and exposed here. The rocks at Grand Canyon are not inhe ... read more.
Grand Canyon History The Paiutes call the plateau that the canyon cuts through Kaibab, or "Mountain Lying Down." John Wesley Powell was the first to consistently use and publish the name, "Grand Canyon," in the 1870s. N ... read more.
Grand Canyon Railway ALL ABOARD TO THE GRAND CANYON! More than 100 years ago the first passenger train arrived at the South Rim. Today, Grand Canyon Railway continues this tradition by providing daily service between Wi ... read more.
Grand Canyon Regulations More than 4 million people visit Grand Canyon every year. Help preserve and protect the park for your fellow visitors and for future generations. Honor these key NPS regulations: Camping To protect ... read more.
Hopi House Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, Hopi House has been selling authentic American Indian arts and crafts to visitors since the Fred Harvey Company opened its doors in 1905. Hopi House w ... read more.
In A Nutshell Open year-round, the South Rim has two entrances. The South Entrance is on Highway 64, from Flagstaff or Williams. The East Entrance is on Highway 64, via Cameron and Highway 89. Fees and Passes En ... read more.
Indian People The American Indian communities surrounding Grand Canyon actively maintain their ancient cultures and traditions. They have long been associated with exquisite but functional crafts which reflect the ... read more.
John Hance Captain John Hance, who built a trail and guest ranch east of Grandview Point, was one of Grand Canyon's most colorful characters. One visitor declared: "To see the canyon only, and not to see Captai ... read more.
Just For Kids Here are just a few of the many activities kids can enjoy at Grand Canyon National Park. Become a Junior Ranger By completing a list of activities -described in the Junior Ranger Activity Book, kid ... read more.
Lodging & Dining LODGING After an active day exploring Grand Canyon, visitors can relax at any of Xanterra's 922 rooms, cabins and suites. Choose from among three historic rustic lodging establishments and four mot ... read more.
Mary Elizabeth Architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter was fascinated by Southwestern and American Indian cultures. Her talent and determination to reflect the heritage of the region led to her designs of the Desert V ... read more.
North Rim Activities The North Rim offers spectacular scenery on the cool, moist Kaibab Plateau. Warm-weather activities include hiking, camping, sightseeing, photography, wildlife observation, pack tours, ranger program ... read more.
Recent News
- Small Fre at Grand Canyon National Park November 6, 2008, 10:43 am
- Grand Canyon Flooding Forces Evacuation of 400 People October 23, 2008, 1:42 pm
- Developers and Conservationists Battle Over National Parks October 16, 2008, 4:31 pm
- Developers and Conservationists Battle Over National Parks October 15, 2008, 10:16 am
- Canyon Victim from Scottsdale October 9, 2008, 4:27 pm
- Scottsdale Man Plunges to His Death at Grand Canyon October 8, 2008, 1:34 pm
- Phantom Ranch Stew October 3, 2008, 2:54 pm
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
