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Grand Canyon National Park

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Overview

Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 1,218,375 acres and lies on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona. Highlighted by the Grand Canyon, which is one of the most studied geologic landscapes in the world, the park's rich geologic history is astounding in scope and immense in size. The Grand Canyon, incised by the Colorado River, is 277 miles long and averages 4,000 feet deep. At its deepest point, the canyon is 6,000 feet deep and spans 18 miles at its widest point. The park offers an excellent record of three of the four eras of geological time, a rich and diverse fossil record, a vast array of geologic features and rock types, and numerous caves containing extensive and significant geological, paleontological, archeological, and biological resources. 

To learn more about Grand Canyon National Park, visit www.nps.gov

Explore the Grand Canyon in 3D with onX Backcountry.

Local Info

Please Note: There are no singletrack trails within Grand Canyon National Park that are open to mountain bikes. Bicycles are prohibited inside the Grand Canyon (below the rim) and along any paved or unpaved portion of the Canyon Rim Trail. Bicycles are permitted on all paved and unpaved park roads and on the Hermite Road Greenway Trail. If you're visiting the park and looking for places to ride, be sure to check out the Rainbow Rim Trail.

Visiting Tips

The South Rim of the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All visitor services are available year round. Reservations are strongly recommended during spring, summer, and fall. Some facilities close during the winter. 

The North Rim of the park is open from May 15 through October 15 each year. Reservations for lodging and camping are strongly recommended. The North Rim Campground site may be booked through October 31. The campground is open two weeks longer than the Grand Canyon Lodge which closes on October 15. 

Fees & Passes: 
To find out more about park fees, click here

Camping & Lodging

Grand Canyon National Park offers a variety of camping and lodging options at the South and North Rim. For most sites, reservations are required, and it is recommended that reservations are made far in advance as most of the park lodging tends to be full much of the year. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. For more information on camping and lodging in and around Grand Canyon National Park, visit the park's website

  • Mather Campground: Open year-round. Group sites are also available.
  • Desert View Campground: Open April 19 through mid-October. This campground is first come, first served only. No reservations are accepted.
  • Trailer Village: A concessioner-operated RV park with full hook-ups located in Grand Canyon Village.
  • North Rim Campground: Open May 15 through October 31. Group sites are also available.
  • Phantom Ranch: Open year round and located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Reservations are required and can be made up to 13 months in advance through Xanterra, 888-297-2757.

Food & Drink

Grand Canyon National Park offers a variety of restaurant options. Click here for a list of restaurant options inside and outside of the park.

Other Activities

While you definitely want to spend some time hiking around and below the rim of the Grand Canyon, don't let your exploration of the park stop there. Grand Canyon National Park offers a variety of other activities that you'll want to take advantage of including museums, mule trips, road biking, scenic shuttles, historic sites, whitewater and smoothwater rafting, scenic drives, and a trip on the Grand Canyon railway. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, come prepared to rock climb one of the many technical routes up the various temples, mostly featuring soft sandstone and lots of excitement. 

If you are looking for other nearby activities on your way to and from the park, a great option is mountain biking the Rainbow Rim Trail just outside of the park. The Rainbow Rim Trail offers 18 miles (one-way) of exceptional solitude on a remote rim of the Grand Canyon. The trail offers an extremely unique experience as it is the only singletrack trail on the rim of the Grand Canyon open to bikes. Trails in nearby Grand Canyon National Park are closed to bicycles.

Recommended Routes in Grand Canyon National Park - 1

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Favorite The lovely and verdant Powell Plateau as viewed from Timp Point
Intermediate Intermediate

Rainbow Rim Trail #10

27.8 mi 44.7 km 2,343' Up 714.22 m Up 1,391' Down 424.1 m Down

Grand C…, AZ
Explore in 3D

Grand Canyon National Park Biking

  • 52 Miles 84 Kilometers of Trail
  • 1 Recommended Route
  • 1 Easy Trail Easy Trails
  • 2 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Grand Canyon National Park

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Trails in Grand Canyon National Park - 2

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2.5 mi 4.0 km #1Hermit Road Greenway
Easy Easy
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Easy Easy
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
49.4 mi 79.6 km #2AZT: Section M - North Kaibab to Jacob Lake
Intermediate Intermediate
Grand Canyon, AZ
Intermediate Intermediate
Grand Canyon, AZ

Photos of Grand Canyon National Park - 12

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In between overlooks, the trail winds through forests and small canyons
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
An overlook that peers into the Grand Canyon
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
The trailhead at Parissawampitts Point
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
The lovely and verdant Powell Plateau as viewed from Timp Point
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
Fast riding on the Rainbow Rim trail between Fence and Locus Points.
Oct 7, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
Lunch break at Parissawampitts Point.
Oct 7, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
Riding smooth trail amongst the big trees and young trees east of Locus Point.
Oct 7, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
Views about at the hike-to overlook from the Rainbow Rim Trail.
Dec 26, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ
Riding next to the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Oct 21, 2018 near Grand C…, AZ
Locust Point after ride break.
Aug 19, 2019 near Grand C…, AZ
Photo-op along the Rainbow Trail.
Sep 10, 2019 near Grand C…, AZ
Rainbow Rim Trail ,,, Amazing
Aug 7, 2020 near Grand C…, AZ
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