The Grand Canyon

1. What is the average temperature at the Grand Canyon?
South Rim: Average summer temperatures at the South Rim (elevation 7,000 ft./2,134m above sea level), range from the 50s (lows) to 80s (highs) F (10 – 20 C). Thunderstorms are common from July through mid-September. Winter brings snow, ice and average temperatures ranging from the 20s – 40s F (-6 – 9 C). The average spring and fall temperatures range from 30s - 60s F (0 – 20 C).

North Rim: Summer temperatures at the North Rim (elevation 8,000 ft./2,438m) range from 40s - 70s F (5 – 21 C). Thunderstorms are common from July through early September. Due to heavy snowfall, the North Rim is closed from the first heavy snow in November through mid-May. Spring and fall temperatures range from 30s – 60s F (0 – 20 C).

Inner Canyon: Temperatures inside the canyon at river level (5,000 ft./1500m below the rim) are extreme. Daytime highs in the summer at the river often exceed 105 F (40 C) and lows will dip into the 70s (23 C). Winter temperatures at the river range from 30s – 60s F (0 – 20 C). Spring and fall temperatures range from 40s – 80s F (9 – 20 C).

2. How big is the Grand Canyon?
Breathtakingly huge! The Canyon is 277 miles long, 15 miles across at its widest point (compared to only 600 yards wide at Marble Canyon), and 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point.

3. Tell me about the plant and animal life in the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park is home to more than 1,500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian and 17 fish species. The National Park Service offers guided interpretive tours which fully describe the various native plants and animals living in the Grand Canyon.

4. What are the entrance fees to enter the park?
Individual Fees: $10 for 7 Days
Admits one individual when entering by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Vehicle Fees: $20 for 7 Days
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Organized non-profit groups, (service organizations, scouts, church groups, college/school clubs) are not eligible for the $20.00 vehicle permit, regardless of the type of vehicle utilized.

Backcountry Fees: $5 Per Day
Fee is per person/per night.

Grand Canyon Pass: $40 Annually
This pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase for unlimited visits to Grand Canyon National Park. It admits the purchaser and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the purchaser and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, foot, and boat). This passport covers entrance fees only and is NOT refundable and/or transferable.

5. How accessible is the Grand Canyon for people with disabilities?
Facilities vary a great deal. The National Park Service provides wheelchairs free of charge for temporary day use by park visitors. A wheelchair is usually available at Canyon View Center. To obtain a temporary parking permit for designated parking, inquire at the Entrance Gate, Canyon View Center, or Yavapai Observation Station. Several of the daily interpretive Ranger Programs are wheelchair accessible. Inquire at the Canyon View Center or look in The Guide, the official park newspaper, for specifics. A copy of the Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility Guide is available upon request at Canyon View Center, Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, Tusayan Museum, and Desert View Information Center. Most South Rim shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs. Accessible shuttle buses are available in response to requests made the day prior. Call 928-638-0591.

6. How hard is it to hike into the Canyon?
Although you will be amply rewarded for your efforts with stunning Canyon vistas, there are no easy trails into or out of the Grand Canyon. Inexperienced hikers and walkers will find that the rim trails and scenic overlooks provide wonderful opportunities for breathtaking views of the Canyon with minimal physical exertion. If you choose to hike into the Canyon, consult a National Park Ranger prior to embarking on your hike and always keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Temperatures can vary greatly from the rim to the Canyon floor. Dress in layers so that you can add or remove clothing as necessary. Also, note that summer and winter temperatures can be extreme.
• Bring plenty of food and water for everyone in your party. Carbohydrates, salty foods, water and electrolyte drinks are excellent choices.
• Sit in the shade and rest often. Remember, at the South Rim, the elevation is 7,000 feet and the North Rim is even higher at 8,000 feet; any walking or hiking at these elevations is strenuous.
• Avoid hiking during the heat of the day (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
• DO NOT attempt to hike to the bottom of the Canyon and back in the
• For a day trek into the Canyon, decide how much time you have to hike. Spend 1/3 of that time going down and save 2/3 of your time to come back up. Trails are very steep and strenuous, even for conditioned hikers.

7. What activities are available to keep me busy while visiting the Grand Canyon?

When you enter Grand Canyon National Park you’ll be given a copy of the park’s newspaper, The Guide. In it you’ll find a listing of scenic overlooks, parking areas, ranger programs and visitor facilities. Outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, camping, birding, horseback riding, strolling the rim trails, interpretive programs, and winter skiing and snowshoeing are available in the park. Other attractions and activities include:

South Rim

• Mule Trips: Travel into the Canyon on the back of a sure-footed mule! Full-day (7-hour) and overnight trips are available.
• El Tovar Hotel: Historic El Tovar offers Canyon views, fine dining, gift shop and newsstand.
• Hopi House: Open in 1905, Hopi House was the first curio shop at the Canyon. Today you’ll find exquisite Native American arts and crafts, as well as other gift items.
• Desert Watch Tower: This 70-foot tower is the highest point on the South Rim and offers a gift shop and 360-degree views of the Canyon, Painted Desert, San Francisco Peaks, Vermillion Cliffs and beyond.
• Hermits Rest: Erected in 1914, this National Historic Landmark provides scenic Canyon views, a gift shop and snack bar.
• Kolb Studios: The former home of the Kolb brothers, pioneering Canyon photographers, this restored building houses art exhibits, a bookstore and auditorium that are open to the public.
• Tusayan Museum: The Tusayan Ruin and Museum provides a glimpse of Pueblo Indian Life at the Canyon some 800 years ago. A self-guiding trail leads through the adjacent 800-year-old ruin.
• Junior Ranger Program: Becoming a Junior Ranger is a special honor and privilege! After completing the requirements your child will receive a certificate, get sworn in as a Junior Ranger and will get to wear a badge just like the real rangers wear.

North Rim

• North Rim Visitor Center: The visitor center is open from mid-May to mid-October only, and offers seasonal interpretive programs.
• Grand Canyon Lodge: This historic lodge offers motel rooms, cabins, a fabulous dining room and access to rim and Canyon trails.

8. Is food available at the Grand Canyon?
There are restaurants and grocery stores available in the park as well as in Tusayan, seven miles outside the park. Dining options include a variety of well-known fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments that offer local cuisine as well as international fare.

9. Are services available for RVs within the Grand Canyon National Park?
Recreational Vehicle (RV) visitors to the Grand Canyon are afforded numerous facilities within park boundaries and in the nearby vicinity for camping, refueling and other needs. Driving through the park and nearby locales provides panoramic scenery at your own pace.

10. Does the park offer shopping outlets for visitors to purchase Native American artwork?
There are numerous shops and galleries in and around Grand Canyon National Park that offer beautiful crafts, jewelry, paintings and sculptures by local Native American artisans. Photographic images of the Canyon also are available for purchase at some shops.