Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes 2008 (U.S. National Park Service)

This Fall, Park Your Car and Save Fuel ! !

Free shuttle buses are operating on several routes. Download the map below. It shows the Grand Canyon Village bus routes, stops, operating times, points of interest and parking lots.
Download Fall 2008 South Rim Village Transit Map (466kb PDF File)

The park is also running shuttle buses connecting Grand Canyon Village to the gateway community of Tusayan (June 2 - September 28) and to Desert View (July 7 - September 5)
Read more about the Tusayan and Desert View Routes.

How do I use the free shuttle buses ?

Park your vehicle in one of the parking areas, proceed to the nearest bus stop, and board the next bus. It is that simple. The buses come by every 15–30 minutes. You are free to get on and off at any stop. The routes are designed so you can ride to a stop, enjoy the view, shop at a gift store, or walk along the rim and then hop on a later shuttle.

Where do the Village Shuttle Bus Routes go?

Three shuttle bus routes have been serving Grand Canyon Village for over 30 years. They do not overlap, although they interconnect. Buses are identified with a colored square near the boarding door.

Hermits Rest Route (RED) is not operating

The entire length of Hermit Road is now closed to all vehicles beyond the Hermit Road intersection with Village Loop Road.

Grand Canyon National Park is repaving and improving this historic road. If you plan to visit during this time, read more about closure periods and alternative activities here:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/hermit.htm Accessibility Information

Village Route (BLUE) 60 minutes round trip

Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Point, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, campgrounds, parking lots, and other facilities in the Village area. This is not a scenic route, but rim views are available a short walk from many stops. It may be the best way to get to many of the ranger programs.

June, July, and August buses run:
• Every 30 minutes from 4:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
• Every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Every 30 minutes from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

September buses run:
• Every 30 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
• Every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Every 30 minutes from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Kaibab Trail Route (GREEN) 30 minutes round trip

Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Vista. This is the shortest scenic route and the only access to Yaki Point and the S. Kaibab Trailhead.

June, July, and August buses run:
• Every 30 minutes from 4:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
• Every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset.

For more complete information about these 3 shuttle bus routes, download the Summer 2008 South Rim Village Transit Map (498kb PDF File) May 25 - September 1, 2008.
Learn more about the village shuttle routes, stops, and scheduled times.

2 New Shuttle Routes Began Operating This Summer

from the east side of Canyon View Information Plaza. Map (89kb PDF File)

Tusayan Route (Purple) 20 minutes each way

You must have a valid park entrance permit to use this shuttle. Purchase permits at hotels and the National Geographic Visitor Center in Tusayan, if you have not already paid for a permit at the entrance station.

(June 2 - September 28) Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza and 4 stops in Tusayan: (The National Geographic Visitor Center/IMAX Theater/ RP’s Stage Stop, Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Grand Canyon National Park Airport and Canyon Flight Trading Company.) Public parking will be available in the vicinity of each of the designated stops.

Download Tusayan Route Shuttle Bus Brochure (59kb PDF File)

• Buses run every 20 minutes
• First bus leaves Tusayan at 8:00 a.m.
• First bus leaves Canyon View Information Plaza at 8:40 a.m.
• Last bus leaves Tusayan at 9:00 p.m.
• Last bus leaves Canyon View Information Plaza at 9:00 p.m.

Desert View Route (Orange) 2.5 hours round trip

(July 7 - September 5) Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza and Desert View, 25 miles (42km) to the east, with stops at Grandview Point, Moran Point, Tusayan Museum, and Desert View. This is an excellent way to see this lesser-visited area of the South Rim and save fuel, but this is not a sunset tour.

2.5 hours round trip (Riding time; get on and off at any stop)
• Buses run every 20 minutes
• First bus leaves Canyon View Information Plaza at 7:00 a.m.
• First bus leaves Desert View at 8:10 a.m.
• Last bus leaves Canyon View Information Plaza at 5:00 p.m.
• Last bus leaves Desert View at 6:10 p.m.

Download Desert View Route Shuttle Bus Brochure (97kb PDF File)

Download the Map of the Tusayan and Desert View Shuttle Bus Routes (89kb PDF File)

Shuttle boarding at the West Rim Interchange.

The South Rim Shuttle Bus System

For more than 30 years the National Park Service has provided a free shuttle bus system on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors and residents have made 75,000,000 boardings. Many of the buses use compressed or liquefied natural gas, a much cleaner burning fuel. Some of the buses have provisions for improved accessibility. Riding the shuttles makes your stay more enjoyable, while reducing pollution and decreasing traffic congestion.

News Releases

August 29, 2008
National Park Service to extend pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan

May 19, 2008
National Park Service to test a pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan

May 19th 2008
Grand Canyon National Park to begin operating a 100 percent dedicated fleet of compressed natural gas powered buses