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Grand Canyon National Park Desert View Watchtower on the East Rim
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Grand Canyon National Park
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Where is the Grand Canyon?

Grand Canyon is in the northwest corner of Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and Nevada. The Colorado River, which flows through the canyon, drains water from seven states, but the feature we know as Grand Canyon is entirely in Arizona. Most of the Grand Canyon lies within Grand Canyon National Park and is managed by the National Park Service.   Jump to a larger map.

Jump to: South Rim -- North Rim

 
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The mile-deep Colorado River creates a barrier that splits the park into north and south Rims. In this illustration, the North Rim is shown in yellow and the South Rim is shown in blue.

Why is the park separated into 
South and North Rims?

A 277 mile long (446 km) canyon separates the park into South and North Rims. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is a mile-deep, (1.6 km) and creates a barrier that bisects the park. Even though the average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles/ 16 km, be aware that it is a five-hour drive of 215 miles/ 346 km between the park's South Rim Village and the North Rim Village.

Scenery, climate and vegetation are noticably different between north and south rims because of differences in elevation. It is almost like having two parks in one and it takes time, planning and effort to be able to visit both sides of the Canyon in one trip.

 

How Do I Get to the South Rim?

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open all year and is located on the "Arizona" side of the Canyon. The South Rim receives 90% of the park's visitation.

The South Rim has an airport and rail service and is close to Interstate 40 and to the transportation centers of Williams and Flagstaff, Arizona. A large city with a major airport, Phoenix, Arizona, is also on this side of the canyon. More...  

South Rim Visitor Center:  36°03'32"N 112°06'33"W
 
Front cover of South Rim Winter Guide Newspaper - 2011-12

Download the 2011 Winter (English)
South Rim Guide (3.57 MB PDF File)
December 1, 2011 - February 29, 2012

The South Rim Village
Shuttle Route and Road Map is included, but it is split between 2 pages. You may download the map as a single long page (700kb PDF File)

 
 
 

How Do I Get to the North Rim?

The North Rim of the park is more remote and is only open from mid-May through mid-October. The North Rim receives 10% of the park's visitation.

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER until May 15, 2012
The North Rim is located on the "Utah" side of the Grand Canyon and the entrance station is 30 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67. (The actual rim of the Grand Canyon with visitor services is an additional 14 miles south.) There is no airport or rail service to the park. (that means that the North Rim village may only be reached by road). More...

North Rim Visitor Center: 36°11'51"N 112°03'09"W
 
2011 North Rim Guide Front Cover
Download the 2011 Season (English)
North Rim Guide (4 MB PDF File)

Take a look at last season's information and maps to help plan your 2012 trip. North Rim lodging and camping along with the other visitor services within the park are open from mid-May to mid-October. Reserve lodging and campsites as far ahead as possible.
The 2012 edition will be available in April, 2012.

Download the maps & trail guide as one long page (979 kb PDF file)

 
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COLORADO RIVER AT THE BOTTOM OF GRAND CANYON

Did You Know?
From Yavapai Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the drop to the Colorado River below is 4,600 feet (1,400 m). The elevation at river level is 2,450 feet (750 m) above sea level. Without the Colorado River, a perennial river in a desert environment, the Grand Canyon would not exist.
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Last Updated: December 01, 2011 at 17:14 MST