Grand Canyon South Rim Travel Guide

Accessibility -- Check The Guide for park programs, services, and facilities that are partially or fully accessible. You can also get The Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility Guide at park entrances, Canyon View Center, Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, Tusayan Museum, and Desert View Information Center. Temporary accessibility permits are available at the park entrances, Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, El Tovar concierge desk, and Bright Angel Lodge transportation desk. The national park has wheelchairs available at no charge for temporary use inside the park. You can usually find one of these wheelchairs at the Canyon View Information Plaza. Wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses can be arranged a day in advance by calling the national park (tel. 928/638-0591). Accessible tours can also be arranged by contacting any lodge transportation desk or by calling Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (tel. 928/638-2631).

Banks & ATMs -- There's an ATM at the Chase bank (tel. 928/638-2437) at Market Plaza, which is near Yavapai Lodge. The bank is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 6pm.

Climate -- The climate at the Grand Canyon is dramatically different from that of Phoenix, and between the rim and the canyon floor there's also a pronounced difference. The South Rim is at 7,000 feet and consequently gets very cold in winter. You can expect snow anytime between November and May, and winter temperatures can be below 0°F (-18°C) at night, with daytime highs in the 20s or 30s (minus single digits to single digits Celsius). Summer temperatures at the rim range from highs in the 80s (20s Celsius) to lows in the 50s (teens Celsius). The North Rim of the canyon, which is slightly higher than the South Rim and stays a bit cooler throughout the year, is open to visitors only from May to October because the access road is not kept cleared of snow in winter.

On the canyon floor, temperatures are considerably higher. In summer, the mercury can reach 120°F (49°C) with lows in the 70s (20s Celsius), while in winter, temperatures are quite pleasant with highs in the 50s (teens Celsius) and lows in the 30s (single digits Celsius). July, August, and September are the wettest months because of frequent afternoon thunderstorms. April, May, and June are the driest months, but it still might rain or even snow. Down on the canyon floor, there is much less rain year-round.

Fees -- The entry fee for Grand Canyon National Park is $25 per car (or $12 per person if coming in on foot or by bicycle). Your admission ticket is good for 7 days. Don't lose it, or you'll have to pay again to reenter the park.

Festivals -- The Grand Canyon Music Festival (tel. 800/997-8285 or 928/638-9215; www.grandcanyonmusicfest.org) is held each year in early to mid-September.

Hospitals & Clinics -- The North County Community Health Center (tel. 928/638-2551) is on Clinic Drive, off Center Road (the road that runs past the National Park Service ranger office). The clinic is open daily from 8am to 6pm (shorter hours in winter). It provides 24-hour emergency service as well.

Laundry -- A coin-operated laundry is located near Mather Campground in the Camper Services building.

Lost & Found -- Report lost items or turn in found items at the Canyon View Information Plaza; call tel. 928/638-7798. For items lost or found at a hotel, restaurant, or lounge, call tel. 928/638-2631.

Parking -- If you want to avoid parking headaches, try using the lot at the Market Plaza (the general store), which is up a side road near Yavapai Lodge and the Canyon View Information Plaza. From this large parking area, a paved hiking trail leads to the historic section of the village in less than 1.5 miles, and most of the route is along the rim. Another option is to park at the Maswik Transportation Center parking lot, which is served by the Village Route shuttle bus.

Police -- In an emergency, dial tel. 911. Ticketing speeders is one of the main occupations of the park's police force, so obey the posted speed limits.

Post Office -- The post office is at Market Plaza near Yavapai Lodge. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm and Saturday from 11am to 1pm.

Radio -- KSGC, 92.1 FM, provides news, music, the latest weather forecasts, and travel-related information for the Grand Canyon area.

Road Conditions -- Information on road conditions in the Grand Canyon area is available by calling tel. 888/411-7623 or 928/638-7888.

Safety -- The most important safety tip to remember is to be careful near the edge of the canyon. Footing can be unstable and may give way. Also, be sure to keep your distance from wild animals, no matter how friendly they may appear. Avoid hiking alone if at all possible and keep in mind that the canyon rim is more than a mile above sea level (it's harder to breathe up here). Do not leave valuables in your car or tent.