Which Entrance Should You Use For the Grand Canyon? (Entrances and 4 Areas Explained)

If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, you may be wondering, what’s the best entrance to the Grand Canyon? In fact, you may not be aware that there are 4 separate areas to visit the Grand Canyon!

The Grand Canyon consists of four main areas: the South Rim (two entrances), the North Rim (one entrance), Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon West (one entrance). The Grand Canyon is huge! In fact, if you drove around the entire Grand Canyon it would take 15 hours (880 miles) to complete the loop so most people only make it to one area. The South Rim is the most impressive with the most to do, but also the most crowded. The North Rim, Page, and Grand Canyon West all have their unique appeal.

I’m Cheryl and my husband, Matt, and I have been writing travel guides to help people travel to the West since 2020. In this article, we will discuss each entrance, where they are located, and what you can access from each one, including hikes, activities, camping, scenic drives, shuttles, and more.

The Layout of the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is so big that it is broken into 4 distinct areas. When most people think of the Grand Canyon, they are thinking of the South Rim which is run by the National Park System. It is home to the charming Grand Canyon Village and over 5 million people visit per year!

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is also run by the NPS and is only open from mid-May through mid-October because they actually receive snow there!

The North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon are only 10 miles apart as the crow flies, but will take you 3 hours and 45 minutes to drive between the two.

The East section is Page, AZ, home to Horseshoe Bend National Monument as well as Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. It is run by a mixture of state, federal, and tribal governments.

Lastly, Grand Canyon West is run by the Hualapai Tribe and is completely on tribal land. It is home to the famous Skywalk.

The South Rim – The Most Popular Area

The South Rim is by far the most popular entrance of the Grand Canyon. There are a few reasons why it is so popular.

1. Iconic Views. There are the most, and prettiest, viewpoints here. In fact, the Rim Trail is mostly paved and goes along the edge of the Grand Canyon for 14 miles. It’s just incredible that you can walk for miles and see it from so many different angles.
2. Most Services. There are plenty of lodges and hotels within the national park as well as plenty in the gateway towns of Tusayan and Williams, AZ. There are also plenty of restaurants, as well as gas stations, a service station, a dog kennel, and even a medical clinic. There is also a free shuttle system that transports guests to the most popular locations along the South Rim.
3. Fun Things to Do. There is way more to do than just look into the Grand Canyon. Guests can ride mules, take the Grand Canyon Railway, rent bikes, hike, explore the historic Grand Canyon Village, and even visit an animal park. Read more on our blog post 16 Awesome Things To Do at the Grand Canyon.

Location

The South Rim is located about 3.5 hours from Phoenix, Arizona, and about 4 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada. The nearest town is Tusayan, AZ, a 10-minute drive. We think that it lacks charm but it does have hotels that have amenities that people are used to (free breakfast, swimming pool) and rooms that sleep larger families (pretty much any room at the South Rim can only accommodate up to 4 people).

Williams, AZ is an hour away and has much more affordable lodging as well as some classic Route 66 sites. It is also where the Grand Canyon Railroad departs and is home to several fun tourist activities When we visit the South Rim, we prefer to either stay right on the South Rim or in Williams.

Visitor Center and Museums

The South Rim has an ok visitor center, a bookshop, and large bathrooms. This is also the main hub for the Grand Canyon shuttles. We love to speak with rangers whenever we visit and find out when their programs are and if there is anything new going on in the park. You can tell them how much time you have, your interests and abilities, and they are great at giving you some custom suggestions that you and your travel group will enjoy.

Besides the visitor center, there are also a couple of museums at the Grand Canyon Village.

1. Yavapai Geology Musuem. This small museum is right on the edge of the Grand Canyon. It teaches about the many layers of rock you see as you view the canyon. I like it better than the visitor center because the displays and photos are interesting.
2. Verkamps. This was once a family-owned curio shop but was purchased by the NPS when the family retired. It now shares a timeline of the history of the Grand Canyon and is a great spot for kids to get their junior ranger book and work on earning their badge.
3. Kolb Studio. The Kolb brothers used to take photos of early tourists on their mule rides. They also took incredible videos of the Grand Canyon and showed them to visitors when they visited the park (personally narrated every time!) Today, visitors can learn their history and see some of their equipment, videos, and photos.
4. Grand Canyon Village. This whole area is filled with history and you can learn a lot about the people who lived and visited in the past. If you want to know more about the museums and what there is to do at the Grand Canyon Village, check out our post, 11 Things To Do at the Grand Canyon Village.

Entrances & Parking

There are two entrances to the South Rim. Most people use the South Entrance because it’s closest to the shuttles and Grand Canyon Village and is the most convenient if you are traveling from Tusayan or Williams, AZ.

The less-used East Entrance is 23 miles east of the Grand Canyon Village. There is a campground there, Desert View Tower, a gas station, and a couple of shops that serve coffee and ice cream. We have never experienced an issue parking here but the area is small and the shuttles don’t go out there.

During the peak seasons, the South Entrance can be backed up, and you can generally expect some delays and wait time to enter the park. We think the South Rim handles crowds fairly well, but there are times that visitors will have to wait up to 30 minutes to enter the park.

PRO TIP: Get to the gate by 8:00 am!

Parking Options:

• Grand Canyon Purple Shuttle. This shuttle runs seasonally (usually in the summer) between Tusayan and the Grand Canyon. If you are staying in Tusayan, it’s a great option to avoid the line at the entrance and find a parking spot.
• Visitor Center. The South Rim has 4 HUGE parking lots, including one for RVs (Raven parking lot). We have never had a problem finding a spot here, but my parents visited over spring break and said that finding parking was difficult. Arrive at the park early if you are visiting around a holiday in the summer or spring. This is where we prefer to park and then we ride the shuttles to where we want to visit.
• Grand Canyon Village. There are a few small parking lots here and we try to avoid these all together because they seem to always be full. If you choose to park here, keep in mind that if you drive around long enough, a spot will open up. People visiting are usually here for viewpoints, not long hikes, and tend to come back to their car fairly quickly.
• Desert View. You can’t take a shuttle to this area of the park, it’s 23 miles east of the Grand Canyon Village. There are two parking lots (including one for RVs) and we’ve never had a problem finding a parking spot here. You can read more about this cool stop at 5 Things To Do at Desert View.

Discover: Driving in the Grand Canyon: 10 Things You NEED TO KNOW

Hikes

There are plenty of hikes at the South Rim, ranging from easy walks on flat paved surfaces to challenging backcountry treks down to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Here is a list of popular hikes:

• Bright Angel Trail: This is one of the most popular trails in the Grand Canyon, offering stunning views as it descends into the canyon. It goes all the way down to Phantom Ranch and you may even see people riding mules on it. You can hike as far as you want and turn around. It’s the most convenient to get to of the trails leading into the Grand Canyon. You can take the Blue Shuttle, or walk here, or there is a very small parking lot at the trailhead.
• South Kaibab Trail: This trail also offers incredible views and we like it a little more than Bright Angel. It is steeper than the Bright Angel Trail but offers great vantage points like Ooh Aah Point and Skeleton Point. You have to take the Orange Shuttle to get here.
• Rim Trail: This is an easy, mostly paved trail that follows the edge of the canyon, offering amazing views without the strenuous climb. Most people just hike parts of it. Our favorite section is the Trail of Time which gives you a timeline of the formation of the Grand Canyon as you walk. There are cool rock samples along the way and the trail is about 1 mile. A special bonus: leashed dogs are allowed on the Rim Trail. This is so unusual for trails within the NPS.
• Hermit Trail: This is a more rugged trail that offers a less crowded experience. It is recommended for experienced hikers and is accessed via the Red Shuttle. We have never done this trail and it can be treacherous at times. Make sure to check trail conditions before heading out.

We’ve written a whole blog post giving greater detail about all of these hikes, Hiking in the Grand Canyon: What You Need to Know but here are a few things to know.

• Hiking out of the canyon is a butt-kicker! Every year, hundreds of people have to be rescued because all these hikes (except the Rim Trail) start with a descent, and people overestimate their ability and can’t climb out. When we took our kids, we only did 1.5 miles one-way on both Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. It was perfect and I’m glad we didn’t go any further. The climb out is wicked.
• It is so hot. Shade is limited and the trails are almost always exposed. That is why you see people wearing full-brimmed hats at the Grand Canyon. The temperature rises around 5° F for each 1000 ft of elevation loss. If you are going on a long hike, be prepared for that. Phantom Ranch can often be 30° F hotter than the rim!

South Rim Campgrounds & Lodging

The South Rim offers several options within the park for camping and lodging.

Campgrounds:

• Mather Campground. Open year-round, this campground is located in Grand Canyon Village and offers tent and RV sites. You can get a reservation on rec.gov up to 6 months in advance and it’s recommended you do that! There are over 300 sites here. We loved camping here because the Blue Shuttle will pick you up and they have a laundry facility.
• Desert View Campground. Open seasonally, this campground is located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village and offers a more secluded experience. Sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We haven’t camped here but it doesn’t look as nice as Mather Campground.
• Grand Canyon Camper Village & Trailer Village RV Park. If you need hook-ups for your RV, these are both good options and have high Google Reviews.
• If you want the full review of camping at the Grand Canyon, check out our blog post Where to Camp at the Grand Canyon (South Rim).

Lodging:

• El Tovar Hotel. This historic hotel offers a luxurious stay right on the rim of the canyon. No two rooms are alike and several celebrities have stayed here.
• Bright Angel Lodge. Offers a range of accommodations, from historic cabins to standard lodge rooms. This is the most affordable option if you stay in the park. We stayed here and thought it was nice. Read about our experience, Bright Angel Lodge: An Honest Review.
• Yavapai Lodge: Located close to the visitor center but not at the Grand Canyon, this lodge offers a few restaurants, a general store, and pet-friendly rooms.

If you choose to stay outside of the park, remember Tusayan is the closest city (10-minute drive) with some chain and local hotel options and Williams is the cheapest (1-hour drive) with some better restaurants and more things to do. You can read more at Where to Stay at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (+ Affordable Places to Stay).

Don’t Miss: Grand Canyon Beginner’s Guide: Itinerary + Lodging & Tips

The North Rim – The Quiet Side of the Canyon

The North Rim offers a completely different experience from the South Rim, with fewer crowds and a more rugged, remote feel. Although we don’t think it matches the South Rim for views or things to do, we LOVE the views from the Grand Canyon Lodge and think it’s cool you can take mule rides here as well.

It’s higher elevation and is only open from May 15th-October 15th (may change from year to year depending on snowfall)

FUN FACT: Roaring Springs, located at the North Rim, supplies water for both the North and South Rim! There is a pipeline that runs all the way across the Grand Canyon!

Location

The North Rim is located about 5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada, and about 6 hours from Phoenix, Arizona. The nearest town is the very small town of Jacob Lake, AZ (which surprisingly, doesn’t have a lake at all, but amazing cookies and shakes!)

Something special about the North Rim is that it is easy to visit as part of a Utah National Park road trip. You can take a 2.5-hour drive from Zion to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and then continue on to Bryce Canyon.

We write all about these national parks too. As proud Utahns, we believe that visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Visitor Center

The North Rim has a smaller visitor center compared to the South Rim, but it still offers a bookstore, restrooms, a couple of places to eat (at the lodge), and an opportunity to speak with a ranger.

Entrance & Parking

The entrance to the North Rim is rarely congested. Because of the North Rim’s remote location, only around 500,000 people visit a year so crowds are rarely a problem.

There are 3 parking lots. The main parking lot is at the visitor center. There is also parking at the general store and at the North Kaibab Trailhead.

Hikes

Hiking at the North Rim offers solitude and stunning views. Here are some popular trails:

• North Kaibab Trail: This is the only maintained trail that descends into the canyon from the North Rim. If people choose to hike rim to rim, they will use this trail to connect to the Bright Angel Trail of the South Rim (usually).
• Bright Angel Point Trail: This short, paved trail offers great views of the canyon and is accessible to most visitors. This is one of my husband’s favorite viewpoints.
• Cape Final Trail: This moderate hike offers stunning panoramic views of the canyon.
• Widforss Trail: This trail combines forest and canyon scenery, offering a peaceful and scenic hike.

Campgrounds & Lodging

The North Rim has very few options.

Campgrounds:

• North Rim Campground: Open seasonally, this campground offers tent and RV sites. It’s an affordable $18 per night. With only 87 sites, it books up early. There are no hookups.
• Demotte Campground. Located 7 miles north of the Grand Canyon is Demotte Campground. It is owned by the Forest Service and is a great backup option if you can’t get into the North Rim campground. Get reservations on recreation.gov.
• Kaibab Camper Village. The only real RV park between Jacob Lake and the North Rim, Kaibab Camper Village is your best bet if you have a big RV or want some nicer amenities. 
• Jacob Lake Campground. Another Forest Service campground, Jacob Lake Campground is located right in the town of Jacob Lake, but don’t let that fool you. Jacob Lake is barely a town, so this little place still feels very peaceful. We stayed here and LOVED it. Walk or drive across the street to get a shake at the Jacob Lake Inn. Get reservations on recreation.gov. 

Lodging:

• Grand Canyon Lodge: This is the only lodging in the park. They do not have rooms within the Lodge; all rooms are cabins located nearby. Some of them are close enough to the rim that you can see the canyon from your window or front deck. We love the lobby and viewing deck. You can almost always find people enjoying a view of the rim with their drink from the Roughrider Saloon.
• Kaibab Lodge. This is located only 6 miles from the park. Reviews are mixed, with some people complaining about the thin walls and basic accommodations. People seem to like the steak dinner, however.
• Jacob Lake Inn. They have hotel rooms and cabins here, as well as a restaurant and those delicious shakes and cookies. They average $150/night.
• Big Springs Cabins. Located 1.5 hours away from the rim. These cabins are owned by the Forest Service, and you can reserve them online at recreation.gov.
• Grand Canyon Ranch and Outfitters. This is a dude ranch offering a high-end experience of participating in a cattle drive. They offer 5-7 day packages.
• Fredonia, Kanab, or Cliff Dwellers. These are three cities that are about 2 hours away from the park. I wouldn’t recommend staying that far away, because you’ll want to stay at the park late enough to see a sunset.
  

We love the North Rim and have written all about it in 10 Best Things To Do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (+ Where to Eat and Stay).

Page, AZ – Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon

Page, AZ is a gateway to some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes near the Grand Canyon, including home to Horseshoe Bend National Monument as well as Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. It is run by a mixture of state, federal, and tribal governments. It’s not like the North and South Rim that are part of the NPS system located along the rim with views into the vast Grand Canyon. It’s a mix of federal, state, and tribal land and sits on the Utah/Arizona border.

Location

Page is located about 2.5 hours from the South Rim and about 4 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada. People will often visit Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT on the same trip. Both places offer amazing scenery that isn’t part of the NPS, especially some cool backcountry hikes and cool rock formations.

When visiting, keep in mind that this place is HOT! Unless you are planning on spending some time on the water, we recommend going in the cooler months like October, November, and March.

Attractions

Lake Powell. This huge reservoir has great boating, fishing, and red rock scenery. I spent my summers here as a kid and loved exploring the canyons. If you don’t have a boat, there are lots of watercraft rentals available or you can take one of the boat cruises. We recently did a 7-hour cruise to Rainbow Bridge and it was amazing.

Antelope Canyon. This is not one but a few famous slot canyons that social media has made famous in the past few years. They really are incredible and we have visited three of them. You can read about our experience, How to Visit Antelope Canyon: The Complete Guide. In most cases booking a tour is required. There are several options and all tours are run by members of the Navajo Nation. Tours are extremely popular… and pricey. Get your reservations in advance.

Horseshoe Bend. This iconic viewpoint offers stunning views of the Colorado River as it winds around a dramatic bend. The short hike to the viewpoint is well worth it but always crowded and you have to pay $10 to park. Last year, we went on a rafting tour at the bottom of it and it was really neat. We even got to see petroglyphs. Kayaking is also popular to do at the bottom. We wrote a post about this as well, How to Visit Horseshoe Bend.

Hikes

While Page is more known for its water-based activities, there are a few hikes worth exploring:

• The “New Wave Trail. Located just one-half mile up the road from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, the Beehive Trail is one of my favorite locations near Page. This trail has been nicknamed “the New Wave” and we think it fits perfectly! Unlike the more popular Wave at Coyote Buttes, no permit is required to visit this sandstone formation, and it is a short, light hike, especially compared to the other Wave. The sandstone formations of Utah and Arizona are world-famous, and this is one of the easiest to access. If you have a short time in the area, this is a great value for your time! 
• Hanging Garden Trail. Just before entering the city of Page, the hanging gardens are a rare green spot among a very dry sandstone desert. The hanging gardens are a unique phenomenon that can occur where water collected on slick rock above seeps through the rock and provides a water source for plants to grow directly on and under the sandstone ledges. The plants here are green year-round, being consistently fed by the water seeping through the rock.

Campgrounds & Lodging

Page offers a variety of camping and lodging options.

Campgrounds:

• Wahweap Campground. Located on the shores of Lake Powell, this campground offers tent and RV sites with stunning views.
• Boondocking. As a kid, my family loved to camp on the beach at Lake Powell.

Lodging:

• Lake Powell Resort (book here). Offers comfortable accommodations with views of the lake and easy access to boating and other activities.
• DreamKatchers B&B. This is the best B&B we have ever stayed at and is located just 10 minutes outside of Page in Bigwater, Utah. Worth the drive.
• Numerous Hotels in Page. There are several chain and local hotels to choose from in the town of Page.

We have spent a lot of time in Page and you can read all about it, 12 Absolute Best Things To Do in Page, AZ (+Where to Eat and Stay).

Grand Canyon West – Home of the Skywalk

Grand Canyon West is managed by the Hualapai Tribe and offers a few unique experiences, including the famous Skywalk, opportunities to learn about the Hualapai culture, and helicopter rides.

In our opinion, Grand Canyon West is the perfect option for people who are visiting Las Vegas and this is their ONLY opportunity to see the Grand Canyon. It’s pricey and doesn’t offer the views of the North and South Rim.

You can only access Grand Canyon West via shuttle. It’s part of the entrance fee and is very well run.

Location

Grand Canyon West is located about 2 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada, and about 4 hours from Phoenix, Arizona. This is a very popular day trip from Las Vegas and you will see dozens of tour buses in the parking lot.

Attractions

Skywalk: This glass bridge extends out over the canyon, offering cool views straight down into the canyon below. No cameras are allowed and lines to view the Skywalk can get up to 3 hours on holidays. Photographers are available to take your photo for a fee.

Guano Point: This is our favorite viewpoint at Grand Canyon West because of the 360° views. There used to be a mine that extracted guano here years ago. There are still some structures from the tram that used to go to the bottom of the canyon that are cool to look at.

FUN FACT: Guano is bat poop and is a great form of fertilizer.

Eagle Point: Named for the eagle-shaped rock formation, this is what you look at when you go on the Skywalk.

Entrance & Parking

There is one large parking lot for all the cars and tour buses. From there, you enter a gift shop where you can purchase your tickets. Your entrance fee will give you access to the shuttle that will take you around the park. Additional tickets can be purchased for the Skywalk, helicopter rides, meals at the restaurants, and floats on the river.

Campgrounds & Lodging

Most people visit Grand Canyon West as a day trip and do not need to stay overnight. The area can easily be seen in 1/2 a day. But, if you do choose to stay, there are a couple of options.

Lodging:

• Hualapai Ranch: It’s a very short drive from where you buy entrance tickets and they have a small western-themed area with some activities for visitors. Accommodations include rustic cabins and RV parking.

If you choose to stay outside of the park, Kingman, AZ, (1.5 hour drive) and Las Vegas, NV, (2 hour drive) offer more lodging options.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when visiting the Grand Canyon. I hope that you have a better idea of which area or areas (even better!) that you want to explore. We have tons of resources for you on how to plan your trip including our Grand Canyon Page, YouTube videos, and free printable.

If you really want to take your trip to the next level, check out our Grand Canyon Guides. Not only do they provide you with a great step-by-step game plan, but you’ll also know the best places to eat, driving routes, and the coolest activities in the surrounding areas. AND… they include an audio guide! Learn about death in the Grand Canyon, how astronauts have trained for landing on the moon here, and Evil Knievel’s daring jump across the canyon… just to name a few.