{{short description|National park in Arizona, United States}} {{About|the national park in the southwestern United States|the canyon itself|Grand Canyon}} {{Use American English|date=February 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Grand Canyon National Park | iucn_category = II | iucn_ref = <ref>[https://protectedplanet.net/grand-canyon-national-park Grand Canyon in United States of America] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724092923/https://protectedplanet.net/grand-canyon-national-park |date=July 24, 2019 }}. ''protectedplanet.net''. United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas. Retrieved July 25, 2019.</ref> | image = Dawn on the S rim of the Grand Canyon (8645178272).jpg | image_caption = Grand Canyon from the South Rim at dawn | mapframe-zoom = 7 | location = Coconino and Mohave counties, Arizona, United States | nearest_city = Fredonia, Arizona (North Rim)<br />Tusayan, Arizona (South Rim) | coordinates = {{coords|36.0552608|N|112.1218355|W|format=dms|display=inline,title|region:US-AZ}} | coords_ref = <ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis |id=20784 |name=Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center |access-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref> | area_acre = 1217262 | area_ref = <ref>{{NPS area|2011|accessdate=March 7, 2012}}</ref> | established = {{start date and age|1908|1|11}} as a national monument<br />{{start date and age|1919|2|26}} as a national park | visitation_num = 4,919,163 | visitation_year = 2024 | visitation_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Park Recreation Visits (1904 – Last Calendar Year) |url=https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year)?Park=GRCA |website=National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics |access-date=2025-11-12}}</ref> | governing_body = National Park Service | website = {{official URL}} | module = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site |child = yes |ID = 75 |Year = 1979 |Criteria = Natural: vii, viii, ix, x }} }}
'''Grand Canyon National Park''' is a national park of the United States located in northwestern Arizona, the 15th site to have been named as a national park. The park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the Wonders of the World. The park, which covers {{convert|1,217,262|acre|sqmi km2}} of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties, received more than 4.9 million recreational visitors in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crane |first=Ken |date=2025-04-19 |title=National Parks by Popularity 2024 |url=https://kennethcrane.com/national-parks-by-popularity-2024/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Park Quest |language=en-US}}</ref> The Grand Canyon was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. The park celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 26, 2019.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Grand Canyon Centennial History |url=https://time.com/5530901/grand-canyon-centennial-history/ |magazine=Time |access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613150807/https://time.com/5530901/grand-canyon-centennial-history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==History== thumb|left|upright|1938 poster of the park The Grand Canyon became well known to Americans in the 1880s after railroads were built and pioneers developed infrastructure and early tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/historyculture/upload/chapter1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402150749/http://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/historyculture/upload/chapter1.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead |title=Polishing the Jewel: An Administrative History of Grand Canyon National Park |last=Anderson |first=Michael F. |publisher=Grand Canyon Association |access-date=December 7, 2015}}</ref> In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt visited the site and said, <blockquote>The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world .... Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. Do nothing to mar its grandeur, sublimity and loveliness. You cannot improve on it. But you can keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-presents-living-history-performance-of-president-theodore-roosevelt.htm |title=Grand Canyon National Park Presents Living History Performance of President Theodore Roosevelt |last1=Pryputniewicz |first1=Vanya |last2=Peterson |first2=Peter |publisher=nps.gov |access-date=27 February 2015}}</ref></blockquote>
Despite Roosevelt's enthusiasm and strong interest in preserving land for public use, the Grand Canyon was not immediately designated as a national park. The first bill to establish Grand Canyon National Park was introduced in 1882 by then-Senator Benjamin Harrison, which would have established Grand Canyon as the third national park in the United States, after Yellowstone and Mackinac. Harrison unsuccessfully reintroduced his bill in 1883 and 1886; after his election to the presidency, he established the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve in 1893. Theodore Roosevelt created the Grand Canyon Game Preserve by proclamation on November 28, 1906,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap6-sec687.pdf |title=Archived copy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112741/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap6-sec687.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref> and the Grand Canyon National Monument on January 11, 1908.<ref>{{USStat|35|2175}}</ref> Further Senate bills to establish the site as a national park were introduced and defeated in 1910 and 1911, before the Grand Canyon National Park Act ({{USPL|65|277}}) was finally signed by President Woodrow Wilson on February 26, 1919.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Yanagihara |first1=Wendy |title=Grand Canyon National Park |last2=Denniston |first2=Jennifer |date=2008 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-1741044836 |page=95}}</ref> The National Park Service, established in 1916, assumed administration of the park.
The creation of the park was an early success of the conservation movement. Its national park status may have helped thwart proposals to dam the Colorado River within its boundaries. (Later, the Glen Canyon Dam would be built upriver.) A second Grand Canyon National Monument to the west was proclaimed in 1932.<ref name="Index2012-2016">{{cite book|url=https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/NPIndex2012-2016.pdf|title=The National Parks: Index 2012–2016|publisher=National Park Service|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=November 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113065657/https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/NPIndex2012-2016.pdf|archive-date=November 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1975, that monument and Marble Canyon National Monument, which was established in 1969 and followed the Colorado River northeast from the Grand Canyon to Lees Ferry, were made part of Grand Canyon National Park. In 1979, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site. The 1987 the National Parks Overflights Act<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/airoverflights_documents.htm | title=Overflights – Documents – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)}}</ref> found that "Noise associated with aircraft overflights at the Grand Canyon National Park is causing a significant adverse effect on the natural quiet and experience of the park and current aircraft operations at the Grand Canyon National Park have raised serious concerns regarding public safety, including concerns regarding the safety of park users."
thumb|left|upright|Grand Canyon Quarter
In 2010, Grand Canyon National Park was honored with its own coin under the America the Beautiful Quarters program.<ref name="quarters">{{Cite web |url=http://grandcanyonsecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/grand-canyon.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227125454/http://grandcanyonsecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/grand-canyon.pdf |archive-date=2015-02-27 |url-status=live |title=Grand Canyon Coin Introduced |year=2010 |website=United States Mint |access-date=February 27, 2015 |quote=The Grand Canyon National Park Quarter is the fourth coin of 2010 in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The reverse image features a view of the granaries above the Nankoweap Delta in Marble Canyon near the Colorado River.}}</ref> On February 26, 2019, the Grand Canyon National Park commemorated 100 years since its designation as a national park.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=100th Anniversary Celebration Took Place in 2019|url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/getinvolved/centennial.htm|access-date=|website=}}</ref>
The Grand Canyon had been part of the National Park Service's Intermountain Region until 2018.{{CN|date=January 2023}} Today, the Grand Canyon is a part of Region 8, also known as the Lower Colorado Basin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DOI Regions – Bureau Executive Assignments |url=https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/doi-regions-bureau-executive-assignments.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703194551/https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/doi-regions-bureau-executive-assignments.pdf |archive-date=2021-07-03 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On July 9, 2025, the Dragon Bravo Fire led to multiple structures on the North Rim being destroyed, including the Grand Canyon Lodge.<ref name="lodgedestroyed" /> The fire burned for more than a week using confine and contained strategies before firefighters started more aggressively tackling the fire. The fire is concurrent with another fire, the White Sage Fire.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-14 |title=A wildfire that destroyed historic Grand Canyon Lodge spread after being allowed to burn for days |url=https://apnews.com/article/grand-canyon-fire-lodge-north-rim-e2af8a6a42c40c74a8ba69517ba1e592 |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
=== Legal history timeline=== *'''1882''' First unsuccessful attempt to establish a Grand Canyon National Park *'''1893''' Designated a "forest reserve" by President Benjamin Harrison (Presidential Proclamation #45) *'''1908''' Established as Grand Canyon National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt (Presidential Proclamation #794) *'''1919''' Designation of Grand Canyon National Park by an act of Congress on February 26 (40 Stat 1175) *'''1975''' Grand Canyon National Park Enlargement Act an act of Congress on January 3 (88 Stat 2089) ({{USPL|93|620}}) *'''1979''' Designation as a World Heritage Site on October 26<ref>{{Cite web |title=Management – Grand Canyon National Park |publisher =U.S. National Park Service|url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/index.htm |access-date=April 27, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Administrators=== *William Harrison Peters (acting): August 1919 – September 1920 *Dewitt L. Raeburn: October 1920 – December 1921 *John Roberts White (acting): December 1921 – February 1922 *Walter Wilson Crosby: February 1922 – January 1924 *George C. Bolton (acting): January 1923 – June 1923 *John Ross Eakin: January 1924 – April 1927 *Miner Raymond Tillotson: April 1927 – December 1938 *James V. Lloyd (acting): December 1938 – February 1939 *Harold Child Bryant (acting): February 1939 – January 1940 *James V. Lloyd (acting): January 1940 – August 1940 *Frank Alvah Kittredge: August 1940 – July 1941 *Harold Child Bryant: August 1941 – March 1954 *Preston P. Patraw: May 1954 – July 1955 *John Sherman McLaughlin: August 1955 – March 1964 *Howard B. Stricklin: March 1964 – February 1969 *Robert R. Lovegren: April 1969 – July 1972 *Merle E. Stitt: August 1972 – January 1980 *Bruce W. Shaw (acting): January 1980 – May 1980 *Richard W. Marks: May 1980 – December 1988 *John C. Reed (acting): December 1988 – January 1989 *John H. Davis: January 1989 – August 1991 *Robert Chandler: October 1991 – October 1993 *Boyd Evison (acting): January 1994 – July 1994 *Robert L. Arnberger: July 1994 – October 2000<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anderson |first=Michael F. |title=Polishing the Jewel: An Administrative History of Grand Canyon National Park |publisher=Grand Canyon Association |year=2000 |page=90}}</ref> *Dave Uberauga: 2011 - May 2016<ref>{{cite web |author1=Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski |title=Superintendent Dave Uberuaga Announces Retirement |url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/superintendent-dave-uberuaga-announces-retirement.htm |website=National Park Service |access-date=29 January 2024 |date=17 May 2016}}</ref> *Christine Lehnertz: August 2016 - March 2019<ref>{{cite web |author1=Felicia Fonseca |title=1st female superintendent of Grand Canyon park steps down |url=https://apnews.com/travel-and-tourism-general-news-96aa34f65fe44e49bb0d2458913b2117 |publisher=AP News |access-date=29 January 2024 |date=14 March 2019}}</ref> *Ed Keable: April 2020 - present<ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Keable Named Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park |url=https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/grand-canyon-superintendent-ed-keable.htm |website=National Park Service |access-date=29 January 2024 |date=3 April 2020}}</ref>
==Geography== thumb|upright=1.75|Grand Canyon regional map The Grand Canyon, including its extensive system of tributary canyons, is valued for its combination of size, depth, and exposed layers of colorful rocks dating back to Precambrian times. The canyon itself was created by the incision of the Colorado River and its tributaries after the Colorado Plateau was uplifted, causing the Colorado River system to develop along its present path.
The primary public areas of the park are the South and North Rims, and adjacent areas of the canyon itself. The rest of the park is extremely rugged and remote, although many places are accessible by pack trail and backcountry roads. The South Rim is more accessible than the North Rim and accounts for 90% of park visitation.<ref name="grca1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm |title=North Rim |website=Grand Canyon National Park |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref>
The park headquarters are at Grand Canyon Village, not far from the South Entrance to the park, near one of the most popular viewpoints.
===South Rim=== thumb|left|From Powell Point on the South Rim Most visitors to the park come to the South Rim, arriving on Arizona State Route 64. The highway enters the park through the South Entrance, near Tusayan, Arizona, and heads eastward, leaving the park through the East Entrance.<ref name="Rand">Rand McNally; National Park Guide; Michael Frome; Rand McNally & Company, Chicago; 1970; p. 47</ref> Interstate 40 provides access to the area from the south. From the north, U.S. Route 89 connects Utah, Colorado, and the North Rim to the South Rim.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rand McNally |title=Road Atlas |date=2010 |location=United States, Canada, Mexico}}</ref> Overall, some 30 miles of the South Rim are accessible by road.<ref>{{cite web |title= South Rim Pocket Map and Services Guide |url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm |website=National Park Service |access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>{{cn|date=May 2017}}
Grand Canyon Village is the primary visitor services area in the park. It is a full-service community, including lodging, fuel, food, souvenirs, a hospital, churches, and access to trails and guided walks and talks.<ref name="SouthRim">{{Cite book |last=National Park Service |title=South Rim |date=1972 |publisher=US Government Printing Office |location=Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona}}</ref>
====Lodging==== Several lodging facilities are available along the South Rim.<ref name="GRCA South Rim Lodging" /> Hotels and other lodging include El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, and Maswik Lodge, all of which are located in Grand Canyon Village, and Phantom Ranch, located on the canyon floor.<ref name="GRCA South Rim Lodging" /> There is also an RV Park named Trailer Village. All of these facilities are managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, while the Yavapai Lodge (also in the village area) is managed by Delaware North.<ref name="GRCA South Rim Lodging">{{Cite web|title=Lodging|url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm|access-date=June 25, 2021|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
The El Tovar Hotel was built in 1905 as a luxury hotel for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, on the South Rim near the railway's main line. It was designed by Charles Whittlesley, a staff architect for the railway. The hotel is reminiscent of a Swiss chalet or Norwegian villa, combined with local materials for a rustic appearance<ref name="Harrison">{{cite book |last1=Harrison |first1=Laura Soulliere |url=http://www.npshistory.com/publications/architecture-in-the-parks.pdf |title=Architecture in the Parks: National Historic Landmark Theme Study |date=1986 |publisher=Department of the Interior |isbn=978-0365027799 |edition=1st |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113052001/http://npshistory.com/publications/architecture-in-the-parks.pdf |archive-date=January 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> sometimes called "National Park Service rustic".<ref>{{cite web |title=National Park Service: Rustic Architecture 1916–1942 |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/rusticarch/introduction.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702160444/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/rusticarch/introduction.htm |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=National Park Service}}</ref><ref name="Glick">{{cite book |last1=Glick |first1=Marshall |title=National Park Service Rustic: Historic Architecture of California |date=2015}}</ref> It consists of 4 stories, with a gift shop and restaurant located inside the hotel.
Bright Angel Lodge was built of logs and stone in 1935. Mary Colter designed the lodge and it was built by the Fred Harvey Company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mary Colter and Her Buildings at Grand Canyon (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/marycolter.htm |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref> Inside the lodge is a small museum honoring Fred Harvey (1835–1901), who played a major role in popularizing the Grand Canyon. In the History Room is a stone fireplace layered in the same sequence as those in the canyon.<ref name="Grattan">{{cite book |last1=Grattan |first1=Virginia L. |title=Mary Colter, builder upon the red earth |date=1992 |publisher=Northland Press |location=Grand Canyon, Arizona |isbn=978-0938216452}}</ref><ref name="Berke">{{cite book |last1=Berke |first1=Arnold |title=Mary Colter, architect of the Southwest |date=2002 |publisher=Princeton Architectural Press |location=New York |isbn=978-1568983455}}</ref>
==== Other buildings ==== [[File:Yavapai_Observation_Station.jpg|right|thumb|Desert View Watchtower in 2004]]
* Buckey O'Neill Cabin was built during the 1890s by William Owen "Buckey" O'Neill. He built the cabin because of a copper deposit that was nearby. He had several occupations such as miner, judge, politician, author and tour guide. This cabin is the longest continually standing structure on the South Rim.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moore |first1=Randy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ngldDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA279 |title=The Grand Canyon: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture |last2=Witt |first2=Kara Felicia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2018 |isbn=978-1610698405 |language=en |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708160128/https://books.google.com/books?id=ngldDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA279 |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is currently used as a guest house; booking is required well in advance. * Kolb Studio was built in 1904 by brothers Ellsworth and Emery Kolb. They were photographers who made a living by photographing visitors walking down the Bright Angel Trail. In 1911, the Kolb brothers filmed their journey down the Green and Colorado Rivers. Emery Kolb showed this movie regularly in his studio until 1976 when he died at the age of 95. Today the building serves as an art gallery and exhibit.<ref name="Kolb">{{cite web |title=The Kolb Brothers |url=https://library.nau.edu/speccoll/exhibits/daysofarchives/film.html |website=Northern Arizona University Library |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708152555/https://library.nau.edu/speccoll/exhibits/daysofarchives/film.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Hopi House was built by Mary Jane Colter in 1905. It is based on structures that were built in an ancient Hopi settlement called Old Oraibi, located on the Third Mesa in eastern Arizona. It served as a residence for the Hopi Indians who sold arts and crafts to South Rim visitors.<ref name="Grattan" /><ref name="Berke" /> * Verkamp's Curios, which stands next to the Hopi House, was built by John Verkamp in 1905. He sold arts and crafts as well as souvenirs. Until September 2008, it was run by his descendants;<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stampoulos |first1=Linda L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--zBCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA53 |title=Visiting the Grand Canyon: Views of Early Tourism |date=2004 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1439649886 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |language=en |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708162724/https://books.google.com/books?id=--zBCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA53 |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> in November 2008, the building reopened as a visitor center focusing on the history of the Grand Canyon Village community.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 25, 2008 |title=Verkamp's building reopens with exhibits on community |url=https://www.williamsnews.com/news/2008/nov/25/verkamps-building-reopens-with-exhibits-on-commun/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213103124/https://www.williamsnews.com/news/2008/nov/25/verkamps-building-reopens-with-exhibits-on-commun/ |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |access-date=July 8, 2022 |work=Grand Canyon News |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Grand Canyon National Park seeks public comment on the Grand Canyon Railway wooden ballast bridge.jpg|thumb|1923-built steam locomotive No. 4960 traversing near the Grand Canyon Depot]] * Grand Canyon Railway Depot was completed in 1910 and contains 2 levels. Gordon Chappell, Regional Historian for the Park Service, claims that this depot building is one of only three log-cabin-style train stations currently standing, out of fourteen ever built in the U.S.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chappell |first=Gordon |title=Statements on Architectural and Historical Significance |publisher=National Park Service, Western Regional Office |year=1985}}</ref> The depot is the northern terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway which begins in Williams, Arizona.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wadzinski |first1=Gloria |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Ride the Train to the Grand Canyon |url=https://www.mygrandcanyonpark.com/things-to-do/guided-tours/grand-canyon-railway-train/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703184217/https://www.mygrandcanyonpark.com/things-to-do/guided-tours/grand-canyon-railway-train/ |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Grand Canyon National Park Trips |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 4, 2018 |title=History of the Grand Canyon Railway |url=https://www.canyontours.com/guides/history-of-the-grand-canyon-railway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708165251/https://www.canyontours.com/guides/history-of-the-grand-canyon-railway/ |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Canyon Tours}}</ref> * Lookout Studio, another Mary Colter design, was built in 1914. Photography, artwork, books, souvenirs, and rock and fossil specimens are sold here. A great view of Bright Angel Trail can be seen here.<ref name="Grattan" /><ref name="Berke" /> * Desert View Watchtower, one of Mary Colter's best-known works, was built in 1932. Situated at the far eastern end of the South Rim, {{convert|27|mile|km}} from Grand Canyon Village, the tower stands {{convert|70|ft|m}} tall. The top of the tower is {{convert|7522|ft|m}} above sea level, the highest point on the South Rim. It offers one of the few full views of the bottom of the canyon and the Colorado River. It was designed to mimic Ancestral Puebloans watchtowers, though, with four levels, it is significantly taller than historical towers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower |url=http://www.scienceviews.com/parks/watchtower.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210175238/http://scienceviews.com/parks/watchtower.html |archive-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Grattan" /><ref name="Berke" /> * Hermit's Rest (1914), Architect: Mary Jane Colter
===North Rim=== {{redirect|North Rim}} [[File:Cape Royal Sunset.jpg|thumb|Sunset at Cape Royal Point, North Rim. Wotans Throne featured.]] The North Rim area of the park is located on the Kaibab Plateau and Walhalla Plateau, directly across the Grand Canyon from the principal visitor areas on the South Rim. The North Rim's principal visitor areas are centered around Bright Angel Point. The North Rim is higher in elevation than the South Rim, at over {{convert|8000|ft|m}} of elevation. Because it is so much higher than the South Rim, it is closed from December 1 through May 15 each year, due to the enhanced snowfall at elevation. Visitor services are closed or limited in scope after October 15. Driving time from the South Rim to the North Rim is about 4.5 hours, over {{convert|220|mi|km}}.<ref name="grca1" />
A popular destination on the North Rim has been the historic Grand Canyon Lodge,<ref name="GRCA South Rim Lodging" /> along with the nearby Grand Canyon Inn and Campground.<ref name="GRCA North Rim Lodging">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-nr.htm |title=Campgrounds – North Rim |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=December 7, 2015}}</ref> The main building of the Grand Canyon Lodge has been destroyed twice by fire—first in September 1932, in a fire that started in the kitchen,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-grand-canyon-lodge-burned/176672679/ |title=Grand Canyon Lodge Burned |agency=AP |newspaper=Tulsa World |location=Tulsa, Oklahoma |page=1 |date=September 2, 2025 |accessdate=July 14, 2025 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and again in July 2025, due to the Dragon Bravo Fire.<ref name="lodgedestroyed">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-13 |title=Wildfire destroys historic Grand Canyon Lodge, forces North Rim closure for the season |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/grand-canyon-lodge-destroyed-wildfire-rcna218566 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
==Climate==
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Grand Canyon National Park has five climate zones; Cold Semi-Arid (''BSk''), Humid Continental Dry Cool Summer (''Dsb''), Humid Continental Dry Warm Summer (''Dsa''), Warm Summer Mediterranean (''Csb''), and Hot Summer Mediterranean (''Csa''). The plant hardiness zone at Grand Canyon Visitor Center is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 3.3 °F (−15.9 °C).<ref name="USDA">{{Cite web |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |title=USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref>
{{Weather box|width=auto |location = Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–1967, 1976–present |single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 64 |Feb record high F = 69 |Mar record high F = 77 |Apr record high F = 82 |May record high F = 92 |Jul record high F = 97 |Jun record high F = 101 |Aug record high F = 97 |Sep record high F = 93 |Oct record high F = 89 |Nov record high F = 74 |Dec record high F = 65 |year record high F =
|Jan avg record high F = 55.2 |Feb avg record high F = 58.8 |Mar avg record high F = 66.0 |Apr avg record high F = 74.6 |May avg record high F = 82.5 |Jun avg record high F = 91.4 |Jul avg record high F = 93.8 |Aug avg record high F = 89.9 |Sep avg record high F = 85.2 |Oct avg record high F = 77.5 |Nov avg record high F = 66.6 |Dec avg record high F = 58.1 |year avg record high F = 93.3
| Jan high F = 44.3 | Feb high F = 46.3 | Mar high F = 53.6 | Apr high F = 60.9 | May high F = 69.9 | Jun high F = 82.0 | Jul high F = 84.9 | Aug high F = 82.1 | Sep high F = 75.8 | Oct high F = 64.6 | Nov high F = 53.2 | Dec high F = 43.0 |year high F = 63.4 |Jan mean F = 31.7 |Feb mean F = 33.7 |Mar mean F = 39.3 |Apr mean F = 44.9 |May mean F = 52.8 |Jun mean F = 62.5 |Jul mean F = 67.7 |Aug mean F = 65.9 |Sep mean F = 59.8 |Oct mean F = 49.0 |Nov mean F = 39.0 |Dec mean F = 30.6 |year mean F = 48.1 | Jan low F = 19.2 | Feb low F = 21.1 | Mar low F = 25.0 | Apr low F = 28.8 | May low F = 35.6 | Jun low F = 43.0 | Jul low F = 50.4 | Aug low F = 49.8 | Sep low F = 43.7 | Oct low F = 33.3 | Nov low F = 24.7 | Dec low F = 18.2 |year low F = 32.7
|Jan avg record low F = 3.8 |Feb avg record low F = 7.5 |Mar avg record low F = 14.9 |Apr avg record low F = 20.3 |May avg record low F = 26.3 |Jun avg record low F = 36.2 |Jul avg record low F = 44.2 |Aug avg record low F = 44.8 |Sep avg record low F = 35.3 |Oct avg record low F = 23.4 |Nov avg record low F = 11.8 |Dec avg record low F = 4.2 |year avg record low F = 0.4
|Jan record low F = -17 |Feb record low F = -20 |Mar record low F = -7 |Apr record low F = 8 |May record low F = 11 |Jun record low F = 25 |Jul record low F = 35 |Aug record low F = 35 |Sep record low F = 22 |Oct record low F = 8 |Nov record low F = -6 |Dec record low F = -20 |year record low F =
|precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 1.76 |Feb precipitation inch = 1.23 |Mar precipitation inch = 1.85 |Apr precipitation inch = 0.64 |May precipitation inch = 0.40 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.22 |Jul precipitation inch = 2.33 |Aug precipitation inch = 2.19 |Sep precipitation inch = 1.50 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.23 |Nov precipitation inch = 0.77 |Dec precipitation inch = 1.25 |year precipitation inch =
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 6.4 |Feb precipitation days = 6.1 |Mar precipitation days = 5.9 |Apr precipitation days = 3.5 |May precipitation days = 2.6 |Jun precipitation days = 1.7 |Jul precipitation days = 7.0 |Aug precipitation days = 10.1 |Sep precipitation days = 5.7 |Oct precipitation days = 5.1 |Nov precipitation days = 4.0 |Dec precipitation days = 6.0 |year precipitation days =
|Jan snow inch = 12.9 |Feb snow inch = 7.8 |Mar snow inch = 8.1 |Apr snow inch = 2.8 |May snow inch = 0.1 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 1.1 |Nov snow inch = 2.2 |Dec snow inch = 8.0 |year snow inch = 43.0
|unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = 4.0 |Feb snow days = 3.3 |Mar snow days = 2.9 |Apr snow days = 1.2 |May snow days = 0.1 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.7 |Nov snow days = 1.3 |Dec snow days = 3.5 |year snow days = 17.0
|Jan sun = 217.0 |Feb sun = 226.0 |Mar sun = 279.0 |Apr sun = 330.0 |May sun = 372.0 |Jun sun = 390.0 |Jul sun = 341.0 |Aug sun = 341.0 |Sep sun = 300.0 |Oct sun = 279.0 |Nov sun = 240.0 |Dec sun = 217.0
|Jand sun = 7 |Febd sun = 8 |Mard sun = 9 |Aprd sun = 11 |Mayd sun = 12 |Jund sun = 13 |Juld sun = 11 |Augd sun = 11 |Sepd sun = 10 |Octd sun = 9 |Novd sun = 8 |Decd sun = 7
|Jan light = 10.0 |Feb light = 10.9 |Mar light = 12.0 |Apr light = 13.1 |May light = 14.1 |Jun light = 14.6 |Jul light = 14.3 |Aug light = 13.5 |Sep light = 12.4 |Oct light = 11.3 |Nov light = 10.3 |Dec light = 9.8
|Jan percentsun = 70 |Feb percentsun = 73 |Mar percentsun = 75 |Apr percentsun = 84 |May percentsun = 85 |Jun percentsun = 89 |Jul percentsun = 77 |Aug percentsun = 81 |Sep percentsun = 81 |Oct percentsun = 80 |Nov percentsun = 78 |Dec percentsun = 71
|Jan uv = 3 |Feb uv = 4 |Mar uv = 6 |Apr uv = 8 |May uv = 10 |Jun uv = 11 |Jul uv = 11 |Aug uv = 10 |Sep uv = 8 |Oct uv = 5 |Nov uv = 3 |Dec uv = 2
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web | url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=fgz | title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | accessdate = June 8, 2021 | archive-date = June 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210608194248/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=fgz | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00023596&format=pdf | title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | accessdate = June 8, 2021 }}</ref> |source 2 = Weather Atlas (sun data)<ref name="Weather Atlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/arizona-usa/grand-canyon-national-park-climate |title=Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=30 May 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> }}
{{Weather box |location = Grand Canyon National Park North Rim (Bright Angel Ranger Station), Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, 1925–present |single line = Yes |collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high F = 63 |Feb record high F = 64 |Mar record high F = 67 |Apr record high F = 74 |May record high F = 85 |Jun record high F = 91 |Jul record high F = 92 |Aug record high F = 90 |Sep record high F = 88 |Oct record high F = 82 |Nov record high F = 66 |Dec record high F = 68
|Jan avg record high F = 49.4 |Feb avg record high F = 50.8 |Mar avg record high F = 58.1 |Apr avg record high F = 66.2 |May avg record high F = 76.4 |Jun avg record high F = 84.1 |Jul avg record high F = 87.7 |Aug avg record high F = 83.9 |Sep avg record high F = 78.6 |Oct avg record high F = 68.4 |Nov avg record high F = 58.5 |Dec avg record high F = 50.3 |year avg record high F = 88.0
|Jan high F = 36.2 |Feb high F = 37.3 |Mar high F = 44.3 |Apr high F = 52.2 |May high F = 62.0 |Jun high F = 73.4 |Jul high F = 77.2 |Aug high F = 74.1 |Sep high F = 67.1 |Oct high F = 55.6 |Nov high F = 44.7 |Dec high F = 36.4 |year high F =
|Jan mean F = 27.1 |Feb mean F = 28.2 |Mar mean F = 33.6 |Apr mean F = 40.2 |May mean F = 48.8 |Jun mean F = 58.2 |Jul mean F = 63.3 |Aug mean F = 61.2 |Sep mean F = 54.5 |Oct mean F = 44.3 |Nov mean F = 34.3 |Dec mean F = 26.9 |year mean F =
|Jan low F = 18.0 |Feb low F = 19.0 |Mar low F = 23.0 |Apr low F = 28.2 |May low F = 35.6 |Jun low F = 42.9 |Jul low F = 49.3 |Aug low F = 48.3 |Sep low F = 41.9 |Oct low F = 33.0 |Nov low F = 23.9 |Dec low F = 17.4 |year low F =
|Jan avg record low F = -0.3 |Feb avg record low F = 2.0 |Mar avg record low F = 6.5 |Apr avg record low F = 15.0 |May avg record low F = 23.6 |Jun avg record low F = 31.3 |Jul avg record low F = 40.1 |Aug avg record low F = 40.4 |Sep avg record low F = 30.4 |Oct avg record low F = 20.1 |Nov avg record low F = 6.7 |Dec avg record low F = -0.9 |year avg record low F = -5.3
|Jan record low F = -23 |Feb record low F = -23 |Mar record low F = -14 |Apr record low F = -4 |May record low F = 10 |Jun record low F = 22 |Jul record low F = 26 |Aug record low F = 24 |Sep record low F = 18 |Oct record low F = 6 |Nov record low F = -11 |Dec record low F = -22
|precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.56 |Feb precipitation inch = 3.48 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.95 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.56 |May precipitation inch = 0.79 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.37 |Jul precipitation inch = 1.78 |Aug precipitation inch = 2.75 |Sep precipitation inch = 1.93 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.75 |Nov precipitation inch = 1.40 |Dec precipitation inch = 1.86 |year precipitation inch =
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 7.3 |Feb precipitation days = 7.3 |Mar precipitation days = 6.1 |Apr precipitation days = 4.6 |May precipitation days = 4.1 |Jun precipitation days = 2.3 |Jul precipitation days = 9.1 |Aug precipitation days = 11.0 |Sep precipitation days = 7.1 |Oct precipitation days = 5.4 |Nov precipitation days = 4.4 |Dec precipitation days = 6.5
|Jan snow inch = 33.0 |Feb snow inch = 26.6 |Mar snow inch = 23.6 |Apr snow inch = 11.4 |May snow inch = 2.7 |Jun snow inch = 0.2 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 3.4 |Nov snow inch = 10.3 |Dec snow inch = 15.0 |year snow inch =
|unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = 6.9 |Feb snow days = 6.8 |Mar snow days = 5.0 |Apr snow days = 3.1 |May snow days = 1.0 |Jun snow days = 0.1 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.8 |Nov snow days = 3.3 |Dec snow days = 6.1
|Jan snow depth inch = 30.6 |Feb snow depth inch = 36.3 |Mar snow depth inch = 36.6 |Apr snow depth inch = 18.0 |May snow depth inch = 2.4 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 2.5 |Nov snow depth inch = 7.5 |Dec snow depth inch = 15.0 |year snow depth inch = 44.3
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00021001&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Bright Angel RS, AZ |access-date = October 15, 2024 }} </ref> |source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData> {{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=fgz |publisher = National Weather Service |title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Flagstaff |access-date = October 15, 2024 }} </ref> }}
==Activities== ===North Rim=== thumb|From Toroweap Overlook on the North Rim There are few roads on the North Rim, but there are some notable vehicle-accessible lookout points, including Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, and Cape Royal. Mule rides are also available to a variety of places, including several thousand feet down into the canyon.
Many visitors to the North Rim choose to make use of the variety of hiking trails including the Widforss Trail, Uncle Jim's Trail, the Transept Trail, and the North Kaibab Trail. The North Kaibab Trail can be followed all the way down to the Colorado River, connecting across the river to the South Kaibab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail, which continue up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The Toroweap Overlook is located in the western part of the park on the North Rim. Access is via unpaved roads off Route 389 west of Fredonia, Arizona. The roads lead through Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument and to the overlook.
===South Rim=== thumb|From Desert View on the South Rim A variety of activities at the South Rim cater to park visitors. A driving tour ({{convert|35|mi|km}}) along the South Rim is split into two segments. The western drive to Hermit's Point is {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} with several overlooks along the way, including Mohave Point, Hopi Point, and the Powell Memorial.<ref name=SouthRim/> From March to December, access to Hermit's Rest is restricted to the free shuttle provided by the Park Service. The eastern portion to Desert View is {{convert|25|mi|km}}, and is open to private vehicles year round.
Walking tours include the Rim Trail, which runs west from the Pipe Creek viewpoint for about {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} of paved road, followed by {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} unpaved to Hermit's Rest. Hikes can begin almost anywhere along this trail, and a shuttle can return hikers to their point of origin. Mather Point, the first view most people reach when entering from the south entrance, is a popular place to begin.
Private canyon flyovers are provided by helicopters and small airplanes out of Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Grand Canyon National Park Airport. Due to a crash in the 1990s, scenic flights are no longer allowed to fly within {{convert|1500|ft|m}} of the rim within the Grand Canyon National Park.<ref name="Taennyn">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title14-vol2/pdf/CFR-2014-title14-vol2-part91-appFederal.pdf |title=Archived copy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629175020/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title14-vol2/pdf/CFR-2014-title14-vol2-part91-appFederal.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |access-date=November 3, 2017}}</ref>
==Grand Canyon Conservancy== {{main|Grand Canyon Conservancy}}
The Grand Canyon Association (GCA) is the National Park Service's official nonprofit partner. It raises private funds to benefit Grand Canyon National Park by operating retail shops and visitor centers within the park, and providing educational opportunities about the natural and cultural history of the region. Its goals include:
*Creating Inter-tribal cultural sites * Dark Sky Preservation * Discovery and exploration of the Park * Trail creation and preservation<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.grandcanyon.org/ |access-date=April 27, 2022 |website=Grand Canyon Conservancy |language=en}}</ref> {{wide image|Grand Canyon - Hopi Point.JPG|800px|align-cap=center|A panoramic view from the South Rim}}
==See also== {{portal|Arizona}} {{commons inline|Grand Canyon}} (image gallery) * List of trails in Grand Canyon National Park * List of national parks of the United States
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{sisterlinks|voy=Grand Canyon}} {{external media | image1 = Public domain [https://web.archive.org/web/20061010111304/http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/photos/ images] from the National Park Service. }} *{{Official website|https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm}} *{{cite book |last=Anderson |first=Michael F. |year=2000 |title=Polishing the Jewel: An Administrative History of Grand Canyon National Park |url=http://npshistory.com/publications/grca/adhi.pdf |publisher=Grand Canyon Association |pages= |isbn=978-0938216728 |oclc=43864191}} *[http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/ Grand Canyon National Park Lodge] * [https://grandcanyontravelguide.com/grand-canyon-webcams/ Grand Canyon Live Webcams] (Bright Angel Trail, Kolb Studio, South Entrance) * {{cite web |title=Grand Canyon National Park |url=http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/parks/grand-canyon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928113407/http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/parks/grand-canyon/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2009 |website=The National Parks: America's Best Idea: Parks-Grand Canyon |publisher=Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)}} *Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under Grand Canyon Village, Coconino County, AZ: **{{HAER |survey=AZ-40 |id=az0358 |title=Cape Royal Road, Between North Entrance Road and Cape Royal |photos=29 |data=51 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=AZ-42 |id=az0360 |title=West Rim Drive, Between Grand Canyon Village and Hermit Rest |photos=35 |data=45 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=AZ-43 |id=az0361 |title=North Entrance Road, Between Little Park and Bright Angel Point |photos=24 |data=43 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=AZ-44 |id=az0362 |title=East Rim Drive, Between South Entrance Road and Park Boundary |photos=28 |data=69 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=AZ-45 |id=az0363 |title=South Entrance Road, Between South Park Boundary and Village Loop Road |photos=15 |data=50 |cap=1 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=AZ-93 |id=az0631 |title=Grand Canyon Water Supply Tanks, South Rim |data=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=AZ-95 |id=az0661 |title=Transcanyon Water Line |photos=40 |data=34 |cap=8 |link=no}} *{{HALS |survey=AZ-6 |id=az0609 |title=Mather Point Overlook, South Entrance Road, Grand Canyon Village, Coconino County, AZ |photos=23 |dwgs=3 |data=2}} *{{cite web |title=Grand Canyon Regional Geology and Geologic Maps |url=https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/arizona/ |website=United States Geological Survey |publisher=United States Department of the Interior}} *{{osmrelation|183377}}
{{Grand Canyon}} {{National parks of the United States}} {{Colorado River system}} {{Protected areas of Arizona}} {{World Heritage Sites in the United States of America}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Grand Canyon National Park Category:1919 establishments in Arizona Category:Grand Canyon Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Arizona Category:Historic American Landscapes Survey in Arizona Category:Parks in Coconino County, Arizona Category:Parks in Mohave County, Arizona Category:Protected areas established in 1919 Category:Protected areas on the Colorado River Category:World Heritage Sites in the United States Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Geotopes