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Do you need a car at the Grand Canyon?

Not only is it possible to experience the best of the canyon without driving your car within the park's boundaries, visitors can arrive at the South Rim's Historic Village in a fun, iconic manner by riding the Grand Canyon Railway.”



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The best way to tour the village is to park your vehicle once, then ride the Village (Blue) Route Shuttle around the South Rim. It connects the Visitor Center, lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (Market, deli, outdoor ATM, and U.S. Post Office).

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To reduce the travel time from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, consider taking a flight to Flagstaff in Arizona. The flight time from Las Vegas to Flagstaff is about an hour. The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is the closest airport to the Grand Canyon and is approximately 85 miles from the landmark's South Rim.

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Many options are available for day hikers. Both the South Rim and the North Rim offer rim trail hikes that have spectacular views of the inner canyon, some on paved trails. Or you can choose to day hike into the canyon. Permits are not required for non-commercial day hikes.

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The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cool and crowds are thin. If you decide to visit during the summer (the park's peak season), be prepared for hordes of tourists and very limited lodging availability.

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You don't need to take a tour. When you enter the park you get a park newspaper with all the ncessary information. There's also a tourist center, and there are rangers along the rim who'll provide information and answer questions. Grand Canyon National Park South Rim is a “Do it Yourself” place for visitors.

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The National Park Service has provided free shuttle bus service on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for more than 40 years. All of the park's buses are fully accessible and run on compressed natural gas, which means fewer harmful emissions for people and the environment.

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You have the flexibility to stay overnight at the Grand Canyon, which is often recommended for travellers driving themselves from Las Vegas because of the length of the drive and the number of things to see and do at the Canyon. You'll have more time to explore the Canyon, especially if you stay overnight.

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Every visitor to Grand Canyon West is required to purchase a General Admission ticket. Optional activities, such as Skywalk, helicopter, boat tours and zipline tours can be purchased at an additional cost. Explore ticket options, including bundled savings opportunities.

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It really depends on what you want to see and do! Some visitors stop by a couple of viewpoints and arrive and leave within a day but there are so many more fantastic things to do at the Grand Canyon. We recommend spending at least one full day at the Grand Canyon South Rim and ideally two if time permits.

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The average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles, however, the drive between the park's South Rim Village and the North Rim Village is about 212 miles and takes about 4 1/2 hours to drive. It takes time, planning, and effort to visit both rims in one trip.

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$20.00–$35.00. Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is for 7 days and includes both the South Rim, and during their season, the North Rim. No cash is accepted at the park's 3 entrance stations; credit/debit card only.

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Distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon The West Rim is the closest rim to Las Vegas. It is located about 130 miles from the heart of Las Vegas. On average, the drive takes approximately two and a half hours. Both the North Rim and South Rim are located over 270 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

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The town of Tusayan, which is just 15-20 minutes away from the main Visitor Center on the south rim, has a great selection of places to stay. Grand Canyon Junction (formerly known as Valle) is further out (about 30 minutes to the rim), but is another good option. If you want a hotel, stay in Tusayan, which has plenty.

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View Grand Canyon Safely In areas where there is a railing or fence, do not climb over the barrier. Keep an eye on all of the people in your group, especially small children. Make sure that your travel companions have both feet firmly planted on pavement or developed trails at all times. Know where the edge is.

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– Guides are generally given a tip on the last night of the trip (or at lunch on the last day if you're on a 3-day trip). – Most passengers tip 8 to 10 percent of their trip cost, but you can tip whatever you feel is appropriate.

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July and August are the worst months to visit the Grand Canyon due to larger crowds and hotter, wetter weather. You can get cheaper deals on lodging and activities between November and February.

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Tours and Activities: National Park (North and South rims) entrance fees - $30 per vehicle. West Rim entrance package - $46.65 per person. Helicopter tours - South Rim - $199 per person. Helicopter tours - West Rim - $299 per person.

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While the canyon is popular, of the 6 million annual visitors, 99% go to the Grand Canyon for less than four hours. Of that time, the average visitor only spends 20 minutes at the actual canyon. Surprisingly, less than 1% of visitors actually walk down to the bottom. Because hiking the Grand Canyon is really hard.

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Cheapest Month to Visit Grand Canyon December, January, and February are the cheapest months to visit the Grand Canyon. However, temperatures drop below freezing, snow is common, and some facilities and services within the park may have reduced hours or be temporarily closed.

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