Do you need a permit to go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon?
A permit is not required for day hiking or day horseback riding in the canyon. Livestock use is limited to Corridor Trails only. Entry and/or exploration of any caves and mines must be approved in advance through Grand Canyon National Park.
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Most visitors don't know that you can also drive to the bottom of the canyon! You do so by taking Diamond Creek Road. The route starts in Peach Springs, Arizona, a small town on the historic Route 66. In order to drive on this road to the Grand Canyon, you'll need a permit, as it's on Hualapai land.
Nestled at the Bottom of Grand CanyonPhantom Ranch is the only lodging below the canyon rim, and can only be reached by mule, on foot, or by rafting the Colorado River. Have questions about the lottery process? Click here for the lottery schedule, additional information and/or FAQs regarding the Phantom Ranch Lottery.
Other domestic animals or pets are prohibited below the rim.Traps and nets are prohibited. A valid fishing license is required for all fishing. Because of their sensitive and sometimes dangerous nature, entry and/or exploration of any caves or mines must be approved in advance through Grand Canyon National Park.
Carved by the Colorado River and other geological forces, it is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. Nearly five million people visit the canyon annually, but as we later learned, only about one percent of them hike all the way to the bottom, as we planned to do.
There are no rules against visiting the Grand Canyon without a tour service. There also aren't any significant barriers to doing so. So, yes, you absolutely can tour the Grand Canyon independently! To learn specifically how to do this by driving, check out our post on how to tour the Grand Canyon by car.
One of the best ways you can experience Grand Canyon in three to four hours is to combine walking with shuttle bus riding. Begin by walking to mather. Point, just passed a bathroom and a water refill station. Once at Mather Point, stop and gaze at the beautiful view.
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.
View Grand Canyon SafelyIn 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.
On the South Rim, leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim. Inner canyon trails are narrow, include steep sections, and are well-traveled by humans, mules, and wildlife. Pets can be unpredictable on the trail. Hikers, runners or mules can spook pets and cause an accident.