GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ — For those planning a trip up to the Grand Canyon for the Memorial Day weekend, make sure to prepare for an early start. The national park will be open for the weekend, but will have a limited window for when people will be allowed into the park, as well as limited access to facilities and trails.
Here is what you need to know.
The South entrance to Grand Canyon National Park will be open from 4 a.m. - 10 a.m. Friday - Monday, May 22-25. The entrance will close at 10 a.m. and no additional people or cars will be allowed in. Those already inside will be able to stay until sunset, the Grand Canyon National Park said in a news release.
Admission is $35 per vehicle up to 15 people and should be paid at the automated machines, online, or at third-party businesses around town.
These areas will be open over the weekend:
- Day hiking on inner canyon trails.
- Limited food and beverage services at Market Plaza, Bright Angel Bicycles, El Tovar patio, and near hotels.
- Bicycle and wheelchair rentals at Bright Angel Bicycles.
- The Rim Trail and Greenway Trail system located outside of the residential area.
- East Desert View Drive is open until Navajo Point, where vehicles will turnaround.
These areas remain closed:
- The East entrance on the South Rim and the Desert View Watchtower area.
- Visitor centers, museums, and shuttle buses.
- Lodging, restaurants, campgrounds on the rim, camper services and trailer village.
- Center Road and access through the South Rim residential housing area.
- The Colorado River, North Rim and Tuweep area.
Those who have back-country permits to camp overnight will be allowed to, but no additional permits for the inner canyon are being issued, the park said. For those hiking below the rim, hikers should have a way to treat water.
According to the Grand Canyon's website, entrance passes can be purchased at these areas:
- Williams Visitor Center
- Chevron Travel Stop (Valle, Arizona)
- National Geographic Visitor Center (Tusayan, Arizona)
- Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau (Tusayan, Arizona)
- Canyon Plaza Resort
- Pink Jeep Tours
- Red Feather Lodge
- West Wind Air Service
