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Backcountry Information Center
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Arizona
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Grand Canyon National Park
National Park unit boundary is mapped — agency alerts for it feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
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Backcountry Information Center
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The Backcountry Information Center provides information, permits, and trip planning assistance for those looking to explore Grand Canyon on day and overnight hikes. Hours of Operation / Contact Open Daily: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (closed 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm). Email: grca_bic@nps.gov (Email is the best way to have your question(s) answered.) Phone: For information inquiries, you can call: 928-638-7875 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. This telephone number is for information only, not for requesting a permit. Mailing address: Grand Canyon National Park Permits Office 1824 S. Thompson St., Suite 201 Flagstaff AZ, 86001 Backcountry permits information and how to apply - are on the park's website. Day hikes do not require permits of any kind, but any overnight trip within the backcountry (below the rim or above) WILL require a permit. You can get further information and try for a "day-of" permit in person at the Backcountry Information Center. South Rim Backcountry Information Center staff enjoy interacting with visitors in person and helping them plan for a safe backcountry experience. To get a last minute, in-person permit for a corridor campsite, wait times are typically 2-3 days after arriving in the park Be aware most remote backcountry sites are already at capacity. You can check with the Backcountry Information Center for last minute availability via email or phone. Parking Parking Lot D, located at the Backcountry Information Center, accommodates cars, trucks, campers, and large RVs for day visits or extended parking for overnight hikers. Lot D provides 150 standard parking spaces and 30 sized for RVs or buses. It is a short walk to the edge of Grand Canyon, Bright Angel Trailhead, and the Hermit Road (Red Route) shuttle stop. Hikers' Express Shuttle Bus Service An early morning bus with service from Grand Canyon Village — to South Kaibab Trailhead To ride the Hikers' Express Shuttle to South Kaibab Trailhead, park in lot D and be at the Backcountry Information Center shuttle stop at: 4:10, 5:10, 6:10 am — Beginning May 23, 2026. Village (Blue) Route - Summer Schedule May 23, through September 11, 2026 50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus) Village (Blue) Route First bus at 6:30 am — the last bus is at 9:30 pm. ► Be at a bus stop no later than 9:15 pm. Every 15 minutes: 6:30 am to 10 am Every 10 minutes: 10 am to 7 pm Every 15 minutes: 7 pm to 9:30 pm Village service ends at 9:30 pm
Bright Angel Trail
~1 min drive
The most popular hiking trail into Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail lets hikers walk in the footsteps of the canyon's Indigenous peoples, miners, and early tourists, as they descend into the canyon's depths. Offering outstanding views, morning and afternoon shade, resthous…
Mohave Point
~3 min drive
Another spectacular point for watching sunset, Mohave Point offers excellent views of the Colorado River deep in the canyon below. From here you can also see the Salt Creek, Granite, and Hermit rapids. Below this viewpoint, 'The Alligator' named by Emery Kolb points across th…
Rim Trail - Mather Point
~4 min drive
The Rim Trail is a mostly paved path that stretches roughly 13 miles (21 km) along the southern rim of Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trailhead in the east to Hermits Rest in the west. Most people won't hike the whole trail in one go, but walking short sections of the rim can…
South Kaibab Trail
~6 min drive
Know Before You Go Before heading down into the canyon, consult the signs at the trailhead, and scan the QR code for trip planning, current weather, water availability, and trail information/closures. (or visit our Key Hiking Messages webpage). Trail Reopenings and Current C…
Hermit Trail Grand Canyon
~7 min drive
Louis D. Boucher, the "hermit" of Hermit Creek basin, lived in this area for 20 years. Boucher built the Boucher Trail (west of the Hermit Trail) and seasonal residences at Dripping Springs and near Boucher Creek. Though socially active in the South Rim community, residents la…
Village Greenway
~0 min drive
4.9 mi · Easy
Hermit Road - Bus Transfer Station - Village (Blue) Route
~1 min drive
Nearby: Beginning of Hermit Road and (Red) Route Shuttle (Transfer Station) Canyon Rim Trail Bright Angel Trailhead Kolb Studio This is one of the busiest shuttle stops in the park, located on the west end of the Village Historic District. This shuttle stop provides acce…
Stone Corral and Mule Power Exhibit
~1 min drive
Most of the day this simple small corral sits empty, but stop by early in the morning and you'll have a chance to see the chaos of wranglers, mules, and eager mule riders as everyone gets ready for a once in a lifetime trip into the depths of Grand Canyon for an overnight stay…
Trail of Time: Verkamp's Visitor Center Portal
~1 min drive
From the flagpole outside of Verkamp's Visitor Center, walk to the right along the rim trail and find the Trail of Time bronze markers embedded in the pavement. From the 2,000 million year marker, you can see the western entry portal for the Trail of Time. Walking east from Gr…
Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse
~1 min drive
This popular day-hike destination on the Bright Angel Trail provides relief from the weather and extremes of all seasons, be it the summer heat or storms in the winter and spring. Vault toilets are available year-round. During the summer months, a water filling station at the…
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