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Grand Canyon Airport Information

Transportation: Getting to the Grand Canyon

There are several ways to get to the Grand Canyon using one or a combination of the helicopter, airplane, auto, or even Amtrak train options below. Here are some helpful links and information on how to get to the Grand Canyon.

1. Fly commercial into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 231 miles (372 km) to the South Rim. Sky Harbor is the closest major airport to the Grand Canyon and the most popular choice for those looking to fly and drive to the Canyon.

2. Fly commercial into Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and drive 278 miles (447 km) to the South Rim. Another good choice for those looking to fly into the Grand Canyon.

3. Fly commercial into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) on US Airways/America West Airlines from Phoenix (PHX) or Horizon/Alaska Air from Los Angeles (LAX) or private/charter aircraft. The Grand Canyon South Rim is a short 81 mile (130 km) drive from Flagstaff. Flagstaff Puliam Airport is a nearby choice and a great one IF you're flying in from Phoenix or Los Angeles.

4. Fly private or charter aircraft - including those provided by the many Grand Canyon helicopter and air tour companies right here on thecanyon.com - into Grand Canyon Airport (GCN) near Tusayan at the entrance to the South Rim. No commercial airlines fly directly into Grand Canyon Airport.

5. Fly private or charter aircraft into Sedona Airport and drive 119 miles (192 km) to the South Rim.

6. Fly commercial into the Prescott Airport, Earnest A. Love Field (PRC) on Horizon Air / Alaska Airlines from Los Angeles (LAX) or Flagstaff (FLG.)

7. Drive to the Grand Canyon - see our FAQs for directions from several starting points and the driving distances chart below for more information.

8. Shuttle service from Phoenix to Flagstaff and Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village can be arranged through A Friendly Cab. For other options, check out our website, Flagstaff.com for Flagstaff Shuttles and Transportation.

9. Amtrak train service. Click here for information about the Flagstaff Amtrak station and to search rail fares and schedules.

Grand Canyon National Park has two entrances: a Southern Entrance, just north of Tusayan, and an Eastern Entrance, a few miles East of Desert View. This makes it possible to explore a lot of scenery. I recommend planning your travel so you arrive via one entrance and exit via the other. For a practical and nostalgic reasons, I prefer to enter via the Southern Entrance Station, and exit via the Eastern Entrance Station. The Southern Entrance station puts you closer to most of the hotels, restaurants, Babbett's largest General Store, and the Backcountry Reservations Office. If sightseeing is your primary objective, this puts you closer to the sights at the Western end of the park. Visit these first. Plan to explore the Eastern vistas on your way out of the park.

Grand Canyon South Rim

The South Rim attracts about 4 million visitors each year; it's the most popular place to visit at the Grand Canyon. The South Rim offers a variety of attractions, national park services and Grand Canyon tour opportunities for everyone. Expect crowds during the peak season (March through September). Many Grand Canyon South Rim visitors stay overnight in nearby cities like Williams, Flagstaff or Sedona, all 1 - 2 hours from the South Rim.

Grand Canyon North Rim

The Grand Canyon's North Rim is known for being remote with few developed comforts in the area, but the North Rim does feature one in-park hotel, the Grand Canyon Lodge and Cabins, plus several beautiful campgrounds and a few hotels and motels outside the park boundary in nearby small towns. Many North Rim visitors enjoy Rim to Rim hikes, but make sure to check conditions and don't forget your Backcountry Pass!

Grand Canyon Camping

Camping at the Grand Canyon There are two main types of camping permitted at the Grand Canyon: camping in "developed" campgrounds where vehicles and campers are allowed; and backpacking and camping within the canyon, which requires a Backcountry Permit. These are necessary for camping in the North Rim, South Rim, or Tuweep. Find rules, information on permits and how to reserve camp spot here.

Grand Canyon Visitor Information

Find Grand Canyon visitor information such as frequently asked questions, driving directions, park fees, park hours and more. The Grand Canyon has three accessible rims, South, North and West, each offering a bit of a different Grand Canyon experience from the other. This section will help you decide on the right location and time of year for you to visit, while hopefully answering most of the practical and logistical questions you may have.

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ArizTravel.com » Grand Canyon

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