For the Grand Canyon, the shuttle will make 8 stops along as many vantage points before reaching the Hermits Rest, while during the return journey the stops will be only 3. So be careful to pay particular attention to the route. A visit to www.grandcanyondestinations.com will clears the air now.
- Trailview Overlook
- Village Route Transfer
- Powell Point
- Village Route Transfer
- Maricopa Point
- Mohave Point
- Hopi Point
- Monument Creek Vista
- The Abyss
- Hermits Rest
- Pima Point
- Powell Point
- Mohave Point
In this case, travel times are considerably longer than in previous shuttles. It takes about 80 minutes to complete the entire itinerary without ever getting off the shuttle. As for the frequency of the races, even in this case, they vary according to the season, you can check the updated times on the official page.
Tusayan Route – Park & Ride (Purple Line)
This more than a real shuttle to move around the park is actually one of the best services to reach it without using the car. A bus connects the nearby city of Tusayan, where many parking lots are available, with the Grand Canyon Village (hence the name Park & Ride).
This shuttle is active only during the summer season and can be a great way to avoid the long queues at the park entrance that may occur during the tourist peak. In this way, you will also avoid “going crazy” to look for a parking space since generally, during this period, from 10 in the morning onwards they will start to be very crowded.
Generally, the service is performed from March to the end of September (check the official page for any changes) with a frequency of one run every 20 minutes between 8:00 and 21:30.
These are the steps that are made within the city of Tusayan, before the final stop at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center:
- IMAX Theater / RP’s Stage Stop
- Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
- The Grand Hotel
- Big E Steakhouse and Saloon
However, in order to access the service, it is necessary to already have a ticket to enter the Grand Canyon or the Parks America the Beautiful Card. If you are wondering how to get a ticket or a card before entering the park, here is a list of dealers in the city:
- National Geographic Visitor Center (IMAX Theater)
- Grand Canyon South Rim Chamber of Commerce (Only here you can buy the parking card)
- RP’s Stage Stop
- Red Feather Lodge
- Canyon Plaza Resort
- Hikers’ Express Shuttle Bus
Grand Canyon shuttlesThis shuttle service is suitable for hikers who, after spending the night in the Grand Canyon, want to go to the South Kaibab trail early in the morning.
The shuttle leaves near the Bright Angel Lodge, and makes only two more stops at the Backcountry Information Center and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, before reaching its destination.
The departure times are only two or three throughout the morning and vary depending on the month. You can find the ones updated on the official page. This is a one-way service and for the return, you will have to rely on the other shuttles in the park.
And for the North Rim and the West Rim?
As mentioned above, all the shuttle services managed by the National Park Service that can be used to visit the South Rim have been described. If you are wondering if a similar service exists for the other two sides of the Grand Canyon the answer is no.
Regarding the North Rim, there is only a so-called Hiker Shuttle which from the Grand Canyon Lodge reaches the attack of the North Kaibab Trailhead. The only two trips made are at 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning. The service can be booked with 24 hours’ notice directly at the Lodge desk.
For the West Rim, which is run exclusively by Native Americans, there is only a connection service between the parking area and the Skywalk as described in the section dedicated to the Grand Canyon West Rim.