Grand Canyon National Park — Interstate Access, 2026 Fees & Truck Notes

01 Park overview

The Grand Canyon is the defining landform of the American Southwest — a mile-deep, 277-mile-long chasm carved by the Colorado River through layers of sedimentary rock that record nearly two billion years of geologic history. Established as a national park in 1919, today it draws around six million visitors a year, the great majority of whom enter through the South Rim — accessible directly from I-40 via Williams, Arizona. The North Rim sits 1,000 feet higher, sees a tenth of the traffic, and closes for the winter; reaching it from I-40 requires a 215-mile detour through Jacob Lake. The South Rim is open every day of the year, with paved overlooks at Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and the historic Grand Canyon Village.

277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and 6,093 feet deep at its maximum
Exposes nearly two billion years of geological history in clearly visible rock layers
Roughly six million visitors per year — third most-visited national park
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979
Colorado River drops about 2,200 feet through the park

02 Photos

Dawn on the South Rim, Grand Canyon Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

03 Don't miss

Mather Point at sunrise
Hermit Road scenic drive (shuttle only most of the year)
Bright Angel Trail
Yavapai Observation Station
Desert View Watchtower

04 Getting there & truck/RV access

Route from interstate

From I-40

Exit 165 (Williams, AZ)

60 mi north on AZ-64 to the South Rim Entrance

Big rigs & RVs

Truck access

AZ-64 from I-40 to the South Entrance is a fully paved, well-maintained two-lane state highway with no length restrictions; semis and large RVs reach the entrance gate without difficulty.

Parking: Inside the park, RVs and oversized vehicles use the dedicated Lot 4 at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center — the closest large-vehicle parking to Mather Point. Trucks staying overnight should stop at the Pilot or TA on I-40 in Williams; there are no commercial truck stops inside the park.

Restrictions: The free park shuttle is the only practical way to see Hermit Road — it is closed to private vehicles March through November. RVs over 22 feet cannot park in most South Rim lots other than Lot 4.

05 Seasonality & road closures

Best months: April–May and September–October — moderate temperatures, lighter crowds, fewer thunderstorms than midsummer.

Closures: South Rim is open 24/7/365. The North Rim closes to vehicles between mid-October and mid-May (snow). Hermit Road closes to private cars March through November.

Notes: Summer monsoon storms (mid-July through mid-September) bring sudden lightning and flash flooding on side trails — rim weather can change in minutes.

06 Entrance fees (2026)

Pass	Price
Private vehicle (7-day)	$35
Motorcycle (7-day)	$30
Individual / walk-in (7-day, age 16+)	$20
Park-specific annual pass	$70 (Grand Canyon Annual Pass)
America the Beautiful (annual, all NPS sites)	$80 U.S. residents · $250 non-residents

2026 nonresident fee — applies at this park

Each non-U.S. resident aged 16 and older pays an additional $100 per person on top of the standard entrance fee. The fee is waived for visitors holding the $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass (which also covers up to three additional adults). Children under 16 are exempt. U.S. residency is verified with a U.S. passport, U.S. driver's license / state ID, or Permanent Resident Card.

Fee-free days available for U.S. residents only beginning January 1, 2026.

Note: Cashless — credit/debit only at entrance stations.

Official NPS fee page →

07 Current alerts

No active NWS weather alerts or FEMA disaster declarations in Grand Canyon National Park's state(s) right now.

08 FAQ

How do I get to the Grand Canyon from I-40?

Take I-40 Exit 165 in Williams, Arizona, then drive 60 miles north on AZ-64. The route is fully paved and accommodates semis, RVs, and trailers without restriction. Williams has multiple truck-friendly fuel stops at the exit.

Is the South Rim open in winter?

Yes — the South Rim is open every day of the year. Snow is possible from December through March, and shuttle routes operate on a reduced schedule, but all paved overlooks remain accessible.

How much does Grand Canyon entry cost in 2026?

$35 per private vehicle (7-day pass) for everyone. Beginning January 1, 2026, each non-U.S. resident aged 16+ pays an additional $100 nonresident fee unless they hold the $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass. Children under 16 are exempt from all fees.

What's the difference between the South Rim and the North Rim?

The South Rim sits at 7,000 ft, is open year-round, and is the gateway directly off I-40. The North Rim sits at 8,000 ft, sees roughly 10% of the South Rim's traffic, and is closed to vehicles from mid-October to mid-May because of snow. Driving between the two rims is a 215-mile, 4.5-hour trip.

From I-40

Truck access

2026 nonresident fee — applies at this park

Grand Canyon National Park on the live map