Hiking in Gran Canyon: trails, map and practical info

The North Rim

The North Rim sits at a higher elevation and has a shorter season, typically open from mid-May through mid-October. However, the exact opening and closing dates can vary based on weather conditions and snow levels — early season snow may delay opening, and the rim may close earlier than mid-October if winter conditions arrive sooner than expected. It's quieter, more forested, and gives a noticeably different perspective on the canyon. If you want the Grand Canyon without the crowds, the North Rim is worth the extra drive. Always check current conditions with the National Park Service before planning a North Rim trip.

In winter

According to the NPS, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is open year round, and roads are drivable except in inclement weather. The park does not use salt or snow melt on its roads; it uses rock cinders for traction, and tire chains are generally not required but may be used by any vehicle. The NPS asks visitors to check AZ 511 or call the park's Roads Line (928-638-7496) before driving. Free South Rim shuttle buses operate during the winter. The North Rim is closed to all vehicle traffic between December 1 and May 14; the NPS says that this winter its developed area, roads and select trails, including the North Kaibab Trail, remain fully closed (page updated September 21, 2026). On the trails, the NPS says there are snow-packed, icy and muddy places and recommends slip-on shoe traction devices and trekking poles. It reminds winter visitors that precipitation in northern Arizona is quite variable, so the ground does not always look like winter, and that locations inside the canyon offer milder temperatures in winter.