a wide view of a section of the Grand Canyon National Park's striped stone walls

Understanding Grand Canyon Fees and Entry Details from Las Vegas

The Grand Canyon National Park, also known as the Grand Canyon South Rim, is a popular daytime destination for visitors to Las Vegas. Whether you plan to stay overnight in one of the park's beautiful rim-side hotels or camping amidst the stunning forested scenery, or if you just want to visit for the day, you can easily incorporate a trip to the South Rim into your Las Vegas vacation plans.

Prepare for your adventure in advance by learning the costs associated with a Grand Canyon National Park visit and tips and tricks to make your visit as exciting and cost-effective as possible.

a sunset view of the Grand Canyon National Park with the Desert View Watch Tower in the foreground

Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park from Las Vegas

Las Vegas is about 252 miles (405km) away from the Grand Canyon National Park, or about a 4-hour drive. The scenic drive offers plentiful views of the desert nature throughout Nevada and Arizona en route to the South Rim and having a car at the park is convenient if you plan to explore the nearby town of Tusayan or travel to other regions of the canyon. Even better, entry into the South Rim can be charged per vehicle, so the entire family can enter at once!

the Grand Canyon National Park entrance sign located at the South Rim

When is the Grand Canyon National Park Open to Visitors?

The Grand Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; however, it's recommended to check the National Park Service's website in advance for any area closures such as trails, the Visitor Center, or campgrounds.

Grand Canyon National Park Entry & Fees

The entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park is located 6 miles north of Tusayan, Arizona.

A vehicle regardless of the passenger count costs just $35 to enter. Note that entry passes are not available online, and entry cannot be reserved in advance. Visitors must pay with a card only upon arrival at the park. If you'd like to pay cash, you can also visit locations in Tusayan like the IMAX theater, Canyon Plaza Resort, or Feather Lodge to purchase a pass.

If you plan to drive, know that there are no reservations required to enter the park and there is no timed entry for vehicles – meaning there could be long wait times to pass through the entrance.

If you want to decrease your chances of waiting at the gate, use these tips:

  • Visit outside of the summer season (usually between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
  • Try to visit on a weekday instead of a Saturday or Sunday
  • Arrive at the entrance before 10am or after 2pm
several visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park stand atop a rock plateau overlooking the scenery

Grand Canyon National Park Entry Fee Tips

If you're a savvy traveler, you're always looking for hacks to save a few bucks, especially if you're vacationing with the whole family. There are many ways to visit the Grand Canyon South Rim for a discounted rate or even for free. Check out our tips below and see if any apply to you!

  • Military Service: Active US military and dependents, Gold Star families, and US military veterans can receive free annual and lifetime passes
  • Disability Status: Visitors with permanent can visit the park with no change. Must provide documentation of disability and US citizenship or residency
  • Senior Citizens: Visitors over the age of 62 can purchase an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80
  • Every Kid Outdoors: This program is designed to help children explore and experience parks all across the United States. Children in the 4th grade can receive a pass to a huge variety of parks and natural preservation areas, including the Grand Canyon National Park. Best of all, the pass provides entry for the whole family!

Entry Fee-Free Days

There are several days throughout the year where there is no charge to enter the Grand Canyon National Park, including:

  • Martin Luther King Day (3rd Monday of January annually)
  • First Day of National Park Week (occurs in April annually)
  • Juneteenth (June 19th annually)
  • Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (August 4th annually)
  • National Public Lands Day (September 28th annually)
  • Veterans Day (November 11th annually)
a Grand Canyon hummer tour parked at a scenic lookout point at the South Rim

Grand Canyon South Rim Tours with Entry Included

If you're only planning to visit for a day, you can save travel time by flying from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Included in your 1.5-hour flight is transportation and entry into the park after landing at the nearby air terminal. Airplane tours can also be combined with South Rim helicopter tours or Grand Canyon ground excursions.

a Grand Canyon helicopter tour flies over a massive canyon gorge at the South Rim

Visit the Grand Canyon National Park from Las Vegas with Papillon!

Papillon Helicopters is the world's largest and longest-running air tour operator, offering our first helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon National Park in 1965. Today, we take over 300,000 passengers from around the globe to the South Rim, with tours departing from both Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon Airport just outside the park. Our South Rim activities include helicopter tours over the canyon expanse as well as ground excursions aboard a military-style Hummer vehicle that visits multiple scenic lookout points.

Experience the most breathtaking sights of the Grand Canyon South Rim with Papillon today!