Entry Fees and Park Passes
Grand Canyon National Park charges a standard entry fee that covers seven consecutive days and access to both the South and North Rims. A private vehicle pass costs $35 and covers all passengers in one vehicle. For those entering on foot, bicycle, or via shuttle (without a car), the fee is $20 per person.
Motorcyclists pay $30 for a 7-day motorcycle pass. If you plan to visit multiple national parks in a year, consider the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80, which grants unlimited entry to all U.S. national parks. There is also a park-specific Grand Canyon annual pass for $70 if you expect to visit this park multiple times in 12 months.
All passes cover standard parking and use of the park’s shuttle buses. (Children 15 and under are admitted free with adults.) No additional parking fees are required once you have an entry pass, and the shuttle system inside the park is free with your entrance fee.
Learn more about the Grand Canyon
Lodging Costs (Inside vs. Outside the Park)
Inside the Park:
Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim has several lodges ranging from historic hotels to basic cabins. Nightly rates inside the park typically range from about $90 up to $350 depending on the lodge and season.
For example, rooms at the more rustic Bright Angel Lodge can be on the lower end (under $150), while premium rooms at El Tovar Hotel or other rimside lodges can approach or exceed $300 per night in peak season.
These in-park accommodations offer the convenience of staying right by the canyon rim, which often commands a higher price.
Note: Rates can fluctuate by season – winter/off-peak prices can be significantly lower. In fact, average lodge prices in January can be 20–40% cheaper than in July/August.
Reservations for park lodges open 12–13 months in advance and tend to book up quickly. Travelers should plan and book early to secure in-park lodging at the best rates.
Outside the Park:
Staying outside the park can often save money, though prices vary by proximity. The small gateway town of Tusayan (just 6 miles south of the South Rim) offers hotels that are nearly as expensive as those inside the park – expect roughly $125 per night in off-season up to around $200–$250 in summer for standard hotels.
Tusayan’s advantage is location (only a 10–15 minute drive to the park gates), but you pay for that convenience. If you are willing to stay farther out, Williams, AZ (about 1 hour south) or Flagstaff, AZ (1.5 hours) have more affordable options.
In Williams, for example, hotel rates average only around $50–$80 per night even in peak times , thanks to a wider selection of motels and mid-range hotels. Flagstaff offers a range of chain hotels and motels, often in the $80–$150 range, with the bonus of many restaurants and services in town.
Keep in mind that staying further away means a longer drive (and more gas) each day, but the savings on lodging can be substantial for budget travelers.
Camping Costs
Camping is the most budget-friendly way to stay near the Grand Canyon. Campground sites inside the national park cost $30 per night at the South Rim’s Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and the North Rim Campground.
This rate is for a standard tent or RV site (no hookups) and typically covers up to 6 people and 3 tents or 2 vehicles (rules can vary by site). The fee was recently increased (it was $18 before 2025) to help maintain park facilities.
Group campsites (for larger groups) are available at about $55 per night. These campgrounds are popular and can fill up months in advance during peak season, so it’s wise to reserve through Recreation.gov as early as possible.
If you need RV hookups, the park’s Trailer Village RV park (South Rim) offers full hookups for roughly $85 per night (for a paved RV site) plus tax – this is a concessionaire-run campground adjacent to Mather Campground.
It allows larger RVs and provides electric, water, and sewer hookups. Keep in mind that $85 is comparable to a budget hotel room, but you’re paying for location and convenience.
Just outside the South Rim entrance, in Tusayan and the surrounding Kaibab National Forest, there are additional camping options.
The Tusayan-Montane Campground (Ten-X) run by the Forest Service, about 2 miles south of Tusayan, offers primitive campsites typically for around $10–$20 per night (this campground is usually open seasonally, May through September). It has basic amenities (pit toilets, no showers).
There’s also a private campground in Tusayan (Grand Canyon Camper Village) with higher rates: about $30 per night for a tent site and more for RV sites (around $62–$76 per night for full hookups for campers/RVs). If you’re comfortable with dry camping, dispersed camping in the national forest (at least 1/4 mile from highway and obeying forest rules) is free of charge.
This requires self-sufficiency (no facilities), but many budget travelers save money by boondocking on Forest Service land south of the park. Always observe posted regulations for fire safety and leave-no-trace if you camp on public lands for free.
Food and Dining Price Ranges
Food expenses at the Grand Canyon can vary widely based on whether you self-cater or dine out. In-park restaurants and cafeterias tend to be pricey for fairly basic food (both due to remote location and captive audience pricing). Quick service meals (like at the Maswik Food Court or Grab-and-Go cafes) typically cost about $10–$15 per person.
For example, a fast-food style combo or a simple cafeteria lunch might be in this range. Sit-down dining at the park’s restaurants is more expensive. A dinner at a lodge restaurant (such as the El Tovar Dining Room or the Arizona Steakhouse) can run $25–$40 per entrée, with full meals (including a drink or dessert) easily reaching $50+ per person at the high end.
In general, typical meal prices reported by visitors fall roughly in these ranges: Breakfast $8–$25, Lunch $13–$34, and Dinner $25–$59 per person. Even a simple cup of coffee or snack in the park can be a bit expensive (for instance, specialty coffee drinks might be around $5–$7).
The General Store in Grand Canyon Village sells groceries and prepared foods, but prices are marked up compared to normal supermarkets. A sandwich might cost $8–$10, and basic grocery staples may be 10–30% higher in price than in a city.
Outside the Park: In Tusayan, you’ll find a few restaurants (including familiar fast-food chains and hotel eateries). Fast food in Tusayan (e.g. McDonald’s or Subway) will cost roughly the same as elsewhere – perhaps $8–$12 for a value meal – though note that the McDonald’s in Tusayan has been noted as one of the more expensive in the U.S. due to its remote location.
If you have a car, you might stock up in Williams or Flagstaff where there are major grocery stores (Safeway, Walmart, etc.) with normal pricing. Flagstaff, being a larger city, also has a wide range of dining options from fast food to budget-friendly ethnic restaurants and pubs where you can eat for under $15 per person.
Many thrifty travelers bring their own food into the park to save money. Bringing a cooler with picnic supplies, snacks, and drinks can significantly cut costs. There are picnic areas and many scenic viewpoints perfect for a DIY meal with a view.
If you’re staying in a lodge, note that in-room cooking is not really possible (and in-park lodges generally don’t have microwaves due to fire safety policies). But you can use small appliances like kettles or simply pack non-perishable items. Bottom line: budget around $40–$60 per person per day for food if you plan to eat some meals at park restaurants , but this can drop to under $20 per day if you self-cater most of your meals.
Transportation Costs (Gas, Shuttles, Parking)
Reaching the Grand Canyon and getting around can incur transportation costs that you should factor into your budget. If you are driving a personal or rental vehicle, fuel will be a significant expense.
The park is relatively remote: it’s about 230 miles (4 hours) from Phoenix, 80 miles from Flagstaff, and 280 miles (4.5 hours) from Las Vegas (to the South Rim). Gasoline prices near the Grand Canyon are higher than the national average. For example, in summer 2023, gas was around $3.60/gallon in Williams (60 miles away) but about $4.60 in Valle (30 miles away) and over $5.40 per gallon near the South Rim.
Expect to pay a premium if you wait to fill up in Tusayan or at the one gas station within the park (at Desert View). It’s wise (and budget-friendly) to fill your tank in a larger town like Flagstaff or Williams before heading to the canyon.
A round-trip from Phoenix can easily use $50–$80 worth of fuel (depending on your vehicle’s mileage and gas prices). If renting a car, add the daily rental rate (often $40–$100/day depending on vehicle type and season) to your budget, plus insurance if any.
Shuttle and Transit Options: Once at the South Rim, you can park your car and use the free shuttle buses that operate within the park. The National Park Service shuttles run on multiple routes along the rim and to trailheads, and they cost nothing extra (they are included in your entry fee).
Utilizing the shuttles not only saves gas, but also the hassle of finding parking at popular viewpoints (parking lots can fill up quickly during peak times, but riding the shuttle bypasses that problem).
If you are staying in Tusayan during the peak season (typically summer), note that there is a free shuttle from Tusayan into the park as well – you just need a valid park entry pass to board. This can save you gasoline and the entry line at the gate in the morning, since the shuttle can drop you at the Visitor Center.
For travelers not driving at all, there are commercial shuttle services to reach the canyon. From Flagstaff, a one-way shuttle to the South Rim is roughly $30–$40 per person (about $33 each way, plus a small park entry fee if you don’t already have a pass).
These shuttles (offered by companies like Groome Transportation or National Park Express) can be a cost-effective alternative to renting a car if you’re solo – a round-trip from Flagstaff might be ~$65 per person.
From Phoenix or Las Vegas, organized shuttles or tours are more expensive (a guided day-trip tour from Vegas by bus might be $150+, and a direct shuttle from Phoenix via Flagstaff could total around $90 each way).
If you take the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams (a scenic 2-hour train ride to the canyon), tickets range from about $70 (coach class) up to $150+ for first class, round-trip per adult – this is more of a tour experience than a budget transportation option, but it’s an alternative to driving.
Parking: Parking at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, lodges, and trailhead lots is free for visitors (with your entrance fee). There is no additional parking charge once you’re inside the park.
However, parking space is limited at popular spots. If you arrive mid-day in high season, you might have to circle to find a spot. This is another reason to use the free shuttles – you can leave your car at your hotel or at the Visitor Center parking and ride the bus to the overlooks.
In Tusayan, hotels and businesses have parking, and you can park at the park-and-ride lot by the IMAX and take the shuttle in. Just account for possibly increased fuel use if you drive in and out of the park each day from outside lodging.
Tour Costs:
Helicopter Flights, Mule Rides, and Rafting Trips
In addition to basic trip costs, many visitors budget for tours and activities to enhance their Grand Canyon experience. Here are typical price ranges for the most popular tours:
Helicopter Tours
Seeing the Grand Canyon from a helicopter is a bucket-list item, but it comes at a high cost per person. Scenic helicopter flights from the South Rim (Tusayan) typically cost about $250–$350 per person for a standard 25–30 minute flight.
These shorter tours fly over the canyon’s main corridor and give panoramic views. Longer or more deluxe helicopter tours (45-50 minute extended routes) run closer to $350–$500 per person.
If you depart from Las Vegas for a helicopter tour that goes to the West Rim, prices are usually higher because they often include extras (like a landing at the West Rim or a walk on the Skywalk). A helicopter tour from Vegas can range roughly $400–$700 depending on whether it includes landing for a champagne picnic, Skywalk tickets, etc..
If you just want a basic aerial tour over the canyon, plan for around $300 each, whereas a top-end package or private helicopter tour can exceed $600–$700. These tours are weather-dependent and popular – it’s recommended to reserve in advance, and morning flights are often smoother (less windy).
Mule Rides
The Grand Canyon’s mule trips are a classic (made famous by photos of mules trekking down steep trails). There are a couple of options on the South Rim. The 2-hour Canyon Vistas ride (which actually involves about 2 hours in the saddle, and 3-4 hours total including orientation and bus transfer to the trail) costs about $185 per person including tax.
This ride goes along the rim trail east of the village (not down into the canyon) and is open to riders who meet basic requirements (e.g. under 225 lb weight, age 9 or older). For those who want to ride a mule into the canyon, the park concessionaire introduced a full-day mule ride to Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden, about 4.5 miles down Bright Angel Trail).
This full-day mule trip is priced at about $487 per person (which includes the mule, a trail guide, a sack lunch, and water). It’s an all-day adventure: roughly 7 hours total, descending partway into the canyon and then coming back up the same day (available until end of 2025, as the park is piloting this new ride).
The overnight mule trip to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon is the most expensive option – it’s an iconic experience, but comes with a hefty price tag. The overnight trip (1 or 2 nights at Phantom Ranch, meals included) costs roughly $1,200–$1,300 per person for a one-night package , or over $1,600 for the two-night version in winter months.
These rates include the dorm or cabin at Phantom Ranch, steak dinner and breakfast at the ranch, and the guided mule ride down and up. Demand is extremely high for the Phantom Ranch mule trips; they often sell out 13 months in advance via a lottery/reservation system.
On the North Rim, mule rides are generally cheaper and shorter – for example, a 1-hour North Rim mule ride along the rim is about $60, and a half-day (3-hour) ride is around $120 per person. North Rim trips do not go all the way to the river; they either go along the rim or down a short way to Supai Tunnel and back.
If planning a mule ride, be sure to account for taxes and gratuity (tipping your mule guide is customary). Also note the weight limits and other restrictions (the experience is safe but not recommended for those very afraid of heights).
Rafting Trips
Whitewater rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable adventure, but it’s also one of the priciest activities. Multi-day rafting expeditions run by authorized outfitters typically cost about $250–$300 per person per day.
That means a 7-day rafting trip could be on the order of $1,750–$2,100 per person, and the popular 14–15 day full-canyon trips often cost $4,000 or more. The total price depends on the length of the trip and the type of raft (oar-powered vs. motorized) – longer trips and those with smaller boats (more of a thrill ride) tend to cost more.
These expeditions are usually all-inclusive (guides, camping gear, food on the river). Keep in mind you may also need to budget for transportation to the start or end points (some trips require a small plane or helicopter transfer, often included in the package price).
For travelers without the time or budget for a multi-day trip, there are shorter rafting options: a popular choice is the one-day smooth water float trip on the Colorado River. This is not whitewater (no rapids) – it’s a gentle float that starts at Glen Canyon Dam in Page, AZ and goes 15 miles downstream through Horseshoe Bend to Lees Ferry.
The day-trip costs around $100–$130 per adult (and ~$80–$100 for kids) which includes the river guide and lunch. It’s a great family-friendly option (minimum age is usually 4 or 5 for the calm float). For true whitewater in a single day, the only option is at the far West Rim: the Hualapai Tribal one-day whitewater rafting trip.
This 1-day adventure, run by the Hualapai River Runners out of Peach Springs, lets you raft roughly 40 miles of Lower Canyon rapids and includes lunch. It costs about $429 per person , not including optional extras.
Many people add on a helicopter lift out of the canyon at the end – with the helicopter exit (from the river up to Grand Canyon West airfield), the package total is about $599 per person.
This one-day whitewater trip is expensive on a per-hour basis, but it’s a unique way to experience Class III+ rapids without committing a whole week. Reservations for all rafting trips should be made well in advance; multi-day trips often book out a year or more ahead due to high demand and limited spots.
Tips for Saving Money
Traveling to the Grand Canyon on a budget is definitely possible with some smart planning. Here are several cost-saving tips and strategies:
Buy the Right Pass
If you’ll visit more than two national parks within 12 months, invest in the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80. It pays for itself by the third park visit (Grand Canyon’s $35 + Zion $35 + Bryce $35, for example, would otherwise be $105).
Also, if you qualify for any special passes (U.S. military, 4th grader family, senior citizen lifetime/annual pass), take advantage of those to waive or reduce the entry fees. Even for a single park trip, a group of four individuals on motorcycles or walking in could save by using one annual pass instead of paying per person each time.
Stay Outside the Park or Camp
Lodging is one of the biggest expenses, so consider alternatives to the pricey in-park hotels. Camping for $30/night inside the park or $0 on nearby national forest land (dispersed camping) can save hundreds of dollars over a few days.
If camping isn’t your style, stay in towns like Williams or Flagstaff and day-trip to the canyon. As noted, a room in Williams might be $70 instead of $200 inside the park , which adds up to big savings over multiple nights.
The trade-off is the extra drive each day, but many find the one-hour scenic drive and cheaper dining options worth it. In the winter or shoulder seasons, you might find decent lodging deals even in Tusayan or Flagstaff, so always compare rates. Sometimes hotels in Flagstaff or Williams include free breakfast, which saves on one meal per day.
If you do want to stay right at the canyon, look at the more modest lodges (Maswik or Yavapai Lodge) which tend to be cheaper than El Tovar – and consider weekdays or off-peak months for lower rates.
Bring Your Own Food and Water
Food costs can be trimmed significantly by self-catering. Before heading to the park, stock up on groceries in a larger town. Bring a cooler with sandwich fixings, fruit, granola bars, and drinks.
Once in the park, you can refill water bottles at free water stations (Grand Canyon has many water refill stations – the water is safe to drink and free, so don’t spend money on a bunch of bottled water). Preparing your own breakfast and lunch can easily save $15–$20 per person per day. Even if you splurge on one nice dinner, you’ll save overall.
If you do eat at restaurants, opt for lunch as your main meal – lunch menus tend to be cheaper for similar items that cost more at dinner. Also note that portions can be large; if traveling with family, sometimes splitting an entrée or sticking to appetizers can stretch your dollars.
As one travel guide mentions, the food in the park is “limited and not the best quality… expensive for what you get” and suggests bringing food for picnics. Take that advice to heart and you’ll save money and possibly eat better.
Use the Free Shuttles and Skip Guided Tours
Once at the canyon, you do not need to spend money on transportation inside the park. The shuttles will take you to all major viewpoints and trailheads at no cost. This saves on gas and parking stress.
You also don’t necessarily need to pay for guided tours to see the sights – the overlooks and trails are accessible on your own for free. The park offers free ranger programs (walks and talks) especially in summer; these can enrich your visit at no cost.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider skipping expensive add-ons like helicopter flights or mule rides – you can still have an incredible experience just hiking along the rim or below it. For example, walking part of the Bright Angel Trail yourself costs nothing and gives you some of the same perspective as a mule rider who paid hundreds of dollars.
Instead of a pricey sunset tour, you can take the shuttle to Hermit’s Rest or Hopi Point and catch the sunset on your own. By prioritizing the free experiences (hiking, scenic views, visitor center exhibits) over the commercial tours, you’ll keep costs low.
Plan Your Fuel Stops and Transportation Wisely
Gas up in larger towns where prices are lower – for instance, fuel up in Flagstaff or Williams (where gas might be $3–$4 per gallon) rather than near the park where it’s $5+.
This simple step can save $10–$20 on a fill-up. Also, if your group is small, compare the cost of driving vs. a shuttle or shared tour from a city. Sometimes, if traveling solo, taking a $70 round-trip shuttle from Flagstaff could be cheaper than renting a car for three days.
On the other hand, a family of four will almost always save by driving themselves versus paying per-person shuttle fees. If you do rent a car, choose an efficient model – you won’t need a 4x4 for paved roads to Grand Canyon, so a standard sedan or compact SUV could suffice and cost less both in rental rate and fuel.
Finally, keep in mind that the park entrance fee covers 7 days; if you are on a long road trip, you don’t have to rush through the canyon in one day just to save on entry – take the time you want (up to a week) without paying extra. If you’re moving on to other parks (like Zion, Bryce, etc.), using that $80 annual pass will continue to save money on subsequent stops.
A carefully budgeted trip can cost a fraction of what an all-inclusive, tour-heavy trip would cost, all while still allowing you to experience the Grand Canyon’s awe-inspiring views from sunrise to sunset.
Planning ahead is key: with the right budget planning, you’ll enjoy the adventure with more money left in your pocket and peace of mind about your expenses.