Park Passes and Fees
While portions of this scenic route remain open year-round, weather permitting, the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road is open for vehicle access from mid-June to mid-September. Before and after this core summer season, sections of the road will be closed.
Today, the greatest value in american recreational destinations got even better as the National Park Service announced the first of what we hope will be several free visitation periods this year. Yosemite National Park? Free! Yellowstone National Park? Free! Acadia National Park? Free! Disney World? Not free. Major League Baseball Tickets? Sorry. Not free. Tickets to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. Not on your life. That skywalk near the grand canyon?
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The Federal Access Pass provides access to national parks and other recreation facilities managed by the federal government. It may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.
Some examples of acceptable documentation include:
• Statement by a licensed physician;
• Document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income, or Supplemental Security Income;
• Document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.
An Access Pass can be obtained in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office:
Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us
National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
Many of the facilities at Grand Canyon are historic and built before current accessibility standards were set. The terrain is rugged with narrow, rocky trails and steep cliffs. Visitors using wheelchairs or who have visual impairments may need assistance.
The National Park Service provides wheelchairs for temporary day use by park visitors. No rental fee is charged. Wheelchairs are usually available on the South Rim at Canyon View Information Plaza, and on the North Rim at the Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Lodge.
All park shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.
An Accessibility Permit may also be obtained in the park at entrance gates, the visitor center at Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, El Tovar registration desk, and the Bright Angel Lodge transportation desk.
The Accessibility Permit allows access to some areas closed to private vehicles, and acts as a temporary parking permit for designated parking.
A copy of the Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility Guide may be downloaded here (1.09MB PDF File) Be aware that this document is out of date and is being reprinted. The roads and parking lots around the South Rim Visitor Center have changed. Also, the Desert View parking areas have been changed.
If you have any accessibility questions about Desert View, or elsewhere in the park, you may email the NPS here.
Upon your arrival at the park, a paper copy of the Accessibility Guide is available upon request at Canyon View Information Center, Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, Tusayan Museum, Desert View Information Center, or North Rim Visitor Center.Several of the daily Interpretive Ranger Programs are wheelchair accessible. Inquire at visitor centers or look in the "Grand Canyon Guide" newspaper for specifics.
The Federal Access Pass provides access to national parks and other recreation facilities managed by the federal government. It may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.
Some examples of acceptable documentation include:
• Statement by a licensed physician;
• Document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income, or Supplemental Security Income;
• Document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.
An Access Pass can be obtained in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office:
Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us
National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
I'm coming to the Grand Tetons April 5-8 and am interested in sleigh rides as well as observing the wildlife. I also plan on going to Yellowstone Park. I'm from northern Indiana, so the cold weather and snow won't bother me. How are the main roads as well as the snow amounts? Are the temps in the low to mid 30s?
Grand Tetons National Park generally only offers guided snowshoeing tours through the end of March. If there is enough snow it is possible the park may extend their tours. Please call (307) 739-3399 or for more information. You can also visit the following website for more information on cross country skiing and snowshoeing in Grand Tetons.
Sleigh rides are offered in the surrounding communities like Jackson Hole. The following sites are links to several concessioners who provide these services. You will have to check with them to determine whether or not they will still be offering these tours.
http://www.jacksonholewy.net/winter_recreation/sleigh_rides.php
- In Grand Teton check www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/roads.htm or call (307) 739-3614
I-15 is a major thoroughfare, so I expect that unless there are heavy snowfalls, you won't run into any closures. There are many routes into Bryce off of I-15, so you will have to look at a map to determine how scenic you want your course to be. It also depends on wether you are coming from points North or points South. Either direction, you will make your way to UT 12, and then to UT 63 (State Roads). 63 is the only thoroughfare through the park.
There are only ever brief closures in Bryce after heavy snowstorms. Otherwise, it is a year round park. If you want to check, you can find more information here, or call the visitors information hotline, 435.834.5322.
March South Rim Averages: High (51°F); Low (25°F)
March North Rim Averages: High (44°F); Low (21°F)
For more information, check out the NPS very in-depth page on Canyon weather here - http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm
The South Rim of Grand Canyon is open every day of the year. Personal vehicles are allowed at most times on the rim road with certain exceptions. As of today, the weather and roads is fine and access is available everywhere except for Yaki Point. On March 1st some things change, so for more information on the day/days you'd like to go, you should call the park information line at (928) 638-7888.
Here are some other links for current weather in the area:
• http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm
• http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=fgz&smap=1&textField1=36.04639&textField2=-112.15333
We just returned from the South rim of the Grand Canyon. The roads are well maintained and if you follow the Hermit Road from the Village where the Lodges are, you won't have any trouble at all.
We just returned from the South rim of the Grand Canyon. The roads are well maintained and if you follow the Hermit Road from the Village where the Lodges are, you won't have any trouble at all.
