Permits

A permit is needed if you are planning to camp overnight below the rim in the Grand Canyon National Park. You can obtain a permit by:

  1. visiting the Backcountry Information Center on either the North or South Rims.
  2. mailing a permit request to the Backcountry Information Center, P.O. box 129, Grand Canyon,, AZ 86023 or call 928-638-7875 weekdays1:00pm to 5:00pm (Mountain Standard Time) for information or for the Trip Planning Packet.
  3. you may fax a permit request to 928-638-2125.
Permits cannot be obtained over the phone.

There is a non-refundable fee of $10.00 per permit. Also there is a $5.00 fee per person per night camped below the rim. There is a $5.00 fee for groups that camp above the rim. You may also obtain a one-year frequent hiker permit that costs $25.00 and waives the $10.00 per permit fee. If you plan on exploring caves you will also need a permit.

 

It's Hot Inside the Grand Canyon

Both Spring and Fall are the best times to hike in the Grand Canyon. We were in the Canyon late April and early May and the weather was perfect.

Temperatures(F) and Rainfall(inches) at Phantom Ranch
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Maximum
72
82
88
98
109
114
119
120
108
102
84
70
Ave. Max.
56
62
71
82
92
101
106
103
97
84
68
57
Minimum
36
42
48
56
63
72
78
75
96
58
46
37
Ave. Min
26
31
32
27
46
61
62
59
49
41
31
30
Ave. Rainfall
0.7

0.8
0.8
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.8
1.4
1.0
0.7
0.4
0.9