Driving Hermit Road at the Grand Canyon Without the Shuttle Bus
- Hermit Road is open to private vehicles during winter months.
- Accessibility permits are available for travellers with disabilities.
- Shuttle buses operate from March 1 to November 30.
- Commercial bus tours are available year-round.
- Bicyclists and hikers can access Hermit Road year-round.
For more detail, read on.
What is Hermit Road?
Hermit Road is a seven mile road that hugs the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It links several of the most popular viewpoints on the Grand Canyon, including Hopi Point, Mohave Point and Pima Point.
Hermit Road runs from the western edge of Grand Canyon Village to Hermits Rest, where there’s a small snack bar and gift shop.
The problem is that Hermit Road is popular, and the National Park Service has closed it off to vehicles.
Well, most vehicles, most of the time.
Grand Canyon South Rim shuttle bus
Most visitors to the Grand Canyon South Rim will see the lookouts and viewpoints of Hermit Road using the shuttle bus. This bus is provided by the National Park Service and runs frequently throughout the day. It is by far the best option for most visitors.
When can you drive Hermit Road at the Grand Canyon?
However, the Hermit Road shuttle bus at Grand Canyon South Rim only runs between March 1 and November 30.
If you visit in December, January or February, self-driving along Hermit Road is permitted.
Walking and cycling Hermit Road
For the rest of the year, you have a few options. The first is to walk along the 13-mile Canyon Rim Trail, which covers the same stops, but hugs the canyon rim even closer. It’s a fairly flat walk, albeit with little shade.
The second option for seeing Hermit Road without taking the shuttle bus is going by bike. Bright Angel Bicycles in Grand Canyon Village offers both bike tours and rentals.
Grand Canyon tours that include Hermit Road
Option three is to go on a Grand Canyon tour with a commercial operator. Check the itinerary details before booking, however, as not all tours go down Hermit Road. Most stick to the equally impressive Desert View Drive, but you can drive along that yourself.
Grand Canyon accessibility permits
For travellers with mobility issues, however, there is another option for driving along Hermit Road. The National Park Service offers accessibility permits for scenic drives within the national park – including along Hermit Road.
To get an accessibility permit, you need to ask at the national park entry gate when paying the $35 park entry fee. Eligibility criteria are vague – probably deliberately so – but there is no requirement to show a state-issued parking pass or Blue Badge equivalent.
These accessibility permits are free of charge, and come with a code to open the barrier to Hermit Road at Grand Canyon Village. They are designed for those who genuinely need it, however – don’t potentially spoil it for travellers who do need the extra help if you do not.
It should also be noted that the Hermit Road shuttle buses are wheelchair-accessible.
Things to do near Hermit Road
- Grand Canyon Village – Explore the historic centre of the South Rim, including its old railway buildings, lodges, shops and viewpoints, before or after driving Hermit Road.
- Bright Angel Trail – Start one of the Grand Canyon’s best-known trails near the historic village and walk a short section into the canyon rather than attempting the full descent.
- Kolb Studio – Visit this historic photography studio perched beside the Bright Angel Trail to learn about the Kolb brothers and their pioneering Grand Canyon photography.
- Yavapai Geology Museum – Head to Yavapai Point for geological exhibits and a clear explanation of how the Grand Canyon was formed, with excellent views from the museum windows.
- Mather Point – Make this your first or last Grand Canyon viewpoint for a broad panorama of the canyon, particularly if you are also following the best route from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.
Alternative attractions
- Desert View Drive – This 23-mile South Rim road is the closest equivalent to Hermit Road, with multiple viewpoints, pull-outs and the Desert View Watchtower, and can be driven in a private vehicle year-round when conditions permit.
- Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive – Around two hours from the South Rim via Flagstaff and Sedona, this spectacular road follows Arizona 89A through a wooded canyon and into Sedona.
- US-180 from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon – This scenic approach to the South Rim passes through the San Francisco Peaks and Coconino National Forest, making the journey itself part of the attraction.
- Walnut Canyon National Monument – About 1½ hours from Grand Canyon Village, this dramatic canyon landscape combines rim views with trails leading past ancient cliff dwellings.
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Roughly 1¾ hours away near Flagstaff, this volcanic landscape has a scenic loop road with viewpoints and short walks among the lava fields.
More Arizona travel
For more things to do in Arizona, head here.
Other articles about Arizona on Planet Whitley include:
- Driving across London Bridge in… Lake Havasu City.
- Should I do a Grand Canyon day tour from Sedona?
- Where to see bears in Arizona.
- The best route from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.
- How scary is the Grand Canyon Skywalk?
- Red Rock Crossing in Sedona – nature’s greatest swimming pool?
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