Skip the long line of cars at the gate! Park your car in Tusayan, and ride the free shuttle bus into the park. Laugh at all the suckers stuck in line! I am a local, so I only take this route if I want to ride my bike one way, and get a ride back home. There is a bike rack on the front of the bus. The drivers are nice and well informed, and there are Park Rangers that on some of the buses giving out park information.
You will still have to pay for entrance to the park. Either show the driver your National Parks Pass, or your entrance fee receipt (which you can pay for at local hotels, the airport, or Imax theater.) If you are a local resident, show your Arizona ID.
Check out the website above for further information.
**The buses are handicapped accessible, but if you are mobility impaired, I recommend bringing your vehicle into the park. Ask for an Accessibility Guide at the entrance station.
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From the NPS website:
Tusayan Route 40 minutes round trip:
May 14 through September 9, 2011
Between May 14 and Sept. 9, 2011, the Tusayan Route, a part of Grand Canyon National Park's visitor transportation system on the South Rim, provides "park & ride" shuttle bus service between the gateway community of Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park. (7 miles/11km south of the S. Rim village)
The service is in operation between May 14 and September 9, 2011.
20 minutes each way (riding time; no stop)
Buses run every 15 minutes:
First bus leaves Tusayan 8:00 a.m.
First bus leaves Grand Canyon Visitor Center at 8:40 a.m.
Last buses leave from both areas at 9:30 p.m.
Visitors entering the park from Tusayan via the shuttle bus must present a valid park entrance pass. Entrance passes may be purchased at park entrances or at various businesses in Tusayan.
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