Visitor Information in Grand Canyon

Every person arriving at the South or North Rim is given a detailed map of the area. Centers at both rims also publish a free newspaper, the Guide, which contains a detailed area map; it's available at the visitor center, entrance stations, and many of the lodging facilities and stores. The park also distributes Accessibility Guide, a free newsletter that details the facilities accessible to travelers with disabilities. Grand Canyon National Park is the contact for general information. Write ahead for a complimentary Trip Planner, updated regularly by the National Park Service.

Several Web sites are useful for trip-planning information, including the National Park Service's Web site, which has information on fees and permits. Try thecanyon.com, a commercial site where you'll find information on lodging, dining, and general park information. You can use the Xanterra Parks & Resorts Grand Canyon Web site to make reservations for park lodging, mule rides, bus tours, and some smooth-water rafting trips. The park service allows camping reservations to be made online as well, through the campground reservation vendor.

In summer, transportation-services desks are maintained at El Tovar, Bright Angel, Maswik Lodge, and Yavapai Lodge in Grand Canyon Village; in winter, the one at Yavapai is closed. The desks provide information and handle bookings, sightseeing tours, taxi and bus services, mule and horseback rides, and accommodations at Phantom Ranch (at the bottom of the Grand Canyon). The concierge at El Tovar can also arrange most tours, with the exception of mule rides and lodging at Phantom Ranch.

Grand Canyon Lodge has general information about local services available in summer when the North Rim is open.

The Williams and Forest Service Visitor Center, run by the U.S. Forest Service and the Williams Chamber of Commerce, offers information on the Kaibab National Forest and the entire Grand Canyon region.

Grand Canyon Contacts

Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce (928/638-2901. www.grandcanyonchamber.com). Grand Canyon National Park (928/638-7888 recorded message. 928/638-7797. www.nps.gov/grca). Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (303/297-2757. 303/297-3175. www.grandcanyonlodges.com). Navajo Nation Tourism Dept. (Tuba City) (928/871-6436. www.discovernavajo.com). North and South Rim Camping (800/365-2267. reservations.nps.gov/index.cfm). Williams and Forest Service Visitor Center (928/635-4061).

Williams Visitor Center (200 W. Railroad Ave., at Grand Canyon Blvd. 928/635-1418 or 800/863-0546. www.williamschamber.com. Spring, fall, and winter, daily 8-5; summer, daily 8-6:30)