Between March 1, and November 30, Hermit Road can only be accessed by the free Hermit Road (Red) Route shuttle bus, on foot, bicycle, or by commercial tour.

Nearby:

• Canyon Overlook
• Canyon Rim Trail

A short walk down the stairs from the shuttle stop is the best location for aerial views of the sinuous switchbacks of Bright Angel Trail. From this viewpoint, you can see everything —from where the trial starts just west of the historic village, down, and down, 3000 feet (914 m) to Havasupai Garden, until the trail finally disappears into the depths of the inner gorge.

Looking south and southeast you can see the Historic District of Grand Canyon Village, a collection of hotels and visitor services that has retained much of its orignial character from the early 20th Century.  Further to the south, the hazy blue mountains of the San Francisco Volcanic Field rise above the Coconino Plateau to dot the horizon, with the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks towering the highest.

From this overlook, you can walk downhill along the Canyon Rim Trail, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) and return to the village. 

Hermits Rest (Red) Route 

• First bus is a 8 am. Last bus is one hour after sunset.
• 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM (every 15 minutes)
• 11:00 AM to one hour after sunset (every 10 minutes)

• To ride the last bus, be at a bus stop 30 minutes after sunset.

Don't get caught out on Hermit Road in the dark without a ride back to the Village! 

The last return shuttle stops at all Hermit Road bus stops on the way back to the Village to ensure that no one is left behind.

Route Information

If you simply ride this shuttle bus without getting off at any stop, the entire loop will take approximately 80 minutes to return to where you started.

From the Trailview Overlook shuttle stop, buses only travel outbound (westbound) towards Hermits Rest, stopping at the following locations. 

• Maricopa Point

• Powell Point (Outbound)

• Hopi Point

• Mohave Point (Outbound)

• The Abyss

• Monument Creek Vista

• Pima Point (Outbound)

• Hermits Rest

The buses turn around at Hermits Rest, then return inbound (eastbound) to the Village, stopping only at the following locations:

• Pima Point (Inbound)
• Mohave Point (Inbound)
• Powell Point (Inbound)
• Village Route Transfer

Shuttle Bus Rules

• No eating or open drink containers.

• No pets allowed on shuttle buses. Service dogs are permitted (as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act).

• Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers in wheelchairs. Please note that wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 cm x 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses, and most motorized scooters will not fit.

• Collapse strollers before entering the shuttle bus. No oversized or jogging strollers. Remove baby-back carriers when seated.

• Shuttle buses can accommodate two or three bicycles, but not tag alongs, baby trailers, or children's bicycles with wheels less than 16 inches (41 cm). Riders must load and unload their bicycles from the front-facing rack.

• Shuttle buses only stop at designated bus stops.