Really friendly workers. Amazing views.
Trip Snapshot
Best Time to Visit
5 am–8 am & 3 pm–6 pm, Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Open
MON–SUN 00:00‑24:00*
Price Range
$
Parking
Desert View Parking Lot (0.5 mi inside gate; car, RV & bus spaces)
Only hands out 1 single map for 13 people! Rude rangers work here and act as if they would rather be anywhere else than at the Grand Canyon. What an amazing introduction for people coming into the park, NPS really hiring the laziest people.Always poor customer service everytime I’ve ever gone through this gate.This entire entrance needs better management
Avoid the crowds and take this entrance to the Grand Canyon. Went on Labor Day weekend, but only two cars were ahead of us. NPS park ranger seemed pretty tired, but gave us two park maps.
This is the easternmost entrance to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You'll pass this to get to the Desert View.
I had a good experience here, but they do not hand out a map and cell service is spotty in the park.
Why Visit East Entrance Station
Enter Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim from the east. The East Entrance Station puts you on Desert View Drive within minutes of sweeping canyon vistas and usually shorter lines than the busy South Entrance.
Highlights
Quickest access to Desert View Watchtower – just 0.2 mi past the gate.
Scenic arrival – AZ‑64 follows the Little Colorado River Gorge before climbing to the rim.
Less congestion – lighter traffic than the South Entrance, especially at dawn.
Description
The East Entrance Station, often called the Desert View Entrance, sits 25 mi/40 km east of Grand Canyon Village on Arizona State Route 64. It serves as the park’s primary gateway for visitors arriving from Page, Monument Valley, and the Navajo Nation. Two stone‑and‑steel booths collect entrance fees, dispense park maps, and provide basic orientation. Beyond the gate you’ll find restrooms, water refill stations, and the Desert View complex with fuel, food, and the historic Watchtower. The entrance remains open year‑round, only closing briefly for severe snowstorms. Because traffic flows one‑way, waits are generally shorter than at the South Entrance, making this an ideal choice for sunrise visits or day trips from eastern Arizona and Utah.
History
1932
Desert View Watchtower opens, boosting traffic to the east rim.
1955
Original fee booth constructed to manage growing automobile visitation.
1987
Booths rebuilt with stone façade to match park architecture.
June 1, 2018
Vehicle entrance fee rises to $35 per car (NPS fee update).
Mar 2020
Gate closes due to COVID‑19 restrictions.
Apr 8, 2021
East Entrance reopens to the public (NPS news release).
2023
Contactless credit‑card machines installed for after‑hours payment.
Features
Two vehicle lanes (one oversized/RV lane)
Automated fee machine (credit/debit)
Accessible payment window
Park maps & orientation signage
Nearby restrooms (0.1 mi past gate)
Water refill station (Desert View Picnic Area)
Trash & recycling receptacles
Emergency phone (after hours)
Getting There
From Cameron, drive 30 mi/48 km west on AZ‑64. From Flagstaff, take US‑89 N then AZ‑64 W (75 mi/120 km).
Insider Tips
Local advice to help you make the most of your visit.
01Good to know
Arrive before 8 am to skip lines and catch sunrise at Desert View Point.
02Be prepared
Keep your receipt
it doubles as your pass for re‑entry at any rim gate.
03Local tip
Mobile service is spotty; download maps offline.
04Save time
Winter storms can close AZ‑64 east of the park
check road status.
05Stay connected
Restrooms are inside the gate; none at the booths.
06Good to know
Display your pass on the driver’s side dashboard.
07Be prepared
RVs use the wider right‑hand lane.
08Local tip
Have a full tank
next gas is 25 mi west in Grand Canyon Village.
Want the perfect day plan?Checkout our planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the gate always open?
Yes, 24 hours a day unless closed by severe weather.
Can I pay cash?
Credit and debit cards only.
Are America the Beautiful passes accepted?
Absolutely—show your pass and photo ID.
Do shuttles reach the gate from Flagstaff?
No. You must drive or join a commercial tour.
Are pets allowed?
Pets may remain in your vehicle; leashed pets allowed on paved areas beyond the gate.
Is there parking at the gate?
No. Continue 0.2 mi to Desert View Parking Lot.
Can I exit the park through this gate at night?
Yes, outbound traffic flows 24/7.
Will my cell phone work?
Limited coverage; Verizon has the best signal.
Are there EV chargers nearby?
Level‑2 chargers at Grand Canyon Visitor Center, 25 mi west.
Do I need reservations?
No reservations required to enter the park.
