# Travel >> Types of Travel >> Historical Trips

Grand Canyon North Rim Bus Tours

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona offers spectacular views, but the Rim is not accessible by road during the extreme winter weather. The closure runs from mid-October through mid-May when highway re-opens after the road has been cleared of snow. The upper north canyon is nearly 1000 feet higher than the opposing rim, and provides a clear view of the Colorado River below, the forest, the Unkar Delta, and the multicolored rock walls of the canyon. Bus tours are one way to learn historical, geological, and anthropological information about the canyon.

National Parks Service Shuttles
- The Grand Canyon National Park offers bus service, the Trans-Canyon Shuttle, from the north and south rims. The trip requires a commitment of 4.5 hours each direction and is offered only one time each day. The shuttle bus departs from the north rim at 7:00 a.m. and arrives at 12:00 noon. It leaves the south rim at 1:30 p.m. and finishes the route at the north rim at 6:30 p.m. Round-trip passage is approximately $150 and one-way tickets are over half the amount. Reservations are suggested, especially during the prime summer tourist season. Scheduled runs begin on May 15th and end October 15, although additional buses may run at other times in mild weather conditions.
  
  National Parks Service Shuttles
  Reservations
  (928) 638-2820
Grand Canyon Lodge
- A bus shuttle is available each day from the Grand Canyon Lodge, located at Bright Angel Point, and the North Kaibab Trailhead. Tickets must be reserved and purchased 24-hours before the departure. The front desk of the Lodge makes reservations and accepts payment for tickets. A minimal fee is required, under $10 per person each way. Reservations book early, especially in the middle summer when the climate is more temperate.
  
  Grand Canyon Lodge Reservation Desk
  (877) 386-4383 (877-Fun-4-Ever)
  From Outside the United States (480) 337-1320
  Grand Canyon National Park
  North Rim, Arizona 86052
Small Tour Groups
- For visitors traveling in small groups, 10 or under, Open Road Tours offers a special North Rim Bus Tour package departing from various airports in the region, including Phoenix, Flagstaff or Las Vegas. The charter van, with tour guide and driver, take guests through the sites and historic locations associated with the North Rim. Package options include hiking, overnight accommodations, and meals. Open Road Tours will provide services to meet visitors' special interests, but the tours are available only as a package for 10 guests. Call Donnita Parker at Open Road Tours to discuss small tour requirements.
  
  Open Road Tours
  522 East Dunlap Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ 85020
  Callers Outside U.S.: (602) 997-6474
  U.S. Callers: (800) 766-7117
  Email: [email protected]
Large Tour Groups
- Open Road Tours also offers bus tour packages for large groups, 45 or more people, from Phoenix, Flagstaff or Las Vegas. The charter motor coach provides the transportation for the large tour group. Meals, overnight accommodations, driver, and tour guide may be selected as part of the tour package. Special tour activities, such as stops to hike, walk or climb along the route, may be arranged during the booking planning. The large group tour is available only as a one-price booking and the fee depends on the activities arranged for the tour. Contact Charity Bissen at Open Road Tours to design a special large group tour.
  
  Open Road Tours
  522 East Dunlap Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ 85020
  Callers Outside U.S.: (602) 997-6474
  U.S. Callers: (800) 766-7117
  Email: [email protected]