Grand Canyon IMAX: Rivers of Time Movie Ticket
About this tour
This ticket gets you into the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater for Rivers of Time, a film that traces the canyon's story from Native American legend and its geologic origins through to the explorers who first pushed down the Colorado River. The giant screen puts you right over the rim with sweeping aerial footage and dramatic recreations of the canyon's human history. Your admission also covers the interactive exhibits at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, so you get some context before or after the show.
Highlights
- Take in the wide panorama from Mather Point, one of the canyon's best-known overlooks.
- Follow a stretch of the Bright Angel Trail to feel the canyon's scale from inside it.
- Catch the canyon turning colors at sunset from Hopi Point, a prime spot for dramatic light.
- Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum to see how millions of years built up the canyon's rock layers.
- Walk out onto the West Rim Skywalk for a glass-floor view over the canyon (on select tours).
- View the Colorado River from the rim, from inner-canyon trails, or on a rafting route.
- See the canyon from the air on a helicopter or airplane flight for a whole new angle.
- Stand on the South Rim, where free shuttle buses link the viewpoints and reach roads closed to private cars.
Places You Will Visit
Included / Excluded
- Grand Canyon IMAX Theater admission
- Access to the interactive exhibits at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Getting There, Opening Hours and What to Expect
The theater sits in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, the busiest and most accessible part of the park. Most people arrive by car, and driving gives you the most flexibility. From Las Vegas the South Rim is roughly 4.5 to 5 hours away by road, while the West Rim is about 2 hours out. From Phoenix the South Rim is about a 3.5-hour drive. If you'd rather not drive, guided tours run from Las Vegas by bus, airplane, or helicopter and sometimes include hotel pickup, and the Grand Canyon Railway runs a scenic route from Williams, Arizona, straight to the South Rim. Once you're inside the park, a free shuttle system links the visitor centers, viewpoints, and lodges, so you can leave the car parked. Lots fill up fast in peak season.
The national park itself is open around the clock, every day of the year, but individual facilities keep their own seasonal hours. The South Rim Visitor Center runs 08:00 to 16:00 from May 23 to August 31, and 08:00 to 17:00 from September 1 to May 22. Beyond the IMAX show and the visitor center exhibits, the South Rim is where you'll find the classic overlooks, including Mather Point and Yavapai Point, plus the historic village, museums, and paved rim walks. Trails like Bright Angel drop steeply below the rim toward the Colorado River, and the climb back up is always harder than the way down, so plan your time and water carefully if you head out on foot.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : All day
- Tuesday : All day
- Wednesday : All day
- Thursday : All day
- Friday : All day
- Saturday : All day
- Sunday : All day
Last updated: Oct 23, 2026
Important Information
- The canyon has four rims (South, North, West, East), and tour options differ a lot by rim and departure city.
- South Rim tours are the most popular inside the national park and usually include bus, Hummer, and helicopter options.
- West Rim tours, often from Las Vegas, may add the Skywalk, helicopter landings, or a Colorado River boat ride; the West Rim is not part of the national park.
- Aerial tours have a weight limit of about 300 lbs (136 kg) per person; exceeding it may require an extra seat.
- Most ground tours include the national park entrance fee; aerial-only tours usually do not.
- Weather matters: July and August monsoon storms can cancel flights, and winter can affect South Rim access.
- Combo tours pairing flights, landings, boat rides, or Skywalk access let you cover several viewpoints in one trip.
- Many tours include or pass nearby sights like Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, or aerial views of the Las Vegas Strip.
- Inner-canyon summer temperatures can top 110°F (43°C), so bring water, sun protection, and proper footwear.
- Trails are steep and the climb back up is far harder than the descent; stay on marked trails.
- A free shuttle system on the South Rim connects major viewpoints, visitor centers, and lodges.
- Drones are strictly prohibited within Grand Canyon National Park.
- Keep to marked trails and away from cliff edges; no shortcuts.
- Never feed, approach, or disturb wildlife.
- Follow your guide's and the staff's instructions during guided activities.
- Helicopter and airplane tours have safety rules covering seating and weight limits.
- Tours may be changed or canceled for weather or safety reasons.
- Littering, taking rocks, or damaging natural features is prohibited.
- Accessibility varies by rim, viewpoint, and tour type.
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