A 35-minute IMAX film about the canyon's geology and human history on an 82-foot screen at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan, just outside the park's South Entrance, with shows every hour.
The IMAX theater at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan shows Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time, a 35-minute film on a screen 82 feet wide. It is the easiest way to see parts of the canyon you will not reach on a short visit, such as the river corridor and the inner gorge, and to understand what you are looking at before you drive the last few miles to the rim.
The film moves through the canyon's story roughly in order. It covers Native American creation stories and geology, the Ancestral Puebloans who farmed here, the Spanish explorers and frontiersmen who followed, and John Wesley Powell's 1869 expedition down the Colorado River. It also uses photographs of 1890s visitors and footage of wildlife, and the aerial sequences, swooping low over the river and through side canyons, are what most people remember. The ticket also covers the interactive exhibits in the visitor center, and an optional hot lunch can be added at checkout.
Shows start every hour on the half hour, and you can join the next one after showing your phone ticket at the visitor center entrance. The listed hours have varied, so check the current schedule on the day. The theater is wheelchair accessible, with space for up to eight wheelchairs per screening, and an audio guide is available in French, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. Cancellation and rescheduling are free until 23:59 the day before your visit.
When does it make sense? It is ideal on a day when cloud, snow or smoke blocks the views, and a good way to give children some context before the rim. It is also an easy stop if you are staying in Tusayan, since the building sits on Route 64 in town. It is not a substitute for the real view, so do not let it eat into limited time at the rim on a clear day. The same building is the check-in point for several jeep tours.
What to expect
The experience
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center on State Route 64 in Tusayan, a short drive south of the park's South Entrance. Parking is outside the building. Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time runs about 35 minutes on an 82-foot screen, covering geology, Native American history, early explorers, Powell's river expedition and aerial footage. The theater is wheelchair accessible, with up to eight wheelchair spaces per show. Audio narration is available in French, Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
Best time
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Shows begin every hour at half past the hour. Show your phone ticket at the entrance and join the next screening. Go before the rim on a clear day, or save it for a cloudy afternoon if the views are poor.
How long
Plan for about 35 minutes (film).
Tips
Your ticket includes the visitor center's interactive exhibits. A hot lunch can be added when you book. A package ticket pairs the film with a scenic airplane flight from Grand Canyon National Park Airport, a few minutes away. It is a useful pairing if you want both the history and the aerial view in one morning. You only have a few hours at the canyon in good weather. Spend them on the rim instead.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, rainy or snowy days, and anyone who wants context before seeing the rim.
- Families
- A short, comfortable indoor stop that works well for children, especially on a hot or cold day.
- Couples
- A relaxed way to add context to the canyon before or after a day on the rim.
- Pair with
- Several jeep tours check in at the same building, so a film before your tour is easy to fit in.
- Time needed
- About 35 minutes (film).
Good questions
Where is the Grand Canyon IMAX?+
At the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on Route 64 in Tusayan, just outside the park's South Entrance. It is not inside the national park, so no park pass is needed.
How long is the film?+
About 35 minutes. Shows start every hour on the half hour.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes. It is a family-friendly documentary. Some of the low aerial sequences on the giant screen can feel intense for anyone prone to motion sickness.
Can I cancel my ticket?+
Yes. Cancellation and rescheduling are possible until 23:59 on the day before your visit.
Is it worth it if I am going to the rim anyway?+
It adds the river and inner gorge, which you cannot see from most rim viewpoints, plus useful history. On a short visit in clear weather, prioritize the rim.
