Entry is free now at just about all National Parks to avoid person to person contamination. But most services are closed. The general store is still open with abbreviated hours; restrooms are around the back. Open campgrounds might still have open restrooms. If you're not local or within a day's drive (like Phoenix or Vegas or spots nearer), I wouldn't go.

Hola, the shuttle busses are for free, they stop at several bus stops along the south rim and you can jump on/ off wherever you want. We left our car on the huge car park at the visitor center. When you start your walk there it is easy. But the last bit to Hermit's Rest is very hard. The path is close to the edge and there are some steep bits. But it is the best place l've ever been to. Enjoy

You might try taking the red shuttle along Hermit’s Road. It’s a long ride with lots of stops. You can look at the map as you ride and see how far it is to the next stop. Then you and the kids can get out at any stop that seems good (according to the kids mood and the scenery) and start hiking. The trail follows fairly near the road. Hike to the next stop and catch the shuttle again, or keep going if the kids are able. This way you can be flexible. You can also hike some at the beginning of the route, then catch the shuttle and ride a ways, and hike more at the end. This way you can see different views. We enjoyed hiking along the Abyss because it had a spectacular steep drop-off and there was hardly anyone on the trail but us. You probably won’t go as far as a regular woodland trail since you will want to keep very close track of your kids. There are rails but kids could easily go right over the edge unless you’re careful. The trail itself is fairly flat though, paved in the well traveled areas and dirt in the lonelier parts.

I’ve done the walk as a tour guide many, many times. It’s the perfect walk for people of all ages and fitness. It could be an hour. It could be two. It just depends how often people are stopping to check things out. And it won’t be crowded. Once you’re 100 yards from the buildings there’s no one. It’s very peaceful. FYI...if there’s any way you can pack a lunch you will be much better off having a picnic along the rim than spending a lot of wasted time waiting in lines for overpriced, bad food.

Do you mean from Yavapai Point on the Rim or the lodge? There are maps online of the South Rim trail that will answer your question about walking from point to point. We used the bus from Yavapai lodge to the Rim Trail points that we were seeing.

Here is the official answer from the park management. Most of the trail is paved and some sections are accessible. Excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon and for visitors who desire an easy hike with minimal elevation change. In winter surfaces may be slippery or icy when snowy. Beware of lightning during summer thunderstorms. Leashed pets are permitted on the trail but not on park shuttle buses. Directions to Trailhead: Begin from any viewpoint in Grand Canyon Village or along Hermit Road. Can access the trail from many of the shuttle bus stops. Trailhead Elevation: 6,820 feet, varies approximately 200 feet. Note: NO water along trail. Water in Grand Canyon Village area and at Hermits Rest Be careful, don't leave the person in the wheelchair unattended. There are no rail, no fences on the edges of the canyon.

We were here in October and the road was blocked except for the Grand Canyon Rim Trail Buses.which are very convenient.