Grand Canyon IMAX "Rivers of Time" ticket: 34-minute film

Watch Grand Canyon's epic story unfold on a giant IMAX screen with surround sound

Admission to the IMAX film "Rivers of Time" at Grand Canyon Visitor Center plays epic aerial photography, CGI animation and time-lapse sequences on a giant laser screen with immersive 12.0 sound. The 34-minute film traces human history and geology across the canyon's full span. Tickets are valid for any show time. The theater is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. Audio is available in English, Spanish, French, Korean and one additional language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Watch Grand Canyon IMAX movie

• Arrive at National Geographic Visitor Center
• Watch 34-minute Grand Canyon IMAX film

The experience

The film opens with humanity's relationship to the canyon, then moves through geological time and human history using footage that would take a lifetime of hiking to witness in person. Aerial shots, time-lapse sequences and CGI animation show the canyon from angles and timescales the ground-level visitor cannot reach. The National Geographic Visitor Center houses the theater, so you can book your ticket for whichever show time fits your day at the park.

The 12.0 surround sound and laser projection are built for the scale of the subject: the canyon spans 277 miles and the screen is sized to match that vastness. The air-conditioned theater offers a break from the Arizona heat. Wheelchair users can enter and move through the space without restriction, and strollers and infant seats are available for families with small children.

What’s included

• IMAX movie admission.
• giant laser screen presentation.
• 12.0 surround sound.
• air-conditioned theater.
• audio in English, Spanish, French, Korean and one additional language.

Options for this experience

2 options

IMAX Movie11 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 19:30Entry to the Grand Canyon IMAX screening of "Rivers of Time"

IMAX & Meal10 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 19:30Entry to the IMAX film, plus a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut with your choice of side and drink. Infants go free, but the free admission covers the film only.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 19:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Chinese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by IMAX Grand Canyon

Is this one for you?At 34 minutes, this film fits between other park activities without eating a full morning or afternoon. If you want the canyon's scale and deep time compressed into one sitting, the IMAX format and laser projection deliver what a viewpoint or a short walk cannot.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How long is the Grand Canyon IMAX movie?

The film runs 34 minutes, shown in air-conditioned comfort at the National Geographic Visitor Center.

What does the "Rivers of Time" film actually show?

"Rivers of Time" traces the canyon's geology and human history through aerial photography, time-lapse sequences and CGI animation, covering the full 277-mile span in ways ground-level viewing cannot.

Can I choose what time to watch the movie?

Yes, your ticket is valid for any show time, so you pick the screening that fits your schedule at the park.

Is the theater accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

The theater is fully wheelchair accessible. Strollers and specialized infant seats are also available.