Here's how to avoid Grand Canyon traffic jams

Here's how you can avoid long admission lines and crowded parking lots at

this summer: Park your car in Tusayan and hop on the free shuttle bus.

Tusayan is about a mile south of the park entrance. Shuttles run every 20 minutes between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. The National Park Service will provide the rides through Friday, Sept. 5.

Buses stop at four Tusayan locations: the IMAX Theater and R.P.'s Stage Stop, Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Grand Hotel and Big E Steakhouse and Saloon. Passengers are delivered to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where they can catch shuttles to hotels, restaurants, overlooks, trailheads and other attractions.

You'll need a park-admission pass to board the bus. Buy one at the Squire Inn, Grand Hotel, Grand Canyon Trading Post, IMAX Theater, R.P.'s Stage Stop, Red Feather Lodge or Canyon Plaza Resort. The pass is good for shuttle-bus or private-car admission for seven days. Holders of the America the Beautiful National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass or other valid pass don't need to buy an additional pass.

Buses are fueled with clean-burning, compressed natural gas. All are wheelchair-accessible and equipped with racks that can hold up to three bikes.

Last summer, there were more than 89,000 boardings of the shuttle, representing a reduction of about 15,000 cars, park officials said.

"We are pleased to provide this shuttle service to park visitors and local residents again this year," park superintendent Dave Uberuaga said. "Utilizing this free service helps to reduce crowding along park roadways and reduces our carbon footprint, further protecting Grand Canyon's unique resources."

Details: www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm.