My reservation is for 8am, would I be. Ake to be there earlier since the park opens at 6am?

It also depends. If you made reservation but you are early - if hour you showed up is getting till the end you migh squeeze in ;)

We visited the canyon today from 9 am to 4 pm with no reservations. Their chip readers didn't function due to an internet shutdown and they asked for cash. We didn't have cash but showed the annual national parks pass and didn't pay any entrance fees. Trails were nice and clean. Some of them moderate to difficult.

We just showed up about 3PM on a weekday and went right in. About a month ago, and no reservations.

We didn't make a reservation in advance, we did it at the gate and had no wait

There is a little leeway, but not that much. We visited yesterday 15 minutes early and was allowed in, so maybe up to 30 minutes. Thought I had read that 30 minutes either way but can't seem to give it again.

Your time is when you can get in. So you have to be there at 8:00am

I say you should be find

You have to be there at 8am

No. Your time is when you can get in.