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In the Park | Outside the Park
In the Park
South Rim
Bright Angel Lodge.
$ | HOTEL | Famed architect Mary Jane Colter designed this 1935 log-and-stone structure, which sits within a few yards of the canyon rim and blends superbly with the canyon walls. Its location is similar to El Tovar but for about half the price. Accommodations are in surprisingly attractive motel-style rooms or cabins. Lodge rooms don’t have TVs, and some rooms share a bath. Scattered among the pines are 50 cabins, which do have TVs and private baths; some have fireplaces, and a few have virtually unobstructed canyon views. Expect rustic, historic charm but not luxury. The Bright Angel Dining Room serves casual, affordable meals all day and the Arizona Room serves dinner only. Adding to the experience are an ice-cream parlor, gift shop, and small history museum. Pros: some rooms have canyon vistas; all are steps away from the rim; Internet kiosks and transportation desk for the mule ride check-in are in the lobby; good value for the amazing location. Cons: the popular lobby is always packed; parking is a bit of a hike. | Rooms from: $92 | Desert View Dr. | Grand Canyon Village | 888/297–2757 for reservations only, 928/638–2631 | www.grandcanyonlodges.com | 37 rooms (18 with bath), 50 cabins | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | El Tovar Hotel.
$$ | HOTEL | The hotel’s proximity to all of the canyon’s facilities, European hunting-lodge atmosphere, attractively updated rooms and tile baths, and renowned dining room make it the best place to stay on the South Rim. A registered National Historic Landmark, the “architectural crown jewel of the Grand Canyon” was built in 1905 of Oregon pine logs and native stone. It’s usually booked well in advance (up to 13 months ahead), though it’s easier to get a room during winter months. Three suites (El Tovar, Fred Harvey, and Mary Jane Colter) and several rooms have canyon views (these book very early), but you can enjoy the view anytime from the expansive back porch. Pros: historic lodging just steps from the South Rim; fabulous lounge with outdoor seating and canyon views; best in-park dining on-site. Cons: books up quickly. | Rooms from: $197 | Desert View Dr. | Grand Canyon Village | 888/297–2757 for reservations only, 928/638–2631 | www.grandcanyonlodges.com | 66 rooms, 12 suites | No meals.
Kachina Lodge.
$$ | HOTEL | The well-appointed rooms at this motel-style lodge on the South Rim are a good bet for families and are within easy walking distance of dining facilities at nearby lodges. Many rooms come with partial canyon views, and there are also several rooms for people with physical disabilities. There’s no air-conditioning, but evaporative coolers keep the heat at bay. Pros: partial canyon views in half the rooms; family-friendly; steps from the best restaurants in the park. Cons: check-in takes place at nearby El Tovar Hotel; limited parking. | Rooms from: $205 | Desert View Dr. | Grand Canyon Village | 888/297–2757 for reservations only, 928/638–2631 | www.grandcanyonlodges.com | 49 rooms | No meals.
Maswik Lodge.
$ | HOTEL | Far from the noisy crowds, Maswik accommodations are in two-story motel-style buildings nestled in a shady ponderosa pine forest. The lodge, named for a Hopi kachina who is said to guard the canyon, is ¼ mile from the rim. Rooms in the South Section have the fewest frills and resemble what you’d find at a typical budget chain property (though with wall-mounted fans instead of air-conditioning). The North Section rooms cost nearly twice as much but are larger and have brighter, newer furnishings, air-conditioning, and plenty of extras—refrigerators, coffeemakers, and safes. Families appreciate the pizza pub, a casual spot with a big-screen TV. Kids under 16 stay free. Pros: north units are well equipped; good for families; affordable dining options. Cons: rooms lack historic charm; tucked away from the rim in the forest; south units don’t have a/c. | Rooms from: $102 | Grand Canyon Village | 888/297–2757 for reservations only, 928/638–2631 | www.grandcanyonlodges.com | 278 rooms | No meals.
Phantom Ranch.
$ | B&B/INN | In a grove of cottonwood trees on the canyon floor, Phantom Ranch is accessible only to hikers and mule trekkers; there are 40 dormitory beds and 14 beds in cabins, all with shared baths. The wood-and-stone buildings originally made up a hunting camp built in 1922. Additional cabins are reserved for mule riders who buy their trips as a package. The mess hall–style restaurant, one of the most remote eating establishments in the United States, serves family-style dinners (purchased separately); breakfast and box lunches are also available. Reservations, taken up to 13 months in advance, are a must for services and lodging. Pros: only inner-canyon lodging option; fabulous canyon views; remote access limits crowds. Cons: accessible only by foot or mule; few amenities or means of outside communication. | Rooms from: $45 | On canyon floor, at intersection of Bright Angel and Kaibab trails | Grand Canyon National Park | 303/297–2757, 888/297–2757 | www.grandcanyonlodges.com | 4 dormitories, 9 cabins (some cabins with outside showers reserved for mule riders) | Some meals.
Thunderbird Lodge.
$$ | HOTEL | This motel with comfortable, simple rooms and partial canyon views has all the modern amenities you’d expect at a typical mid-price chain hotel—even pod coffeemakers. Rooms have either two queen beds or one king. Some rooms have evaporative coolers (they’re very effective) instead of air-conditioning. Pros: canyon views in some rooms ($16 extra); family-friendly. Cons: check-in takes place at nearby Bright Angel Lodge; limited parking nearby. | Rooms from: $205 | Desert View Dr. | Grand Canyon Village | 888/297–2757 for reservations only, 928/638–2631 | www.grandcanyonlodges.com | 55 rooms | No meals.
Yavapai Lodge.
$$ | HOTEL | The largest motel-style lodge in the park is tucked in a piñon and juniper forest at the eastern end of Grand Canyon Village, across from Market Plaza. The basic rooms are near the park’s general store, business center, and main visitor center. The lodge’s cafeteria, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serves standard park-service food. Pros: transportation-activities desk on-site in the lobby; walk to Market Plaza in Grand Canyon Village; forested grounds. Cons: farthest in-park lodging from the rim (½ mile); no a/c in west rooms. | Rooms from: $147 | 10 Yavapai Lodge Rd. | Grand Canyon Village | 877/404–4611 for reservations only | www.visitgrandcanyon.com | 358 rooms | No meals.
Best Grand Canyon Campgrounds
Within the national park, camping is permitted only in designated campsites. Some campgrounds charge nightly camping fees in addition to park entrance fees, and some accept reservations up to six months in advance (877/444–6777 | www.recreation.gov). Others are first-come, first-served.
In-park camping outside of a developed rim campground requires a permit from the Backcountry Information Center, which also serves as your reservation. Permits can be requested by mail or fax only; applying well in advance is recommended. Call | 928/638–7875 between 1 pm and 5 pm weekdays for information.
Outside the park boundaries, there are campgrounds near the South and North rims and in Havasu Canyon and the Kaibab National Forest. There’s no camping on the West Rim, but you can pitch a tent at Diamond Creek near the Colorado River.
South Rim
Bright Angel Campground. This backcountry campground is near Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. There are toilet facilities and running water, but no showers. | Intersection of South and North Kaibab trails, South Rim | 928/638–7875 .
Desert View Campground. Popular for spectacular views of the canyon from the nearby watchtower, this campground doesn’t take reservations; show up before noon, as it fills up fast in summer. Open May through mid-October, these sites have no hookups. | Desert View Dr., 23 miles east of Grand Canyon Village off Hwy. 64, South Rim.
Indian Garden. Halfway down the canyon is this backcountry campground, en route to Phantom Ranch on the Bright Angel Trail. Running water and toilet facilities are available, but not showers. | Bright Angel Trail, South Rim | 928/638–7875
Trailer Village.
This campground in Grand Canyon Village has RV sites—but no tent-camping sites—with full hookups and bathroom facilities, though the bathrooms are ½ mile from the campground. The facility is very busy in spring and summer, so make reservations ahead of time. The dump station is closed in winter. Pros: best spot for RVs because of full hookups; walking distance to restaurants and grocery store; open all year. Cons: in crowded part of South Rim. | Off Village Loop Dr., | Grand Canyon Village | 303/297–2757, 877/404–4611 reservations only, 303/297–3175 reservations only | www.visitgrandcanyon.com | No credit cards | 79 RV sites | No meals.
North Rim
North Rim Campground. The only designated campground at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park sits 3 miles north of the rim, and has 84 RV and tent sites (no hookups). | Hwy. 67, North Rim | 928/638–7888 | www.recreation.gov.
Outside the Park
Diamond Creek. You can camp on the banks of the Colorado River, although this beach is a noisy launch point for river runners. You’ll also need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get here. The Hualapai permit camping on their tribal lands here, with an overnight camping permit of $32.55 per person per night, which can be purchased at the Hualapai Lodge. | 928/769–2210, 888/255–9550 | www.hualapaitourism.com
Kaibab Camper Village.
Fire pits, showers, and more than 70 picnic tables are spread out in this wooded spot, near a gas station, store, and restaurant. Reservations, accepted by the Canyoneers outfitter, are recommended, particularly during the height of the busy summer season. There are 20 tent sites ($18 for up to four people) and 60 RV and trailer sites ($36 for a pull-through with full hookup, $18 without hookup). Pros: away from canyon crowds; closest RV hookups to North Rim; hiking trail on-site. Cons: although en route to North Rim, it’s still 40 miles away. | Forest Rd 461 off Hwy. 67, | Jacob Lake | 928/643–7804 in season, 928/526–0924 off-season | www.kaibabcampervillage.com | Mid-May–mid-Oct. | 60 full hookups, 20 tent sites | No meals.
Havasu Canyon. You can stay in the primitive campgrounds in Havasu Canyon for $17 per person per night (in addition to the $40-per-person entry fee). | 928/448–2121, 928/448–2174 | www.havasupaitribe.com.
Kaibab National Forest. Both developed and undeveloped campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis May through September at this forest that surrounds Williams and extends to the Grand Canyon. | 928/699–1239, 928/638–2443 | www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab.
North Rim
Fodor’s Choice | Grand Canyon Lodge.
$ | HOTEL | This historic property, constructed mainly in the 1920s and ‘30s, is the premier lodging facility in the North Rim area. The main building has locally quarried limestone walls and timbered ceilings. Lodging options include small, rustic cabins; larger cabins (some with a canyon view and some with two bedrooms); and slightly more modern motel rooms. The two-bedroom Pioneer cabins sleep up to six people. The hand-carved Aspen lodge furniture adds to the rustic atmosphere. However, the best of the bunch are the Rim View Western, especially log cabins 301 and 306, which have private porches perched on the lip of the canyon. Other cabins with fabulous canyon views include 305, 309, and 310. Because of their premier location, these cabins are snapped up fast and need to be reserved a year in advance. Pros: steps away from gorgeous North Rim views; close to several easy hiking trails. Cons: as the only in-park North Rim lodging option, it fills up fast; few amenities and limited Internet access. | Rooms from: $124 | Grand Canyon National Park, Hwy. 67 | North Rim | 877/386–4383, 928/638–2611 May–Oct., 928/645–6865 Nov.–Apr. | www.grandcanyonforever.com | Closed mid-Oct.–mid-May | 40 rooms, 178 cabins | No meals.
Outside the Park
Jacob Lake
Jacob Lake Inn.
$ | HOTEL | The bustling lodge at Jacob Lake Inn is a popular stop for those heading to the North Rim, 45 miles south. This 5-acre complex in Kaibab National Forest has basic cabins, motel rooms, and newer hotel rooms that overlook the highways. Avoid the older facilities by asking for one of the new rooms. They aren’t as nostalgic and private as the cabins, but a few more dollars gets you a TV and Wi-Fi. Pros: grocery store, bakery, and restaurant; quiet rooms. Cons: only the newer rooms have TVs; old-fashioned key locks. | Rooms from: $108 | U.S. 89A and Hwy. 67 | Jacob Lake | 928/643–7232 | www.jacoblake.com | 32 rooms, 26 cabins | No meals.
Marble Canyon Lodge.
$ | HOTEL | Popular with anglers and rafters, this Arizona Strip lodge offers two types of accommodations: standard rooms in the original lodge building and two-bedroom apartments in a newer building. You can play the 1920s piano or sit on the porch swing of the native-rock lodge and look out on Vermilion Cliffs and the desert. Zane Grey and Gary Cooper are among well-known past guests. Pros: convenience store, restaurant, and trading post; great fishing on the Colorado River. Cons: no-frills rustic lodging. | Rooms from: $70 | ¼ mile west of Navajo Bridge on U.S. 89A | Marble Canyon | 928/355–2225, 800/726–1789 | www.marblecanyoncompany.com | 46 rooms, 8 apartments | No meals.
West Rim
Havasupai Lodge.
$$ | HOTEL | These are fairly spartan accommodations, but you won’t mind much when you see the natural beauty surrounding you. The lodge and café are at the bottom of Havasu Canyon and are operated by the Havasupai Tribe. In addition to the room rate, there is a $40 per-person tribal entry fee to enter the canyon. Reservations are essential and can be made up to a year in advance. Pros: near the famous waterfalls; Native American perspective on the natural and cultural history of the Grand Canyon. Cons: accessible only by foot or helicopter; rooms are plain and worn; no phones, Internet, or TVs. | Rooms from: $145 | 159 Supai | Supai Village Trail | 928/448–2111, 928/448–2201 | www.havasupai.com | 24 rooms | No meals.
The Hualapai Lodge.
$$ | HOTEL | In Peach Springs on the longest stretch of the original historic Route 66, the hotel has a comfortable lobby with a large fireplace that is welcoming on chilly nights. It’s a 19-mile scenic drive to the Colorado River (and a 2-hour drive up to the West Rim). The rooms are clean but basic. Pros: concierge desk arranges river trips with the Hualapai River Runners; good on-site restaurant with Native American dishes; Hualapai locals add a different perspective to the canyon experience. Cons: basic rooms lack historic charm; location is off the beaten path. | Rooms from: $149 | 900 Rte. 66 | Peach Springs | 928/769–2230, 888/868–9378 | www.hualapaitourism.com | 60 rooms | Breakfast.
Hualapai Ranch.
$$ | B&B/INN | Accommodations at the comfortable Hualapai Ranch, the only lodging on the West Rim, are available through Hualapai Tourism, and hotel rates include continental breakfast. Cabins are clean and neat, but also small and unassuming. The front porches are a good place to sit and unwind after a hectic day exploring the sights at the West Rim. The cabins are adjacent to a small “Western” town, where visitors can pose for snapshots, hear storytellers and cowboy singers, sign up for guided horseback tours, and take free wagon rides. Pros: front porches have nice desert views; rustlers tell tall tales while you roast s’mores at campfire programs; dining room serves meals all day long. Cons: no phones, Internet, or TVs. | Rooms from: $142 | Quartermaster Point Rd., Grand Canyon West | 928/769–2636, 888/868–9378 | www.hualapaitourism.com | 26 cabins | Breakfast.