Flagstaff, AZ – 85 miles Southeast of Grand Canyon South Rim. Flagstaff, AZ, offers much to see and do, including the Lowell Observatory, Arboretum, Riordan Mansion, Museum of Northern Arizona, and more. 90 hotels and 300+ B&B properties in this area, including:
West Canyon Lodging
Grand Canyon’s West Rim, or Grand Canyon West, as it’s formally known, is a Native American Tribal Park. Although it is not affiliated with Grand Canyon National Park, this property owned by the Hualapai Indian Tribe has quickly risen to equal prominence with the South and North Rims by offering visitors experiences they won’t find anywhere else in the Grand Canyon, such as helicopter flights to the Colorado River, authentic replicas of traditional Native American dwellings, one day white water raft trips, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and even a zipline!
Unfortunately, there’s not much in the way of lodging to speak of on the West Canyon, with the notable exception of the Grand Canyon Hualapai Ranch. With 44 cabins smoke-free cabins boasting covered porches, on-site dining, and recreational activities from horseback riding to photo opportunities with the Hualapai Tribe, you can spend a day or a week at Hualapai Ranch and never run out of fun.
The next nearest area for lodging is Kingman, AZ, 75 miles Southwest of the Grand Canyon Skywalk. There are 37 independent and chain hotels in this area, including:
20+ B&B’s compliment the selection of traditional hotels. Like Williams, AZ, Kingman was once a fixture on Old Route 66 and the downtown area still retains some of its character. The Arizona Route 66 Museum, Powerhouse Visitors Center, the Monolith Garden Trail, and other attractions make it worth it to stay another day.
Of course, if you can’t do without some slot or blackjack play on your West Canyon vacation, you’re in luck since Grand Canyon West is within less than half a day’s drive of cities where casinos are legal, such as:
East Canyon Lodging
Grand Canyon East? Who knew there was a Grand Canyon East? Actually, the East Canyon is not known as a park in its own right. Not yet, anyway. But the nearly endless list of scenic attractions and recreational opportunities outside the Eastern borders of Grand Canyon National Park make it a hand-in-glove addition to any family vacation in the American Southwest.
Consisting largely of Native American Tribal Lands, in this case the Navajo Indian Tribe, photo opportunities come at you in almost rapid-fire succession once you depart Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point:
- The Little Colorado River Overlook
- The Cameron Trading Post
- Chinle formation views
- The “Cut” Overlook
East Canyon lodging options are few and far between until you reach the town of Page, AZ, near the shores of Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. On the Navajo reservation, there is:
- The Cameron Trading Post – 57 miles East of Grand Canyon Village – as the name suggests, an active and vibrant commerce center that still functions as a traditional trading post as well as a modern curio and art store. The Navajo tacos at the on-site restaurant are legendary!
- Tuba City, AZ – 83 miles East of Grand Canyon Village – has 3 hotels:
In Tuba City, the Navajo Interactive Museum, Tuba City Trading Post, and nearby Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks make for a fun way to spend a few hours before heading to Monument Valley, Navajo National Monument, Canyon de Chelly, or Lake Powell. Take note that all lodging on the Navajo Reservation prohibit the transport, sale, or consumption of alcohol.
Upon arrival in Page, AZ, you should plan to spend 2-3 days to fully enjoy the attractions and activities within a few miles of town, such as:
Page, AZ, offers 50 hotels, both chain and independently owned, as well as 70+ bed and breakfast type properties. Traditional hotels include:
ALL Page, Arizona Hotels
For a vacation stay that’s more along the lines of a cultural expedition, consider the new crop of “glamping” resorts in the area like:
Again, these are located on Navajo Indian Lands, so no booze, no exceptions.
Whether you go South, North, East, or West – or all of the above – at the Grand Canyon, you’re sure to find lodging options that suit your needs and budget. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, remember, at the end of the day your hotel will just be a place to lay your head after a busy day of outdoor fun and adventure!
Grand Canyon North Rim Lodging
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon was once referred to as “the connoisseur’s Grand Canyon,” and for good reason. The experience here is more back-to-basics and down-to-earth, and that includes your Grand Canyon lodging options. This area of the Grand Canyon is only open between May 15th and October 15th due to higher winter snowfalls. The main activity here is hiking, and opportunities abound for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. Mule rides are also offered here, and are often more readily available than their South Rim counterparts.
Inside the park, there is only one hotel, the Grand Canyon Lodge. Built in 1928, then rebuilt in 1936 after a fire, this venerable stone and log structure finally took its rightful place on the National Historic Register in 1987. Lodging units consist of motel rooms and cabins, some of which are situated right on the rim and offer spectacular canyon views amid the lush foliage of the Kaibab National Forest.
Grand Canyon Lodge is typically sold out a year or more in advance. If you find that to be the case when planning your North Rim vacation, there is a handful of out-of-park properties worth considering:
- The Kaibab Lodge – 18 miles North of the Grand Canyon, this former working cattle ranch dates back to the 1920’s. It features simple cabins, an on-site restaurant and gift shop, and like the North Rim, is only open seasonally.
- The Jacob Lake Inn – 60 miles North of the Grand Canyon, open year-round. Lodging units range from rustic cabins to slightly more modern motel and hotel rooms. On-site amenities include a coffee shop, world-famous bakery, gift shop, mountain biking and hiking trails.
Further North, on the banks of the Colorado River are the communities of Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry. Lodging options in this area include:
- The Marble Canyon Lodge – a former Navajo trading post and starting point for Grand Canyon white water rafting trips, this century-old lodge offers basic motel rooms, as well as kitchenette suites, and full apartments. Restaurant and gift shop on-site, there’s even an airstrip!
- Cliff Dweller’s Lodge – also a former trading post dating back to the 1920’s, cozy cabin-style rooms and a restaurant that ranks as one of Northern Arizona’s best-kept secrets await you here. You can also rent boats to enjoy fishing for trophy trout on the Colorado River.
- Lees Ferry Lodge – with only 10 rooms, accommodating parties ranging from 1 to 7 people, this is a pet-friendly property perfectly situated for trout fishing, or keeping an eye out for one of 200 California Condors that now make the Vermillion Cliffs their home
Kanab, UT, is the nearest populated area to the North Rim (80 miles away) and offers 38 hotels and motels, including, but not limited to: