When you are looking for South Rim lodging, there are 6 historic Lodges to consider for your Grand Canyon lodging needs. The Grand Canyon lodges at the South Rim are currently operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a concessioner of the National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park. The future concession contract will be completed within the next year or two. There may be more than one concessioner after the new concession contracting process has been accomplished. So be aware of this as you plan your Grand Canyon National Park vacation.
You can check on availability at each of the Grand Canyon lodging options by clicking on these links:
The El Tovar – Bright Angel Lodge – Kachina Lodge – Thunderbird Lodge – Maswik Lodge – Yavapai Lodge
The El Tovar
El Tovar Grand Canyon first opened for service in 1905. The premier hotel and restaurant at the Grand Canyon was originally operated by the Fred Harvey company. It was designed by Charles Whittlesey (who also designed the Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff, Arizona). The El Tovar has been the most sought after lodging for over 100 years. In 2005, the 100th anniversary was celebrated for this classic historic National Park lodge. It was originally built to accommodate those distinguished passengers who arrived on the Sante Fe Railway. You can make the El Tovar a part of your Grand Canyon vacation if you plan far enough in advance. If you desire to stay at the El Tovar, we recommend that you call Xanterra Parks and Resorts at 1-888-297-2757 at least 13 months in advance. With the exception of January and February, the El Tovar normally books up 13 months in advance.
The El Tovar has 78 rooms. Each one of them are unique and distinctive. Interestingly enough, Charles Whittlesey specifically designed the El Tovar so that you would have to leave your room to enjoy a view of the Grand Canyon.
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Click this Address for a Google Map: Apache Street and Center Road, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Bright Angel Lodge
Bright Angel Lodge is located near the famous Kolb Studio where the mule rides originally departed each day. It was built in 1935, after being designed by architect Mary Jane Colter. This lodge and its Grand Canyon cabins are highly renowned places to stay on the South Rim. Originally, the Bright Angel was a hotel, then camp, and now is a lodge. Mary Jane Colter drew inspiration from local cultures and the geology of Grand Canyon. The ”geologic” fireplace in the lobby features all of the rock layers of the Grand Canyon. The Buckey O’Neill Cabin use to serve as the post office for 20 years.
Today, the Bright Angel Lodge is where many weary hiker’s end their memorable journey’s as it’s located near the head of the Bright Angel trail on the South Rim. The old fashioned ice-cream Soda Fountain just steps from the rim is open seasonally to serve those hikers with a sweet reward. Bright Angel Lodge has a family-style restaurant. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the most recommended restaurants on the South Rim is the Arizona Room located withing feet of a great view of the South Rim. There is also a gift shop and old style saloon.
The Bright Angel has 86 lodging units are cozy and generally only have one bed. Some of these units are historic cabins, including the one of a kind “Buckey O’Neill Cabin”. All units are equipped with telephone.
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- Click this Address for a Google Map: Highway 64, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
The Kachina Lodge sits directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Guests staying at the Kachina Lodge will need to check-in at the El Tovar Front Desk. For guests seeking a close location to the South Rim, the Kachina lodge is a great choice. Kachina Lodge is in close walking distance to the Arizona Room, Bright Angel restaurant, and the dining at the El Tovar. It is just a hop, skip and jump to the Kolb Studio, Bright Angel trail head, Lookout Studio, Verkamps, and the Hopi House. The rooms have either one king bed or two queen beds including a full bath, in-room Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, flat screen television, telephone, and safe.
There are rooms designed for guests with disabilities. These accessible rooms cannot currently be reserved online. Please call Central Reservations at 888-297-2757 for additional details, availability and to reserve an accessible room.
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Thunderbird Lodge – Grand Canyon lodging
The Thunderbird Lodge also sits directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Guests staying at Thunderbird Lodge will need to check-in at the Bright Angel Lodge Front Desk. For guests seeking a close location to the South Rim, the Thunderbird Lodge is a great choice. It is in close walking distance to the Arizona Room, Bright Angel restaurant, and the dining at the El Tovar. Also, just yards away from the Kolb Studio, Bright Angel trail head, Lookout Studio, Verkamps, and the Hopi House. It’s a great choice for hiking on the Rim Trail with excellent views. Rooms at Thunderbird Lodge have partial canyon views available, called canyon-side rooms. The rooms have either one king bed or two queen beds and include full bath, in-room Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, flat screen television, telephone, and safe.
There are rooms designed for guests with disabilities. These accessible rooms cannot currently be reserved online. Please call Central Reservations at 888-297-2757 for additional details, availability and to reserve an accessible room.
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Maswik Lodge – Grand Canyon lodging
The Maswik Lodge is located just a quarter-mile on the other side of the railroad tracks from the Bright Angel Lodge. Maswik is named for a Hopi Kachina who is said to guard Grand Canyon. Originally constructed in 1927, in the 1940’s 36 cabins were added. The Maswik Lodge today is a 278-room lodging complex. It consists of a main lodge building that houses the Registration Desk, Gift Shop, Maswik Food Court and Pizza Pub. The lodging units are two story buildings that are spread to the North and South of the Main Lodge Building.
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Yavapai Lodge – Grand Canyon lodging
Yavapai Lodge is the largest lodge at Grand Canyon National Park with 358 rooms. It is located adjacent to the Canyon Village Market Plaza, and houses the Guest Registration Desk, Transportation Desk, Gift Shop and the Canyon Café. The entire complex is surrounded by Pinyon and Juniper woodlands, and is a half-mile from the canyon rim. The rooms are often referred to as Yavapai East and Yavapai West. Yavapai is a favorite destination due the wide range of services available. The Market Plaza includes a general store, deli, bank and U.S. Post Office. The National Park Service Visitor Center is within a short walk — approximately a half-mile. You will also find a coin-operated laundry within walking distance of the lodge.
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Click this Address for a Google Map: 1 Main St, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
