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Inside Grand Canyon National Park, lodging is available at several places along the South Rim and, on a very limited scale, the North Rim. As rooms with views of the gorge are naturally the most popular ones in the area, be prepared to stay at some distance away from the rim unless you've made reservations well in advance. Contact AmFac Xanterra Parks & Resorts, tel. toll-free U.S. +1-888-297-2757 or +1 303 297 2757, or fax +1 303 297 3175, for rates and reservations, or online at www.grandcanyonlodges.com. A variety of hotels and motels are also available outside the park at Tusayan, Williams and Jacob Lake.
THE SOUTH RIM
Phantom Ranch, nestled beside Bright Angel Creek near the Colorado River, is the only lodging facility below the canyon rim. It is well known as the popular overnight spot for hikers and mule riders descending into the depths of the canyon. Accommodations here are provided in dormitories and rustic cabins, designed by the prolific Ms. Colter in the 1920s. The Phantom Ranch Canteen provides hearty meals for adventurous travelers tired and hungry from climbing up and down rocky trails.
Tusayan
Built in a style reminiscent of the American West, the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, just outside the park boundaries, offers 120 guest rooms with a Southwestern ambience and decor, an upscale restaurant and events relating the Native American experience in the region.
Grand Canyon Village
The El Tovar Hotel, built directly on the rim of the canyon in 1905, has been described as the 'architectural crown jewel of the Grand Canyon'. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and well worth visiting even if you don't stay there overnight. Its lounge and dining room offer stunning views of the canyon through big glass windows. If you do nothing else at the Grand Canyon, be sure to visit this location.
Also located along the rim, just west of the El Tovar Hotel, are the Kachina Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge. The Fred Harvey Company built both lodges in 1968 and 1971, reflecting the architectural tastes of the period, and offering modern-day accommodations within convenient walking distance from the Historical District/Grand Canyon Village.
The rustic Bright Angel Lodge, located right on the South Rim, is a prime example of the environmentally sensitive, beautiful 'log-and-stone' design favored by the early developers of tourism in the park. Designed by Mary Jane Elizabeth Colter and opened in 1935, the lodge provides several rooming options, the Arizona Steakhouse, live entertainment, and a transportation desk.
In wooded areas not too far from the rim are the Maswik Lodge and Yavapai Lodge. These are the largest lodges, and have the most rooms that will accommodate families, as most of the rooms have 2 queen beds. They each also have cafeterias, transportation desks, and curio shops.
Mather Campground, located in Historical District/Grand Canyon Village near Canyon Village Marketplace, is served on a first-come, first-serve basis from December 1 to March 31, with reservations accepted during the rest of the year. Make those reservations as early as possible by calling Biospherics at +1 800 365 2267
THE NORTH RIM
For travelers wanting to get away from the summer crowds, the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim affords a sense of serenity and peace that is hard to find on the busy South Rim. Situated directly on the rim, the lodge offers both hotel rooms and cabins for accommodations. Built in the 1920s, it reflects the rustic style prevalent in many other lodges dating from that era. This is in fact the only lodging facility inside the park on the North Rim, with the other major hotel in the area, the Kaibab Lodge, located five miles north of the park boundary on Highway 67. Both lodges are open from mid-May to mid-October.
For camping, the North Rim Campground is the most popular area, and thus the most crowded camping spot on the northern side of the great chasm. It offers shaded spots, picnic tables, fire pans and showers nearby, as well as close proximity to the Grand Canyon Lodge for those who like the idea of being able to sip a hot latte after a cold night in the tent. Reservations should be made well in advance in the summer, though you can also arrive early in the day and hope for a spot to be vacated. About 20 miles north of the rim, DeMotte Campground offers pit toilets and picnic tables from May to October .
Jacob Lake
The little settlement of Jacob Lake at the junction of highways 67 and 89A in Kaibab National Forest, about 45 miles from the North Rim, frequently serves as an overflow for travelers that were turned away at the rim due to overcrowding. Tourist activities here focus around the Jacob Lake Inn. The Inn offers motel style units and weathered cabins, a well-stocked country store carrying groceries and provisions, and a big playground. For more rustic accommodations, Jacob Lake Campground is a good place to commune with nature. Note that winter snow may sometimes close the highway to Jacob Lake.
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