Stretching 18 miles wide, 227 river miles long and 1 mile deep the Grand Canyon is a breathtakingly beautiful must see. Simply looking at a picture of the canyon doesn’t do it justice, there’s a reason it’s been called one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
With roughly 5 million annual visitors it can be a very busy place, which is why we highly recommend staying inside the park at one of the Grand Canyon south rim lodges.
By staying inside the park you avoid waiting in long entry lines each day and have the added bonus of being able to wander around the rim late into the evening. Watching the sunrise over the canyon is a lot easier if you just need to roll out of bed and walk out the front door.
Over time the National Park Service has built up and improved the south rim village, providing a variety of accommodations to fit most budgets. So if you’re wondering where to stay in the Grand Canyon this is a great place to start.
The Ultimate Guide to Grand Canyon National Park Lodging at the South Rim reviews all of the lodging options in one place. Properties are listed from least to most expensive, with one truly unique option, Phantom Ranch situated at the bottom of the canyon listed last. Make sure you scroll all the way down to check out what hiking into the canyon can get you.
Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins
Mary E.J. Colter designed Bright Angel Lodge in 1935. As one of few woman architects of her time she worked hard to design a lodge that was rustic yet elegant and fitting for the Grand Canyon’s beautiful natural landscape. Today the building is a Registered National Historic Landmark.
Colter was a true believer in preserving historic architecture and it’s thanks to her that the Buckey O’Neill Cabin which housed Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and the Red Horse Station formerly the local post office survived. Today south rim visitors can book rooms in the main lodge, or one of these two historic cabins.
The Bright Angel Lodge complex also includes three dining options; The Harvey House Cafe which serves family-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Arizona Room featuring Southwest flavors and for dessert there’s a classic Soda Fountain.
About the Property:
- Bright Angel Lodge: The lodge contains 90 units with a variety of pricing and amenity options. If you want to save money you can book a room with a shared bath or for a little more you can have a standard lodge room with a private bath. Lodge rooms are quite basic and only include a telephone and refrigerator, no television. One very important thing to note is that rooms with canyon views are very limited and cannot be guaranteed.
- Buckey O’Neill Cabin: With canyon views right out the front door this cabin is truly special. The cabin is filled with rustic southwest charm and includes a comfortable sitting area, king size bed, Keurig coffee maker, satellite television and a private bath. ***The Buckey O’Neill Cabin CANNOT be booked online. To make a reservation call 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm MT).
- Red Horse Cabin: Recently restored in 2012, the Red Horse Cabin lived a previous life as the Post Office for Grand Canyon Village. Today the cabin has a comfortable sitting room with fireplace as well as a descent sized bedroom, Keurig coffee maker, satellite television and a private bath. ***Red Horse Cabin CANNOT be booked online. To make a reservation call 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm MT).
Price: $88 – $490 per night
Address: 9 North Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Direct Phone: (928) 638-2631
Directions
Maswik Lodge
Originally constructed by the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1927, the “Motor Lodge” was built to accommodate tourists traveling to the Grand Canyon by automobile. Over time the area now known as Maswik Lodge has changed, going from individual cabins to today’s 250-room lodging complex. The only original architecture that remains from the previous iterations are the stone pillars.
The large complex includes a main lodge building with a registration desk, gift shop and Maswik Food Court. The rooms are spread out to the north and south of the main lodge.
About the property:
- Maswik North: 12 two-story buildings. Rooms are accessed motel-style with outside walkways and stairwells. It is important to note that there are no elevators. Rooms include; in-room Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, air conditioning, safe, satellite TV, telephone, hair dryer and two queen-sized beds or one king-sized bed.
- Maswik South: 6 two-story buildings. Maswik South rooms are slightly smaller than Maswik North. Rooms are accessed motel-style with outside walkways and stairwells. Again, no elevators. Rooms include; in-room coffee maker, refrigerator, air conditioning, safe, satellite TV, telephone, hair dryer and two queen-sized beds.
- Accessible rooms are available with roll-in showers. Check the “ADA/Accessible Rooms” box when making online reservations or call Central Reservations at 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm Mountain Time)
Price: $116 – $225 per night
Address: 202 South Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Direct Phone: (928) 638-2631
Thunderbird Lodge
Located directly on the Rim Trail, Thunderbird Lodge is the perfect home base for families visiting the Grand Canyon. Thunderbird Lodge offers comfortable modern rooms and is walking distance to the Historic District. Some sites within walking distance include; Kolb Studio, Verkamp’s Visitor Center and the Bright Angel Trail Head. Restaurants and gift shops are also located nearby.
About the Property:
- Canyon-side Rooms: These rooms are pricier, but offer canyon views. Room amenities include; one king or two queen beds, full bath, Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, flat screen television with satellite, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
- Street-side Rooms: These rooms are slightly lower in price and look out on the Historic District streets. Room amenities include; one king or two queen beds, full bath, Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, flat screen television with satellite, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
- Accessible rooms are available with roll-in showers. Check the “ADA/Accessible Rooms” box when making online reservations or call Central Reservations at 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm Mountain Time)
Price: $235 – $254 per night
Address: 7 North Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Direct Phone: (928) 638-2631
Directions
Kachina Lodge
Situated directly on the Grand Canyon rim, Kachina Lodge offers comfortable contemporary rooms. Like Thunderbird Lodge, Kachina is within walking distance to gift shops, restaurants, the Kolb Studio, Verkamp’s Visitor Center and the Bright Angel Trail Head.
About the Property:
- Canyon-side Rooms: These rooms are pricier, but offer canyon views. Room amenities include; one king or two queen beds, full bath, Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, flat screen television with satellite, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
- Street-side Rooms: These rooms are slightly lower in price and look out on the Historic District streets. Room amenities include; one king or two queen beds, full bath, Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, flat screen television with satellite, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
- Accessible rooms are available with roll-in showers. Check the “ADA/Accessible Rooms” box when making online reservations or call Central Reservations at 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm Mountain Time)
Price: $235 – $254 per night
Address: 5 North Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Direct Phone:(928) 638-2631
Directions
El Tovar Hotel
If you really want to pull out all the stops on your Grand Canyon lodge stay make a reservation at El Tovar. Sitting right on the edge of the south rim, El Tovar opened its doors in 1905.
Designed by Chicago architect Charles Whittlesey, El Tovar was built with a European style bringing together the Swiss chalet and a Norwegian villa. In 1987 El Tovar was named a National Historic Landmark.
While securing a reservation at El Tovar can be difficult (you need to book as early as a year in advance), it’s well worth it to spend time in the such a historic piece of the Grand Canyon landscape.
Catherine and I stayed at El Tovar several years ago while celebrating a big birthday year. I booked our stay about 10 months in advance in a standard room. The lodge itself is very impressive with high ceilings, several fireplaces, cozy nooks and plenty of mood lighting.
**Even if you can’t snag a reservation (or it’s too pricey…totally understand) I HIGHLY recommend you book a table at the El Tovar Dining Room. For a much more affordable price than one night’s stay you can sit and eat a lovely meal (I recommend breakfast) as you gaze out on the canyon views.
About the Property:
- Standard Rooms: Each standard room has one queen or one double bed. Other amenities include; satellite TV, Keurig coffee maker, safe, telephone hairdryer, full bath and air conditioning.
- Deluxe Rooms: Each deluxe room has one king bed or two queen beds. Other amenities include; satellite TV, Keurig coffee maker, safe, telephone hairdryer, full bath and air conditioning.
- Suites: Each suite has its own name, identity and decor. Suites have one king bed or two queen beds as well as a sitting room. Many suites also include a porch or balcony. Other amenities include; satellite TV, Keurig coffee maker, safe, telephone hairdryer, full bath and air conditioning. ***El Tovar Suites CANNOT be booked online. To make a reservation call 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm MT).
- Accessible rooms are available for each room type with roll-in showers. Check the “ADA/Accessible Rooms” box when making online reservations or call Central Reservations at 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm Mountain Time)
Price: $226 – $562 per night
Address: 1 El Tovar Road, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Direct Phone: (928) 638-2631
Directions
Phantom Ranch
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience Phantom Ranch is for you. The ranch was envisioned by architect and designer Mary Jane Colter. As one of very few women architects of her time she created a series of cabins that were constructed of wood and native stone. Those cabins still stand today (with some alterations of course) and can be booked 13 months in advance.
Before moving forward I will warn you that landing this reservation is going to require planning, some sweat and possibly tears. As the only accommodation below the rim, Phantom Ranch can only be reached by mule, on foot or by rafting the Colorado River.
Catherine and I will be hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim (aka Rim to Rim) next summer so look forward to a much more robust review of Phantom Ranch in the future.
About the Property:
- Dorms: There are two male and two female dorms. Each dorm contains 5 bunk beds, a shower and restroom. Towels and bedding are provided.
- Cabins: Size of cabins vary, but range between 2-10 people. Each cabin comes with bedding, cold water sink, toilet, liquid soap and hand towels. Showers are available in a communal location and that also includes hot water sinks, liquid soap and shampoo, and bath towels.
Other amenities:
If you’ve taken the time and effort to hike to Phantom Ranch you will be rewarded with a hot meal of your choice in the Phantom Ranch Canteen.
For those hiking the epic Rim to Rim this is a great way to reduce the weight of your pack. When you make your reservations for your stay you also reserve your meals, so be prepared to pay for all your reservations at once.
In addition to meals you can also opt for duffel service, making your hike in and out again a lot lighter.
2019 Meal & Duffel Service Prices:
- Breakfast – $23.65
- Sack Lunch – $20.85
- Steak Dinner – $47.91
- Stew Dinner – $29.43
- Veggie Dinner – $29.43
- Duffel Service – $70.00 each way
Reservations for Phantom Ranch open up 13 months in advance. And they go fast!
To book your stay I highly recommend calling the central reservations office at 1-888-297-2757 (7am-7pm MT).
Price: $53 – $267 per night
Address: PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Backpacking for Beginners: My First Official Backpacking Trip
I went this year in February but didn’t know about Phantom Ranch! It looks so cute. We stayed right outside the park which was convenient too but wished I knew about this place!
I didn’t know anything about it either until I started researching a rim to rim hike. I can’t wait to write all about it after our visit this summer!
Love the Grand Canyon. Last time I was there I slept inside (indian campground) so I wasn’t able to stay in any of these hotels. But this will help me on my next trip there! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m doing the rim to rim hike this summer and will be staying in Indian Campground! Can’t wait to check it out. I heard there are a lot of critters that can unzip backpacks.
I would’ve loved to stay in one those lodges when I visited South Rim but unfortunately everything was booked out. We ended up staying in Holiday Inn a few mins away from the South Rim entrance in the Grand Canyon Village. It was honestly not a bad alternative at all.
That’s great to know! Landing a reservation inside the park is tough! I have lots of friends who have stayed outside the park and loved it. Sounds like Holiday Inn is a place to check out if they’re all booked up. Thanks for sharing!