National Parks

Pinnacles National Park Camping: The Perfect 2-Day Trip

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Pinnacles National Park Camping

Camping in Pinnacles National Park has been on my bucket list since I first heard about the park a couple of years ago. Unlike some of the other desert campgrounds we’ve stayed at like Joshua Tree’s Black Rock Campground or Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley, camping in Pinnacles is a little quieter and has some unexpected amenities including a pool. When our plans to hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim fell apart we had to scramble to come up with a vacation plan, luckily there were plenty of open campsites at Pinnacles and after reviewing some of the nearby hikes we booked a site for three nights.

There are many guides out there for Pinnacles camping and hiking, but this one has compiled all the information you need to plan a camping trip inside the park, or if camping’s not for you I’ve also included lodging near Pinnacles National park so you can relax in a proper bed.

In the guide we will go over:

  1. A Brief History of Pinnacles
  2. How to get to Pinnacles
  3. How Long to Stay in the Park
  4. Best Time of Year to Visit Pinnacles
  5. Pinnacles Campground + Lodging Near Pinnacles National Park
  6. 2-Day Itinerary for Pinnacles National Park
  7. Pinnacles National Park Camping Gear List

About Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is located in the Salinas Valley, northeast of Big Sur State Park. Designated a National Monument by Theador Rosevelt, Pinnacles has inspired visitors with its towering rock spires, deep canyons and stream carved caves. In 2013 President Obama designated the site a National Park due to its abundance of natural and cultural resources.

The park’s spires and caves are remnants of ancient volcanoes that formed millions of years ago. With time, age, and their location near the San Andreas fault the volcanoes slowly split apart. Once split by moving tectonic plates, mother nature worked to smooth and wear away the rock revealing the rust-colored pinnacles you see today. As the volcanoes ripped in two large boulders fell into the canyons and gorges creating rooms, while small streams worked to carve away the rock into passages and caves.

Getting to Pinnacles

Pinnacles is located 124 miles south of San Francisco and 267 miles north of Los Angeles. The park has two entrances, one at the east side of the park and another at the west side of the park. It’s important to note that there is no road connecting the east and west entrances.

map showing east and west entrances to Pinnacles National Park

I highly recommend using the GPS coordinates rather than just entering “Pinnacles National Park” in your map app. If you do decide to enter the park name make sure you double-check that the navigation is leading you to the entrance you intend to visit.

East Entrance GPS Coordinates: 36.493545, -121.146646 (campground entrance)

West Entrance GPS Coordinates: 36.477700, -121.226136

How Many Days Should I Visit?

The number of days you spend in the park is of course completely up to you, but I would recommend staying at least 2 days in Pinnacles National Park. In my opinion, one day isn’t enough time to fit in all of the hiking trails you will want to check out. We staying in the park for three nights and I found that amount of time to be pretty perfect.

Best Time of Year to Visit

Pinnacles is located several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, meaning it has a Mediterranean climate rather than the milder coastal climate. In summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and then drop down to 60 degrees at night. During our summer visit temperatures topped out at 105 during the day and then cooled down to 60 degrees at night. While this wasn’t ideal, we did manage to stay cool by hiking early in the morning and spending the hottest time of day lounging at the pool (yes! this park has a swimming pool!).

While a summer visit is doable, Fall or Spring are the best times to visit Pinnacles. These times of year offer much milder daytime temperatures and give you the chance to snuggle up by a fire at night.  According to the annual weather report averages you can expect highs between 70-80 degrees and lows between 30-50 degrees in spring and fall. Perfect camping weather.

Camping in Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles campground can be accessed through the east side of the park (remember there are no connecting roads between the east and west entrance inside the park). The campground offers sites for tent, group, and RV campers.

Campsites can be booked through Recreation.gov and become available on a 6-month rolling basis. Sadly as of this post, the Pinnacles website does not have photos of each site, however, if you head to CampsitePhotos.com you can see pictures of many of the sites. While I didn’t look at every site in the campground, I will say that pretty much all of the sites in Loop C were well shaded. This loop also has fewer sites than the other loops, making it quieter and less crowded.

Campsite amenities include:

  • Electric hookups for RVs
  • Flush toilets
  • Drinking water
  • Showers (for a fee)
  • General store with basic food and camping supplies
  • Swimming pool (mid-April to September)
  • Picnic tables
  • Fire rings

About the swimming pool: I know what you’re thinking…a swimming pool? Yes, there is a swimming pool and I’m very happy to report that it’s clean, not overly chlorinated, and quite cool.

Pool Tip: There are no chairs or lounges at this pool. Make sure to bring your camp chairs when you head over to the pool so you can lounge poolside and read.

Shower Tip: When we visited the water was so hot I could barely stand under it! There are no temperature controls either so proceed with caution!

Lodging Near Pinnacles National Park

While I would recommend camping inside Pinnicles I completely understand the need for air conditioning, a soft comfy bed, and maybe even some television to wind down in the evening. I will warn you that there aren’t that many places to stay really close to Pinnacles, but here are a few accommodations in nearby Soledad, CA which is a 20-minute drive from the park. If you’re looking for alternative campsites or glampsites head over to HipCamp’s list of sites near Pinnacles National Park.


Booking.com

2-Day Itinerary for Pinnacles National Park

Day 1 – Pinnacles National Park Hikes: Bear Gulch

There are plenty of options when it comes to hiking trails in Pinnacles National Park. With more than 30 miles of trail to choose from it can feel a little daunting. Below I’ve listed several can’t-miss hikes for your first visit to the park. There are options for shorter hikes as well as opportunities to extend your hike thanks to lots of connecting trails.

Pinnacles National Park trail map

One spot you don’t want to miss at Pinnacles is Bear Gulch.

If you’re looking to put in a long hiking day start at the Pinnacles Visitor Center and head towards the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and then take the Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop. This route will follow Chalone and Bear creeks to Bear Gulch Day Use Area then continue on to the talus caves and the reservoir. The total mileage for this route is 6.8 miles. In spring and fall, you will see flowing water and in summer dried river bed. Be warned that a large percentage of this hike is in full sun so make sure you bring your sunscreen and hat.

woman hiking in Pinnacles looking up at soaring spires of rock

Pinnacles Visitor Center to Bear Gulch Day Use Area Hike Details

Distance: 2.3 miles one way
Elevation: 300 feet
Intensity: Moderate

The day we hiked this trail we saw a tarantula crossing, several deer, many California condors above us and plenty of ground squirrels and bunnies. Keep your eyes peeled for poison oak, I did see some growing along the trail.

We hiked this section of the trail in summer and it was VERY hot. If you’re planning your trip for the hot summer months I highly recommend you start hiking early to avoid the hottest parts of the day. There is water and bathrooms once you reach the Bear Gulch Day Use Area.

For those looking for a shorter hike drive to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and park your car (yes there is plenty of parking). If you happen to be there on the weekend take a look inside the Bear Gulch Nature Center (open 10am-4pm, Saturdays & Sundays) before you get started.

Bear Gulch in Pinnacles National Park

Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop

Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
Elevation: 500 feet
Intensity: Moderate

One of the highlights of this hike for me was exploring the Talus Caves. Remember to pull out your headlamp before entering the caves, you’re gonna need it. You can thank the Civilian Conservation Corps for all of the expertly installed handrails and stairs, believe me, they will come in handy. As you explore the caves watch your head and keep your eyes peeled for Townsend’s Big-eared bats. The park has several species of bats currently nesting in the caves, trees, and cliffs. There are certain times of year that these caves close to protect the bats, be sure to check the status of closures before heading off on this hike. 

woman climbing stairs in talus cave in Pinnacles National Park

After exploring the caves continue on to Bear Gulch where you can enjoy a rest and a cool down in the water. As the trail name states, this is a loop so once you’re ready to move on you can continue to take in views of giant fallen boulders, distant pinnacles, and wildlife.

Once you’ve made it back to the campsite be sure to rest and relax in the pool, especially during the hottest part of the day.

Day 2 – Balconies Cave Hike

The second must-see spot in the park is Balconies Cave. Unlike the talus caves, these are a bit more adventurous, small children might have a tougher time with this hike, but it’s well worth it if you want a little bit more bouldering than yesterday.

Drive to the Old Pinnacles Trailhead parking area to start this hike. Make sure to bring a headlamp or a flashlight for these caves and keep an eye out for Western Mastiff bats. Again, check the status of cave closures prior to heading out.

rocks wedged in crevasses in Pinnacles National Park caves

Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave

Distance: 5.3 miles
Elevation: none
Intensity: Moderate

Before you approach the caves make sure to spend some time looking up at the Machete Ridge and the Balconies cliffs high above. This hike will take you into the Balconies caves where you will see plenty of giant boulders suspended in crevasses, creating several small rooms for exploring. Be warned that these caves do not have as many handrails or carved steps as the talus caves. You will need to keep an eye out for arrows on rocks and small signs pointing the way through them, but it is very worth it!

If you’re feeling up to it add on a small section called the Balconies Cliffs Trail. This section will take you up higher for a closer look at some of the pinnacles. It will also allow you to see what’s on top of the cave you were just climbing through.

Pinnacles Camping Gear List

  • America the Beautiful National Park Pass: Even if you’re only visiting one national park this year I would still say you should buy the parks pass. Would it be cheaper to just pay the entrance fee? Yes. But by purchasing the pass you are giving to our national parks and I think that’s a good thing.
  • Tent [Recommended: Marmot Limelight 3P Tent]: Catherine and I love this tent. We’ve taken it to Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and Pinnacles. It’s roomy, super easy to put up and the orange color makes it easy to spot.
  • Water bottle or bladder [Recommended: Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir – 3 Liters]: I can’t stress enough how important it is to carry enough water while you’re hiking in Pinnacles. While there are opportunities to fill up your water, you never want to be in a situation where you run out. I love this Osprey reservoir because it has a rigid back. This means that when it’s in my pack I can’t feel a bulge where the water blatter is, instead it lays flat against my back making hiking a little more comfortable.
  • Sunscreen [Recommended: BeautyCounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist]: I’ve recommended this sunscreen many times and I’m doing it again. I want to stress that this is not an affiliate link. I truly love this stuff! It doesn’t have any weird chemicals, it’s easy to apply and most importantly you can see exactly where you applied it so no random sunburn spots.
  • Headlamp [Recommended: Black Diamond ReVold Headlamp]: I bring this headlamp on every hike I go on, it’s always in my pack just in case. It’s bright, reliable and not too heavy on my head. I used it in all of our cave hikes in Pinnacles and love that I could use both hands while bouldering instead of holding a flashlight.
  • Sunglasses [Recommended: O’NEILL Sunglasses Tow Polarized]: I’ll be honest. I don’t own these sunglasses, but I’ve tried them on several times at REI. I fully intend on purchasing them once my current pair breaks or gets lost. They are lightweight, stay on my face (isn’t it annoying when your sunglasses slide off your nose!) and I love that they come in blue.
  • Hat: I’m a baseball hat wearer myself, but sometimes you need a brimmed hat for extra coverage.
  • First Aid Kit [Mountain Series Day Tripper Lite Medical Kit]: I carry this first aid kit on every hike we go on. Thankfully I’ve rarely needed to use it, but when you need it you need it. It’s lightweight, has all the supplies you need for a day hike and REI sells resupply kits for after you’ve used it.
  • Looking for plus-size hiking clothing? I have a whole page dedicated to plus-size hiking gear. 

Looking for more hiking and camping related posts? Check out these posts!

Rim to Rim Hike: Trip Itinerary + Hiking Training

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In my first post in this Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike series I went over the basics of a Rim to Rim trip. If you’re interested in the basic information head over there.

Woman with backpack looking out on Grand Canyon rim to rim hike

The aim of this post is to take that basic information and get a little more granular so you can plan your own trip. Or if you’re not interested in figuring that part out, I’m going to list out our exact trip itinerary with mileage information and stopping points. I’m also going to outline the training schedule I’m using to get ready for our Rim to Rim.

Rim to Rim Hike: Day-By-Day Itinerary

Elevation map of Grand Canyon rim to rim hike

Day 1: Roaring Springs and Cottonwood Campground (descending ~6,000 feet)

Total mileage: 7.7 miles

  • 2 miles to Supai Tunnel (bathroom + water)
  • 3 miles to Roaring Springs Canyon (bathroom + water)
  • .3 mile (each way) side trip to Roaring Springs
  • .7 mile to Manzanita Resthouse (bathroom + water + ranger)
  • 1.4 miles to Cottonwood Campground (bathroom + water)

Day 2: Ribbon Falls and Phantom Ranch

Total mileage: 8 miles

  • 1.3 miles to Ribbon Falls Bridge
  • .3 mile (each way) side trip to Ribbon Falls
  • 4.7 miles to beginning of “The Box” (aka a SUPER hot spot you don’t want to be in the middle of the day)
  • .7 mile in “The Box”
  • .7 mile to Phantom Ranch

Day 3: Silver Bridge and Indian Garden

Total mileage: 5 miles

  • .2 mile to Bright Angel (bathroom + water)
  • .3 mile to Silver Bridge
  • 1.2 miles to River Resthouse (bathroom only)
  • 3.3 miles to Indian Garden (bathroom + water + ranger)

Day 4: The Big Climb + Resthouses (ascending ~4,500 feet)

Total mileage: 4.8

  • 1.7 miles to 3 Mile Resthouse (bathroom + water)
  • 1.5 miles to 1.5 Mile Resthouse (bathroom + water)
  • 1.6 miles to top

Two woman sitting on red rock, smiling and looking at the camera in Grand Canyon

Alternate Itineraries:

3-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Hike ~7.7 miles North Rim to Cottonwood Campground
  • Day 2 – Hike ~8 miles to Cottonwood Campground to Phantom Ranch
  • Day 3 – Hike ~9.8 miles to Phantom Ranch to South Rim

2-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Hike ~15.7 miles North Rim to Phantom Ranch
  • Day 2 – Hike ~9.8 miles Phantom Ranch to South Rim

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike Training Schedule

I consider training for any hike a personal decision. Only you know your fitness level and the amount of time you’re willing to put into preparing for your big trip. If you head over to Pinterest you’ll find plenty of resources if you search “hiking training”. One of the best pins I found was of course from REI. It’s a simple infographic that perfectly describes how to train for a multi-day hike. Below this image you’ll find the exact plan I’m using to get ready for my rim to rim hike.

REI Get Fit for the Trail infographic 12 weeks of training to get ready for a big hike

Key Components to Creating a Training Plan

In order to start creating your training plan you need to know a couple numbers. These will allow you to create a plan that will get you ready for your specific hike.

  • Longest Mileage Day: Which day are you hiking the furthest and how far are you going?
  • Largest Elevation Gain: How many feet up are you hiking?
  • Pack Weight: Try to figure out roughly how much your pack is going to weigh. Remember you are going to be carrying this weight, so try to keep it low. I’m aiming for between 25-28lbs.

With those numbers mapped out you’re ready to create your training plan. As you can see in the table below I’m slowly adding mileage and elevation each week. Notice that each week has a mileage and an elevation goal. That’s a goal for the week, not per day.

In order to create your own training plan all you really need to know is your longest hiking day and your biggest elevation gain. From there you can use the template below to figure out how to plan your increases in mileage and elevation week over week.

Rim to Rim Hike: 12 Week Hiking Training Schedule

Twelve weeks of training might seem like a lot, I’m sure you could get away with ten weeks or eight if you were really in a pinch. Since I have twelve weeks to train I’m going to use every one.

Rim to Rim 12 week training program diagram

For those of you who read my Orangetheory for hiking training post you might recognize the color choices here. I straight up took them from the treadmill card I look at when I’m training there. To be clear I’m using Orangetheory as a component of my Rim to Rim hike training program. It’s a great way to build up stamina and a little muscle at the same time. Head over to this post if you want more information.

Okay, back to the chart and the colors. Think of the blue weeks as warm-up weeks. Green weeks are for building up mileage and elevation. Orange weeks are push weeks and red weeks are pretty much all out. Two weeks before your trip make sure you back off on the training in order to give your body a rest before the big trip.

To give you an even clearer idea how an individual week will look, I’ve outlined how the mileage and elevation gain will look spread out over training week 7.

Example Workout Week:

Mileage Goal: 10 miles

Elevation Goal: 3500 feet

Pack Weight: 20-25lbs.

  • Workout 1: Walk 2 miles at 3-6% incline (treadmill or outdoor hike)
  • Workout 2: Orangetheory day (HIIT training)
  • Workout 3: Walk 6 miles outside on trail with elevation gain between 2500-3000 feet

As you can see this isn’t an exact science. Treadmills and Orangetheory aren’t the same as trails, but what you’re doing is working in some cardio a couple times a week to chip away at your mileage goal. As for figuring out your elevation gain, that’s tough. My work around for this is to include one longer hike each week (usually on the weekend) that has a significant climb. You can do all your workouts with a weighted pack or save that for your longer weekend hikes. Remember the more you train with a weighted pack the better.

If you have any questions on how to create your own training plan or want me to look over a plan you created for yourself leave me a comment. I’d love to take a look!

View of the Grand Canyon at sunset, orange rock and blue sky

Summing Up

Going through and figuring out our trip day by day was a great exercise in getting myself mentally prepared for this trip. I highly encourage you to do the same whether you’re hiking Rim to Rim or going on another fabulous adventure.

As for training, if I’m being completely honest I could probably do Rim to Rim tomorrow without any training, but it would be painful and most likely not fun at all. Even though I have a strong resistance to training, I know that if I do the work I’ll be more mentally and physically prepared to make my first multi-day backpacking trip a success.

If you want to know more about the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike check out these posts:

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike: Planning Stage

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Several years ago when Catherine and I went on our first trip to the Grand Canyon we hiked 3 miles down Bright Angel Trail. As we staggered back up we kept running into this couple who were on the same break schedule as us. In an effort to prolong our break time we started chatting. Turned out they had hiked about 11 miles down into the canyon to stay at Phantom Ranch, one of the hardest National Park lodge reservations to snag. They went on to tell us about crazy people who hike from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim (Rim to Rim hikers). This was an idea that I didn’t even know was possible. It was in that moment that we decided we were going to do that hike someday.

Well, someday turned into this summer. Yep, you heard me right. This summer Catherine and I are going to do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike. Since it’s a little difficult to navigate and plan I thought I’d write a post each month until August (our hike month!) to give you all the details on the trip, the planning, and our training. First things first.

Woman wearing hat and backpack looking out on the Grand Canyon text overlay says Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike Planner

What is the Rim to Rim hike?

For me, it’s a bucket list hike. I know it’s not going to be easy, and quite frankly I’m pretty freaked out by it, but we have committed to doing it. One thing I’ve taken comfort in so far is the fact that it’s been completed by kids, young adults, people my age, and many elderly hikers. With planning and some training anyone can create a hike on these trails that will work for them.

How Long is Rim to Rim?

24 miles (one-way). I say one way because there are people even crazier than us who do the Rim to Rim to Rim hike. Yes, that’s right they go there and back again…sometimes in one day!

Level of Rim to Rim

Most hikers know that trails or long distance hikes come with a difficulty rating. Rim to Rim is rated as strenuous. Not too surprising, right?

Recommended Route

North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail
This is the first option for most hikers for several reasons. Starting at the North Rim means you hike downward for 6,000 feet, cross the canyon, and then climb out 4,500 feet. Looking at those numbers it seems obvious why most people go from North to South. In addition, Bright Angel Trail has several water stops, rest areas, bathrooms, a ranger station and some shade. This is super important because the climb out is going to be the toughest park of the whole hike.

Other Option – North Kaibab Trail to South Kaibab Trail
A second North to South option is to hike back up on the South Kaibab Trail. While this route is shorter than the Bright Angel Trail route it has no water stops and very little shade. I’ll take shade and water in exchange for a little longer hike.

How Long does Rim to Rim Take?

The answer to that my friend is completely up to you and how prepared you are. If you can’t be bothered with booking Phantom Ranch and patiently waiting for a backcountry permit, you can hike Rim to Rim in one day. As long as you’re in and out in one day none of that paperwork is necessary.

Catherine and I will be hiking Rim to Rim over 4 days. So from here on out I’ll be describing the trip we’ve planned.

Planning Our Rim to Rim Hike

Where to start:

If I were to tell someone how to go about planning this trip I would say start with the hardest reservation to get, Phantom Ranch. Reservations for Phantom Ranch open up 13 months in advance (yep!), so if you have a date in mind make sure you’re online or on the phone when the reservation lines open.

For more information on Phantom Ranch check out this post I wrote about all the Grand Canyon Lodges (scroll down to the bottom for Phantom Ranch). You can also check out the reservation page for Phantom Ranch to enter the lottery or you can call 888-29-PARKS.

Snagging this reservation can be tough, but if you have some flexibility in your dates that can really help. Truth be told I didn’t get my first choice date, but when I called there were two other days open so I grabbed one. Being flexible will help you a lot as you plan this trip.

Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon
Planning the rest of the trip:

With your Phantom Ranch reservation booked you can start building out the rest of your trip. If it’s possible financially, I highly encourage you to book your other hotel stays at the same time as your Phantom Ranch booking. This can get expensive pretty fast, but lodging options inside the Grand Canyon Village and at the North Rim fill up fast. If you want to stay at National Park properties book as soon as you can.

We knew that we wanted to start our hike from the North Rim. Since we’ve never been there we thought it would be fun to stay one night in the Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim. This was the next reservation we booked. This meant we had the night before we left arranged and one night in the canyon. We also went ahead and made a reservation at El Tovar for the night we made it out of the canyon. I’m pretty sure we will be clamboring for a shower by that point so I wanted a place right on the rim.

While it’s best to book everything at once I totally understand that that’s not possible for everyone. I had to spread out these bookings in order to afford them. I booked Phantom Ranch first, then a couple months later the North Rim and several months after that El Tovar. We were lucky to get all the dates and locations we wanted. All this is to say book early if possible, be flexible and you can spread out the expense if need be, it’s gonna be okay.

Backcountry permits:

I know it seems like all of the reservations should be done by now, but sadly they’re not. We wanted to spend several days down in the canyon and take our Rim to Rim hike slow (we’ll be averaging 6-7 miles per day). That might seem ridiculous to you, but we figured that we wanted to have lots of time to enjoy the trip, explore, take in the views and not be rushed. If you want to get things done faster you can completely skip this step.

BUT if you want to camp in the Grand Canyon you are going to need a backcountry permit. Applications for backcountry permits need to be submitted 4 months prior to the month you plan to hike. So, for example, we’re going to hike in August, so our application was due April 1st. For a list of application dates relative to your start date head over to the Backcountry Permit page and scroll down to the bottom.

I highly advise that you add a reminder to your calendar to alert you to apply for the backcountry permit. I thought I’d done this. Maybe I put in the wrong date or the information didn’t transfer over when I got a new phone. This meant that I faxed off our application for a backcountry permit on April 8th. Cue the sad Charlie Brown music. Yes, after all of my planning and reservation making I missed this crucial deadline. I’ll find out in the next couple weeks whether or not we got a permit. If you could keep everything crossed for us it would be most appreciated.

Summing Up

I think that’s enough information about Rim to Rim for now. I said at the beginning of this post that it’s an involved process. So far we’ve covered the length of the hike, the recommended route, my recommended order for making reservations and how to get a backcountry permit.

What’s next in the series

  1. Training for a big hike
  2. Gearing up for Rim to Rim
  3. What do do right before you set out on your big adventure

More Posts Like Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike: Planning Stage

Perfect 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary : Grand Canyon Plus Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon

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Updated August 2019

Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon 7 day road trip

Planning a big trip to the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park isn’t easy. There’s a lot of distance to cover and you want to make sure you’ve included enough time in each place.

Lucky for you Catherine and I have already road tested this trip and can say from experience that’s it’s amazing. If you’re only interested in the Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon portion of this itinerary scroll down to Day 4.

Red Spark parked beside colorful wall mural

Day 1: Arrive in Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, AZ

Depending on where you’re coming from this part of the trip can be variable. When Catherine and I made this trip we were coming from Massachusetts so we had a long flight to Arizona. We arrived in the evening and immediately picked up our rental car and drove to Flagstaff, AZ. This drive takes roughly 2hr. 15min. depending on time of day and traffic.

We knew we wanted to see Flagstaff, but instead of doing that on the way to Grand Canyon (we were WAY too excited to wait) we just arrived, hit the hay and then headed out the next morning. I’ll talk more about our Flagstaff finds on Day 7.

Woman wearing jeans and a t-shirt looking out on the Grand Canyon

Day 2: Drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Village

The drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village takes about 1hr. 20min. Along the way you’ll see lots of cactus, red rock, desert scrub and gorgeous weather worn rock structures.

When you enter the park you’ll have a chance to purchase a National Parks Annual Pass from $0-$80 depending on the type of pass you purchase. Since this itinerary includes three National Parks I HIGHLY recommend purchasing the pass on your way in.

If you were to pay to enter each park your entry fees would start at $72 and increase depending on the number of people you’re road tripping with.  Buying the pass can save you a lot of money and it’s good at all the National Parks in America so you’re set for the year. BUY THE PASS.

Where to Stay at Grand Canyon:

For those of you who have been following Indoorsy Camper you know I’m a BIG fan of the National Park Lodges. Staying inside the park has its perks, namely you don’t have to wait in the entry lines each day and you get to see the canyon pretty much 24/7 while you’re there.

To learn everything you need to know about the Grand Canyon lodges check out my post: Ultimate Guide to Grand Canyon National Park Lodging at the South Rim.

Things to Do on Your First Day at the Grand Canyon:

On our way to Grand Canyon we stopped at a grocery store to stock up on picnic supplies. When we arrived we ate our lunch rim side, saving us a little money (things get expensive inside the park) and allowing us to take in the view while we ate. That first walk to the edge is unbelievable, and to be honest even in my pictures I often think the whole thing looks like a Hollywood backdrop.

Once you’ve been fed and watered check out the Rim Trail. It’s a 13 mile trail that’s mostly paved, making it family as well as handicap friendly. The trail includes several vistas and overlooks as well as exhibits and gift shops. It’s a great way to see the canyon from the top and a perfect way to stretch your legs after a drive.

That first night we decided to eat a light dinner in the El Tovar bar. We deserved a drink and some nachos after our drive and they were excellent.

Two women seated on red rocks hiking Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon

Day 3: Grand Canyon National Park

Day three is all about exploring the many trails at the Grand Canyon. We decided to go big and opted for Bright Angel Trail, a 6-mile trail that descends 3,740 feet inside the canyon. We made it down as far as 3 Mile Resthouse and then turned back for the climb back out.

A word of warning. Going down is quick and easy, but it takes about twice as long to hike out. Make sure you bring lots of water, trekking poles if you need extra support and keep reminding yourself of the climb. It’s tempting to keep going down and down and down, but coming out will take infinity more work.

If Bright Angel isn’t for you check out this complete list of day hikes at the Grand Canyon.

After our big hike down and back out we were pretty beat so we went back to our room, cleaned up and ate dinner.

Woman hiking the Grotto trail at Zion National Park waterfall in the distance

Day 4: More Grand Canyon Exploring + Driving to Zion National Park

Our last morning we got up in time to see the sunrise over the canyon, something I would highly recommend. The color change from blues and purples to warm oranges and yellows was striking and although I took pictures, none of them seem to have truly captured it.

After the sunrise show head into the El Tovar dining room for breakfast (it’s the cheapest meal they serve) and if you’re lucky they’ll seat you beside the windows so you can gaze out on the canyon as you sip coffee and butter your toast.

The next leg of the trip is the drive from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park. This leg of the drive takes about 3hr. 30min. We spent a little more time taking in the canyon and then headed out so we would have enough time to fit in a short hike in Zion before dark.

Where to Stay at Zion National Park:

Again, I recommend staying inside the park if possible, especially at Zion. Unlike Grand Canyon, Zion closes to the public in the evening. This means that reentry can be a long process, but if you stay inside the park there’s no waiting.

Zion Lodge accommodations come in several types; cabins, hotel rooms, suites and accessible rooms. We opted for a cabin because a friend of our highly recommended this option. Each cabin comes with two double beds, a log fireplace, private porch and full bath. I have to say the cabin in Zion might have been my favorite place we stayed during our entire trip. More information on Zion Lodge can be found here.

Hikes in Zion National Park:

Since our first day in Zion was short we opted to hike the Lower Emerald Pool trail. At 1.2 miles it was the perfect hike to get the lay of the land, see several waterfalls and get us back to the lodge in time for dinner.

If you’re looking for a family or more accessible hike try the Pa’rus Trail. This trail follows a paved route from the South Campground to Canyon Junction. If you want more tail options check out the full list of Zion National Park trails.

View of Bryce Canyon from above bright orange rocks and blue sky

Day 5: Zion National Park Hikes + Drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon

The drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon is only 1hr. 20min. Since we knew the drive was short we decided to spend the day in Zion and hike The Narrows. Roughly 60% of this hike is spent wading or walking in the river. You can rent water gear from Zion Adventure Company if it’s cold when you go. We didn’t rent gear when we hiked The Narrows, but if I were to do it again I would want to have neoprene socks and hiking poles. Salomon makes some really great shoes for hiking through water. If renting shoes freaks you out and you’re willing to invest the money, I’d recommend checking out their line of Amphib shoes.

There are many other trail options if you’re not interested in getting wet. As of writing this post the Kayenta Trail and Upper Emerald Pools Trail and Hidden Canyon Trail are all closed due to flood damage and rock fall. Click here to see a list of Zion day hikes.

After our wet excursion we changed our shoes and pants and then got in the car for the short drive to Bryce Canyon.

Where to Stay in Bryce Canyon National Park:

Once again I’m going to sing the praises of staying inside the park. Although I will admit we stayed outside the park in Bryce mostly because our budget couldn’t handle another lodge reservation. Bryce Lodge offers three types of accommodation; Western Cabins, Sunrise & Sunset Motel Rooms and Guest Suites. Visit the Bryce Canyon Lodging and Cabin Rental page for more information.

Our first hike in Bryce Canyon was the Rim Trail, a 5.5 mile paved trail that extends from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point. If you have more time you can always extend your hike by heading down into the canyon. Here’s a link to the full list of Bryce Canyon National Park trails.

Horseshow Bend in Arizona, green river snaking around red rock

Day 6: Explore Bryce Canyon + Stop at Horseshoe Bend + Drive to Flagstaff

On our second day in Bryce Canyon we managed to link several of the trails together so we could see a good portion of the canyon. If you have the time make sure you look out for Queens Garden where you will see a rock formation in the shape of Queen Victoria.

Other hikes we enjoyed included the Navajo Trail where you get to spend time in a slot canyon where giant Douglas Fir Trees are reaching for the sky. As well as the Peek-A-Boo Loop which takes you through the heart of the Bryce Amphitheater.

Rather than drive from Bryce Canyon all the way back to Flagstaff in one go we opted for a scenic stop at Horseshoe Bend. Located a 2hr. 40min. drive from Bryce Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe shaped meander in the Colorado River. After a 3/4 hike from US Route 89 you will arrive to a gorgeous view of the river from above.

While the hike is short keep in mind that it’s very exposed and on sandy ground, making it a little harder than you would think. Make sure to bring your camera and take you time checking out the bend from multiple viewpoints.

After that scenic stop we carried on the remaining 2hr. 10min. drive to Flagstaff where we stayed for the night.

woman sitting at table with margaritas and mexican food

Day 7: Explore Flagstaff + Drive to Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, AZ

When we booked our flights back to the east coast from Phoenix we made sure to choose an evening flight. This gave us time to explore Flagstaff and make the drive back to Sky Harbor (2hr. 15min.).

Flagstaff has a thriving art and culture scene with endless artisan shops to wander in and out of all day. Mixed in you will find rock shops, gear stores and plenty of Southwest charm.

If you need a coffee break head to Macy’s European Coffee House. Macy’s has been around for over 30 years and is an all vegetarian restaurant. I’ll just say that the coffee was excellent and so were the pastries.

If you’re looking for a great breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner spot head to MartAnne’s Cafe (pictured above). It’s southwest and Mexican fare with excellent margaritas, chips, salsa and guac. With our bellies happy and full we packed up the rental car one last time and drove to Phoenix.

Whether you choose to follow this seven day itinerary or use it as a jumping off point one thing is for sure, you need to do the Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon loop. Arizona and Utah are full of incredible national parks and these are only the beginning.

For us our Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion road trip was a must see bucket list item. What I didn’t expect is that we would love it so much we would head back to Utah to check out Arches and start planning our Rim to Rim hike (fast approaching in 2019)!

If you decide to take this trip template and run with it let me know. Or if you’ve figured out other great sites or routes to take share them in the comments.

Click map to view complete route!

Wondering what to pack for your road trip?

Here’s my list of must-haves:

  • I LOVE my Osprey day pack! I have an older model, but any of these are perfect!
  • I also like these cheap trekking poles. Someday I hope to upgrade to these, but for now my Amazon purchase is doing me proud.
  • If you’re planning on hiking make sure you have comfortable hiking shoes. I love my Oboz Sawtooth low hiking shoes, but if you go to REI they will find your perfect fit.
  • While we’re on the topic of feet…socks are gonna be your BFF. I’m a big fan of Smartwool and Darn Tough.
  • Make sure to pack your sun protective clothing. Living in SoCal has taught me many things, but one of the most important is to cover up! Skin cancer is no joke. I love my Patagonia hooded top (it’s men’s but I honestly don’t care!).
  • Don’t forget a hat as well. I usually go for a baseball cap, but any hat will do.

This list could go on and on, but these six items are the ones I simply can’t leave without.

10 National Park Inspired Knitted Beanie Patterns You Need to See

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knitted beanie pattern

For those of you who follow along on Instagram you may remember the fabulous knitted national park inspired hat patterns I featured by Designs by Nancy Bates. I love IG stories, but they’re fleeting and didn’t give the amazingly talented Nancy the credit she is due.

She has a pretty dreamy job. She visits National Parks and lets the landscape inspire her designs, not a bad work environment. You can follow along on her travels on her Instagram @nancybatesdesigns.

I’m not sure how many more parks she’s planning to add to her library, but as of right now she has 10 National Park inspired hat patterns to choose from and let me tell you it’s gonna be a tough choice.

I’m torn between Bryce Canyon and Grand Teton at the moment, but my dilemma changes almost daily. Each hat is knit in the round and has varying levels of difficulty.

Grand Teton National Park Beanie

Grand Teton National Park Beanie

I am in LOVE with this Grand Teton hat! I must admit that Grand Teton is a little lower on my ‘to visit’ list. What makes this hat perfect for me are the little yellow flowers along the bottom. As someone who is no fan of the cold this little pop of color helps me forget the icy peaks above and makes me want to jump in the car to check it out for myself.

Yellowstone National Park Beanie

Yellowstone National Park Beanie

I’ve never been to Yellowstone, but these are exactly the colors I imagine when anyone mentions the place. Nancy was inspired by the Grand Prismatic Spring. Here she beautifully adds together the the warm and cool colors of the hot spring. If you visit her Etsy shop you can also see a version with a wispy white pom pom in honor of the steam rising off the top.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Beanie

Great Smoky Mountians National Park Beanie

My sister visited the Great Smoky Mountains last summer and I was unbelievably jealous of all her pictures of lush green waterfalls and cool misty sunsets. Photos of the mountains from far away always have this Vaseline on the lens quality with softened edges, blue gray mist and green forest. I love how soft and cozy this one looks, plus it’s kind of my colors.

Joshua Tree National Park Beanie

Joshua Tree National Park Beanie

If you’ve ever driven to Joshua Tree you know when you’re getting close because the iconic tufted trees start to pop up on the side of the highway. When I look at the Joshua Tree landscape I know where Dr. Seuss got some of his inspiration. Nancy creates a softer less prickly version using cables and bobbles. It’s a total success.

Bryce Canyon National Park Beanie

Bryce Canyon National Park Beanie

This park just might be my absolute favorite. I can’t say for sure yet because I haven’t visited every National Park, but as of right now it’s pretty much number one. The bright orange rock set against the clear blue skies make for the perfect color combination. The park is otherworldly, weird, strange and full of legend. If you ever have a chance to visit go!

Sequoia National Park Beanie

Sequoia National Park Beanie

I live a short 3.5 hour car ride away from Sequoia and still I haven’t made it there yet. John Muir called these trees immortal and at over 2,000 years old they may as well be. With trunks as tall as a 26-story building and as wide as a city street they are awe inspiring. One of these days I’ll make it over there to see General Sherman and General Grant, in the meantime this Sequoia National Park hat is a pretty great substitute.

Death Valley National Park Beanie

Death Valley National Park Beanie

I knew this one was Badwater Basin before I even looked at the title. With miles of flat cracked earth Badwater Basin looks like another planet. It’s the lowest point in North America, at 282 feet below sea level. This huge flat expanse used to be covered in salty water, but today it stands as an immense salt flat with expanding crystals creating the unusual shapes in the surface. The hat is a perfect rendition of this stark haunting landscape.

Everglades National Park Beanie

Everglades National Park Beanie

Imagine you’re floating through a mangrove forest. The tree roots are visible above and below the water’s surface. The water reflects the trees like a mirror making it seem like they’re growing above as well as below the surface. That’s exactly the image happening in this Everglades National Park hat.

Grand Canyon National Park Beanie

Grand Canyon National Park Beanie

The trip I mentioned earlier to Bryce Canyon also included several days at The Grand Canyon, specifically in the Grand Canyon Lodge (it’s a must if you can swing it). I loved staying right on the south rim so we could enjoy the canyon nearly every moment of the day.

We watched several sunrises and sunsets. The colors and textures of the Grand Canyon are always changing, just like the colors and textures in this Grand Canyon National Park hat. It’s pretty much the perfect symbolism for the park.

Olympic National Park Beanie

Olympic National Park Beanie

Last but not least there’s this Olympic National Park hat. Situated in the lush green Pacific Northwest, Olympic is filled with dramatic peaks, old-growth forest and rainforest. I’ve never visited myself, but the many pictures I’ve seen are always VERY green, just like this fern patterned beanie.

With so many beautiful patterns to choose from it’s difficult to know where to start. When I was as Stitches SoCal HOKC (Hands On Knitting Center) had kits made up for most of the patterns.

If you’re looking for a gift it could be a great one. Head over to @handsonknittingcenter on Instagram and send them a DM or visit their website to see if they still have kits in stock.

While I have you here, if you’re looking for another gift for a National Park lover you should check out these:

More Posts Like 10 National Park Inspired Knitted Beanie Patterns You Need to See:

Ultimate Guide: Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges

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Updated August 2019

View of The Grand Canyon with text overlay saying Ultimate Guide to Grand Canyon South Rim Lodging

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.

Grand Canyon Historic Village Map

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 South Rim Lodges 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.

Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges

Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins

Bright Angel Lodge

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 a fireplace as well as a decent-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

Book Bright Angel

Maswik Lodge

Maswik Lodge sign and front of 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, hairdryer, 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, hairdryer, 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

Book Maswik Lodge

Thunderbird Lodge

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, hairdryer 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, hairdryer 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

Book Thunderbird Lodge

Kachina Lodge

Kachina Lodge Grand Canyon south rim

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, hairdryer 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, hairdryer 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

Book Kachina Lodge

El Tovar Hotel

El Tovar lobby

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 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

Book El Tovar Hotel

Phantom Ranch

Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon

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 a restroom. Towels and bedding 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. This reservation includes meals at Phantom Ranch. Eat dinner when you arrive, breakfast as you leave, and ask for a sack lunch. That’s three meals you won’t have to carry!

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

Book Phantom Ranch

Conclusions – Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges

The number one takeaway from this article is to book early! The earlier you can nail down your travel plans the more likely you will be to land your dream lodge. One of the best parts about booking early is you get to spend the next several months dreaming about and planning your big trip. So book early and start dreaming! 

Have you stayed in one of the Grand Canyon south rim lodges? Have some input to add? I’d love it if you left a comment and let me know how it went. 

Death Valley National Park – Ubehebe Crater Hike

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Updated July 2019

There are plenty of amazing hikes in Death Valley National Park. The Ubehebe Crater hike is perfect for a shorter hike with friends or family. I love that this hike has some elevation change, gives you huge sweeping views and allows you to see how the earth has changed over time.

How Ubehebe Crater was Made

Ubehebe Crater is is a 1/2 mile wide hole created by a maar volcano. Unlike an asteroid crater or a volcanic eruption, maar volcanoes are created by steam and gas explosions. As hot magma rises to the surface of the earth it comes into contact with ground water. The hot magma flash boils the water creating steam that expands until it reaches the point of explosion, blasting the earth out of its way resulting in a crater.

Death Valley National Park contains more than one of these maar volcanoes and this particular hike will let you experience Ubehebe and it’s neighbor Little Hebe. While this hike is not very long the initial incline coupled with the loose gravel path can make the start of your journey slow going.

View of Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley National Park

Preparation for the Ubehebe Crater Hike

Driving to the trailhead of Ubehebe Crater feels like you are truly in the middle of nowhere. It took us an hour to get there from Furnace Creek Campground. If you take a look at the park map you can really see how far out of the way this spot is, but don’t be fooled, it’s well worth the trip.

There are a couple things to keep in mind if you’re heading out to the Ubehebe Crater hike. Although there is a parking lot for your car or RV, there are no bathrooms, so plan accordingly. Likewise, there is no running water so make sure you’ve filled your water bottles before you head off on this hike. This hike has no shade.  Make sure you wear your sunscreen, UPF clothing, and take the proper precautions for hiking in hot weather.

woman standing in front of Ubehebe Crater getting ready to hike
Ubehebe Crater from the top.

Ubehebe Crater Hike

Total Distance: 2.00 mi.
Trail Type: Loop
Net Elevation Gain: 276 ft.
Hiking time: about an hour

You start this hike at the Ubehebe Crater parking lot. Since this particular hike is a loop you can make your own decision to go clockwise or counterclockwise. I myself recommend going counterclockwise.

The initial climb is very close to the crater’s edge, so make sure you’re paying attention. You wouldn’t want to fall in there. The trail is made up of loose gravel that feels a bit like hiking in sand. As you hike upward the gravel reduces and you start hiking on more solid ground.

From the top of the first climb, you can get a really good look at the inside of the crater itself. Notice the changes in soil and rock color, the surrounding cinder fields as well as the Panamint Mountains surrounding you. At this point, you can also take a side trail that goes around Little Hebe. This is a smaller crater just beside Ubehebe Crater.

There is very little plant life around the crater, but plenty of geology to explore. The hike comes around the crater and begins a subtle downward slope. Watch your footing and allow your shoes to gently slide down into the rocks to prevent tripping or injuring your ankles.

As you start coming back towards the parking lot there is one final small ascent that for me was unexpected. While this hike might seem short and out of the way, I have to admit it is one of my favorite hikes. It feels like stepping into another planet in a way that no other hike I’ve done feels like.

As we hiked we also saw several hikers practically run down into the crater itself. While this looks like loads of fun, I didn’t envy them as they made the steep climb out of the crater. But if you’re willing and able, I imagine going down to the bottom would be pretty amazing.

Nearby Hikes & Things to Do

Since Ubehebe is a ways away from other more populated parts of the park you will most likely have a quiet hike. If you drive a high clearance 4×4 you can also take a side trip to check out the strange moving rocks at The Racetrack.

Check out the National Park Service website for a full list of hikes in Death Valley National Park.

The Racetrack at Death Valley.
The Racetrack