Lodging within Grand Canyon National Park is highly sought-after, with six lodges on the South Rim and one on the North Rim (plus a unique lodge at the canyon floor).
On the South Rim, all the lodges sit in or near Grand Canyon Village and offer easy access to the rim. The historic El Tovar Hotel is a flagship 1905-built lodge renowned for its elegant, rustic charm and prime location on the canyon’s edge (it even features a fine dining room).
Nearby, Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins provides a more modest, rustic experience – its standard rooms are affordable but come with shared bathrooms as a trade-off , and cabins with private baths are also available.
Kachina Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge are mid-century lodges situated directly along the rim; their rooms are modern and many offer partial canyon views in an unbeatable central location near shops and trailheads.
Further back from the rim in a woodsy setting is Maswik Lodge, a large motel-style lodge about a quarter-mile walk from the canyon’s edge – it’s known for its convenient food court and budget-friendly rooms, popular with families.
At the Market Plaza area, Yavapai Lodge (the park’s largest lodge) sits a short distance from the rim; it is less expensive than the rimfront lodges and often has more availability, while still only a short shuttle ride or walk from canyon viewpoints.
Learn more about the Grand Canyon
On the North Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge offered rustic cabins and a dining room with a famous porch overlooking the canyon – notably, it was the only lodging on the North Rim.
At the time of writing, the North Rim lodge is closed due to damage from a 2025 wildfire , but under normal operations it provides a tranquil, remote canyon stay during the summer season.
For the truly adventurous, Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon provides dorm beds and cabins reachable only by hiking or mule ride, requiring a special reservation lottery well in advance – a unique way to experience the canyon overnight.
All of these in-park accommodations allow you to stay right in the national park, which means quick access to scenic overlooks, trails, and visitor services – but they are in extremely high demand and often book up quickly.
Booking In-Park Lodging:
Reservations for the park’s lodges open 13 months in advance, and popular rimside hotels can sell out just minutes after the booking window opens. Generally, you should plan to reserve as early as possible; booking “months in advance” is the norm for Grand Canyon lodges.
All South Rim lodges are managed by concessionaires (Xanterra and Delaware North), and the same early booking rules apply to each property. Because of the limited rooms and the one-of-a-kind location, prices for in-park hotels are relatively high and you’ll be paying for the convenience of staying by the canyon.
That said, many visitors feel the cost is worthwhile for the experience of being inside the park – you can catch the sunrise steps from your door and avoid long lines driving in each morning.
If you can’t find availability on your preferred dates, keep an eye out for cancellations (which do happen) or consider the alternatives just outside the park.
Hotels in Nearby Towns (Tusayan, Williams, Flagstaff)
If you can’t secure (or don’t want) lodging inside the park, the next best thing is to stay in one of the gateway towns near the Grand Canyon. The closest is Tusayan, a small town just outside the South Rim entrance station, only about 7 miles (11 km) south of Grand Canyon Village (roughly a 15-minute drive to the park visitor center ).
Despite its tiny size, Tusayan has several hotels – ranging from basic motels to a few resort-style properties – as well as restaurants and an IMAX theater. Examples include a Holiday Inn Express, the Best Western Premier “Squire” Inn, and The Grand Hotel, among others.
Staying here offers maximum convenience: you’re very close to the canyon and can even use a seasonal park shuttle from Tusayan that drops off at the visitor center (operates in the busier months).
The trade-off is that hotel rates in Tusayan can be quite high due to limited supply and high demand, and options may book up fast during peak periods (Tusayan is often the first choice for those staying outside the park, so it fills up quickly).
If you plan to visit in the busy season, it’s wise to reserve a Tusayan hotel well in advance – but for last-minute trips, you might have to look further out.
Williams, Arizona is a popular alternative about 60 miles (100 km) south of the South Rim , which translates to roughly a one-hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Williams is a historic Route 66 town with a wider range of accommodations (large chain hotels, motels, B&Bs, and rental cabins) and plenty of restaurants and services.
It’s a charming town in its own right and can serve as a base if you are exploring more of northern Arizona. One unique perk of Williams is the Grand Canyon Railway – a scenic train that runs daily to Grand Canyon Village, allowing visitors to ride in vintage rail cars right to the canyon’s South Rim.
Many visitors choose Williams if Tusayan’s hotels are full or if they prefer more nightlife and amenities after each day of canyon exploring. Do note the hour+ commute each way: if your main goal is to catch sunrise or sunset at the canyon, staying in Williams means an early departure or late return drive.
However, Williams generally has more availability and slightly lower prices than Tusayan, making it a good fallback if you didn’t book super early.
Flagstaff, Arizona, the largest city in northern Arizona, is another lodging hub, located approximately 80 miles (130 km) from Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
The drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village is about 1.5 hours each way. Flagstaff offers the most in terms of urban amenities: dozens of hotels (including many budget-friendly chain hotels and motels), a wide variety of restaurants, breweries, supermarkets, and outdoor gear shops.
Because it’s a full-fledged city and not just a tourist town, Flagstaff’s accommodation prices are often more affordable and you’re likely to find vacancies on shorter notice compared to the Grand Canyon’s immediate vicinity.
The downside is obviously the distance – staying in Flagstaff is generally only recommended if you don’t mind a long commute or if your Grand Canyon visit is a single daytrip combined with other Arizona sightseeing.
If you plan to spend multiple days at the canyon, driving 1.5 hours each way (3 hours round-trip daily) can be tiring. However, Flagstaff could be a sensible choice for travelers who are also visiting attractions like Sedona or Meteor Crater, or for those flying into Flagstaff’s airport.
In summary, Tusayan is best for proximity (you can’t get closer outside the park), Williams is a good balance of distance vs. availability and offers a quaint atmosphere (and the train experience), and Flagstaff provides city conveniences and lower costs at the expense of a much longer drive.
All three towns are along the route from Phoenix or Las Vegas and have multiple lodging options; making reservations ahead of time is still advised, especially in the popular spring and summer travel months.
Campgrounds Inside and Near the Park
Camping is a popular way to stay overnight at the Grand Canyon for those who want a more outdoorsy experience or a budget-friendly option. The National Park has developed campgrounds on both the South Rim and North Rim, and there are also campgrounds in the surrounding national forest.
On the South Rim, the main campground is Mather Campground, located in Grand Canyon Village just a short distance from the rim. Mather Campground is quite large (over 300 sites for tents/RVs) and is open year-round, with facilities like restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to showers and laundry nearby in the village.
There are no RV hook-ups at Mather (it’s “dry camping”), but a separate facility called Trailer Village (adjacent to Mather) offers RV sites with full hookups for those with motorhomes or trailers. Another option on the South Rim is Desert View Campground, about 23 miles to the east of Grand Canyon Village along Desert View Drive.
Desert View is smaller (around 50 sites) and more primitive – it has water and toilets but no hookups – and it is open seasonally in the warmer months (roughly mid-April to mid-October). Desert View now requires advance reservations (no more first-come, first-served) and is a great spot if you want to stay near the Desert View Watchtower and away from the busier village.
In addition, just outside the park’s South Rim entrance, the Kaibab National Forest operates the Ten-X (Tusayan) Campground, recently renamed Tusayan Montane Campground, which is about 9 miles south of the canyon village.
This forest service campground is typically open in summer and offers a more rustic camping experience among the pines, yet it’s only a 10-minute drive from the park gates. Sites there are usually reservable and suitable for tents or smaller RVs (no hookups).
On the North Rim, camping options are more limited. The North Rim’s primary campground is the North Rim Campground near the Grand Canyon Lodge, which (under normal conditions) operates roughly from mid-May to mid-October (aligning with the North Rim’s short visitor season).
The North Rim Campground requires reservations and offers tent/RV sites in a beautiful wooded setting at 8,000 feet elevation. Amenities are basic (no hookups, but water and restrooms are available).
Just outside the North Rim boundary, in the national forest, is DeMotte Campground (managed by the US Forest Service) about 7 miles from the park’s entrance – another option for North Rim campers, though it too is open seasonally and first-come/first-served.
As a note, due to a 2025 wildfire, the North Rim facilities (including the lodge and campground) were closed for the season , so always check current park updates.
Generally speaking, all campgrounds at Grand Canyon fill up well in advance during popular times, and reservations are strongly recommended to secure a spot.
The park’s campgrounds can be reserved up to 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov , and they often reach capacity especially during holidays and summer months. If you arrive without a reservation, you may have luck at nearby forest campgrounds or by asking about last-minute cancellations, but it’s risky.
For those who prefer more solitude or flexibility, dispersed camping (primitive camping on national forest land) is allowed in certain areas outside the park boundaries – but this requires self-sufficiency and following Leave No Trace practices, and it’s beyond the scope of developed facilities most visitors use.
Staying at a campground inside the park has some big advantages: you’re still essentially on-site at the canyon, with the ability to walk or take a short shuttle to the overlooks.
Mather Campground, for example, is connected to the free park shuttle bus system, so you can easily get to the visitor center or trailheads without driving. Campground fees are also very low (around $18–$20 per night for a standard site, at the time of writing) compared to any hotel.
However, remember that camping means roughing it to some extent – you’ll be sleeping in a tent or RV, using communal restrooms, and you won’t have electricity or showers right at your campsite (showers are available for a fee at a central facility in the South Rim village).
Wildlife (like curious squirrels or ravens) might pay you a visit, and you must store food securely. Overall, if you love campfires, starry skies, and the sounds of nature, camping at the Grand Canyon can be incredibly rewarding.
Just plan ahead with reservations, and pack appropriately for the elevation (nights can be cooler than you might expect in the desert, due to the canyon’s altitude).
Hotels vs. Camping: Pros and Cons
Choosing between staying in a hotel (or lodge) versus camping at the Grand Canyon comes down to the experience you’re seeking, your comfort needs, and logistics. Both have clear advantages and disadvantages to consider:
Pros of Hotels/Lodges
Staying in a hotel or park lodge offers comfort and convenience. After a long day of hiking or sightseeing, you’ll have a real bed, a hot shower, electricity, and often air conditioning or heating – a relief for those who don’t want to “rough it.”
Many lodges and hotels also have on-site dining or are near restaurants, so finding a hearty meal is easy. If you stay inside the park at a lodge, you get the ultimate convenience of being steps away from the canyon rim; you can catch the sunrise or sunset without a lengthy drive.
Even hotels in Tusayan (just outside the park) keep you very close to the action. Additionally, there’s no need to pack camping gear or set up camp – you can conserve your energy for enjoying the sights. For families or visitors who prefer privacy and predictability, hotels provide a secure, private room and less exposure to the elements.
Lastly, while hotels are more expensive, they do come with amenities that add to your trip (like concierge services, tour bookings, or even pools and spas in some cases).
Cons of Hotels/Lodges
The main downsides are cost and availability. Hotels (especially within the park) can be quite expensive due to high demand and their prime locations. You’re paying a premium for that comfy bed by the canyon, and prices can be a limiting factor for budget travelers.
Moreover, rooms can be very hard to get – as mentioned, the park lodges often book up over a year in advance , and even hotels in nearby towns fill up during peak seasons. This means you need to plan ahead, which isn’t always possible for every traveler.
If you end up staying in a town like Flagstaff to save money, you’ll “pay” in the form of time spent driving (1-2 hours each way) to reach the canyon. Staying outside the park also means you may have to contend with traffic at the entrance gates each morning and afternoon.
Another consideration is that by staying in a hotel, you miss some of the natural immersion – it’s a more insulated experience. You won’t see as many stars from a brightly lit hotel area as you would from a dark campground, for example, and you won’t hear the wind or wildlife at night through sturdy walls.
Some visitors also report that in-park hotels can be noisy or crowded due to the sheer number of tourists (thin walls, busy lobbies), whereas campgrounds, while busy too, at least have quiet hours and the space of the outdoors. In short, hotels offer comfort at a high price, and you’ll need to secure bookings far ahead of time.
Pros of Camping
The biggest benefit of camping is the immersive nature experience. When you camp at the Grand Canyon, you’re sleeping under ponderosa pines and a blanket of stars, often with the Milky Way visible on clear nights.
It’s an adventure that brings you closer to the scenery – you might catch the birds chirping at dawn or see deer wandering near your tent. Camping is also very affordable compared to hotels ; campground fees are low, making it ideal for travelers on a tight budget or anyone planning a longer stay.
By camping inside the park (at places like Mather or North Rim Campground), you retain the advantage of location – you can walk to canyon overlooks or easily be there at off-peak times when daytime crowds leave.
There’s a certain camaraderie among campers as well; you might swap stories with neighbors or enjoy ranger programs at the campground amphitheater (when available). For those who love outdoor activities, camping enhances the adventure – it feels like a seamless extension of your Grand Canyon exploration.
Finally, campgrounds don’t “sell out” in the traditional sense of room inventory – while you still need reservations, the sheer number of campsites is often a bit greater than the number of lodge rooms, so it can be slightly easier to snag a spot (though still very competitive in peak season, as noted).
Cons of Camping
Camping isn’t for everyone, and it does come with significant trade-offs in comfort. You will be foregoing the plush bed, private bathroom, and climate control of a hotel.
Instead, expect possibly hard ground (bring a good sleeping pad!), communal restrooms, and no readily available hot shower unless you trek to the campground facility. Weather is a major factor – temperatures at the canyon can drop at night even in summer, and rain or wind can impact your camp, whereas a hotel room shields you from those conditions.
You also have to bring your own gear (tent, sleeping bags, etc.) or rent it, which is an extra hassle if you’re flying in or not accustomed to camping. Setting up and breaking down camp takes time and effort, as does cooking your own meals if you choose to do so – though you can still dine at restaurants and just sleep at the campground, many campers do at least breakfast or s’mores by the fire.
Another con is the lack of convenience for cleaning up; after a sweaty hike, having only a basic shower that might require quarters and a wait in line can be less appealing. Campgrounds can also be crowded and noisy in their own way – generators hum in the RV sections, neighbors might chatter, and during busy periods sites are all occupied (you’re definitely not alone out there).
Privacy is limited compared to a hotel room. Additionally, you must follow rules like storing food properly (to avoid attracting animals) and respecting quiet hours – not really a downside, but it requires some mindfulness.
Finally, just like lodges, the popular campgrounds require advance planning; all in-park campgrounds accept reservations and tend to book up months ahead of time , so spontaneity is limited unless you venture to first-come forest sites. In summary, camping sacrifices comfort for a rich outdoor experience and cost savings. I
t’s best for those who enjoy camping or at least feel comfortable with a bit of hardship, whereas travelers who need a comfortable bed and private bath might be much happier in a hotel.
Booking Tips and How Early to Reserve
Plan ahead. That is the golden rule for Grand Canyon accommodations. Whether you choose a lodge, a hotel outside the park, or a campground, the Grand Canyon area sees millions of visitors each year and lodging fills up quickly.
For in-park lodges, as noted, reservations open 13 months in advance, typically on a rolling basis. If you have your heart set on El Tovar, Bright Angel, or any South Rim lodge for a specific date, be ready to book the morning your dates become available.
Some rooms can literally sell out within minutes to hours of being released, especially for holiday periods. The North Rim lodge (when operational) similarly requires booking right when the window opens. If you can’t get a reservation initially, keep checking back for cancellations – flexibility with your dates or checking the booking website frequently might pay off.
Another strategy for the South Rim lodges is to call periodically, as people’s plans change and rooms open up (there’s often a flurry of cancellations 2-3 days before, due to the 48-hour cancellation policy many lodges have – but that’s a gamble if you’re already en route).
For hotels in nearby towns like Tusayan, Williams, and Flagstaff, you generally don’t need to book 13 months out, but during peak season (spring break, summer, early fall) it’s wise to secure a reservation a few months in advance if possible.
Tusayan has a limited number of hotels, so those can fill fast – if you find Tusayan fully booked, look at Williams or Flagstaff where there are more options. As a general tip, Williams tends to have more availability closer to the date than Tusayan because it’s a larger town with more rooms (and not everyone realizes it’s an hour away), but you should still book early if you can.
Flagstaff usually has the most last-minute availability (being a city with many hotels), so it can serve as a backup if you’re making spontaneous plans – just remember the trade-off of distance. It’s also worth considering days of the week: weekends fill faster than weekdays. If your schedule allows, coming mid-week might give you a better shot at both lodging and a less crowded canyon experience.
For campgrounds, the key is to know the reservation windows on Recreation.gov. Mather Campground and Desert View Campground (as well as North Rim Campground) open their reservations 6 months in advance of your arrival date.
Mark your calendar for that date and try to book as soon as it opens, especially for popular months like May through September. Campgrounds can book up within hours or days of the window opening, particularly Mather.
If you miss out on the main South Rim campgrounds, check the Tusayan/Kaibab National Forest campground – it might be available when the others are full, since it’s outside the park (it also takes reservations, and some sites may be first-come).
Another tip: arrive early in the day if you have a first-come, first-served camping plan. Some of the forest service campgrounds or less busy campsites might be open in the morning and get taken by afternoon.
And always have a backup in mind (for example, if you were counting on Desert View first-come sites in the old days, you’d now need a reservation; but if you didn’t get one, perhaps plan B is Ten-X Campground outside Tusayan, etc.).
Regardless of where you decide to stay, avoid last-minute peak-season trips if you can, as lodging will be the crux of your planning. If you must do a short-notice trip, be prepared to stay further away (Flagstaff or even Phoenix for a quick day trip) or to pay a premium for any room you find.
In shoulder seasons (late fall, winter, early spring), lodging is easier to come by and you may not need to book as far in advance – though note that some facilities (like the North Rim and Desert View Campground) are closed in winter, and even South Rim hotels have limited availability around major holidays.
Finally, always book through official channels: for park lodges use the authorized concessioner websites or phone numbers, and for campgrounds use Recreation.gov or official NPS links.
Beware of third-party resellers that might charge extra fees. With a bit of early planning, you’ll secure a place to stay and can focus on enjoying the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon by day and a good rest by night, whether under a roof or under the stars.