10 Greatest Locations to Keep Close to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park

The Grand Canyon is one of America’s most prized treasures. The defining feature of the country’s most iconic national park, located in northern Arizona, was carved out by the rushing water of the Colorado River over the course of millions of years.

The result? Steep-sided, colorful walls that drop to vast valleys below.

Travelers from all over the world want to see this majestic scenery whether they’re young or old, adventurous or not-so-active, rich or poor, or solo or with a group. Accordingly, there are all kinds of different places to stay near Grand Canyon National Park.

Learn a bit about the different towns and areas around the Grand Canyon, and then check out the list below. You’re sure to find a hotel, campground, or glampground to fit all kinds of needs.

But, the Grand Canyon National Park area is vast. There aren’t any large cities, and these accommodations are spread out, so it can be hard to identify the ones that may work for you.

We’ve done the work for you and identified the best Grand Canyon hotels and alternative accommodations from which to choose. Whether you’re simply looking for places to pitch a tent to return to after a day on the hiking trails, rustic lodges that capture the Grand Canyon’s culture and history, or a luxurious resort to indulge in, we’ve got them covered below, along with everything in between.

TL;DR

Best Luxury Hotels

You aren’t going to find a Four Seasons or a St. Regis in Grand Canyon National Park, nor anywhere around it. So, while the expectations for luxury here should be a bit different, you can still find one or two high-end, special hotels with extra amenities to enjoy during your Grand Canyon vacation.

1. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Address: 149 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is one of the best hotels in the premium range around the park. It’s located in Tusayan, the small village near the South Rim entrance of the park, conveniently close to a visitor’s center and just 12 minutes from the landmarks and trailheads of Grand Canyon Village.

While the lobby and public areas give off rustic, southwestern log cabin vibes, guest rooms and suites here are equipped with the modern furnishings you’d expect from a higher-end hotel. Visitors can enjoy an indoor pool and hot tub, a saloon-style Arizona steakhouse, a large fitness center, and a central lobby fireplace, among other nice amenities.

2. Squire Resort at The Grand Canyon, BW Signature Collection

Address: 74 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

There’s another great luxury hotel in Tusayan as well: Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon. This Best Western-affiliated hotel could be a great option for brand loyalists who want to make use of points or status on their trip.

Families might especially appreciate the great entertainment and many dining options at this place. There’s both an indoor and outdoor pool, a large game room, and even a bowling alley to enjoy when you’re not enjoying the Grand Canyon views just 12 minutes away.

Guest laundry facilities make it easy to keep up on a longer trip. Guest rooms at this Grand Canyon hotel are modern and comfortable.

3. El Tovar Hotel

Address: 9 Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Visitors who want to stay as close as they can get to the Grand Canyon should consider El Tovar Hotel, a historic lodge situated directly on the canyon rim. This iconic hotel opened in 1905 and was constructed to look like a mix between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian villa, as the European style was considered the epitome of culture at the time.

The lodge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and has hosted many celebrities, presidents, and high-profile guests. Its position at the edge of the South Rim puts it steps from the Grand Canyon Railway and the rest of Grand Canyon Village.

Some guest rooms retain traditional, historic charm, while others have been modernized. There are panoramic canyon views everywhere.

See Related: Beautiful 7-Star Hotels from Around the World

Best Mid-Range Hotels

The majority of Gran Canyon hotels fall into the mid-range category. Most of these even fall into the budget hotel category in the off-season. You can expect convenient locations, comfortable accommodations, and unique character from this selection of hotels.

4. Bright Angel Lodge

Address: 9 Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Bright Angel Lodge is another one of the historic hotels of Grand Canyon Village situated steps from the canyon rim. It dates back to 1935 when a more moderately-priced alternative to El Tovar was needed, and it also now has the title of being a National Historic Landmark. There’s a main lodge and several historic cabins, one of which was once inhabited by Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.

The hotel features beautiful southwest-style decor and artifacts, especially in the Bright Angel History Room. Here, visitors can learn more about Grand Canyon Village’s fascinating past.

Dining takes place inside the Harvey House Cafe (formerly Fred Harvey Burger), where the lodge offers homestyle Southern American fare. Experienced hikers can take on the Bright Angel Trailhead directly outside, which goes from the rim all the way down to the river.

5. Grand Canyon Western Ranch

Address: 3750 E Diamond Bar Rd, Meadview, AZ 86444

The Grand Canyon Western Ranch is a very different type of experience compared to a typical hotel, and it’s also a remote one. This is a dude ranch many miles west of the main South Rim part of the park, but it is conveniently close to Grand Canyon West, which has its own stunning attractions.

If you’d like to see this wild part of the canyon and have an authentic Old West experience, this is a great choice. Activities put on by the resort include guided horseback rides, wagon rides, and hikes into the desert landscape to see unbelievable panoramas and massive herds of wild bison.

Guest amenities include a heated pool, a hot tub, horseshoes, a playground, and a petting zoo. The ranch also has an on-site restaurant, gift shop, and bar.

6. Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim

Address: AZ-67, North Rim, AZ 86052

The only lodging on the remote Northern Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is the Grand Canyon Lodge. It’s at the end of the long mountain road that takes you into this rugged part of the park from the tiny town of Jacob Lake. This entire portion of the park is closed over the winter months, so don’t plan to stay here outside of the summer and early fall.

However, if you are able to visit this lesser-visited area, you’re in for a treat. The hotel is a rustic lodge with some basic rooms along with some larger wood cabins.

You definitely won’t be roughing it, though, and there are amenities like restaurants, a gift shop, and entertainment offered. Its end-of-the-road spot is a prime location for enjoying the breathtaking natural landscape in all directions, especially if you hike one of the main trails at your doorstep – Bright Angel Point should be considered a do-not-miss.

See Related: Grand Canyon Packing List: What You Need to Bring

Best Budget Hotels

As mentioned, many of the best Grand Canyon hotels within the park limits drop into the budget category in the off-season – so don’t hesitate to check out the options above as well, depending on the time of year you’re traveling. But in the summertime, it’s worth checking in the more distant towns and cities for budget accommodations, as we mention below. This can help with other savings as well.

7. Maswik Lodge  

Address: 202 Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Maswik Lodge is one of the best budget-friendly hotels in Grand Canyon Village, thanks to modern, clean, and comfortable rooms in the center of the park’s activity. It’s just a 2-minute drive or 15-minute walk to things like the Grand Canyon Railway and the actual canyon rim, and it’s across the street from the Backcountry Information Center.

Guests can choose from many different types of accommodations here spread across multiple buildings. The newer South Lodge’s rooms are in either standard or kitchenette-suite layout, and all have balconies or patios plus elevator access for second-floor units; not all have air conditioning, though. The older North Lodge buildings only have standard guest rooms, and second-floor units are accessible by stairway only.

8. Baymont by Wyndham Flagstaff

Address: 2005 S Milton Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Many budget travelers prefer to stay in the nearby city of Flagstaff, just under 90 minutes from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, as there is a lot more here in the way of accommodation, dining, and shopping. The Baymont by Wyndham Flagstaff is one of the most modern motels in town for an exceptional price and comes with perks instead of cuts.

Parking is free here, so you don’t need to worry about added costs for driving to the Grand Canyon. Breakfast is free, too, and children under 17 stay for free. Plenty of stores and restaurants, both large chains and local ones, are within walking distance or a few minutes drive, and this helps the savings continue. When you aren’t exploring the amazing Arizona scenery, you can be in the pool or hot tub here.

See Related: Enter the Realm of the Eagle on the Grand Canyon Skywalk

Best Campgrounds

Finally, one of the most iconic ways to enjoy Grand Canyon National Park is to camp among its stunning wilderness. Whether you’re RV-ing your way around the desert or simply pitching a tent, there’s a campground within the park to put you in the heart of the scenery. And if camping is not your thing, nowadays, there are ways to have the best of both worlds, as we’ll see below.

9. Mather Campground, Trailer Village, and Desert View

We’re suggesting all of these campgrounds together because they represent all camping within the South Rim part of the national park, they’re relatively close together, and they fit different needs. And if you plan to camp on your Grand Canyon vacation, being right on the canyon’s edge is the way to go, even if you can find more commercial options outside the park.

Mather Campground and Trailer Village are directly adjacent to Grand Canyon Village. Mather has several hundred tent and RV campsites without hookups available, along with real toilets and running water; despite its size, it doesn’t feel crowded.

Generators are mostly allowed during certain hours. Trailer Village is right next door and does have RV hookups, plus allows rigs of up to 60 feet as opposed to Mather’s 30-foot maximum.

Desert View Campground is about 25 miles east in a more remote section of the Grand Canyon. However, there’s still a convenience store, bathrooms, and a gas station here.

While the Grand Canyon Village options allow for the convenience of being near park attractions and its shuttle system, Desert View is more of a desert-wilderness. Enjoy space away from civilization for those who really want to soak up nature without roughing it in the backcountry.

10. Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Address: 979 Airpark Ln, Grand Canyon Junction, AZ 86046

If you really don’t want to rough it, even at a campground – never mind the backcountry – you can still get most of the experience of camping by glamping instead. The perfect place to glamp near Grand Canyon National Park is Under Canvas Grand Canyon.

The resort is made up of luxury tents with the modern amenities of a hotel room under the desert sky. It’s in the town of Grand Canyon Junction, about halfway between Flagstaff and Grand Canyon Village, putting it less than 40 minutes from the South Rim.

There are many different types of tents to choose from to fit a range of needs, including family tents with multiple beds and romantic Stargazer tents with windows above the pillows. Most have en suite bathrooms for those who can’t go without such comfort.

Some do share a bathhouse, and, importantly, the tents do not have air conditioning. Activities here include relaxing in a zen garden and roasting marshmallows by a fire pit under the stars.

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Woodrow is a travel writer who wants to do and see just about everything. He’s been to 40+ countries, all 50 US states plus Puerto Rico and the USVI, and is currently living in France and exploring Europe. Woodrow is an expert in travel hacking, finding bargain flights, and coined the term “upgrade engineering” referring to his talent to upgrade simple hotel room bookings into suite stays. Woodrow loves SCUBA diving, fishing, and all things aviation.