Vacation Rentals in Grand Canyon, Arizona
5 Properties Available
Hotel
Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon, BW Signature Collection
Hotel
The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon, an IHG Hotel
Hotel
Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel
Hotel
Red Feather Lodge
Why People Visit:
The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s natural wonders, and it’s no wonder! Located in the high desert of northern Arizona, this marvel of nature is truly a sublime experience that is at once visually enchanting and physically challenging. The Grand Canyon National Park expands over 1.2 million acres, affording the South Rim and the North Rim as options to visit. It is considerably easier to access the South Rim from Las Vegas or Phoenix. While it offers more amenities and is open throughout the year, it is also more crowded. Comparatively, the North Rim cannot be reached between mid-October and mid-May. Despite the edges being a mere 24 miles apart as the crow flies, traversing the gap by vehicle means a 200-mile trek.
To reach the Colorado River in the gorge, either take a mule or hike. Either way, you’re going to be in the Canyon overnight. For an extended up-close encounter with the river, raft the entire 280-mile length over 15 to 18 days from April to October, with an experienced guide.
Get There and Get Around:
The closest airport to the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, which lies 6 miles from Grand Canyon Village but does not have regular commercial flights besides tours. Day-tours from Las Vegas are available with various airlines. Flagstaff has the nearest airport offering commercial flights, but alternative transport is needed to get to the national park.
Traveling by vehicle is an option but be sure to refuel before entering the national park and be prepared to wait your turn in heavy traffic.
Amtrak runs to Flagstaff and Williams from across the US. Take a bus from Flagstaff straight to Grand Canyon Village. Take the Grand Canyon Railway excursion train from Williams to Grand Canyon Village.
Free shuttle buses run within the park along three routes: The Village Route bus, the Hermit's Rest Route which does not operate between December and February, and the Kaibab Trail Route bus. The Hikers' Express bus to the South Kaibab Trailhead also runs in the mornings. Trans-Canyon has a shuttle-bus service from mid-May to mid-October between the South Rim and the North Rim. Taxis offer lifts to and from the airport.
What to Wear (The Weather):
It may not be possible to have the solitary experience one might imagine experiencing in these awe-inspiring surroundings, considering some four to five million people visit the Grand Canyon every year. What is recommended then is to plan the visit for winter, when it is considerably less crowded and neither overbearingly hot nor uncomfortably cold. August sees summer temperature as high as 82°F along the South Rim, and 103°F at the bottom. Winter storms can result in a good few inches of snow, paired with sunny days and crisp air, it offers a new perspective when negotiating the rim or walking into the canyon. The best times to visit are from March to May, with highs of between 50 and mid-70s, and September to November with temperatures from mid-20s to mid-70s.
Wear sensible walking shoes. If you’re hiking, go one better and try to get the best hiking shoes possible. Remember to pack socks suitable for walking. A hat and sunscreen are not negotiable, no matter the season. Pack for the chill factor, and throw in gloves, thick socks, and a winter jacket, if you’re visiting outside of summer and take measures to always stay hydrated.
Accommodations:
Visitors really have limited options: either stay within the national park or get accommodation in Valle, Red Lake, Flagstaff or Williams and travel into Grand Canyon. Within the National Park, the North Rim has only the Grand Canyon Lodge which gives the choice of either a cabin or a motel room. The South Rim has a selection of accommodation including lodges, cabins and hotel rooms.
Campgrounds include Mather on the South Rim, in Grand Canyon Village, which operates all year, and the North Rim Campground which operates from 15 May to 31 October. Desert View Campground is seasonal and located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Trailer Village is a concessioner-operated RV park in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim that is open all year with full hook-ups.
At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch offers dormitories and cabins.
Accommodation outside the park is available in the gateway community of Tusayan, 7 miles south of Grand Canyon Village and offers free shuttle services to the Grand Canyon.