Where to stay at the Grand Canyon?

Grand Canyon Village: stay inside the Park

As the closest area to the National Park on the South Rim, Grand Canyon Village is the best place to stay if you want to take full advantage of the setting and magnificent panoramas offered by this natural wonder. In fact, by choosing to stay in this area, you'll have the opportunity to stay right in the heart of the park. It's also the best option for admiring the sunrises and sunsets.

Home to most of the Park's infrastructure, this area is mainly made up of hotels. In terms of accommodation, you'll find a variety of typical lodges and picturesque campsites.

As Grand Canyon Village is the starting point for many hikes, the Bright Angel Trail begins right next to one of these lodges. And if you want to get to the Visitor Center, a free shuttle service will take you there in just 10 minutes.

In the evening, you'll also find plenty to keep you busy, as this tourist area is home to numerous bars, cafés and restaurants where you can sample different types of cuisine.

Be careful, though, because while this is the best place to stay if you want to discover the Grand Canyon, it's also the most popular, especially during the summer season. So, if you want to stay here, think ahead and book your accommodation in advance. Note also that this area is not suitable for all budgets: with its perfect location, it's in fact the area where you'll find the most expensive accommodation.

Accommodation in Tusayan, at the gateway to the Grand Canyon

Less than a 15-minute drive from the Park, Tusayan, located on the South Rim, is the gateway to the Grand Canyon. Although the town has no particular charm, its hotels, fast-food outlets and restaurants make it a convenient place to stay close to the Park. From here, you can enjoy superb views of the Grand Canyon.

Ideal for its proximity to the Grand Canyon, Tusayan is also the starting point for numerous activities in the surrounding area: for example, you can take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon from Tusayan. Tusayan is also the starting point for hikes and jeep tours.

And if you have time to spend more than one night, there are ruins and a museum where you can learn more about the ancestral people who once inhabited the region.

And for those who choose to stay here, Tusayan is home to a wide variety of restaurants. From Fast Food to typical restaurants, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out.

As far as accommodation is concerned, while there are plenty, the fact that it's so close to the Park means that prices can be quite high. If you want to stay in Tusayan, you'll need to plan several months in advance. Finally, for the more adventurous, you'll also find a variety of camping spots.

Valle, a picturesque little town where to stay near the Grand Canyon

Located 45km or less than 35 minutes from the Grand Canyon, Valle, also known as Grand Canyon Junction, is a quaint little town with a friendly atmosphere, making it an ideal base for exploring the region and a good place to stay during your stay.

It's also an ideal place to stay if you're on a road trip and just want to stop off for a night before reaching the Grand Canyon.

While there's not much to do here, and travellers come mainly for its proximity to the National Park, it has all the essential amenities for visitors to this magnificent natural site. Near the junction of Routes 64 and 180, you can enjoy a variety of cafés and restaurants, or shop at a local convenience store.

While Valle is home to a variety of accommodations, most of the campsites feature tents, tipis or even bubbles, offering a unique and original experience. Situated in the heart of nature, most of these camps have their own restaurants or dining areas where you can eat right on the spot. If you're not a fan of this type of accommodation, you can also find a number of motels and bed & breakfasts in the city.

Lodging in Williams, departure point of the Grand Canyon Railway

Just 1 hour's drive south of the Grand Canyon, Williams is one of the largest towns in the region. Its off-center location makes it one of the most accessible places in terms of budget, and if you choose to stay here, you can easily reach the National Park by taking the Grand Canyon Railway.

But that's not all: beyond its proximity to the Grand Canyon, this is a town with a rich history, built around the Cows Boys and the history of the Wild West.

So if you choose to stay in this town, you can take advantage of the opportunity to discover places like :

• The Bearizona: a wildlife park to discover by car. The park is home to many animals, including bears and bison.
• Lake Kaibab: a vast lake around which you can hike.
• Polar Express Museum: a museum hosting exhibitions and innovative programs on railway artifacts.
• Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum: a former gas station turned private museum featuring old car collections.

Last but not least, Williams is not the city that attracts the most travelers, and as such, it represents one of the places where you'll have the most space and possibilities to stay. So, if you haven't booked in advance and are having trouble finding a place to stay near the Grand Canyon, staying in Williams may be a good option.

Staying on Route 66 in Flagstaff

Still on the South Rim, 120km from the National Park, Flagstaff is a charming town located on Route 66, in the heart of a mountainous landscape.

It's just an hour and a half's drive from the Grand Canyon, making it an ideal place to stay as you explore the region, but its magnificent scenery also offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and other activities.

While staying in Flagstaff, you can hike in Buffalo Park, visit one of its museums, including the Museum of Northern Arizona or the Pioneer Museum, or visit Walnut Canyon National Monument, a site with ruins and amazing flora and fauna. You'll also find plenty of shops, bars and restaurants in the center.

As you can see, although it may seem a long way from the National Park to some, staying in Flagstaff can be an ideal alternative for those wishing to explore the region and discover both the Grand Canyon and other iconic sites. It's also a good option if you're stopping off on a road trip and spending just one night.

In both cases, staying here is one of the best alternatives, since you'll find accommodations offering a wide variety of services at good value for money.

Other areas: the Grand Canyon Skywalk or the North Rim

While the above-mentioned options are the most common for finding accommodation close to the Grand Canyon, it's entirely possible to stay in other areas. It may be possible to stay close to the Grand Canyon Skylwalk, or opt for North Rim instead.

A tourist attraction overlooking the gorge, the Skywalk offers breathtaking views. So, if you'd like to stay close to this glass platform, it's perfectly possible. But be sure to book in advance, as accommodation is in short supply.

Although this is a rather isolated site, if you choose to stay here, you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit theHualapai Indian reserve and discover their village, where a variety of activities are on offer.

Finally, while the majority of accommodation is found on the South Rim, it is still possible to stay on the North Rim. Please note, however, that there is onlyone hotel in this area, and the others are quite a distance from the Grand Canyon: the nearest are in Kanab, a 1h30 drive away.

But this area is less popular with travellers because, unlike the South Rim, it offers very few activities. What's more, because of the snow in winter, it's only accessible from May to October, so you won't be able to stay there if you visit in winter.