Practical Planning Tips PEAK SEASON May October GRAND CANYON BEST TIME TO VISIT January February With the kids out of school, summertime is undoubtedly the busiest time of year, as visitors from all over the world come to the Grand Canyon to enjoy camping, outdoor adventures and family vacations. If you’re staying during this time, be sure to book your lodging early, as reservations start filling up nine months to a year in advance. For cooler weather, lighter crowds and better lodging availability, plan your trip during winter months. Hiker’s Express Shuttle Grand Canyon Bring your tent or RV to enjoy the great outdoors at one of the many campsites in the park. Two of the three National Park Service campgrounds accept reservations: Mather Campground on the South Rim and North Rim Campground . On the South Rim, Desert View Campground is first-come, first-serve, and Trailer Village RV Park is a concessioner-run RV park with full hook-ups. If roughing it isn’t quite your style, choose from numerous hotels, both inside and outside the park. Located at the top of Bright Angel Trailhead, the historic Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins , designed by Mary Colter in 1935, provides rustic accommodations close to outdoor adventure. Take your pick from budget-friendly lodge rooms with shared bathrooms, standard lodge rooms with private bathrooms or private cabins (one of which was home to one of Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders”). Thunderbird Lodge and Kachina Lodge are popular choices for families, due to their casual, modern aesthetic and convenient location within walking distance to many of the park’s attractions. Perched on the edge of the South Rim, the European chalet-style El Tovar Hotel , which opened in 1905, offers spectacular views, one-of-a-kind rooms and suites, and fine dining in the famous El Tovar Dining Room. Just a mile from El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon the entrance of the park in nearby Tusayan, The Grand Hotel at The Grand Canyon is the area’s only AAA Three Diamond hotel. The rustic chalet-style hotel offers an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, a steakhouse and saloon, and plush rooms with a kitchenette. On the North Rim (open mid-May to mid-October, weather dependent), book one of the cozy cabins at the historic Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim to stay amid towering pine trees and just steps away from the Bright Angel Point Trail. This landmark lodge boasts cliffside views and an on-site restaurant serving up hearty, regionally inspired dishes. GETTING AROUND Take advantage of the Grand Canyon National Park’s free shuttle buses that operate on set routes throughout the park, including the Village (Blue) Route , connecting the visitor center with lodging and other facilities; Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route , a figure-eight route be-tween the visitor center and five scenic viewpoints; Hermit Road (Red) Route , connecting Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest, with scenic overlook stops along the way; and the Tusayan (Purple) Route , a park-and-ride service between the community of Tusayan and the park. The early-morning Hiker’s Express Shuttle transports hikers to the South Kaibab Trailhead from Bright Angel Lodge, the Backcountry Information Center and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. For a $90 fee (one way), the Trans-Canyon Shuttle takes visitors between the North and South Rims. SOUTH RIM Most easily accessible from Phoenix, Sedona or Flagstaff, the South Rim welcomes more visitors than the North Rim and offers the most amenities and attractions in terms of lodging, dining, tours, transportation, viewpoints and family-friendly experiences. It is also open year-round. As this area tends to be much busier—particularly during peak season—be sure to book reservations well in advance. OR NORTH RIM Quieter, more remote and offering fewer services, this rugged portion of Grand Canyon National Park receives fewer visitors and offers a more outdoor-minded experience. Due to its higher elevation, the North Rim is also cooler in temperature and experiences heavy snowfall in winter, resulting in a shorter season. (It’s open from mid-May through mid-October.) 5 HOURS : approximate drive time between North and South Rim 14 VISITARIZONA.COM CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF GRAND CANYON RESORT; NPS/M. QUINN (2 PHOTOS); NPS PHOTO (2 PHOTOS)
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2020-21: Page 14
