Imagine this: you’re sitting on the rim of the Grand Canyon, your hands wrapped around a warm mug of coffee, watching a palette of colors splash across the sky as the canyon fills with light.
That could be you if you decide to stay in the Grand Canyon!
But figuring out where to stay in the Grand Canyon can be super overwhelming. There are several gateway towns to stay in, many campgrounds, and an overwhelming number of lodges. There are campgrounds and lodges on the rim, below the rim, and outside of the park.
Not to mention, there are two separate rims! Ah!
In this guide, I’m going to take away the confusion by breaking down each main Grand Canyon rim and gateway town, sharing not only the best places to stay but also reasons to stay in each town/rim, what’s nearby, etc.
Having visited the Grand Canyon four times, I’ve explored all of these towns and even stayed in several of these accommodations over the years.
Whether you want to camp, glamp, or stay in a cozy lodge, after reading this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of where to stay in the Grand Canyon!
Where to Stay When Visiting the Grand Canyon: MAPPED!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!
Enjoy a color-coded map of where to stay in the Grand Canyon! Keep reading to find out more about each rim, gateway town, and accommodation.
North Rim or South Rim?
Before choosing where to stay in the Grand Canyon, you need to decide whether you want to stay on the North Rim or the South Rim. Or both! (If you spend a few days at both on the same trip, just be aware that it takes 3-4 hours to drive from one rim to the other.)
Grand Canyon also has a West Rim. I haven’t personally been to the West Rim, but I’ve heard this is better as a day trip from Vegas!
My rim vs rim comparison guide will help you decide whether to visit the North or South Rim, but below are some quick notes about each.
The South Rim is the most popular rim to visit because it is the easiest to reach, has the most amenities, and is open year-round.
I recommend the South Rim if this is your first visit to the Grand Canyon and you’re looking to see the classic park highlights like the Rim Trail, Desert View Drive, Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Mather Point, etc.
The North Rim is the least visited rim simply due to its remoteness. In fact, only 10% of visitors to the Grand Canyon venture to the North Rim.
I usually recommend the North Rim to repeat visitors. Not only is the overall atmosphere different – it’s quieter, more rugged, and more secluded – there are so many underrated viewpoints and hiking trails on this side, such as Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Angel’s Window, Transept Trail, and North Kaibab Trail.
NOTE: The North Rim is only fully open from May 15 – October 15. And the main road into this side of the park usually closes from December 1 – May 14 due to snow.
When it comes to choosing exactly where to stay – campground? hotel? on the rim? outside the park? – the choices can get pretty overwhelming.
But don’t worry – I’m here to help you decide where to stay in the Grand Canyon by providing clear visuals of each rim and gateway town.
In this guide, I’ll share the following about each rim or gateway town:
- reasons to stay there (or not stay there)
- what to do
- what national park trails and highlights are nearby
- specific accommodation recommendations for all budgets
In a hurry? Here are my top picks for where to stay in the Grand Canyon:
- Mather Campground – South Rim
- Bright Angel Lodge – South Rim
- North Rim Campground – North Rim
- Kaibab Lodge – North Rim
Grand Canyon Village (South Rim – Inside the Park)
First, let’s talk about the iconic Grand Canyon Village! This is the most popular place to stay when visiting the Grand Canyon.
Why? Simple! It’s on the South Rim, smack dab in the middle of all the action.
When staying in the Grand Canyon Village, you’re just minutes (or sometimes walking distance!) from all the major points of interest on the South Rim, like the Rim Trail, Bright Angel Trail, and South Kaibab Trail, and all of the national park amenities like the restaurants, grocery store, museum, and Visitor Center.
Plus, you have quick access to the most scenic drive in the park: Desert View Drive!
And with a free shuttle bus transporting you to many highlights along the rim, it couldn’t be more convenient to stay in the village for your first visit to the Grand Canyon.
If this is your first visit, you prioritize being near all of the best things to do in the park, including rim trails, inner canyon trails, scenic drives, and activities, and you don’t mind being where all the people are, then you’ll want to stay in the Grand Canyon Village!
One negative of staying here is that the lodges tend to book up at least a year in advance, so you’ll have to be an early planner to secure a reservation. You could get lucky with last-minute campsites in the Village, though – we did!
From campgrounds to legendary national park lodges, here are a few suggestions for where to stay in the Grand Canyon Village on a variety of budgets:
- Mather Campground – the best campground on the South Rim. I recommend site 136!
- Bright Angel Lodge – iconic rimside lodge & cabins, just steps from the Bright Angel Trail
- El Tovar Hotel – legendary (and pricey!) historic hotel with major Swiss chalet vibes, located directly on the canyon rim – known as the crown jewel of park lodges!
- Yavapai Lodge – pet-friendly accommodations in the middle of the Village (tends to be the cheapest amongst the park lodges)
Tusayan (South Rim – Outside the Park)
Next, let’s move to Tusayan, the closest gateway town outside of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon!
Tusayan is more affordable than the Grand Canyon Village and still within a 15-minute drive of most of the major points of interest in the park, like the South Kaibab Trail, Rim Trail, Bright Angel Trail, and Desert View Drive.
Since Tusayan is outside of the national park, reservations don’t have to be booked so far in advance, which is ideal for more spontaneous or last-minute trips.
There’s not much to do in the town of Tusayan itself – the town’s main highlight is its proximity to the South Rim – so if you’re looking for activities at your hotel’s doorstep, this might not be the town for you.
If you’re on a budget, planning a last-minute trip, want to spend most of your time inside the national park, and want to be as close to the canyon as possible (without staying inside it), Tusayan is probably the way to go!
Here are some great places to stay in Tusayan at a variety of budgets:
- Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon – luxury hotel with indoor pool, just 7 miles from the park entrance
- Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites – basic hotel with indoor pool, just 15 minutes from the park highlights
- Red Feather Lodge – quiet lodge with outdoor pool, just 15 minutes from the park visitor center
- Tusayan – Montane Campground – quiet campground in Kaibab National Forest
Williams (South Rim – Outside the Park)
Let’s move a bit further south to the historic town of Williams, Arizona! This is the town we stayed at on our first visit to the Grand Canyon.
An hour from the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village, Williams might not seem like the best option. But a few things make this town pretty appealing to park visitors: plenty of things to do, affordable motels, unique stays, and historic significance.
Unlike Tusayan, Williams is a bustling town with plenty of things to do. The historic Route 66 cuts right through Williams, making staying in the town an experience in itself. When you’re not exploring the Grand Canyon, you can shop for historic memorabilia, fish, go horseback riding, ride the roller coasters at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park, or even take the scenic train!
Not only does Williams have cheap motels that attract those on a tight budget, but it also boasts unique glamping domes that are not found anywhere else in the area.
If proximity is your priority, then Williams isn’t for you. But if you’re a history buff, don’t mind driving a bit to get to the park each day, and are looking for things to do in the town you’re staying in, I’d recommend staying in Williams!
From glamping domes to cozy lodges, here are some of the best places to stay in Williams:
- Clear Sky Resorts – unique glamping domes with on-site food truck
- Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel – gorgeous historic hotel with a game room
- Trailborn Grand Canyon – desert oasis hotel, just steps from Canyon Coaster Adventure Park
- Backland Luxury Nature Resort – luxurious tent suites with access to a glass-walled restaurant and nightly campfires with s’mores
Flagstaff (South Rim – Outside the Park)
Finally, the furthest town I’d recommend staying in when visiting the South Rim is Flagstaff.
Even though it’s an hour and a half from the South Rim and all of its iconic viewpoints, hiking trails, and scenic roads, Flagstaff has the most to do in the actual town. This outdoorsy town boasts opportunities for skiing, hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing, and more.
But what makes it most appealing is the nearby parks and endless day trip possibilities. Flagstaff is the midpoint between Sedona and the Grand Canyon, with parks like Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, and Petrified Forest just a short distance away.
So Flagstaff is a great option for someone who wants to take an Arizona road trip and check off multiple parks!
If you’re planning on visiting the Grand Canyon for more than a day or two, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Flagstaff. This would require a lot of driving!
But if you’re looking to take a quick day trip to the Grand Canyon before your next adventure, Flagstaff is a great option!
From campgrounds and hotels to glamping and cabins, here are some of my recommendations for where to stay in Flagstaff:
- Little America – cozy hotel nestled in a pine forest
- High Country Motor Lodge – modern mountain retreat with private saunas, an oversized pool and hot tub, a general store, and movie nights and live music on the lawn
- Pine Grove Campground – RV & tent camping in Coconino National Forest
- Village Camp Flagstaff – cabin & RV resort with clubhouse, mountain-view pool, hot tub, bar, general store, and event lawn
- Americana Motor Lodge – retro Route 66-inspired motel, dog-friendly
North Rim (North Rim – Inside the Park)
Next, let’s move to the North Rim! The North Rim is about a 3-4 hour drive from the South Rim, so if you’re planning to visit both on the same trip, just make sure to build in enough travel time.
The North Rim is my favorite rim of the Grand Canyon. There are so many underrated gems on this rim like Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Angel’s Window, Transept Trail, and North Kaibab Trail.
Since all of the trails, scenic drives, and amenities are 60 miles from the nearest town, I’d recommend staying inside the park.
By staying in the park, you’re within walking distance of the best trails in the park, like North Kaibab Trail and Transept Trail. You’ll also be just a few miles from the best scenic drives and most jaw-dropping viewpoints in the entire park: Cape Royal, Point Imperial, and Angel’s Window.
And I’ll make it easy for you: you currently only have one option for accommodations in the park on the North Rim, and that’s the North Rim Campground.
Sadly, the North Rim Lodge burned down in late 2024. Until it’s rebuilt, camping is your only in-park accommodation option.
Reservations book up very quickly – especially now that the lodge is no longer standing. Hop online to recreation.gov six months in advance to snag your campsite on the North Rim. If you’re planning a last-minute trip, check for cancellations.
Psssst: We loved our T-9 campsite at the North Rim Campground. It’s just steps from the North Rim, so we got to watch the sunset and sunrise each night/morning!
So if you’re looking to spend all of your time in the national park and don’t care about typical “town” activities like shopping and dining, I’d stay inside the park on the North Rim!
Just be prepared for a more primitive, rugged experience!
Jacob Lake (North Rim – Outside the Park)
Jacob Lake is the nearest town to the North Rim. I use the term “town” loosely, though. There’s a gas station, lodge, restaurant, visitor center, and campgrounds. That’s pretty much it.
But if you can’t secure a night at the North Rim Campground, Jacob Lake is your next best option.
If you’re looking for a bustling town with lots of touristy things to do, Jacob Lake isn’t for you. Rather, Jacob Lake is for those who want to spend all their time outdoors and don’t mind being unplugged, who want to spend their days hiking and biking and their nights playing cards by the campfire.
Just keep in mind that if you stay in Jacob Lake, you’ll have to drive about an hour each way to get to the rim, visitor center, hiking trails, scenic drives, viewpoints, and campground. (Less if you stay at the Kaibab Lodge, which is only 5 miles from the park entrance!)
From remote lodges to forested campgrounds, here are some great places to stay in/near Jacob Lake:
- Jacob Lake Inn – rustic hotel with on-site cafe and restaurant
- Jacob Lake Campground – quiet high-desert campground near the Arizona Trail
- Kaibab Lodge – cabins conveniently tucked between Jacob Lake and the North Rim, just 5 miles from the park entrance (closest lodge option to the North Rim)
Kanab (North Rim – Outside the Park)
Guys, I’m obsessed with Kanab! There’s so much to do in and around Kanab, making this a great jumping-off point to many of Arizona and Utah’s best highlights.
Not only are you about 2 hours from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but you’re also 2 hours or less from other iconic points of interest like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion, and Bryce Canyon.
And just minutes from Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Kanab Sand Caves! Wild, right?!
If you plan on venturing to the North Rim for more than one day, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Kanab. Stay somewhere closer, like Jacob Lake, or even inside the park.
However, if you just want to take a day trip to the North Rim and visit other nearby places, I’d definitely recommend staying in Kanab!
The town of Kanab itself has historic “Old West” vibes, so when you’re not checking out the Sand Caves or sledding down the Coral Pink Dunes, I’d encourage you to explore the town, peruse the museums, and browse the boutique shops.
From campgrounds and glamping resorts to lodges and pet-friendly boutique stays, here are some of my recommendations for where to stay in Kanab:
- Best Friends Roadhouse – pet-friendly stay with amenities for humans (free lunch buffet) AND for pets (free dog park and splash zone), just 5 minutes from Kanab Sand Caves
- Canyons Lodge – western-style lodging with a pool, just 5 minutes from Kanab Sand Caves
- Cave Lakes – glamping just minutes from Kanab Sand Caves
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes Campground – Sandy campsites just steps away from the pink dunes and sledding hills
- Ponderosa Grove Campground – shaded campsites on BLM land, less than 15 minutes from Kanab Sand Caves and Coral Pink Dunes
Page (North Rim – Outside the Park)
Page is another fantastic basecamp for outdoorsy activities! Similar to Kanab, Page is close to many of Arizona and Utah’s biggest highlights.
Page is home to the iconic Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and is within close driving distance of other amazing places like The Wave and Buckskin Gulch. So you won’t run out of things to do if you stay here!
However, since Page is 3+ hours from the North Rim, it really only makes sense to stay in Page if you’re just planning to visit the North Rim as a day trip. Page is perfect for that – see some of Arizona’s top highlights and squeeze in a North Rim day trip, all in one trip!
From lakeside campgrounds to lakeside lodging, here are some great places to stay in Page:
- Page Lake Powell Campground – tiny homes, cabins, wagons, RV sites, and tent sites, just a few minutes from Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
- Antelope Point RV Campground – campsites with kayak rentals and immediate access to kayak Antelope Canyon
- Lake Powell Resort – lakeside lodging on the border of Arizona and Utah, about 20 minutes from Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
Inner Canyon
Last but not least, I can’t talk about where to stay in the Grand Canyon without mentioning the inner canyon!
If you want to experience the park to the fullest, you absolutely must venture below the rim.
Even if you don’t want to stay overnight below the rim, I hope you at least hike a mile or two just to get a taste – I recommend the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point – then you’ll likely want to come back and stay the night!
But for those who are feeling adventurous and want the quintessential Grand Canyon experience, I’d recommend staying below the rim.
IMPORTANT: Staying below the rim involves some of the most strenuous hiking in the entire country. You’ll have to descend thousands of feet in just a few miles. This is only for those in great physical condition!
You have a couple of options for spending the night in the inner canyon:
Camping at one of the campgrounds: Havasupai Gardens, Cottonwood, and Bright Angel. Backcountry permits are required for all stays below the rim, so you’ll have to win the lottery to camp below the rim…literally. We applied, but sadly, we didn’t win. You must hop online at least 4-5 months ahead of time to enter the lottery. Good luck!
Staying at Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is a series of cabins at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Similar to the campsites, you must also win the lottery to stay at Phantom Ranch. And you’ll have to plan super early – lottery entries are accepted up to 14 months in advance.
For those who are fortunate enough to “win the lottery” and spend the night below the rim or at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you’ll get to enjoy hiking the trails, dipping your toes in Bright Angel Creek, eating the famous hiker’s stew, watching the rafters zip by on the raging, foamy Colorado River, and stargazing in one of the country’s best dark sky areas.
We may not have won yet, but we will someday!
Finish Planning Your Trip to the Grand Canyon
Make your trip unforgettable and stress-free with the help of my Grand Canyon guides!
- Grand Canyon North Rim Vs. South Rim: Which is Best?
- 6 Helpful Things to Know Before Visiting the Grand Canyon
- South Kaibab to Skeleton Point: Ultimate Trail Guide
- Should You Visit the Grand Canyon in March?
- Should You Visit the Grand Canyon in September? Yes! Here’s Why
- Ultimate 3 Day Grand Canyon Itinerary: 3 Epic Days on the South Rim
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
PIN IT AND SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!
