Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on planet earth. The area is incredibly vast and its geology is out of this world. But where to stay near Grand Canyon National Park for the best experience?
You find Grand Canyon South Rim lodging in Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, Grand Canyon Junction/Valle, Williams and Flagstaff. Options for where to stay when visiting Grand Canyon North Rim include Grand Canyon Lodge and Kanab.
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Jump to
- South Rim accommodations
- Grand Canyon Village – On rim
- Tusayan – Just outside the park
- GCJ/Valle – On a budget
- Williams – Grand Canyon train
- Flagstaff – A bigger city
- North Rim accommodations
- Grand Canyon Lodge – On rim
- Kanab – On a budget
Grand Canyon South Rim accommodation
The South Rim of Grand Canyon is the most famous part of the park. This is the area of Grand Canyon that you most often see on TV or in magazines. The large majority of the Grand Canyon visitors pick the South Rim between the two options.
South Rim is a lot more accessible than North Rim. It’s open year round, is a shorter drive away from Las Vegas and Phoenix, and here you find a lot of Grand Canyon hotels both in and very near the national park.
Grand Canyon Village offers various South Rim accommodation options in the park. From the hotels in Grand Canyon Village you have walking distance to the beautiful overlooks and trails. Other options for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim are the border town Tusayan, Grand Canyon Junction/Valle, Williams and Flagstaff.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
The South Rim option for where to stay that is nearest all that Grand Canyon has to offer is Grand Canyon Village. In Grand Canyon Village you stay inside Grand Canyon National Park and have the trails just a stone’s throw away.
When you stay at a hotel in Grand Canyon Village right on the South Rim you are in the ultimate position to see the famous Grand Canyon sunrises and sunsets. Compared to other visitors, you don’t have to think about getting to or from the park before or after exploring it.
Instead you can just walk from the hotels in Grand Canyon Village to the overlooks and trails when you feel up for it. You can come and go as you wish without having to depend on how long the lines are at the entry gates of the park. If you pick lodging in Grand Canyon Village your whole stay is a Grand Canyon adventure.
There are also a few dining options in Grand Canyon Village. So you don’t even need to leave the park to get food when you stay at a hotel in Grand Canyon Village.
The exclusive location also means that the Grand Canyon South Rim hotel rooms often sell out long in advance. Therefore make sure that you book your Grand Canyon Village stay as early as you can.
But the appreciated location means that prices for Grand Canyon lodging usually are higher in Grand Canyon Village compared to other options. So if you look for a cheap Grand Canyon hotel you should investigate the other options for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim.
All in all, Grand Canyon Village is the best place to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim if you want the ultimate park access. In Grand Canyon Village you stay within Grand Canyon NP with the adventures on your doorstep. To stay at a Grand Canyon hotel just steps away from the trails certainly adds a dimension when visiting the Arizona wonder.
- Distance: 0 mi
- Driving time: 0 min
- Stay in Grand Canyon Village for: Best South Rim access.
Favorite location. The ultimate option for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim is to base yourself within the national park. In Grand Canyon Village you find not only the ultimate South Rim access but also appreciated Grand Canyon hotels and lodges.
Best hotels in Grand Canyon Village
El Tovar Hotel
At the historic El Tovar Hotel you stay inside Grand Canyon National Park. The hotel’s location in Grand Canyon Village is unbeatable for exploring the South Rim. Famous guests that have stayed at El Tovar Hotel over the years include Theodore Roosevelt and Albert Einstein. So the option for where to stay in Grand Canyon National Park keeps you in good company.
Yavapai Lodge
Another option for accommodation near Grand Canyon South Rim is the Yavapai Lodge in Grand Canyon Village. The Yavapai Lodge is known to be a more simple lodge at an incredible location near the South Rim. From the Grand Canyon place to stay you with no effort reach the trails in the park.
Tusayan, AZ
Tusayan is a very good alternative for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s not inside Grand Canyon National Park like Grand Canyon Village. But it’s the town nearest Grand Canyon Village and in Tusayan you find great lodging near Grand Canyon.
From the Grand Canyon hotels in Tusayan it’s only a drive of 6 miles (10 km) to the beautiful overlooks at the South Rim. So it’s a very short ride to get from your Grand Canyon accommodation in Tusayan to the national park.
You also find some of the very best Grand Canyon hotels in Tusayan. The hotels near Grand Canyon National Park in Tusayan often have great amenities including pool and hot tub.
But if you stay in Tusayan for the South Rim you have to brave the lines at the entry gates every time you want to go to enjoy Grand Canyon. So even if the drive is short from your Grand Canyon hotel in Tusayan it could take some time to get to the beautiful trails and outlooks.
That Tusayan is just such a short drive away still makes it very attractive to stay here. And that’s reflected in the hotel rates. So for cheaper Grand Canyon lodging options you should look into the other alternatives for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim in Grand Canyon Junction/Valle, Williams and Flagstaff.
To sum up, Tusayan is a very convenient place to stay near Grand Canyon National Park. In just minutes you can go from your Grand Canyon hotel in Tusayan to the park. And the town offers all the Grand Canyon lodging you need for a comfortable stay.
- Distance: 6 mi / 10 km
- Driving time: ≈ 10 min
- Pick Tusayan for: Hotels near South Rim.
Best hotels in Tusayan
The Grand Hotel at Grand Canyon
Tusayan is located so near Grand Canyon National Park that staying in the town almost is like staying inside the park itself. And the Grand Hotel at Grand Canyon in Tusayan is one of the best hotels near Grand Canyon. The indoor swimming pool and hot tub adds some luxury to your Grand Canyon stay.
Grand Canyon Junction/Valle, AZ
The tiny town Grand Canyon Junction, also known as Valle, is located further south from Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan where US 180 and AZ 64 meet.
From the hotels in Grand Canyon Junction it’s roughly 30 miles (48 km) and a driving time of 40 minutes to reach Grand Canyon South Rim. So the town doesn’t offer the very great park access that you get at Grand Canyon hotels in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan.
But a convenient thing with the location of Grand Canyon Junction is that it’s on the way to Grand Canyon South Rim from both Las Vegas and Phoenix. So the Grand Canyon hotels in the tiny town could be suitable for visitors coming from both directions.
Further away from the park means cheaper Grand Canyon hotel rates. Therefore you can benefit from lower prices if you pick lodging in Grand Canyon Junction for your Grand Canyon getaway.
In short, Grand Canyon Junction is a very good option for where to stay near Grand Canyon on a budget. The town is not as convenient as Grand Canyon accommodation in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan. But it’s a budget-friendly area that still is less than an hour away from the park.
- Distance: 30 mi / 48 km
- Driving time: ≈ 40 min
- Pick Grand Canyon Junction for: South Rim on a budget.
Budget location. If you search for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim on a budget you don’t need to look further. In Grand Canyon Junction/Valle you often find significantly cheaper Grand Canyon lodging.
Williams, AZ
Even further south Williams advertises itself to be the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”. From Grand Canyon hotels in Williams to Grand Canyon South Rim it’s about 60 miles (97 km) and just over an hour by car.
Williams has a rich Wild West and Route 66 heritage, with an alive old town area. In the central quarters you find a surprisingly good selection of classic American diners, friendly bars and unique shops where you can buy a new favorite trinket for the memory shelf.
The small but plentiful town is surrounded by beautiful Arizona nature. Bearizona Wildlife Park and Kaibab Lake are two popular places to see during a stay in Williams.
If you want to hop on a nostalgic train to Grand Canyon you can do so in Williams too. The Grand Canyon Railway takes you on an entertaining and unforgettable train ride from Williams to the astonishing Grand Canyon South Rim.
Compared to Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan and Grand Canyon Junction/Valle, Williams is more its own destination. The other Grand Canyon lodging options are for good reasons more centered around Grand Canyon, while Williams is a fun road trip stop on its own.
That the Wild West and Route 66 town is an hour away from Grand Canyon also makes it possible to find budget-friendly motels and other accommodation alternatives when you stay in the town for the South Rim.
All in all, Williams is the best option for where to stay near Grand Canyon South Rim if you want to combine your Grand Canyon visit with something else. Of course Williams is also the must place to stay if you want to embark the nostalgic train to the rim of Grand Canyon. And the location further away from the rim means cheaper Grand Canyon accommodation.
- Distance: 60 mi / 97 km
- Driving time: ≈ 1 h
- Pick Williams for: Taking the Grand Canyon train.
Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff is located east of Williams and it’s the larger town nearest Grand Canyon.
But even though it’s the nearest bigger town it’s still not especially close between the two. The distance is 80 miles (129 km) with a driving time of 90 minutes from Grand Canyon lodging in Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim. So Flagstaff’s location doesn’t make it the most convenient choice for where to stay stay when visiting Grand Canyon.
Still Flagstaff is a good option for Grand Canyon accommodation if you don’t mind a longer drive and look for a Grand Canyon place to stay on a budget. The distance from Grand Canyon to Flagstaff often makes it possible to find lower Grand Canyon hotel rates in the city. Further away from Grand Canyon means cheaper rates.
Flagstaff is also a good travel base to explore more than just the Grand Canyon. From Flagstaff it’s about two hours to great sights in Northern Arizona. See the ultimate Southwest road trip itinerary for more spots to discover in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
To sum up, Flagstaff is a great choice for Grand Canyon South Rim if you prefer a larger town, look for budget-friendliness or simply want a base to discover more of the surrounding areas than the Grand Canyon. But if you want to stay as near the Grand Canyon as possible it’s better to pick Grand Canyon lodging closer to the park.
- Distance: 80 mi / 129 km
- Driving time: ≈ 1.5 h
- Pick Flagstaff for: A bigger town.
Best hotels in Flagstaff
Little America Hotel Flagstaff
Flagstaff with its rich selection of hotels is a great option for where to stay for Grand Canyon if you don’t mind a drive. Little America Hotel is a true gem with inviting rooms where you happily spend time when you’re not exploring Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon North Rim accommodation
Just like the South Rim, Grand Canyon North Rim offers breathtaking views. However, fewer visitors come here than to South Rim as it’s much less accessible in various ways.
First of all Grand Canyon North Rim is closed for the winter season, so it’s not an option if you visit Grand Canyon National Park during the colder months of the year.
The location itself is also more remote compared to how its southern counterpart is located. The drive to get to Grand Canyon North Rim from both Las Vegas and Phoenix is longer than to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Additionally alternatives for where to stay near Grand Canyon are fewer at the North Rim. At the North Rim there’s nothing like Grand Canyon Village. Inside the national park there is only one Grand Canyon lodge to stay at. And North Rim has no border town equivalent to Tusayan with more Grand Canyon hotels. So if you don’t stay in the park you need to make a rather long drive to get from your Grand Canyon place to stay to stay to the rim.
Nevertheless, the northern part of Grand Canyon is a great area to visit. You can stay inside the park right on the North Rim at Grand Canyon Lodge for the ultimate trail and overlook access. Another options for where to stay when visiting Grand Canyon North Rim but located further away is Kanab.
Grand Canyon Lodge, AZ
At Grand Canyon Lodge you stay within the national park on the north rim. It’s the only Grand Canyon North Rim accommodation that sits in the park.
Grand Canyon Lodge is an eminent position for a base when exploring Grand Canyon North Rim. If you choose Grand Canyon Lodge for where to stay in Grand Canyon you don’t need a car to get to the overlooks and trails.
Instead you can just take a few steps to get there. If you stay at Grand Canyon Lodge you can enjoy Grand Canyon 24/7.
Grand Canyon Lodge offers both rooms and free standing cabins when visiting Grand Canyon. If you really want to go for it you can book a Grand Canyon cabin with rim view. Then you don’t even need to leave your cabin to see the mighty Grand Canyon.
But the fact that it’s the only rim accommodation at Grand Canyon North Rim means that you need to book your stay at North Rim long in advance, or be lucky, to get a room or cabin.
In short, Grand Canyon Lodge is the best place to stay near Grand Canyon North Rim. All other options for where to stay near Grand Canyon North Rim are located much further away.
- Distance: 0 mi
- Driving time: 0 min
- Pick Grand Canyon Lodge for: Best North Rim access.
Favorite location. If you want the ultimate North Rim access you have found your Grand Canyon lodging. Grand Canyon Lodge is the prime alternative for where to stay near Grand Canyon North Rim.
Kanab, UT
Kanab is a small town north of Grand Canyon North Rim with various accommodation options and places to eat.
The driving distance from Kanab to Grand Canyon North Rim is a bit steep though. It’s 80 miles (129 km) and 90 minutes each way between Kanab and Grand Canyon. So it’s absolutely not as convenient as Grand Canyon Lodge for where to stay near Grand Canyon North Rim.
But if you don’t mind driving or only plan one day in the park it could be a viable option to stay in Kanab when visiting Grand Canyon. And the fact that Kanab is located rather far away from the park makes it possible to find budget-friendly Grand Canyon hotels here.
Kanab is also a popular option for where to stay when visiting Grand Canyon National Park as the town sits in the middle of a beautiful region stuffed with natural wonders. It’s a great town to stay in if you want to visit Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without hopping around between different hotels. All these natural wonders are within 90 minutes from Kanab.
To sum up, Kanab is the best place to stay near Grand Canyon North Rim on a budget. The city is also a great option for where to stay near Grand Canyon North Rim if you want one single base for a bigger trip including other sights in the region.
- Distance: 80 mi / 129 km
- Driving time: ≈ 1.5 h
- Pick Kanab for: North Rim on a budget and a base for more sights.
Where to stay near Grand Canyon FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
If you want to stay as near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon as possible you have two options. Preferably you stay in Grand Canyon Village with ultimate access to Grand Canyon South Rim. But for more hotels near Grand Canyon South Rim the town Tusayan is located only a few miles away from the rim.
It’s a good idea to check prices in Grand Canyon Junction/Valle for Grand Canyon on a budget. The town is located just 40 minutes away from Grand Canyon South Rim but is more budget-friendly than the alternatives closer to the park. Other options for where to stay near Grand Canyon on a budget located further away are Williams and Flagstaff for South Rim and Kanab for North Rim.
Yes, you can stay inside Grand Canyon National Park at various Grand Canyon hotels. Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim is the most popular choice for staying inside the park. At the North Rim you also find Grand Canyon Lodge inside the park.
Flagstaff is located 80 miles (129 km) away from Grand Canyon National Park, which takes 1.5 hours to drive. Many visitors to Grand Canyon pick Flagstaff for its budget-friendliness and great connection to other areas.
Related: Also check our comprehensive list of the best things to do in the USA. Do you think Grand Canyon is there?
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