Tusayan-Grand Canyon

STAY OVERNIGHT in the Town of Tusayan and take time to explore the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.

LODGING IN TUSAYAN (less than 2 miles south of Park Entrance)

Best Western Squire Inn

Photo courtesy of BWP GC Squire Inn

Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel

Photo courtesy of GC Plaza Hotel

There is a wide variety of lodging options within a very short distance of Grand Canyon National Park and within the National Park. Hotels, Motels, RV Parks and Campgrounds for every budget, so take a day or two to enjoy a sunrise or sunset view of this natural wonder.

The summer months are the busiest so make sure to make reservations in advance. Enjoy lower rates and less crowds from Mid-September through Mid-May.

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is open year round and the views are spectacular Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall!

DRIVE, BIKE or HIKE GRAND CANYON and the beautiful surrounding PINE TREE FORESTS

The Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Entrance is open to vehicles year round. Plan a few days to enjoy the approximately 30 miles of rim views, historic and ancient landmarks, and geologic wonders at the Grand Canyon South Rim.

You can drive from South Rim Village to Desert View (approximately 22 miles, 35.4 km one way) and stop along the way at the various view points. Each view point has a different perspective of Grand Canyon which is 18 miles wide (the widest part of Grand Canyon) and 6,000 feet deep.

During the less busy winter months the Hermit Road, from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Rest, is open to vehicles. This route is 7.4 miles, 11.9 km one way and also has various view points to stop at along the way. From March 1 through Novermber 30th this can only be accessed by foot, bike or shuttle bus.

Desert View Watchtower is the iconic landmark at the South Rim of Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Shuttle Service

SHUTTLE SERVICE within the National Park

Don’t feel like driving? Park your vehicle at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (at Mather Point) within the National Park and take the Free NPS Shuttle to the various view points.

There are three Shuttle Routes within the Park: 1) Village (Blue) Route - Open Year Round 2) Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route - Open Year Round, 3) Hermit Road (Red) Route - Open seasonally March 1 through November 30th by foot, bike or shuttle bus. This route is open to private vehicles only during the months of December, January and February (weather permiting).

SHUTTLE SERVICE in Tusayan (Purple Route)

Save time and avoid the longer lines at the Park Entrance during the busy summer months and park your vehicle in Tusayan and take the NPS Shuttle to the Visitor Center within the National Park. You must purchase a National Park Pass to ride the Free NPS Shuttles.

Bus Stops in Tusayan are located in front of the following businesses:

Grand Canyon Visitor Center/IMAX Theater-Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn-Grand Hotel-Big E Steakhouse & Saloon

UTV OFF & ON ROAD TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Arizona has the largest Ponderosa Pine Tree Forest in the Nation and part of it is right here in Tusayan, just one mile south of the Grand Canyon National Park Entrance. Bring your own UTV or rent one in Tusayan and enjoy the many public National Forest Service roads nearby.

You can travel the main paved roads in Tusayan and into the National Park in a UTV as long as your UTV is street legal. See the Arizona Game & Fish OffHighway Vehicle (OHV) Guide for complete information. Click here for a Tusayan Ranger District Forest Service Road Map. Ample parking for ATV trailers at various Tusayan locations. Stay on designated roads, ride safely and responsibly to help minimize the impacts of OHV use on wildlife and habitat.

REMEMBER: ENJOY, DON’T DESTROY.

BIKING

Rent an Electric Bike or bring your own and enjoy the Greenway Trails surrounding Tusayan. You can also purchase a Park Pass at one of the local Tusayan businesses and ride a bike into the National Park. Tusayan and the Kaibab National Forest offer dirt trails for expert riders and paved trails for those who just want a leisurely ride.

HIKING

There are many trail adventures to enjoy within minutes of Tusayan. Trails range from easy to difficult so plan ahead make sure you have plenty of water. Check in with a friend and tell them where you’re going and when you plan to be back. There are beautiful views along the Greenway Trails near Tusayan or you can hike along the rim of the canyon. If you decide to hike down into the Canyon, remember going down is optional – coming up is not. You start at 7,000 feet and most of our trails drop to 4,400 feet. Cell phone and internet service is intermittent due to the remoteness of the area.

You MUST obtain a Back Country Permit for overnight camping within Grand Canyon National Park including camping below the rim. A backcountry permit is not required for day hikes. Click here for more information.

GREENWAY TRAILS

TUSAYAN TRAIL

Park at the parking lot at the North End of Tusayan (at the roundabout). EASY: Tusayan to Mather Point (13.2 mi round trip, 21.2 km) 3 - 4 hours. Walk through the beautiful Ponderosa Pine Forest to the Rim of Grand Canyon. During the busy summer months, you can make this a one way 6.6 miles (10.6 km) hike and take the free shuttle bus back to Tusayan. Bikes and Horseback Riding are also allowed on this trail. 40 percent of the trail is paved while the other 60 percent is packed gravel.

Aerial View of the Town of Tusayan

COCONINO RIM TRAIL

Proceed into the National Park and take Desert View Drive to mile marker 253. Take the dirt road to the lookout tower where the trail starts. This trail features historic structures including the 80’ tower of Grandview Lookout and the historic cabins of the Hull Brothers sheep herding operation. It is also one section of the Arizona Trail System. DIFFICULT: (18 mi round trip, 29 km) 5 - 6 hours.

HIKING TRAILS WITHIN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

RIM TRAIL

Hermits Rest to South Kaibab Trailhead

(13 miles one-way, 20.9 km). Walk along the beautiful rim for as long as your legs will carry you. Don’t forget your camera! Tired of walking and need a slight diversion from the trail, take the free shuttle bus back to where you started.

BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL

Park near Bright Angel Lodge or park at the Visitor Center at Mather Point and take the free shuttle bus to Bright Angel Lodge. Click Here for more information on trail difficulty and mileage.

SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL

Park at Mather Point and take the free shuttle bus to Yaki Point. Click Here for more information on trail difficulty and mileage.

GRANDVIEW TRAIL

Drive your own vehicle to Grandview Point within the National Park (approximately 17 miles from Tusayan) Click Here for more information on trail difficulty and mileage.

South Kaibab Trail near the Colorado River

APPRECIATE AZ

Please help to preserve Arizona’s Natural Landscapes for future visitors by following these simple 7 principles: 1. PLAN AHEAD & PREPARE 2. STICK TO TRAILS 3. TRASH YOUR TRASH 4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND 5. BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE 6. RESPECT WILDLIFE 7. SHARE THE OUTDOORS Click here to find out more.

ARIZONA TRAIL

The Arizona National Scenic Trail stretches 800 miles from the Mexico border to the Utah border. This non-motorized diverse trail links deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, history, communities and people. Tusayan is a Arizona Trail Gateway Community which is located less than 1/4 mile from the Trail. You can access the Trail in several locations: In Tusayan at the Tusayan Greenway Trailhead or within the National Park along the Coconino Rim Trail or the South Kaibab Trail.

Guided tours are one of the best ways to experience Grand Canyon. Whether you choose a ground, air, horse or mule tour, all will provide a unique perspective of Tusayan and the Grand Canyon.

GROUND TOURS

Highly qualified guides share their knowledge about Grand Canyon, giving visitors a better understanding of the culture, history and geology of the area.

Ride in the comfort of a Jeep, Van or Hummer to some of the most amazing view points at Grand Canyon. The Sunsets and Sunrises are spectacular! For more info click here.

Inner Canyon HIKING TOURS

Enjoy day hikes or multi-day hikes with a experienced guide that can customize your tour to fit your needs.

* Additional guided hiking and vehicle tours of Grand Canyon available from other Arizona Grand Partners in nearby Cities. See Flagstaff, Page, Sedona and Williams listings.

AIR TOURS

Get a birds eye view of Grand Canyon in a helicopter or airplane. For the more adventurous, skydiving is available. For more info click here.

HORSEBACK RIDING TOURS

A horseback ride through the beautiful Kaibab National Forest makes for a memorable addition to your Grand Canyon experience. For more info click here.

Inner Canyon MULE TOURS

Mule trips are available from the rim of Grand Canyon to the bottom near Phantom Ranch. For more info click here.

PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Improve your photography skills no matter what level you are and capture the unique and beautiful areas of Grand Canyon. For more info click here.

Mule Tour on Bright Angel Trail

COLORADO RIVER RAFTING

The Colorado River cuts through the bottom of the Grand Canyon and half day, full day or multi-day trips are one of the most popular ways to experience Grand Canyon. For more info click here.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES

You must obtain a National Park Pass to enter into any National Park or National Monument in the United States. In Arizona alone there are 24 National Parks and Monuments to enjoy.

GEOLOGY, HISTORY & MUSEUMS

DESERT VIEW WATCHTOWER

This 70 ft. tall stone tower, perched on the edge of the canyon rim near the East Rim Entrance, was designed by Mary Jane Colter in 1932 to resemble ancient Indian Ruins.

HERMITS REST and THE GREAT STONE FIREPLACE

Originally constructed in 1914 as a rest stop for the short stage line that ran from the El Tovar Hotel to this location. Hermit’s Rest is located at the far west end of Hermit Road and is only accessible by shuttle bus from March 1 to November 30.

KOLB STUDIO

This historic building sits on the edge of the Canyon Rim near the Bright Angel Lodge. Emery Kolb, famous for his photography of Grand Canyon in 1919, operated his photography studio here.

Lookout Studio

LOOKOUT STUDIO

Designed by Mary Jane Colter in 1914 as a location where visitors could photograph the Grand Canyon from its precipitous edge. Located on the edge of the canyon near Bright Angel Lodge.

POWELL MEMORIAL

Commemorates the 1869 exploration of the Colorado River by Major John Wesley Powell and his men. Located on Hermits Road at Powell Point.

TUSAYAN ANCIENT RUIN

This ancient ruin built in 1200 A.D. by native people is typical of many pueblo sites in the Grand Canyon region. The Town of Tusayan got it’s name from this ancient site. Located on Desert View Drive near Lipan Point.

YAVAPAI GEOLOGY MUSEUM and THE TRAIL OF TIME

This museum was originally constructed back in 1928 as the Yavapai Observation Station and is located on the rim of the Canyon at Yavapai Point. The Trail of Time is a geologic timeline located at Yavapai Point and is a 2.83 mile (4.56 km) paved walk from Yavapai Point to the El Tovar Hotel. Each meter walked on the timeline trail signifies one million years of Grand Canyon’s geologic history. Along the timeline trail are a series of rocks and exhibits.

For more information about the Town of Tusayan, Valle, and complete information about Lodging, Dining, Tours, Shopping and more, visit pages 7-27 of this publication.