Bright Angel Lodge is the South Rim's most affordable historic rim-side option, at the head of the Bright Angel Trail. In-park lodging availability can change, so check current lodging status before you plan an overnight stay.
Lodging inside the park depends on conditions such as water supply and maintenance, so check current lodging status with the operator, Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, before you plan an overnight stay. If a room is not available, Tusayan, the gateway town about a mile outside the South Entrance, is the practical alternative, about 7 miles from the village.
Bright Angel is the affordable historic choice on the rim. Mary E.J. Colter designed it in 1935 for the Fred Harvey Company, and it sits at the head of the Bright Angel Trail, the most popular hiking route into the canyon. There are 90 units, ranging from historic rooms with shared bathrooms to standard lodge rooms, historic cabins and the Buckey O'Neill Cabin, one of the oldest structures on the rim. Rooms are simple: a telephone, coffeemaker and refrigerator, but no air conditioning or microwave, and most rooms have one bed.
The lodge also works well as a day stop. The Harvey House Cafe and Arizona Steakhouse are open to day visitors, with hours that vary by season, and the Bright Angel History Room tells the story of the Harvey era. Inner-canyon trail conditions change, so check NPS trail status before you plan to hike below the rim, and never treat a summer descent as a casual walk. Expect busy parking in the village; arriving early from Tusayan, or using the seasonal Tusayan shuttle, makes the day easier.
Why stay here
- ✓Check current lodging status before planning an overnight stay
- ✓Designed by Mary E.J. Colter in 1935 and part of a National Historic Landmark
- ✓At the head of the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim
- ✓90 units, from simple historic rooms to rim cabins and the Buckey O'Neill Cabin
- ✓Harvey House Cafe and Arizona Steakhouse, both open to day visitors
- ✓Bright Angel History Room tells the story of the Harvey era
- ✓Simple rooms: telephone, coffeemaker and refrigerator, with no air conditioning
- ✓Most rooms have one bed
Good questions
Is Bright Angel Lodge open for overnight stays?+
Usually, but in-park lodging availability can change with conditions such as water supply and maintenance. Check current lodging status with the operator before you plan an overnight stay.
Can I eat at Bright Angel Lodge as a day visitor?+
Yes. The Harvey House Cafe and Arizona Steakhouse serve day visitors. Hours vary by season, so confirm before you go.
Can I hike the Bright Angel Trail?+
Check the NPS Grand Canyon site before you plan a hike. Inner-canyon trail status can change at short notice, and a summer descent is never a casual walk.
