Arizona's Gateway To The Grand Canyon Is An Affordable Resort Town With Western Charm And Surreal Beauty

If you're in the business of viewing the Grand Canyon, the Arizona town of Tusayan acts as a gateway to the incredible natural wonder. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay — affordable hotels, restaurants, general stores, tour operators, and gas stations — and it's only two miles from the South Entrance Station. First incorporated in 2010, Tusayan boasts a population of approximately 600 local residents, catering almost exclusively to Grand Canyon visitors.

Situated minutes from the South Rim, within the pristine Kaibab National Forest, Tusayan is located directly on State Route 64, making it easily accessible for road trippers on I-40 or visitors coming from Flagstaff, a charming town that was the world's first designated International Dark Sky Destination, about 1.5 hours away. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is the nearest commercial airport, but if you don't mind making the 3.5-hour drive from Phoenix to Tusayan, you'll find more direct flights and likely cheaper options at Sky Harbor International Airport.

Perched at 6,800 feet, Tusayan's arid landscape serves as a backdrop for towering ponderosa pines and the type of rugged, red-rock beauty emblematic of the American West. From Tusayan, embark on an unforgettable helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon or take a sunset jeep excursion with Pink Jeep Adventure Tours. The town makes a great jumping-off point for exploring the iconic Rim Trail or seeking solitude in the Grand Canyon along the backcountry Escalante Route. It also provides easy access to top park attractions, including the scenic 25-mile stretch along Desert View Drive, Lookout Studio Observation Point, and the pueblo-style Hopi House.

Visitors can take the Tusayan Park and Ride Shuttle (Purple Line) from four pickup points in town to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, about a 20-minute ride. The Tusayan pickup points include the IMAX Theater, the Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon, the Grand Hotel, and Big E Steakhouse and Saloon. And the best part? The shuttle is completely free. You can also self-drive to the South Entrance Station, but you'll have to wait in the queue while the shuttle simply drives right through. 

During peak season, roughly the end of May through the beginning of September, the shuttle runs every 45 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Parking is available at the shuttle stops and throughout town, but RV travelers should head to the large Park and Ride lot located just past the IMAX theater.

One important thing to note: you must purchase your Grand Canyon National Park entrance pass before boarding the shuttle. The passes are available online or at automated fee machines at the IMAX and Grand Hotel stops. If you need additional help with payment or want to speak with a person, you can also purchase your pass inside the National Geographic Visitor Center (IMAX Theater). Families or friends traveling together only need to purchase one vehicle pass, but if you are traveling alone, you'll need the individual pass.

While the Grand Canyon Village's five in-park hotels offer the chance to wake up just steps from the rim and enjoy the scenery with fewer people, they often fill up quickly or aren't a good match for budget-conscious travelers. Tusayan's hotels and resorts generally come at a lower price point, and most include a pool. Options range from the oasis-like The Squire at the Grand Canyon to the low-cost Red Feather Lodge and familiar favorites like the Holiday Inn Express. You won't find world-class accommodations like this upscale resort in the Arizona mountains promising desert luxury, but most of the hotels have decent ratings on Google and are more than satisfactory for a two- or three-night stay. 

The restaurant options are extensive, ranging from road trip staples like McDonald's and Wendy's to local joints like Big E Steakhouse, which overflows with cowboy kitch and feels like stepping into an Old West saloon. For breakfast classics with a Southwest twist, you can't miss Drigo's — the breakfast tamales are really something special. Alternatively, head to We Cook Pizza and Pasta for Italian American fare to refuel after a day of intense hiking.

For groceries, souvenirs, and anything you forgot to pack, stop at the Tusyan General Store, next to the Grand Cayon Camper Village. The sites are packed close together, and the facilities are run-down, but this RV park is within walking distance of town.