Arizona's Village Inside Grand Canyon National Park Is A Breathtakingly Scenic Locale For A Weekend Getaway

Arizona is known as "the Grand Canyon state", proudly nicknamed after one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Although there are things to do on every side of this humbling ravine, the South Rim has much to offer weekend adventurers. Grand Canyon Village, a 26.5 square mile community in the Kaibab National Forest, presents a premium spot to take in the bucket-list beauty. Primarily designed for tourism, it doesn't exactly resemble a typical village, but is an ideal access point for the area's many trails and lookouts. One TripAdvisor review said, "This is a great central area to explore the park ... " 

Flying overhead gives you a glimpse of the canyon's unfathomable expanse, and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is one of the best airports for visiting the Grand Canyon. It's only 1 hour 30 minutes' drive from the village, and American Airlines has connections from major hubs like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. 

Alternatively, a road trip to Grand Canyon Village could be even more fun, as you'll take Route 66, known as the most famous road in America. When you reach the quaint town of Williams, it's roughly 60 miles (around 1 hours' drive) to the village and the South Rim via the AZ-64. On arrival, it's easy to drive around the village or take the free shuttle bus from the Visitor Center that connects you with lodges, restaurants, and truly unforgettable, breathtaking views of a timeless piece of the American Southwest.

The Visitor Center is often considered the main hub of Grand Canyon Village, but just a 3-minute drive away is Market Plaza, which is technically more central. There, you'll find a deli, a library, and the Yavapai Tavern for simple meals like quesadillas or salads, plus a few unusual items like their elk burger. Take the shuttle west for a further 5 minutes to reach the lodges and campgrounds, and say hello to the mules in the Mule Barn resting up between treks into the canyon. You'll also notice the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, which replaced the Stagecoach from Williams in 1901. Its rustic log cabin aesthetic becomes even more unique when you learn there are only three remaining log depots in the US. 

Most restaurants here are found inside the popular lodges, like the Maswik Food Court in Maswik Lodge, and the Arizona Steakhouse in the Bright Angel Lodge. Perhaps the most famous place to stay there is El Tovar, an upscale hotel built on the canyon's edge with 78 rooms. Opened in 1905, it was designed to emulate European luxury by combining the architecture of a Swiss chalet with a Norwegian villa, and achieved landmark status in 1987. You might end up in a room previously visited by anyone from Theodore Roosevelt to Oprah Winfrey. The nearby Bright Angel Lodge is more modest, and Mather Campground features 327 sites that place you 2 miles from Bright Angel Trail.

The village has some of the best viewpoints with the most jaw-dropping sunrises and sunsets you'll ever witness. However, if you want a more exclusive view from within the canyon, Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail in the National Park. Originally used only by Indigenous peoples, today the out-and-back route sees heavy foot traffic, and stretches 9.5 miles down to the Colorado River. Enjoy cinematic scenery, walk under shaded archways, give way to passing mules, and spot daring bighorn sheep grazing on precarious ledges.

The full rim-to-rim requires a permit and exhaustive training, but luckily, you can get soul-rousing vantage points on a day hike. Average temperatures climb to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in July, so the National Park Service warns not to attempt reaching the river and back in one day. Late April and early May are considered the best times to visit, but unpredictable weather can derail plans, so check their website before setting off, and carry plenty of water and salty snacks, because Bright Angel Trail is a dangerous hike.

The Colorado River began sculpting the canyon 5 to 6 million years ago, and today, you'll see colorful layers from the deepest sedimentary Vishnu Schist all the way to Kaibab Limestone found nearest the rim. Hiking enthusiast Brian Speciale told ABC15, "Every time I'm going down South Kaibab or Bright Angel, and you see that first expansive canyon view ... it's just something that sticks with you."