At present, there is no separate listing for Hermits Rest and this Yelp listing is called "Hermits Rest Snack Bar." While there is indeed a snack bar of sorts here, it looks like this is a more general listing for Hermits Rest and that's what reviews are showing. So here we go.
I made my visit here on a very cold morning. We weren't up at the crack of dawn, but it was pretty early when we got to the park, and there was lots of parking still around. The South Rim is cold in winter, but the crowds are somewhat smaller. One of the other advantages is that you can drive Hermits Rest Road, and that's what we did. In busier months you need to take the shuttle.
The drive out here is obviously other-worldly as you pass lookout point after lookout point. As it was early and offseason, we were often one of only a couple of parties there, and once, we had a lookout to ourselves.
Once we reached the parking for Hermit's Rest, we pulled in to find the small parking lot only about 25% full. I have been to the Grand Canyon many times, but never made it out this far, so we took our time and read the signage, took in the views, and ambled down the walkway.
We first smelled Hermits Rest, about the time we rounded the corner and descended enough to see the massive rock chimney. We neared the building and looked in to see that massive fireplace just ablaze with a hot fire. We hadn't planned to go in, and I didn't have a face mask so I scurried back to the car to get mine before catching back up inside.
Indeed, that fireplace tells a thousand stories. Of hikers who have reached the rest. Of warming tourists and intrepid travelers who were on the trail or in the shuttle. During COVID they have it chained off so as to not encourage gathering, but I would love to one day return together and sit by the fireplace on a cold winter day and think about this first trip to Hermits Rest.
You'll find a small gift shop, and of course the snack bar (I think?) which was not running when I was there. It may be seasonal, or it may be closed during COVID--on that point I am a bit hazy, so best to ask questions beforehand.
There are restrooms out here (separate building IIRC) and a trail takes off from here, but if you're hiking that trail you've done enough research to know what you're getting into.
It was charming. Charming, charming, charming. What a lovely way to warm up and seek a little rest. For the hermit in all of us. read more