One of the prettiest camp grounds you'll ever see, you'll fall asleep listening to the Bright Angel…read moreCreek running practically next to you and the stars shooting overhead. In the morning, the views from your sleeping bag are of the canyon walls ablaze with the morning sun. This week, the canyon was bursting with color from all the flowers and vegetation blooming after the heavy winter snow. The campground is simple, but has plenty of drinking water spigots throughout camp, and even restrooms with flushing toilets and sinks. A half mile from the black bridge crossing the Colorado River and another short walk to Phantom Ranch Village, which had a few services and amenities, this is ideally located for a loop hike down N. Kaibab and up Bright Angel trails. Rangers who checked our permits had a sense of humor and seemed stoked to work in such a stunning place.

A thought came to me recently as I've been thinking about trips to national parks, and thinking…read moreabout crowds, getting out of them, and seeing parts of the park that are quiet, thoughtful, and less-traveled. That thought was pretty simple. I want to come back here. There are so many parks and so many places in each park that I don't always want to re-visit old stops. But lately that's changed and I want to go back to a lot of them. Sometimes it's just because the first trip was special. Sometimes it's because enough time has passed that you now wonder how you would be changed by a place, now that you're a new person and that place remains unchanged. And sometimes you just want to take someone new and see it through their eyes. I've been in this campground a couple of times, but I've only stayed there once. It sits on the north side of the river, adjacent to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. My stay was in the winter and it was lesser-traveled, though I'm sure it's booked up and busy most of the year as this park is the most popular in the whole parks system. The campground itself is pretty simple, there are a couple dozen sites and each one has a picnic table, a hanger for your gear, and an ammo can where you need to store all of your food to keep it away from pests. The animals here are alarmingly accustomed to humans, and I've had run-ins with deer who are more like entitled hikers as they hog the trail and just roll their eyes at you. The campground is clean (no one drives up in their car and unloads a bunch of trash) but do make sure you show the utmost respect to this area. The whole canyon is special and a sacred place. The campground has water and toilets. Getting here is no small task. As they say, "Going down is optional, coming up is not." You descend several thousand feet from either rim, as this is accessible by the Bright Angel Trail (via the short River Trail that connects to the bridge), South Kaibab, and North Kaibab Trails. Downhill is brutal on knees and ankles, and you have to be in shape. Going up is brutal on everything. If you're staying at Bright Angel Campground, you're probably backpacking and you need to pack light, and know your limits. Give yourself time. You can break up the trip and also stop and Indian Garden and the campground there if you don't want to do it all in one day. There's plenty to do here. It's so odd that you have Phantom Ranch right here, and you can go over and get a drink or snack. If you book ahead of time, you can buy your meals here and have a nice meal. It's spendy, but for crying out loud, they have to pack it in by mule every time! I've taken the hike north to Ribbon Falls which is a nice day activity if you're spending a few nights here. Or you can just lounge at the campground and let your body recover. Shade is a premium in the scorching summer, and winter is bone chilling cold. The shoulder season is nice but crowded, so you really just pick your poison. As I sit here right now in my house in the city, I close my eyes tightly and I can hear the roar of the Colorado River in my mind. I'm back at the campground at the bottom of the canyon. We've left the madness of the village and wandered down through the magic canyon, crossed the bridge, and we're in the tent living our very best life. The moon is glowing and I can *just* imagine it. It's a special place. I'm feeling it -- I do want to go back.

This spot was our first stop in the Grand Canyon adventure tour. It says campground, but this area…read morehas cabins as well as many spectacular view points that are quite easy for those who need accommodations. There is not real hike necessary to enjoy the view. It is so vast and beautiful. The air is cold, so bring a sweater. This North Rim is a bit different than the southern part. It has a more alpine like weather and temperatures vary a lot throughout day. Many stops and view points are near by if you are in a crunch for time this would be the spot to start.

Okay sit back relax and take in the air, the sights, and the peace that you find while camping…read morehere. You have to want to be here, it's a very, very long car ride in and there is one way in and one way out. The campground is very clean and quiet and the spaces are very large. There is no electric so bring your solar chargers. The campground is closed during the winter months and when we camped there were fire restrictions until the monsoons came so please check ahead. The campground is a short tram ride to the North Rim Lodge which is a must see especially the viewing deck. This is a photographers dream and don't forget the tripod. The storms over the canyon are magnificent and the full moon is stunning! We took the kids to the dinner show review and we had a great time even in the rain. The kids also received their North Rim Jr. Ranger patch and got their national parks passport stamped. We took our traditional day trip to Four Corners and Monument Valley and enjoyed the wild mustangs and herds of deer and buffalo we saw on the way back into camp.

We had a wonderful ride on a recent Sunday. It was one of the highlights of our time in Williams…read moreand we look forward to doing it again. The scenery was gorgeous, the horses were so good! I don't have much experience but Ceasar and Xavier helped me feel confident. My husband and I will cherish the memories always.

Amazing time, although a storm passed through before our ride, we had an amazing experience viewing…read morethe sunset.

What better way to spend a (last) minute trip to the Grand Canyon than under the stars! I was…read moresurprised to find Under Canvas under the World of Hyatt site. I have always wanted to glamp, and it turned out of your going to do it this is the way! From the time of our arrival to check out was a smooth process! We arrived right at 3pm which is standard check in. I was concerned initially because the airport was near, but they later proved to be no issue. Justin was our check in representative, both knowledgeable and friendly. Not only did he check us in and give us information we may need through out our stay, he also guided us to our tent and helped to load and unload our items into the tent! We chose the Safari tent which was the perfect size for our family. Because they were pet friendly made it great, we brought our little dog with us. The tent was absolutely fabulous! It gave the feeling of a hotel room minus air conditioning and electricity. My kids thought it still felt like a 5 star hotel, who knew?! The bathrooms are a quick walk and you have the options of just a toilet, toilet and shower, and an ADA bathroom with ramp access. The bathrooms are well maintained with towels in a closet between the bathrooms. Our tent included a wood stove along with firewood, fire extinguisher, small fans, lanterns, and a luggage rack. Upon request you can receive blankets, a cooler with ice, and USB chargers. The response time is quick. I texted the main number and the request was honored in under 10 minutes! Our family's favorite part was the making of s'more's which is offered nightly! We made it a point not to miss that because that made it feel even more like a camping trip! It was nice not having to worry about staying a camp fire and with the availability of the propane fire pits. Besides food and drinks the larger tents where check in takes place also offer areas for games and relaxing. The overall mood and vibe were chill and were thoroughly enjoyed the evening before going back to our tent. The night was completely quiet with a few moments of a desert animal scurrying. It just far enough off the highway that the noise is minimal. I absolutely would stay at an Under Canvas again! The entire staff was friendly and ready to help with any need, which you don't even get a hotels these days!

What a fun experience! Now we can't control the weather, but I would say the stay would have been…read moreabsolutely stellar had it been maybe 8 degrees warmer and a little less hazy and windy. It was just our (bad) luck that of course coming to a dark sky accommodation that clouds rolled in and kept us from seeing the stars Overall I was truly pleasantly surprised! Bathrooms were pretty clean, showers got sufficiently warm, bed was really comfortable and the guests and vibes were nice. They provide small coolers for you to leave on your porch to keep any drinks or snacks cold. They've done their market research so the fairy lights outside, west elm furnishings and folk pop on the speakers really spoke to me as a millennial. Sigh. The nighttime s'mores are such a fun treat. If it's cold at night, you must force yourself out of bed to restock the wood burning stove or else you'll regret it and be even colder, so do it. My only minor complaints are of the towels, they are a bit dingy, but you are camping so it's a trade off.

It's magical and wonderful and if you're lucky enough to spend the night here, you'll lay away in…read moreyour bed even years later and think about it. Too much hype? Prove me wrong. I first encountered Indian Garden on a hike up the Bright Angel Trail, at least seven or eight years ago. That's the trail it's on, but I had come down the South Kaibab, stayed at the Bright Angel Campground (also magical and wonderful) and then taken the longer route up to the rim via Bright Angel. I remember popping up out of all those switchbacks from the Colorado, encountering the more gentle slope along the river, and being totally blown away by all the trees at Indian Garden. It's full on riparian corridor! Indeed, this little stretch of the river where the picnic grounds, ranger station, pump station, and campground are located is its own little world. Day hikers often congregate on the trail side of the river -- they recommend you don't descend beyond this point as a day hike -- and as I walked by almost a decade ago, I just knew I needed to come back and stay in the campground. Fast forward to January of 2017 when a wonderful set of circumstances, including a last chance backcountry permit, allowed me to fulfill that dream. This time, I descended the Bright Angel Trail and spent two nights in the canyon. The campground is located about 4.5 miles down (some charts list it at 4.8) from the rim on the Bright Angel Trail. The first three are steep descents, the last mile-ish is more gradual. All told, you descend over 3500 feet, which still puts you around 4.5 miles (4.1, depending on the chart) from Phantom Ranch with another 1300 or so feet to descend. It's actually the perfect setup for backpacking. You haul your full pack only 4.5 down and 4.5 up. Take two nights. On that full day in between, make the hike down to Phantom and the Colorado River with only a daypack. On your half-day, march out to Plateau Point with daypack. You get to see it all, but only have 9 miles of trek under full weight, and the uphill portion will be when your pack is the lightest. The campground itself is incredible, and I can only imagine how it looks when the trees are leaved out. I've only been in January, but it must be a shaded dream in the summer. There's one group site, and the rest are just first-come, first-served sites that probably accommodate up to 2 small backpacking tents. They also each have a rain/shade structure over a picnic table, and a small concrete pad where you should do your cooking. You'll get two small ammo cans to hold your food or garbage, which should be sealed when not in use. Save those critters! You'll also post your backcountry permit in the new permit box affixed to each structure. You must have a permit to sleep here. Besides the permit, there are a few other rules you should be aware of: There are quiet hours, no cooking allowed on the tables, all food must be stored in the ammo cans, no fires allowed, and all other park rules apply. It's also worth mentioning that you shouldn't approach wildlife, and definitely not feed them. The deer in the Grand Canyon are too accustomed to humans, and there are problems. We had a herd come right through camp which was very special, but a good reminder that we need to respect them for their own good. As for amenities, there are nice pit toilets (the fan noises are a little distracting), several water stations, and even a small hiker hut with art on display, and a lending library. Grab a book and read, then put it back when you're done. As I sit here typing this, my mind has wandered back to Indian Garden. I almost ache for that feeling of being in that special place, on an adventure I'll remember for the rest of my life. I didn't so much enter that place, as that place has entered into me and my soul. To spend a few nights there only makes me appreciate how rare and special it really is.

I slept here, in the Inner Canyon. The deer walked right through camp and we sat still. The sun set…read morehigh above us against the edge of the canyon and then we were in a strip of stars. The second night was especially quiet, only two or three other campgrounds being used, and we all woke up early to hike out in the dusk to beat the snow. You should go, you should go, you should go. You can do the hike down to the campground, you can get a backcountry permit to camp there. You can carry your food in and use the clean pit toilets. I didn't know it, but I could do those things, and now I'm one of those people that's done those things so I can tell you: you can do it, and you should. Go in the off season when it's not 100 degrees, watch the light in the trees and feel surrounded by the walls of red and copper stone. Think about the people who gardened here in Indian Garden, and read their stories in the lovely tiny little library, and carry them and this place with you everywhere you go forever after. I know I will.

We visited the Grand Canyon North Rim shortly after it reopened following last year's unfortunate…read morefire. While some trails and amenities are still closed, the hiking experience is incredible. We hiked the Cape Royal Trail, which winds across the Walhalla Plateau with panoramic overlooks and stunning short hikes throughout. The trail leads to the iconic Angel's Window, and the views are so vast and beautiful you can't help but be awestruck at every turn. If you're planning a visit, note that the North Rim is still in recovery mode with some closures, but what is open is absolutely worth the trip. The Cape Royal Trail is a must-do if you make it out here. Download the map BEFORE you get there, you'll likely not have cell service out here.

Can't stop thinking about the oatmeal I had during the breakfast buffet. It is hands down the best…read moreoatmeal I've ever had. Our server was kind and attentive. The buffet was $20 per person, and the food was pretty good. The buffet included eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, bread and muffins, and fruit. We also stayed a night in the lodge cabins. It wasn't really my vibe. It was very dusty with a lot of bugs and insects. It was do-able for a night, and it's the only place to stay at the North Rim. I got up at 4:45AM to watch the sunrise before breakfast. It was spectacular!

Stony was such a great tour guide! He showed us so many amazing spots and took the best pictures of…read moreus! I highly recommend taking their tour!!

I came to the Grand Canyon for the first time last week and so glad I opted for a guided tour it…read morewas totally worth it! We did the sunset tour which included so much information about the flora and fauna in the region, learned a lot! Nate was our driver, he was so helpful and funny. Nate answered all our questions and shared a lot about the rich history of the area. I would definitely recommend Buck Wild Hummer Tours especially the sunset tour.

As IHG members, we chose this convenient hotel because they are dog-friendly and its location on…read moreSR-64/US-180, about 2 miles from the Grand Canyon's South Rim entrance. Our room was super clean, spacious, and had everything we needed. Comfortable bedding, chair with individual table, small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, bathroom toiletries, closet with safe, iron & board. Our room even had a kennel and dog bowls! We stayed in a one-story building away from the main hotel/lobby and the layout made outdoor access for our pup so easy. There was a poop-bag station near our room. For a $35 pet fee, the convenience was unbeatable. On-site parking included and EV charging available. There's Plenty of eateries walking distance. Very family oriented hotel with entertainment for the entire family including Indoor & outdoor pools, games, bowling, arcades, s'mores nights at the outdoor fire pits. The lobby is very nice, clean and organized with lots of lodge area, complimentary coffee and water bottle refill station. Laundry facilities, dining, pub, fitness center, and gift shop. The front desk staff was very helpful and courteous. Overall, we had a great stay here and will definitely book again when visiting the Grand Canyon.

Hmmm...mixed feelings about The Squire at Grand Canyon. The best thing is its proximity to the…read moreGrand Canyon. It really is so convenient. We wanted to do some star gazing near the canyon and it was easy and close to drive back to the hotel at night. I liked their little daily Yusayan publication, which was fun to read and had some cool facts about the Grand Canyon. The con is that it's definitely dated. The hotel was originally built in 1965. We booked a King bed, but upon check in, there were no King beds left. To compensate, we were given an "updated room" with two queen beds. The shower drain was clogged and full of hair, yikes! There was also a $25 resort fee, which was a surprise on the bill, it was never mentioned. It would be nice to be able to opt out of this if you're not using the extra amenities. The breakfast buffet was $20/adult. It was average-nothing extraordinary.