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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Nov 18, 2019 · Updated: Feb 14, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins - Grand Canyon National Park

    Bright Angel Lodge was built in 1935 and designed by famed architect Mary E. J. Colter. The lodge has a natural rustic character that is perfect for its location on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

    The lodge is the check-in point for the world-famous Grand Canyon mule rides.

    The Buckey O’Neil Cabin which was built in the 1890s by William “Bucky” O’Neil who was a member of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and a man instrumental in establishing Grand Canyon Railway.

    There are 39 lodge guestrooms along with 50 historic cabins. All guestrooms are non-smoking and are equipped with a telephone. Some rooms do not have a private bath.

    If you are looking to plan an epic trip to the Grand Canyon you definitely will want to check out the Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins. Perched on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park a stay at the Bright Angel will be a vacation highlight!  The Bright Angel Lodge was built in 1935 and designed by famed architect Mary Colter.

    We stayed in one of the rim-view Bright Angel Cabins and it honestly blew us away! Our cabin was maybe thirty feet from the canyon rim and offered unbelievable canyon views out the window. We did not want to leave and are already talking about planning a return trip with more nights in a cabin.

    Front entrance to the Bright Angel Lodge with stairs, wooden cross beams and hotel sign.

    Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon

    Bright Angel Lodge was designed in 1935 by famed architect Mary E. J. Colter. The lodge is listed as a registered National Historic Landmark. One thing not to miss in the Bright Angel Lodge is the geologic fireplace in the Bright Angel History Room.

    Colter designed the fireplace in rock layers in the order of the actual Grand Canyon. From the river cobbles to young rock strata you can see how each layer of the canyon changes.

    Bright Angel offers 90 different lodging units including the Bright Angel Cabins, Lodge Rooms, and the historic Buckey O’Neill Cabin.  One thing to know is the lodge rooms inside the Bright Angel Lodge have shared bathrooms and no TV's in the room.

    The Red Horse Cabin is a two-bedroom cabin that was built-in 1890. The cabin was moved from the Red Horse Ranch in 1902 to the head of Bright Angel Trail to be used for guest accommodations.  From 1910 to 1935, it served as the Post Office for Grand Canyon Village. 

    The main Bright Angel Lodge houses the front desk, gift shop and displays showcasing the history including the impact of the Fred Harvey company. This is one of our favorite lodges inside the park along with the El Tovar! 

    Sunrise over the Grand Canyon from inside a window

    Bright Angel Cabins

    There are multiple cabin types offered but I have to tell you if you can get one make sure and reserve a rim view cabin! You will not be disappointed. We were able to watch the sunrise over the canyon while curled up in the comfy chairs next to the window.

    The room has a Keurig so you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea and watch the sunrise from the comfort of your cabin.

    Queen bed with 2 lamps over it and a bed side table inside Bright Angel Lodge Cabin

    It was 17 degrees outside during our stay and being able to stay in comfy clothes and wrap up in a blanket was honestly amazing. The cabin is nicely appointed with a queen-size bed, table and two chairs, flat-screen TV, and a small dresser and closet. The bathroom comes with toiletry products including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and soap in a green tea lemongrass scent that is fantastic.

    There is parking near the cabins so you do not have to hike far with your luggage. Our cabin overlooked the Lookout Studio and the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

    One thing to know about the rim view cabins is the walls are pretty thin. We were able to hear our neighbors talking and understand part of their conversation.

    There are a couple of stairs leading up to the cabin doors. The doorway is small so you will want to be careful as you enter so you don't trip over your own feet (trust me on this one, I may have done it)

    Arizona Room

    The Arizona Room is not just the name of the restaurant, but the inspiration behind its cuisine.  The Arizona Room is open seasonally and offers steak, chicken and other great menu options.

    Harvey House Café in the Bright Angel Lodge

    dining room with antique looking chandeliers

    The Harvey House Café in Bright Angel Lodge is a sit-down restaurant that is casual and comfortable. The menu is pretty diverse from a turkey plate to spaghetti and meatballs. This is a great casual family restaurant perfect for relaxing in after a day out in the park.

    Harvey House Café offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

    Front cover of the restaurant menu with a cartoon of donkeys going into the Grand Canyon

    Breakfast Menu highlights

    Huevos Rancheros -Featured on the 1955 Bright Angel Restaurant Menu
    Refried Beans & Corn Tortillas topped with Enchilada Sauce, Pepper Jack Cheese, Sour Cream, Green Chiles & Black Olives served with Two Large Eggs* Any Style, Served with Hash Browns or Fresh Fruit Salad

    Buttermilk or Multigrain Pancakes - Featured on the 1953 Santa Fe Dining Car Menu
    A Tall Stack of Buttermilk or Multigrain Pancakes. Served with your choice of Regular or Sugar-Free Syrup or Apple Cinnamon Sauce

    Bright Angel Breakfast Sandwich -Featured on the 1942 Santa Fe Dining Car Menu
    Grilled Brioche Roll with Two Eggs* Any Style, Sliced Ham, Sliced Avocado, & Pepper-jack Cheese, Served with Your Choice of Hash Browns or Fresh Fruit Salad

    Harvey House Café Lunch Menu Highlights

    Ponderosa Chicken Club - Appeared on the 1938 El Tovar Dining Room Menu
    Grilled Chicken & Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, & Tomato on a Brioche Roll with Dijon Mustard

    Chili Con Carne - Appeared on the 1956 Bright Angel Restaurant Menu
    Made with Fresh Ground Beef, Plump Red Tomatoes, Beans, Onions, Peppers, Cotija Cheese & a Secret Blend of Spices loaded into a Sourdough Bowl with Crema & Diced Onion

    Chef’s Choice House Made Cobbler - Appeared on the 1940 La Posada Menu

    Tortilla Soup

    Harvey House Café Dinner Menu highlights

    Guacamole Monterey - Featured on the 1980’s El Tovar Dining Room Menu
    Served with Tortilla Chips

    Arizona Tom Turkey -Featured on the 1939 Bright Angel Menu
    Sliced Roasted Turkey, Served with Sweet Potato, Chef’s Choice Vegetable, & Mango Cranberry Sauce

    The River Runner - Featured on the 1953 Santa Fe Dining Car Menu
    A Boneless Trout Fillet, Lightly Dusted in Seasoned Flour & Sautéed to Tender Perfection. Served with Citrus Butter, Rice, & Seasonal Vegetables

    Spaghetti with garlic bread

    Santa Fe Spaghetti - Featured on the 1949 Bright Angel Menu
    Homestyle Meatballs Smothered in Marinara or Meat Sauce with Smoked Mozzarella Cheese, Roasted Tomato, & Pesto Garnish accompanied with Warm Garlic Toast & Parmesan Cheese

    House Made Bread Pudding - Appeared on the 1945 Cleveland Union Terminal Café Menu
    served with Whipped Topping & Hot Caramel Sauce

    New York Style Cheesecake - Appeared on the 1945 Cleveland Union Terminal Café Menu
    A Rich & Creamy Tradition with Strawberry Compote or Caramel Sauce

    Hours of Operation

    • Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
    • Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    • Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    • Lounge: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
    • First-come, first-served. Reservations are not available
    dark restaurant bar with tables and chairs

    Harvey House Tavern

    The Harvey House Tavern is located inside the Bright Angel Lodge and offers a casual setting to enjoy a cocktail or craft beer.  The Harvey House Tavern is also the coffee shop and mini-snack stop in the morning.

    Hours of Operation:

    • Open year-round
    • 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
    • Dress code is casual
    • Reservations are not required
    red cabin with stone fireplace and green door

    Things to know when planning a visit to the Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins

    Bright Angel Lodge Address

    9 North Village Loop Drive
    Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

    Bright Angel Lodge Phone Number: (928) 638-2631

    Check-in time - 4 pm
    Check out time - 11 am

    The hotel will hold a security deposit on your credit card when you arrive. You have the option of using a dining card that allows you to charge meals back to your room if you choose.

    All rooms are non-smoking. If you smoke in the guest room or cabin, a charge of $175 will be added

    Grand Canyon National Park Entrance Fee

    Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

    Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

    $8.00 per person for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)

    $8.00 per person for vehicles with a capacity of 1-25

    $300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

    Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

    $80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

    National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

    Additional Resources

    Check out the great Grand Canyon Restaurants - South Rim you can enjoy during your stay. 

    If you are heading to the park in the winter don't miss our Grand Canyon Winter Guide with information on what to expect with the cold temps and snow in the park. 

    We also have an entire list of epic things to do in the Grand Canyon! The activities and fun you do not want to miss during your park vacation. 

    Check out our guide to the free Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus! A great way to get the most of your time in the park. 

    There are 22 Arizona National Parks with many of them close to the Grand Canyon. Many of these parks can be reached near Flagstaff on your way to the park. There are also a ton of things to see on your way to the Grand Canyon. 

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

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    Filed Under: Lodging, US National Parks

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