Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park encompasses (almost entirely) one of the most majestic, unique, and awe-inspiring natural places in the world: the Grand Canyon. Over the course of millions of years, the Colorado River cut a channel into rock to forge this massive gorge. Whereas it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is notable for its overwhelming size and complex, colorful landscape. Geologically, the Grand Canyon is significant because of the dense sequence of rocks that have been well preserved and are exposed in the canyon's walls. These layers of rock record a great deal of the North American continent's early geologic history. It is, by far, one of the most spectacular examples of erosion imaginable.

The Grand Canyon, which is about 277 miles long, is only one of the many beautiful canyons that the Colorado River carved out on its 1,450 mile journey from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the Gulf of California in Mexico. The width and depth of the canyon vary from place to place. The canyon ranges in width from 0.25 miles to 15 miles and reaches a depth of more than a mile.

A Spaniard, Garcia Lopez de Cardenas, visited the Grand Canyon in 1540. This is believed to have been the first recorded sighting of the Grand Canyon by a European. However, it remained largely unknown until after the Civil War. In 1869, Major John Wesley Powell, a Civil War veteran with only one arm and a hunger for science and adventure, made a voyage through the canyon via the Colorado River. His nine-man crew ventured through this territory in four small wooden boats. Unfortunately, only six of the men completed the journey. As far as is known, Powell's party is the first to have made this trip.

Commerce came to the area in the late 19th Century with the goal of mining for minerals, especially copper and asbestos. However, early settlers soon discovered that tourism was going to be far more profitable than mining. By the turn of the century, the Grand Canyon was a well-known tourist destination. Most of the early Grand Canyon lodging was very similar to the mining camps.

However, in 1901 the railroad made its way to the South Rim of the canyon, and formal tourist facilities were developed at a fast rate. In 1905 Grand Canyon lodging had become quite upscale with the addition of the El Tovar Hotel. This world class hotel located on the canyon's edge was built on the very ground that it stands on today.
Grand Canyon lodging includes a number of hotels including Grand Canyon Quality Inn and Suites, Grand Hotel and Canyon Star, Red Garter Bed and Bakery, The Grand Canyon Inn, Arizona Vacation Rental Homes, or the Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn. Some visitors may want to stay at a Grand Canyon lodge such as The Lodge on Route 66 or the Red Feather Lodge.

Choosing the best Grand Canyon lodging for your needs will help make your trip to this majestic and spectacular canyon a wonderful experience. It is important to book lodging well in advance of your visit to ensure that you will be able to stay in the hotel, lodge, or bed and breakfast of your choosing.