El Tovar Hotel
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
A log-and-stone lodge from 1905 built right on the South Rim. Rooms go quickly, but anyone can eat in the dining room.
El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, opened in January 1905 as a Fred Harvey Company hotel and is considered the oldest hotel still operating in the national park. The architect was Charles Whittlesey of the Santa Fe Railway, and the style blends Swiss chalet and Norwegian villa. The building stands only about 6 meters (20 feet) from the canyon rim and is one of the few former Harvey Houses still in operation. It has been a National Historic Landmark since May 28, 1987.
It was built with local limestone and Oregon pine: the lower walls are log construction, while the upper stories are sheathed with planks. There were originally 103 rooms; today there are 78, all with private bathrooms, including 12 suites. Behind the lobby is the dining room with windows facing the canyon; it is also open to guests from outside. Dinner requires a reservation, and reservations are recommended for breakfast and lunch (as of October 2026; policies can change).
The rim is right behind the building, and the Bright Angel Trailhead is a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel is about 100 meters (330 feet) from the Grand Canyon Depot, the terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway. Parking is free but not reserved; in busy periods you may have to park elsewhere in the village. For room availability and RV sites nearby, check with the park administration.
- Nearest town
- Grand Canyon Village, AZ
- Category
- Unique stays
- GPS
- 36.0573, -112.1369
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Mather CampgroundCampsite1 mi from El Tovar HotelTentsCaravans
- Trailer Village RV ParkMotorhome stopover1 mi from El Tovar Hotel · 123 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Hermit RapidsCampsite5 mi from El Tovar HotelTents
- Grand Canyon Camper VillageCampsite6 mi from El Tovar Hotel
- Desert View CampgroundCampsite18 mi from El Tovar HotelTentsCaravans
- Wander Camp Grand CanyonCampsite22 mi from El Tovar HotelTents
All campsites in Arizona · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is El Tovar Hotel?
El Tovar Hotel is in Grand Canyon Village, AZ, at GPS 36.0573, -112.1369. It is about 11 mi from Grand Canyon North Rim.
Can you camp near El Tovar Hotel?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Mather Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass El Tovar Hotel?
El Tovar Hotel is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Canyons and cliff dwellings of the Four Corners.
What is there to see near El Tovar Hotel?
Places worth a stop nearby: Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim (0 mi), Mather Campground (1 mi), Grandview Point (9 mi) and Cape Royal (11 mi).
When is the best time to visit El Tovar Hotel?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)