Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
540
Lodges
(
&
888/297-2757,
303/297-2757, or, for same-day reservations, 928/638-
2631; www.grandcanyonlodges.com) offers several tours within the park. These can be
booked by calling or stopping at one of the transportation desks, which are at Bright
Angel, Maswik, and Yavapai lodges (see “Where to Stay,” below). Prices range from
around $18 for a 1
1
/
2
-hour sunrise or sunset tour to around $50 for a combination of
any two of the company's tours (Hermit's Rest, Desert View, sunrise, sunset).
Mule Rides
Mule rides into the canyon have been popular since the beginning of the 20th century,
when the Bright Angel Trail was a toll road. After having a look at the steep drop-offs
and narrow path of the Bright Angel Trail, you might decide this isn't exactly the place
to trust your life to a mule. Never fear: Wranglers will be quick to reassure you they
haven't lost a rider yet. Trips of various lengths and to different destinations are offered.
The 1-day trip descends to Plateau Point, where there's a view of the Colorado River
1,300 feet below. This grueling trip requires riders to spend 6 hours in the saddle. Those
who want to spend a night down in the canyon can choose an overnight trip to Phantom
Ranch, where cabins and dormitories are available at the only lodge actually in the can-
yon. From November to March, a 3-day trip to Phantom Ranch is offered; other times
of year, you'll ride down one day and back up the next. Mule trips range in price from
$154 for a 1-day ride to $424 for an overnight ride to $593 for the 2-night ride. Couples
get discounts on overnight rides.
Riders must weigh less than 200 pounds fully dressed; stand at least 4 feet, 7 inches
tall; and speak and understand English fluently. Pregnant women are not allowed on
mule trips.
Because these trail rides are very popular (especially in summer), they often book up
6 months or more in advance (reservations are taken up to 13 months in advance). For
more information or to make a reservation, contact
Xanterra Parks & Resorts
(
&
888/
297-2757
or 303/297-2757; www.grandcanyonlodges.com). If, at the last minute (5
days or fewer from the day you want to ride), you decide you want to go on a mule trip,
contact
Grand Canyon National Park Lodges
at its Arizona phone number (
&
928/
638-2631
) for the remote possibility that there may be space available. If you arrive at
the canyon without a reservation and decide that you'd like to go on a mule ride, stop by
the Bright Angel Transportation Desk to get your name put on the next day's waiting
list.
16
The Grand Canyon Railway
In the early 20th century, most visitors to the Grand Canyon arrived by train, and it's
still possible to travel to the canyon along the steel rails. The
Grand Canyon Railway
(
&
800/843-8724
or 928/773-1976; www.thetrain.com), which runs from Williams to
Grand Canyon Village, uses 1950s diesel engines and, between Memorial Day and Labor
Day, early-20th-century steam engines to pull vintage passenger cars. Trains depart from
the Williams Depot, which is housed in the historic 1908 Fray Marcos Hotel and also
contains a railroad museum, gift shop, and cafe. (Grand Canyon Railway also operates
the adjacent Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.) At Grand Canyon Village, the trains use the
1910 log railway terminal in front of El Tovar Hotel.
Passengers have the choice of four classes of service: coach (which includes both Pull-
man and Budd cars), first class, observation dome (upstairs in the dome car), and luxury
parlor class. Actors posing as cowboys provide entertainment, including musical perfor-
mances, aboard the train. The round-trip takes 8 hours, including a 3
1
/
4
- to 3
3
/
4
-hour
