Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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room are flagstone terraces furnished with rustic chairs. Accommodations vary from
standard motel units to rustic mountain cabins to comfortable modern cabins. My
favorites are the frontier cabins, which, although cramped and paneled with dark wood,
capture the feeling of a mountain retreat better than the other options. Only a few units
have views of the canyon. The dining hall has two walls of glass to take in the awesome
canyon views.
Forever Resorts, 7501 E. McCormick Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
&
877/386-4383
or 480/337-1320.
www.grandcanyonlodgenorth.com. 205 units. $112-$170 double. Children 15 and under stay free in
parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Closed mid-Oct to mid-May.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; lounge.
Outside the Park
North of the national park, the next-closest lodgings are the Kaibab Lodge and the Jacob
Lake Inn. You'll also find lots of budget accommodations in Kanab, Utah, 37 miles west
of Jacob Lake.
Jacob Lake Inn
This is one of only two lodges outside the entrance to the North Rim
of Grand Canyon National Park, and, because it is at the crossroads of Jacob Lake, it is
always a busy spot in summer. While most of the units here are old cabins that tend to
be cramped and old-fashioned, there are also two dozen modern motel-style rooms in a
contemporary mountain-rustic lodge. It is these latter rooms, which are the inn's only
rooms with TVs, telephones, and high-speed Internet access, that I recommend. Sure,
they're more expensive than the cabins, but they are the nicest rooms in the area. Be sure
to stock up on cookies at the inn's bakery.
Ariz. 67/US 89A, Jacob Lake, AZ 86022.
&
928/643-7232.
www.jacoblake.com. 69 units. $84-$106 cabin
double; $110-$133 motel/lodge double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted ($10 per night).
Amenities:
Restaurant.
In room:
TV (in some), Internet (in some).
En Route to the Park
Cliff Dwellers Lodge
Affiliated with Lees Ferry Anglers, this motel is the area's de
facto fly anglers' headquarters and tends to stay filled up with people who have come here
to fish for the Colorado's huge rainbow trout. The newer, more expensive rooms here are
standard motel units with tub/shower combinations, and are the best and most predict-
able rooms in the Vermilion Cliffs area. Older rooms, in an interesting stone-walled
building, have knotty pine walls and showers only. If you're looking for comfort over
character, these are the rooms for you. The lodge is close to some spectacular balanced
rocks, and it's about 11 miles east to Lees Ferry. The views are unforgettable.
US 89A, MM 547 (H.C. 67, Box 30), Marble Canyon, AZ 86036.
&
800/962-9755
or 928/355-2261. Fax
928/355-2271. www.cliffdwellerslodge.com. 20 units. $80-$90 double (lower rates in winter). AE, DISC,
MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant.
In room:
A/C, TV, no phone.
Lees Ferry Lodge at Vermilion Cliffs
Located at the foot of the Vermilion Cliffs,
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2
miles west of the Colorado River, Lees Ferry Lodge, built in 1929 of native stone and
rough-hewn timber beams, is a small place with simple, rustic accommodations. How-
ever, the lodge's restaurant serves as a sort of de facto community center for area residents,
and owner Maggie Sacher is usually on hand to answer questions and share stories. Also,
the patio seating area in front of the lodge has fabulous views. The restaurant here has a
great, old-fashioned atmosphere. With its rustic character and friendly feel, this is my
favorite place to stay in the area.
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