Yavapai Lodge is part of the National Park Service building boom that started in 1955 in preparation for the 50 year anniversary of the park service in 1966. Called Mission 66, it was a 10 year program focused on building more park infrastructure, including lodging and visitor centers, to accommodate the flood of tourists driving to the parks post-World War II.
Surrounded by Pinyon and Juniper woodlands, Yavapai Lodge is the largest lodging complex, with the most affordable prices, in Grand Canyon National Park. It is also the closest lodge to the popular Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
The lodge offers guests a grab-and-go coffee shop, a souvenir and gift shop, a cafeteria-style restaurant, and a tavern with a full bar, local beers, and wine.
The guest rooms are divided into two sections of buildings:
- Yavapai West is a collection of ten basic single-story buildings built during the Mission 66 initiative. While the 160 Yavapai West rooms don’t have air conditioning, they do have ceiling fans, flat screen televisions, two queen beds, new carpet, a coffeemaker, a phone, a mini fridge, and drapes. Rooms on the west side are slightly cheaper.
- Yavapai East is a collection of six, modern, two-story buildings without elevators. The 198 rooms at Yavapai East do have air conditioning, as well as the same offerings as Yavapai West, but some rooms have king size beds and some have bunk beds.
Staying At Yavapai Lodge
It’s not uncommon for people to make reservations to stay in Grand Canyon Village a full year in advance. That why when we decided to go visit Grand Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park on Spring Break only a few months prior, we didn’t think we’d be able to stay in Grand Canyon Village. But luckily, there was a room available at Yavapai Lodge and we lucked out.
When we checked into the lodge, we were happy to be so close to the General Store and a coffee shop, but a little dismayed to be out in the forest and not in the fray of Grand Canyon Village. But honestly, this end up being the best thing ever.
When we were in Grand Canyon Village, there were hoards of people everywhere and it was loud! I can’t even imagine having a room right there! Our room was out in the woods, surrounded by trees. It was quiet and peaceful and one morning, a herd of elk casually wandered through the grounds munching on brush as they walked through the parking lots and past the buildings. That was absolutely amazing!
Know Before You Go
- Yavapai Lodge is located at 11 Yavapai Lodge Road, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona 86023 in Coconino County in Grand Canyon National Park.
- Yavapai Lodge is the largest lodging complex, with the most affordable prices, at the Grand Canyon and the closest lodge to the popular Mather Point Visitor Center.
- The registration desk at Yavapai Lodge is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance.
- The lodge is only 0.6 mile from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and 1.0 mile from the Rim Trail.
- WiFi is not available in the rooms at Yavapai Lodge, but if you’re lucky, you may be able to connect to the WiFi in the lobby and main dining room. Because WiFi is scarce, a lot of people do this and you may find that you still can’t connect because of the sheer volume of people trying to use it.
- One building at Yavapai Lodge has 16 pet-friendly rooms and a designated pet relief area. There is an additional $25 pet fee per day, and each room can have up to two pets.
- Parking is free.
- The park’s free shuttle has stops at Yavapai Lodge, making it easy to get anywhere in the park without moving your car.
- Canyon Village Market Plaza, next to Yavapai’s main lodge, has a bank, laundry, post office, and general store with a deli, pizza counter, and coffee shop.
