Planning your next vacation to the amazing, iconic, stupendous Grand Canyon?
Carved out by the Colorado River over the course of millions of years, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide.
Much of the Grand Canyon is protected within Grand Canyon National Park, but the canyon stretches beyond the National Park’s borders into rugged and remote areas that are owned and managed by the Navajo Nation.
Native peoples have continuously inhabited the area surrounding the Grand Canyon for thousands of years.
There is nothing like the intensity of a Grand Canyon sunrise. Or the exhilaration of hiking deep into the canyon to the Colorado River.
Just visiting the Grand Canyon is a life-changing experience, but it can indeed get better! What if you turned your Grand Canyon visit into a fantastic Grand Canyon glamping vacation?
We love camping on the rim of the Grand Canyon for its rugged simplicity, but glamping near the Grand Canyon is a fabulous way to embrace the area’s majestic beauty without the hotel and campground crowds.
These unique spots for glamping near the Grand Canyon are pretty much the cherry on top of your already awesome desert dessert.
Getting to the Grand Canyon
First, let’s get some of the logistics out of the way.
Unless you live within a few hours of the Grand Canyon, the easiest way to get there is to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). This is the closest airport to the South Rim, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive away.
From there, we recommend renting a car for your Grand Canyon adventure. If you want to visit the North Rim only, you should fly into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS).
Renting a car will give you the most flexibility, as the majority of these glamping properties require a drive to and from the Grand Canyon.
We have found some great deals for car rentals on Kayak, which searches for and compares the prices of dozens of rental companies in one place. Our snazzy Volkswagen Passat, which we rented a few winters ago, was only $250 for the whole week.
Driving north from Phoenix will bring you through Sedona and Flagstaff, which are 100% worth exploring for a day or two.
Driving east from Las Vegas will take you into Southern Utah before veering south into Arizona. If you opt for that route, definitely stop in St. George, Utah before continuing on to the North Rim.
What is Glamping?
Only the most awesome way to sleep since the invention of the sleeping porch. Glamping embraces everything you love about camping — campfires, starry skies, and expansive wilderness, without the things you could do without — sleeping on the hard ground, shivering through the night, and trying to wash dishes in the backcountry.
Glamping usually includes a comfy bed and some sort of kitchen. Depending on the site, you may also be treated to luxuries like indoor plumbing, a woodstove, and Wi-Fi.
We still love tent camping, but we also find glamping hard to resist! There are just so many unique properties that you can rent to kick your vacation up a notch!
When to go Glamping near the Grand Canyon
The beauty of glamping near the Grand Canyon is that it’s not as weather-dependent as camping. There are plenty of places on this list that are suitable for year-round glamping.
The bigger question is when to visit the Grand Canyon. We’ve been in April, June, and October, but not in the winter. October was, by far, our favorite time to visit the Grand Canyon. The temperature was in the low 70s, and the crowds were very manageable.
In summer, the crowds and the heat can be overwhelming, especially if you plan on hiking into the canyon. Don’t get me wrong, the Grand Canyon is still gorgeous in the summer, but if you have the chance to visit in the off-season, take it!
We’ve heard the winter is great too, especially if you aren’t camping. You do have to be prepared for winter conditions, including icy roads and trails, but the benefit is that you will see far fewer people than you will in the summer.
Yes, it snows on the rim of the Grand Canyon, which makes for stunning vista views.
Because the temperature drops roughly 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet you travel into the canyon, the snow usually turns to rain before reaching the canyon floor.
The Most Incredible Glamping Near the Grand Canyon
Ready to experience all the best views, hikes, and adventures of the Grand Canyon?
The following glamping retreats are near the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. If you are hoping to visit the North Rim, we recommend the cabins at Grand Canyon Lodge (open May 15 – October 15).
Here are our favorite Grand Canyon glamping spots for your Arizona adventure.
Under Canvas Grand Canyon in Valle, Arizona
The glamping tents at Under Canvas Grand Canyon are located on 160 acres of secluded piñon and juniper forest just 25 minutes from Grand Canyon National Park. It’s safari-inspired, upscale glamping at its best — perfect for families.
Under Canvas tents at the Grand Canyon include beds for two to six people with luxurious linens, wood-burning stoves with complimentary firewood, and a private deck with lounge chairs. Some glamping tents include full bathrooms, while others make use of a nearby bathhouse.
The sprawling grounds include a Zen garden, on-site dining facilities, and a fire pit with s’mores for glampers. Live music and activities are offered throughout the day and evening.
Under Canvas Grand Canyon is a pretty big complex, and the tents are gorgeous, but they are quite close together. I would recommend this for a family glamping trip and not a romantic getaway for that reason. Pets are permitted at Under Canvas for an extra fee but can’t be left unattended.
Wander Camp King Tent in Valle, Arizona
These beautifully rustic glamping tents near the Grand Canyon are located in Dark Sky Country, just 15 miles from the South Entrance and 15 Miles from Williams (25-30 minutes with lots of food options). It’s also 5-10 minutes from the local gas station, market, and a few local restaurants in Valle.
Each tent is 200+ sq ft feet and made from sturdy waterproof canvas with low-profile windows and a large netted door with a zipper closure. Inside each tent are a bed (this one is king-size), linens and plush-down comforters, fleece blankets, and pillows.
There are also side tables, butterfly chairs, and a soft rug. A single solar light is provided, but extra lanterns and/or flashlights are recommended.
Communal bathrooms are available in designated areas throughout the camp and shared among all guests. Pets are welcome, too!
Luxury Dome in Valle, Arizona
Sleep under the expansive night sky in this beautifully secluded dome in Valle, Arizona. This unique property offers an exceptional view of the Milky Way Galaxy you won’t find anywhere else, and a telescope is provided for your viewing pleasure.
Secluded among the pinyon and pine trees in the high desert, the glamping dome is just 20 minutes from the entrance of The Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
The dome features a queen-size memory foam bed with microfiber bedding, 120v outlets with USB charging ports, a shower, heating, and air conditioning. An outdoor fire pit is perfect for enjoying an evening in the desert, and you may even spot elk wandering through the property!
The Invisible Home Near the Grand Canyon in Valle, Arizona
Looking for a tiny slice of paradise just 30 minutes from the Grand Canyon?
Check out VRBO’s most unique tiny home — the Grand Canyon Stargazer. This gem of a spot features an off-grid tiny home with just 100 square feet of living space and mirrored sides to help it blend in with its surroundings.
Enjoy out-of-this-world stargazing with an on-site telescope, a great outdoor shower and fire pit, corn hole, and a collection of indoor games.
This special glamping property features a full-size bed, a composting toilet, and a small kitchenette. The deck has an outdoor barbecue, so you can fully enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces.
This is a pet-friendly vacation rental that will make your Grand Canyon vacation memorable for all the right reasons!
Grand Canyon Mountain View Dome in Williams, Arizona
This beautiful off-grid dome is a place for unwinding, disconnecting, and embracing life in the desert. While this geodesic dome is 40 minutes outside of the Grand Canyon, it’s located in a secluded spot that is perfect for nature lovers.
The interior features a full-size bed with huge skylights, solar lighting, a portable charger for small devices, and a propane heater.
There is a secluded picnic area with a fire pit, cast iron pans, a kettle, cooking utensils, a composting toilet, and hot outdoor showers.
While there are two glamping domes and a few campsites here, it really feels like you’re secluded from the rest of the world!
Phantom Ranch inside the Grand Canyon
A stay inside the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch is one of the most exclusive lodging opportunities in America’s National Parks and one of the hardest reservations to snag.
However, I’m still including it here because if you are lucky enough to be chosen for a stay at Phantom Ranch through their lottery program, it’s well worth the experience!
While the lodging at Phantom Ranch is rustic, you absolutely can’t beat the location. It’s the only lodging inside the Grand Canyon. Cabins are nestled along Bright Angel Creek on the north side of the Colorado River.
There are cabins that sleep between two and ten people and dormitory-style lodging for both men and women. Cabins include bedding, a cold-water sink, and a toilet. A central bathhouse includes hot water sinks and showers. Breakfast and dinner are available but must be reserved in advance.
There are a few ways to get to Phantom Ranch.
You can hike 7.5 miles on the South Kaibab Trail or 10 miles on the Bright Angel Trail, reserve a one—or two-night mule trip, or raft the Colorado River.
The best way to secure your stay at Phantom Ranch is through the lottery program, which runs 15 months in advance.
Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? Would you stay in one of these cool Grand Canyon glamping retreats nearby?
You need more Arizona adventures! Check out these posts to start planning:
- Camping at Desert View Campground in Grand Canyon National Park
- Plan an Arizona Road Trip with Escape Campervans
- The Best Things to Do Outdoors in Lake Havasu City
- 6 Incredible Things to Do in Oatman, Arizona
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Tara is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.
