Lodging and campsites within Grand Canyon National Park book out months in advance, and you’re limited to often-crowded hotels and campgrounds. But if you don’t mind a short drive to the park, you can find an Airbnb with character and plenty of solitude not far from the canyon’s edge. Here are some of our favorites.
The Dome
Photo: Courtesy Airbnb)
The best part about sleeping inside a dome tent? A clear window on the roof lets you stargaze from bed. This heated dome (from $180), 35 minutes from the South Rim, sleeps up to four in a king bed and twin trundle and has solar-powered outlets. You won’t be doing much cooking here, though it does come with a mini fridge and a propane grill. A separate bathhouse is located outside.
SENATE WANTS TO CURTAIL GOVERNOR POWER
The Arizona state Senate has voted to ask voters to curtail the governor’s authority to assert emergency powers during future pandemics or other crises. Republicans approved the measure in a party-line vote sending it to the House. If approved by voters it would make a governor’s emergency declaration expire after 30 days unless state lawmakers extend it. Some Republicans have been furious with Governor Doug Ducey for closing or restricting businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19, saying it’s too much power for one person to wield indefinitely. Democrats say it’s risky to take away the governor’s power to respond to an emergency.
Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon s North Rim
While early summer ushers in the best weather across all of the Grand Canyon, it also tends to be the busiest time to visit. Luckily, the North Rim is much more isolated than the South Rim, making it an ideal destination during peak season. Temperatures vary quite widely in the park they can be anywhere from the low 40s to the mid-80s between June and August. But the North Rim is almost always the cooler stretch of the Grand Canyon, and it shuts down entirely during the winter, except for backcountry camping and cross-country skiing. For access to all the North Rim s lodging and restaurants, plan your trip between May and October.