The Grand Cañon is reached by a branch line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railroad extending from Williams, Arizona, to Grand Cañon Station, almost at the edge of the plateau. The round-trip excursion fare from Williams is $7.50; stopovers being allowed on both railroad and Pullman tickets. Some trains carry through sleeper to the Cañon.
Round-trip fares are as follows: From Chicago, $80.00; from St. Louis, $72.00; from Kansas City, $60.00; from Denver, $55.00.
Automobile Routes
The Grand Cañon may be reached by automobile from Flagstaff and Williams. Westbound tourists turn north at Flagstaff, reach the Cañon at Grand View Hotel, follow the rim to El Tovar, and reach the main road at Williams. Distances: Flagstaff to Grand View, 71.5 miles; Grand View to El Tovar, 13.2 miles; El Tovar to Williams, 63.4 miles.
Hotels and Camps
El Tovar is located at the railroad terminus, not far from the head of Bright Angel Trail. Rates are $4.00 and $4.50 a day, without bath, and $6.00 and upwards a day, with bath. Bright Angel Cottages, adjacent to the hotel, are operated on the European plan, and rates for rooms are $1.25 to $1.50 a day; meals may be obtained à la carte at the café. In summer several large tents are used in addition to the cottages.
Trips
As the Grand Cañon is not a National Park there is no way to license the individuals offering horses for hire. Tourists are advised to arrange with the transportation department of El Tovar Hotel for all trips into and near the Cañon. By doing this the tourist is assured of good service and responsible guides.
A fine road has been built along the rim of the Cañon from El Tovar Hotel westward for about 7½ miles to the head of the Hermit Trail. There is also a road running 2 miles eastward along the rim from El Tovar to Yavapai Point. A third road runs eastward 13 miles to Grand View; the western half of this road is through the forest, while the eastern end is along the Cañon rim. There are three trails into the Cañon—Bright Angel Trail, starting near El Tovar Hotel; Hermit Trail, starting 9 miles to the west, and Grand View Trail, 13 miles to the east.
The following trips by coach are made daily from El Tovar:—