Imagine a beautiful sanctuary at the bottom of the floor of the Grand Canyon – the mighty Colorado River runs through the layers of carved rock, passing by a small cluster of stone buildings. This place is known as Phantom Ranch, the hiker’s outpost at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Once you have traveled into one of the country’s most iconic natural wonders on the hike of a lifetime, either by mule, on foot, or river-rafting, you will find a rustic enclave of stone cabins, dormitories, and a canteen that dishes out hearty meals.
If you are one of the lucky ones to score a night’s stay here, get ready for an adventure. This guide will walk you through the best ways to secure a spot at Phantom Ranch, the hikes taken to get there, and what you can look forward to when you arrive. There is truly no experience like staying at Phantom Ranch.
The Phantom Ranch Lottery
Staying at Phantom Ranch is an experience you will not find anywhere else, and due to such great demand, reservations are made by lottery through the Phantom Ranch lottery system. Here are the details of the lottery and some tips for success:
Book Well in Advance: Reservations are made up to 15 months ahead. The lottery for a given month opens on the first day of the month, 15 months ahead. For example, when does the lottery for October 2025 open? The lottery for October 2025 opens in August of 2024.
Enter the Lottery: Visit the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges website to enter the Phantom Ranch Lottery. You'll need to provide your preferred dates and the number of people in your party. Think about when others are most likely to enter the lottery – if you select weekdays or Sunday nights, you may have a better chance at success! Saturdays are likely the most popular date, so if you can be flexible, you may increase your chances by choosing another time.
Reservations: Everyone who submits a request will be notified whether or not they are selected. If selected, you will receive instructions on how to reserve your spot. If not selected, you can enter the lottery again for different dates or look for last-minute cancellations closer to your preferred dates. Personally, I have entered the lottery about 10 times. Luckily, we were able to find a spot in February of 2024 on a Sunday night for two hikers. I would 100% recommend staying at Phantom Ranch if you can, but alternatively, you can try to go for a campground site at Bright Angel Campground. Like Phantom Ranch, you will need to plan ahead as the campground fills quickly, and you will need to acquire a backcountry permit to stay there.
Given the long-term nature of planning for a National Park trip, if you intend to head to the Grand Canyon, it may be worth calling to see if any spots are open around your preferred dates. Reach out to Phantom Ranch a couple of weeks in advance to see if any spots have opened up! It is also worth checking out the Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Facebook group to see if anyone has posted a reservation that’s up for grabs. That group is also a great place to trade tips and tricks.
Getting to Phantom Ranch
Two main hiking trails lead to Phantom Ranch. The Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail – you can take either one, assuming they are both open. Both hikes provide unbelievable routes into, and out of the Grand Canyon. Make sure you check the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges website and the National Park Services website for any trail closures or mule ride cancellations. Here are the highlights of these routes:
Bright Angel Trail
Distance: 9.5 miles (15.3 km) one-way
Elevation Change: 4,380 feet (1,335 meters)
Trailhead: Located near Bright Angel Lodge in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim
Rest areas: Several rest areas with water (seasonal), and we would recommend a stop at the recently renamed Havasupai Gardens.
From the rim, the Bright Angel Trail eases down to the Gardens about 4.5 miles on the trail from the Canyon rim. There are shaded rest houses and water spouts on the way. The trail is well-maintained and fairly easy to walk down, compared to the greater incline of the South Kaibab Trail.
South Kaibab Trail
Distance: 7.1 miles (11.4 km) one-way
Elevation Change: 4,780 feet (1,457 meters)
Trailhead: Yaki Point, which is accessible via shuttle bus. We caught the hiker’s express shuttle first thing in the morning to get there.
The South Kaibab Trail offers stunning canyon views for almost its entire length. It is steeper and more exposed than the Bright Angel Trail, but every step of the way is as dramatic as the next.
Overall, many hikers recommend taking the South Kaibab Trail down into the Canyon, and the Bright Angel Trail back up to the rim. This route offers a slower, but steadier incline on the way up. When we traveled, only the South Kaibab Trail was open and I must admit the last few hundred feet of elevation was tough! We were motivated though, as we approached the canyon rim around 2:00 PM and were ready for burgers at the Harvey House Café located right on the South Rim.
Preparing for the Hike
Hiking to Phantom Ranch is difficult, so it is important to prepare yourself. In my experience, hiking down the Canyon was more difficult than hiking up! This may be due to the non-normal slopes and balance needed each step of the way down. Here is what I would recommend to get prepped:
Cardio: Focus on building endurance through running, cycling, or swimming. Of course, those three aren’t always options, so my go-to prep work was to walk up and down the hill near my house three times a day for a few weeks. Though the hill is not that steep, and only seven blocks long, I could feel my cardio improving each week. After a few weeks, I was not huffing and puffing at the top of the hill, and after a month, this small hill was easy and enjoyable!
Strength: Include exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups to strengthen your legs and core. These can be done at home. I simply roll out a yoga mat and leave it out, prompting me to do these strength exercises a few times daily.
Practice Hikes: Take on local trails featuring similar slope gains and losses. This may not be possible near you, and you can do something as simple as walking up and down stairs in your hiking boots just for practice! If you are looking for trails nearby, I recommend checking out AllTrails.com.
Packing: Packing is one of the most crucial pieces of your prep. I suggest these main items and not to overpack:
- Backpack
- Hiking poles (keep in mind, you cannot carry on hiking poles on an airplane)
- Hiking boots
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water and // or a hydration system
- Snacks
- First aid kit (including moleskin)
- Headlight
- Map
- Camera
Your packing will certainly depend on the season. When we hiked in February, we wore winter coats at the top of the Canyon, and we could have been in shorts at the bottom. It was important to bring lightweight gear. I brought rain clothes but did not need them, and the only change I made while at Phantom Ranch was a change of underwear and socks, so I found that I was overpacked.
In the hotter months, water is the most important item on your packing list. The hike into and out of the Canyon is lengthy and largely exposed to the elements. The National Park Service recommends that hikers carry and drink about one gallon, or four liters of water, per day. In the hot inner canyon, sweat evaporates quickly so you must replace your fluids constantly. There is water at Phantom Ranch, so you only need enough to get there, but do not under-pack water! It is important to check with the park before your departure to see what water supplies are available, as the water supply in the Canyon may fluctuate depending on what systems are working.
Where can I leave my luggage? If you have extra gear (as we did because we extended our stay to visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park) you can check your luggage with your lodging or leave it locked in your car. Knowing we had an early start to our day hiking to Phantom Ranch we stayed at the Bright Angel Lodge the night before. A pro tip is to call and see if they have any rooms available for hikers. We were able to get a discounted rate for our smaller room with a shared bathroom.
Your Stay at Phantom Ranch
Spending the night at Phantom Ranch is unbelievable. Designed by Mary Jane Colter, Phantom Ranch is one of the most unique lodging experiences in the U.S. National Park system.
You will wake up each morning with the sight and sound of Canyon walls bathed in the warm glow of dawn light (if you aren’t already up exploring)! Just stepping outside and breathing the crisp, clean air is invigorating enough to send you out on the trail, ready to explore. The Canteen serves breakfast at 5:30 and 7:00 AM most days, and you will be delighted to find pancakes, meats, cereals, and even hot coffee! The calm is indescribable, and I always think it pays to take a moment to reflect on the vastness of where you are.
If you are staying for multiple days, Phantom Ranch is the ideal place to use as a base for exploring the inner Canyon’s hidden, isolated areas. These places include cool waterfalls, ancient rock formations, as well as remnants of old Puebloan sites! I recommend chatting with one of the staff members at Phantom Ranch or the NPS members while on the Canyon Rim to recommend day hikes within the canyon depending on your itinerary. Phantom Ranch also has bins of card and board games, so stop by the Canteen to check any of those out. You can even purchase a postcard and send mail from the bottom of the Grand Canyon!
At night, the sky twinkles with starlight, giving visitors the perfect place to unwind after a long day of hiking and exploration. Far away from any hint of light pollution, visitors have the chance to both stare into the heavens and luxuriate in the profound silence of nature. When we were at the bottom of the Canyon, we even thought we could see the ultra-faint glow of some hikers with flashlights starting their journey at the Canyon rim.
Accommodations
Cabins and Dormitories
The cabins come in different sizes and can easily handle parties of 2-10 people (so solo travelers, couples, families, and large groups are all welcome and accommodated). Each cabin comes ready with what you need: a comfy bed, a sink, towels, and some cabins include a private toilet. You can head to a communal facility at the center of camp with refreshing showers before or after your meal at the Canteen.
The cabins are rustic with a touch of modernity. That is all you need because you will likely want to spend your days outside and enjoy the socializing and adventure aspect while resting from your hike in or prepping for your hike out.
The dormitories are dedicated solely to hikers. There are two male and two female dorms, each equipped with five sturdy bunk beds, a shower, and a shared restroom. In addition, each person is provided with bedding and towels. The showers are clean, and the facilities are well-tended.
If you are staying in the dorms, you will meet a lot of fellow hikers and hear their tales of hiking into the Canyon. Dorms are the best way to meet others, and I am sure you will find some like-minded people to chat with. After all, you did hike into the Grand Canyon!
The dormitories provide more of a fun, neighborly feel for hikers. It is a less expensive, practical, and comfortable solution. You will have a good time and make new friends here while resting for another fantastic day around (or hiking out of) the Grand Canyon.
The Phantom Ranch Canteen
The Canteen serves breakfast and dinner and does require you to order ahead of time. Be sure to make your meal reservations in advance so the Canteen can plan accordingly. Think about the effort it takes to get all that food from the Canyon Rim to Phantom Ranch!
While there is no lunch service inside the Canteen, you can order a hiker’s sack lunch for an excellent midday meal while exploring. For us, this was a bagel with cream cheese and jelly, a beef stick, an apple, a trail mix, electrolyte powder, and several other grab-and-go type items. We grabbed this packed lunch at our 5:30 AM breakfast, as we only stayed at Phantom Ranch one night, and used this as our lunch on the way out of the Canyon.
The Canteen also has a side window where you can pick up snacks and drinks. When we arrived at Phantom Ranch at 4:00 PM, this was our first stop. We loaded up on electrolyte powder and grabbed some snacks and drinks from the friendly hose. The Canteen also serves alcoholic beverages, and there were many hikers already gathered around the picnic tables sharing a beverage and snacks.
You can learn more about the hours, reservations, and menu at the Phantom Ranch Canteen website.
Concluding Tips for a Successful Trip
HYDRATE: Drink water before, during, and after your hike. Dehydration is by far the biggest safety problem in the Grand Canyon!
Pace yourself: move slowly and rest often, especially on the way up; the walk back may be harder than the way down. You will want to stop anyway to take a deep breath and enjoy the views. It took us about 7-8 hours to hike into the Canyon and 6-7 to hike back up, with plenty of stops on each trip. I probably took over 200 photos!
Weather: The weather can be 20+ degrees warmer at the bottom of the Canyon, so plan accordingly! The temperature increases about 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet in elevation loss.
Safety: Tell family or friends where you are going, what route you are taking, and when you expect to be back. There is some cell service on the way into the Canyon, but once you are about an hour or two down into the Canyon, you will lose service until you re-emerge. Bring a first aid kit, headlights, medicine, and any other supplies you may need in an emergency.
Travel light: Only bring what you need to minimize the weight of your pack. Every ounce helps, especially hiking up!
Start early: Begin your hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. On our ascent out of the Canyon, we ate at the 5:30 AM Canteen breakfast, grabbed our sack lunch to-go, and started our journey upwards. It was quite magical starting that early before the sun rose. We could see the faint lights of other hikers making our way up, and the sunrise on the Canyon walls was out of this world.
Buddy system: Hike with a partner for safety and support! If you are traveling solo, you could join up with others hiking the trail if you wish. 5 - 10 people were hiking into the Canyon when we were, including a woman celebrating her 77th birthday and her 9th trip down into the Canyon! Maybe one day that will be you!
