Phantom Ranch is a historic oasis nestled at the bottom of Grand Canyon. It is on the north side of the Colorado River tucked in beside Bright Angel Creek. Phantom is the only lodging below the canyon rim. The Ranch can only be reached by mule, by foot or by rafting the Colorado River. Overnight accommodations at Phantom Ranch consist of dormitory spaces and cabins. Cabins and dormitories are heated in winter and cooled during the summer months.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Historic Hotel
Location
North Kaibab Trail South Rim, Bottom of Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86052
LOVED our stay at the Phantom Ranch, and cannot say enough good things about it. We stayed there as part of an REI-guided trip (highly recommend) in early February 2024, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. Weather was perfect for hiking, though parts of the trail were muddy, and we did run into some snow close to the rim on our hike out. The surroundings are magnificent, of course, and when it wasn't cloudy, the night sky was gorgeous as well.
We stayed in a 10-person cabin (#8), which was rustic and spotlessly clean. There were two rooms with a door between: one room with 2 bunkbeds, the other with 3. We were pretty close to the shower house, which on our incoming day ran out of hot water once, but it replenished fairly quickly. We were there two nights, and I had two wonderfully hot showers. The Teva sandals I brought to wear in camp served me well there.
There is a cold-water sink and toilet in the cabin, [TMI incoming] but we had a rule of "No #2 in the loo," which made sense for our group. The other toilet option at the Ranch is a pit toilet on the north side of the property (see accompanying maps), also kept very clean. It is perhaps one of the nicest pit toilets I've ever used.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Feb 27, 2024
Thank you for sharing your review and feedback! Best, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have been To the Grand Canyon once before about 10 years ago. I fell in love and thought if I ever get a chance to come back I want to go to the bottom. My husband and I are doing a four month trip around the United States so I knew we could incorporate the Grand Canyon into the trip. I started trying to find a way down to the bottom. Unfortunately everything was sold out so daily, multiple times per day, I tried to find openings from cancelations the three ways I could find that got you to the bottom: 1. A mule ride down 2. hiking down 3. rafting trip. Daily my job was searching all 3 ways on my laptop. I would pull up all 3 sites up and try to book any date in June. My thought was whichever came 1st I’d take. I’d refresh all three websites multiple times a sitting and try 5 or 6 more times a day. Finally after almost 2 months the I secured mule rides. I wanted to say this part because unless you can book a year and a half in advance it is really hard to secure a spot without daily monitoring. Being a bucket list item, I may be biased but this was an absolutely amazing trip! Yes I was so sore when we got to the bottom I didn’t know how I’d get back on the mule. And quite honestly the only thing that did was knowing I would see that incredible view climbing back up. I don’t ride horses (or mules) and if you don’t and you are middle-age you will most likely be sore beyond your wildest dreams. But who cares you’re at the bottom of the Grand Canyon!! The worst part was that it was 106° at the bottom of the canyon and if you want to be able to walk the next day you have to hike and move around. It’s so hot, but again you are at the bottom of the Grand Canyon! And there is a cold stream along the mostly sunny path to the freezing Colorado river. The showers felt amazing and they were clean and filled with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and even lotion. I took the stall with the window for a little air. The cabin was better than expected and very clean. The biggest surprise was it was air conditioned. Due to Covid they still have restrictions on dining so you have to pick up your meal in a box. Honestly that is my biggest complaint the food was good and we were hungry but I’d prefer a rare steak to well done and there was no option to order it. You pay $600+ for this and it’d be great to be served a steak to order and a salad dressing you can eat (don’t do ranch) but really to mark off a dream it is a very small complaint. Our guides Katie and Van were exceptional! Our mules Monsoon and Ratz were incredible!! I got a little emotional saying bye because they literally held our lives on their backs! Would I do it again? No! Would I do it over? Absolutely!!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Book a year and a half in advance or be flexible and check availability multiple times a day and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Jun 16, 2021
Thank you for your review and feedback! We're thrilled that you enjoyed your Phantom Ranch experience. Best, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I applied for the lottery in October for December 2021 but was not selected. We ended up finding availability 2 weeks out, Sat & Sun night the weekend before Thanksgiving. Surprisingly we were able to secure all hotel nights too. El Tovar Deluxe room Friday night, Phantom night cabin x2 nights and then back to the El Tovar Zane Grey Suite. We hiked down S Kaibab to Phantom Ranch. arrived at lunch time. Katie at check in was super sweet, friendly and very welcoming. We bought a few souvenirs, checked in and then went over to our cabin #8. Perfect setting for Covid times- we had 2 picnic tables and 2 benches just outside our cabin. Since 2 kids declined wanting ranch meals we hiked with mountain house/peak meals. The Ranch grounds exceeded our expectations. Clean and well kept. Nice ambience with the cabin locations and welcoming tables, bench areas for hikers passing thru. We probably missed peak fall leaves changing by several weeks but some trees were still turning. Everyone that passed thru was very respectful of not leaving trash, socially distanced but visited/chatted with others stating at each or passing thru. Since I was in between Chemo treatments we were so thankful to have found 2 nights availability. The goal for our family was just to hang out at the cabin and enjoy quiet family time in the outdoors. We played cards, kids frisbee golf, hung out at boats beach at the Colorado River, walked around the ranch area between ranch and Black Bridge. Wonderful stay.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Nov 30, 2020
Good morning and thank you for your review, We're so glad that you enjoyed your Phantom Ranch experience! Best, Xanterra Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PR cancelled 12 hours before our scheduled time. They literally do not care if you spent thousands of dollars to come to the GC, scheduled many different things, etc. If they cancel on you last minute (as they did to us twice now) they literally just say f off...we don't care. Its actually shocking but they have a monopoly so expectations must be low. good luck!
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We love the Canyon and come every year. This was our first time to stay at Phantom in a cabin. Running water, a toilet and electricity??? Sheer luxury - for those who usually stay at Bright Angel camp and remember bucket flush. The cabins are basic but feel like so much more, considering where they are. The hiker's stew itself is worth making the hike and the staff love the place and it shows. It is hard to leave here with anything less than a big smile and great memories. This is my favorite place in the world.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Apr 14, 2024
Thank you for your review! We're glad that you had a great experience at Phantom Ranch. Best, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at Phantom Ranch at a few days ago during our Rim to Rim hike. I have entered the lottery multiple times and never was selected. A few months ago, I started checking the webpage multiple times a day and was able to pick up a cancellation. Our family stayed in a cabin with four single beds (bunks). It had air conditioning, a toilet, sink with cold water and electrical outlets. Our room also had a bench outside and a picnic table next to the cabin. The community showers were open, but had limited hours (closed at 6 pm). It had ample hot water, soap, shampoo and conditioner. We also were not able to book meals when we first booked the room, but I checked the website every few days and was able to eventually book two steak dinners and four breakfasts. Since all food is to go right now due to COVID, we were able to share the steak dinners. We were also able to buy extra salty snacks from the canteen for the hike up the next day.
Hiking rim to rim, we did not want to carry down camping equipment and did not want to hike R2R in one day, so the cabin was a welcome site. It is rustic, but you need to consider Phantom Ranch is 98 years old and it is extremely difficult to get heavy supplies to the bottom of the canyon. Our cabin was clean and you cannot beat the location!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Oct 30, 2020
Good afternoon, We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your Phantom Ranch experience! Best, Xanterra South Rim Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very much enjoyed our mule ride and overnight at Phantom Ranch. Traveled with 2 teens. The Bright Angel Trail (used in both directions) was icy for the first 1.5 miles down. Mules have spiked shoes (we learned when asking) to help keep traction. Yes, this is a very steep ride going down, and if you are prone to a fear of heights, you may want to discuss this with the tour operators. I will admit to feeling nervous the first 15 or so minutes. Once I gained faith in my trusty steed Cholla, I felt better and was able to "relax" a little. The journey IS definitely integral to the adventure, so being able to embrace the present is important. Our guides Tex and Simon, were amazing narrators, giving much information about the historic and geologic past of the Canyon. Cabins clean, but basic. Toilet/sink in the room. Shared use of showers in a shower house. Bring extra clothes, trail very dusty on the trail. Cabins have power to charge devices. Due to current Covid restrictions, the communal dining hall is not open. Dinner is "take out" style. Portions generous, delicious. Early rise for large breakfast-eggs, pancakes,sausage. Bring next time: reading material, card game (Uno perhaps). Ride out is less stressful than down. The scenery is stunning! We stopped more frequently to give the mules a rest, as going up is harder than going down. Overall, a VERY memorable experience. Recommend!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Feb 28, 2022
Thank you for your review and feedback! Best, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed in cabin designed for 4 people. Very small and not much room. Kept hitting head on upper bunk frame as there was little room to come and go. Better than camping in tent for sure.
Meals were very expensive for food that was barely edible. Meals served in small take out containers. Had to eat breakfast and dinner outside on picnic tables early morning and early evening in total darkness and cold temperatures. Not much fun for sure. Not like old days when everyone ate in the canteen.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Dec 11, 2022
Good evening Mark, We appreciate your feedback and review, your comments have been shared with the Phantom Ranch management team. Thank you, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After a beautiful 6 hour hike down Bright Angel Trail we were thrilled to have a hot shower, a heated cabin, and delicius vegeterian chili. The staff were great. The hike up the next day took us just under 7 hours and was not as tough as we thought it would be. BTW we got out reservation 10 days before our hike, we considerer ourselves very lucky!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Apr 24, 2023
Thank you for sharing your review, we are pleased that you enjoyed your Phantom Ranch stay! Regards, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Loved it. Phantom Ranch is rustic, we had a great stay. Staff is exceptionally friendly. Food is tasty and family style seating with other hikers is fun. We stayed in a cabin for four. Cabin was clean. Common area showers are clean. In the evenings the canteen re-opens for a beer hall, which was a great time with all the other hikers. Would definitely stay here again.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â If you can get a spot here, make the trip. One of the best vacations ever;
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sam L, Sales at Phantom Ranch
Responded Jan 22, 2024
Thank you for sharing your review and feedback! Best, GCSR Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Grand Canyon National Park area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
phantom ranch hotel grand canyon national park, phantom ranch grand canyon, grand canyon phantom ranch
LOCATION
United StatesArizonaGrand Canyon National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.