The 1.2 million acre Grand Canyon National Park is centered around a mile-deep gorge containing stratified, multi-colored rock layers up to 1.7 billion years old at the Colorado River-carved bottom. Grand Canyon National Park vacation rental cabins and homes near Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan can mean money savings, with the whole family eating healthy home cooking instead of the usual costly, boring tourist foods. Also save commuting time by being hours closer to the Grand Canyon, versus nearby cities like Flagstaff and Williams. Instead of being captives of the commute, hike and bicycle ride longer. Or relax at Hopi Point as the Grand Canyon's pink, red, purple, orange, green, and other rock colors unfold to their fullest at sunrise and sunset.

When summer crowds produce traffic jams and winter ice and snow make roads into the Grand Canyon slow to a crawl, being nearby in your Grand Canyon National Park vacation rental leaves you more carefree and relaxed. Explore the Grand Canyon’s South Rim landmarks when least crowded, while the main tourist crush is still commuting into the park or leaving for the long ride home. Admire the murals and perhaps breakfast at the historic El Tovar Hotel along the Rim, while being grateful for your family or group vacation rental savings. Enjoy a Grand Canyon art exhibit at Kolb Studio. Savor the views from Mather Point, Grandview Point, and Desert View Watchtower.

Stroll the scenic Rim Trail, perhaps walking different sections each day of your vacation rental stay. Between Maricopa Point and Yavapai Point in the Village, the trail is paved. Don’t miss the trailhead at Hermits Rest, a stone structure designed in 1914 by architect Mary Colter to look like a prospector’s lair. The scenic section from Hermit’s Rest to the Abyss is buffered from road noises. The strenuous Bright Angel Trail from the Rim down to the Colorado River, a multi-day roundtrip that can include Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens, is easiest done on mules or horseback.

About 277 river-miles of the 1,450-mile long Colorado River wind through the Grand Canyon, a chasm up to 18 miles wide. Phantom Ranch can be used as a meeting place for guided multi-day white water rafting trips that include camping out, navigating rapids, and side canyon hikes. Half-day and day trips via motorized or oar-paddled raft are available, without the need to hike in or out from the Canyon bottom. River trips usually start near the northeastern Grand Canyon between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry; or at the western end near Quartermaster or Diamond Creek.