Reservations for accommodations on the South Rim and In- or Out-bound Duffle Services can be made at the same time and with the same people.
Do not procrastinate in making these arrangements. There are a limited number of duffles per day, and room reservations generally book out early.
Rooms
Call Xanterra at 888-297-2757, select “Reservations on the South Rim”. Tell the nice person on the other end of the line when you will need a room(s). Closest to the trail head is Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins. Other close places are the Thunderbird or Kachina facilities, the stately old El Tovar for those who want a touch of luxury or the Maswik, about ½ mile across the railroad tracks to the west. Your Xanterra operator can help you with all of these properties.
Duffle Service - Our advice is – HIRE THE DUFFLE SERVICE!
You can hire a mule to carry your stuff! Tell the operator that you wish to make reservations for “inbound" or "outbound” duffle service. The charge is about $70.00 (surcharge for bags over 30 lbs).
You should pack your personal items into a duffle bag (you provide) with dimensions of about 36”X20”X13”, maximum weight of 30 pounds. It will be loaded on a mule and hauled into or out of the canyon.
Upper Canyon 6 day trip participants will schedule your out-bound (Phantom Ranch to South Rim) service for the last day of your trip.
Lower Canyon 9 day trip participants will schedule your in-bound (South Rim to Phantom Ranch) service for the day you hike in, but you will need to drop your duffle off at the mule barn on the South Rim by 4:00 pm the day before.
You will have to carry everything you bring for this trip into or out of the canyon. THE HIKE is almost ten miles in length with a five thousand foot elevation change. Do not underestimate this hike. The trail is rugged.
You may also make reservations online at the Xanterra website.
You can download a PDF map from the National Park Service of the South Rim Village Here.
