Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim, Arizona
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Colleen & Ellie enjoying sunrise at the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon was an essential stop on our cross-country “Big Trip.” Since we only had one night, Kevin wanted to find a way to make the most of our time with great accommodations and views. He booked a cabin near the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. It was the perfect spot for all of us to rest for the night and it granted us quick and unlimited access to both the lodge and the amazing views.
Grand Canyon Lodge & Sunset Views
We entered Grand Canyon National Park in the early evening, passing wide open fields where we kept our eyes open for any wildlife. While there were lots of signs for buffalo and bighorn sheep, we only saw some deer and a few wild turkeys. Along our drive, we also observed a huge section of burned trees. Even though the sight was shocking, we learned that there was no reason for concern. Each year, the park service regularly stages controlled fires in the area. This helps to keep brush under control and minimize the risk and damage of wildfires that can be caused by lightning strikes.
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We arrived at the Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim, got checked in, and decided to explore a bit before heading to our cabin. Since we arrived with time to enjoy the sunset over the canyon, we walked the girls down the short trail to one of the look out points. The uneven path and the high cliffs made us a bit nervous for the Littles. While there were plenty of barriers on the edges, we observed several gaps that caused us to be a bit paranoid that one of the Littles could slip through. We were maintaining a tight grip on each of them so they wouldn’t wander off. It made our legs tingle with the thought of one of them getting too close to the edge and slipping. Regardless, the sunset views were stunning and we’re so thankful we didn’t head straight to our cabin that evening, despite being hungry and exhausted.
Panoramic view of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Our Cabin
Our place for the night was a rustic two room wooden cabin with a tiny bathroom and no heat or air conditioning. Kevin and I shared a full-sized bed in the front room and the three girls shared a room in the back where Ellie had a futon bed and the Littles shared a bunk bed.
We’d started our day hiking Arches National Park and exploring Moab, Utah. Then, we spent several hours driving to reach the Grand Canyon before sunset. This resulted in a very long travel day! We were physically and emotionally exhausted and we were so tired of the deli sandwiches that we’d eaten at least once a day, courtesy of the giant cooler we packed and brought along. We were getting frustrated with each other and a little bit “snippy.” (A pattern was beginning to emerge as it relates to long road trips and hunger.) After much grumbling, we gave in, ate what we had available, and began to settle in for the night.
As the girls were checking out the top bunk together, Sophie said “come look at this Father Long Legs spider!” We all got a good laugh over her misname of the spider commonly referred to as a Daddy Long Legs. Then there was much discussion about each of the spiders residing in our cabin. Were they Daddys or Mommas or were they Babies? We weren’t sure but they were plentiful! After insisting that we slide the bed away from the wall with spiders, the girls calmed down and soon became quiet. We turned out the lights and quickly fell asleep.
The Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is often referred to as the “forgotten gem.” It welcomes only 10% of those visiting the Grand Canyon each year. While not as popular as other hotels and cabins located within Grand Canyon National Park, it still has much to offer. The lodge and nearby cabins offer access to some wonderful scenic hikes and viewpoints, including Bright Angel Point. At 8,000 feet in elevation, the views of the canyon are stunning.
In addition to great views and hiking trails ranging from paved to extremely challenging, guests can even saddle up and explore the canyon on a mule. Dining options range from specialty coffees and breakfast at Rough Rider Saloon to quick snacks and sandwiches at Deli in the Pines or even full table service at the Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room. Once the sun sets, visitors can also enjoy an enhanced night sky experience due to the park service’s efforts to reduce light pollution at the North Rim in recent years.
Sunrise Over the Grand Canyon
We decided to let the Littles sleep in after such a tiring day before, and Kevin elected to stay with them in the cabin. Ellie and I, however, woke at 4:30am and headed out for an early morning hike to watch the sunrise over the canyon. We walked through the lodge and out to the trail on the opposite side of where we had explored the previous night with the family.
We walked about a quarter mile of the way out to the end of the trailhead and found a good spot to view the sunrise. While we took lots of pictures, none of them could properly capture the stunning beauty of the Grand Canyon as the sun rose and shone over the brilliant reds and oranges of the rocky cliffs.
After sunrise, we hiked the rest of the way out to Bright Angel Point and climbed higher on the rocks for better views. We sat still together just appreciating the quiet, calm beauty and the ability to relax without worrying about the safety of the younger girls. Unlike the prior evening, and despite our more daring path, we experienced no tingling in our legs, just the exhilaration of a moderate workout and the fresh morning air.
On the way back to the cabin, we stopped at the café for a hot coffee and some fruit. We started to see some cute little chipmunks who wanted a hand-out. They were quite cute but very persistent. One even stood on his hind legs to beg. By the time we returned to the cabin, we had been gone for nearly two hours but everyone was still sleeping.
Breakfast, Learning, & Exploration
Once everyone was up and around, we headed to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. Our table gave us a fantastic view of the canyon through the enormous floor to ceiling windows. The Littles each gobbled up a plate of pancakes and the rest of us enjoyed Eggs Benedict. Everyone was well rested and in a great mood.
After breakfast we walked through the lodge and spent some time learning about its history. The girls also enjoyed studying a 3D model showing how the layers of the Grand Canyon were formed over millions of years. Not wanting our morning to end, we sat on lounge chairs on the stone patio of the lodge and enjoyed the views from a safe distance. A few of those cute chipmunks showed up and got the girls giggling with delight.
After packing up the van, we took a short family nature walk to give the girls a few more views of the canyon and to take some more photos. Weather can make a huge difference when visiting the Grand Canyon, and we were fortunate to have clear skies and fabulous temperatures. After one last look, we set our course for Las Vegas, the next stop on our “Big Trip.”
Biggest Takeaways from our Grand Canyon Stay
We are so glad we stayed in a family cabin so close to the lodge. It made it so easy and quick to get to those stunning views. Our breakfast in the lodge was one of our favorite meals of our entire “Big Trip.” Our girls still talk about having breakfast there with the amazing view of the canyon out the window.
Kids are quick and it’s impossible for the parks to provide safety barriers everywhere. We really enjoyed the sunset hike, but we were diligent about staying alert and keeping our Littles within arm’s reach while venturing near the edge.
We learned so much when we visited the displays at the lodge. The Littles were fascinated by a model that displayed the layers of the canyon and explained how it was carved over millions of years. Personal experience is one of the best ways to retain knowledge and there were plenty of things for them to learn and see at the Grand Canyon.
Ellie and I are so glad that we woke early to enjoy the sunrise together. The colors of the canyon are spectacular in combination with a beautiful sunrise (or sunset). Pictures can’t do it justice. It’s just something you have to see for yourself.
What’s the most rustic place you’ve ever stayed with your family? Have you ever shared your space with spiders or other undesirable creatures? We’d love for you to share your adventures with us!
