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If you're planning on staying inside Grand Canyon National Park during your visit one of the popular places to stay is Bright Angel Lodge. Here we take you inside some of its rich history, comfortable accommodations, and more.

History of Bright Angel

Bright Angel Lodge is rich with cultural history and authenticity making it a Registered National Historic Landmark. In 1935, during a time when architecture was dominated by men, Mary Elizabeth Colter revolutionized construction with the design for Bright Angel Lodge. She was also the architect for most of the historic Grand Canyon buildings. Bright Angel Lodge and its surrounding cabins have a natural rustic character. Over the years it has gone through many transformations first as a hotel, then a camp, and finally a lodge. All of its changes were to accommodate the increase in visitation after the arrival of the train in 1901.

Today, the Bright Angel Lodge, and the surrounding cabins, serve as an iconic remembrance of its colorful past. Located at the top of Bright Angel Trail Head, the facility sees visitors from all around the world. Bright Angel Lodge includes a full service restaurant, a deli, gift shop, coffee house, and old-style saloon. Visitors also come to the Grand Canyon National Park hotel from all around to enjoy the Bright Angel Fountain, open seasonally during the summer months.

If you're visiting the national park, it would be a great time to take advantage of a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon which departs from the South Rim. You'll fly over the beautiful Kaibab National Forest, home to the world's largest ponderosa pine forest. As you reach the edge of the canyon a surge of excitement floods over you as the South Rim gently falls away to reveal the North Rim and eastern end of the canyon. This is arguably one of the most spectacular views in the entire canyon. In the distance, it's possible to see the Painted Desert and the Desert View Watchtower before traveling upstream along the Colorado River. You'll view Marble Canyon and Point Imperial with one-of-a-kind views of the North Rim and then head south through the Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon. This tour over the Grand Canyon South Rim will provide you with memories of a lifetime.

Accommodations at Bright Angel

Bright Angel has 90 lodging units ranging from cozy historic units with shared bathrooms to standard lodge rooms and historic cabins. All rooms are equipped with a telephone and refrigerator. Most rooms generally have only one bed. Two cabins worth mentioning are The Buckey O’Neill Cabin and the Red Horse Cabin.

Built in the 1890's and named after one of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, Mary Coulter memorialized Buckey O'Neill with this cabin designation. This cabin offers canyon views and a cozy atmosphere. The Red Horse Cabin is the oldest building on the South Rim. Built in 1890, it was moved from Red Horse Ranch in 1902 by a local businessman for use as a tourist hotel at the Bright Angel Trailhead. From 1910 to 1935, it served as a post office.

The cabins have been rehabilitated and restored to accommodate the desires of today's guests. Views of the Grand Canyon serve as the backdrop just feet away and Mule deer are fed right outside at night. Booking at Bright Angel Lodge can be difficult, since there is always a huge demand, so be sure to book well in advance.