Experience the Grand Canyon at night

With the blinding neon lights of Las Vegas just across the state border, tranquillity may seem like a distant dream. You’d be pleasantly surprised by what the Grand Canyon at night has to offer. That's part of what makes a trip to the Grand Canyon at night so special. Even novice hikers can enjoy the vista— it’s spectacular by day and even better after the sun sets.

Get a good view

Two spots along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon— Yavapai Point and Lipan Point— are popular and easily accessible locations to bring a telescope and watch the stars. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to Lipan Point from Grand Canyon Village, and Yavapai Point is just a short walk from the parking lot. Oftentimes, the parking lots fill up at sunset, so consider taking the Orange Shuttle from the Yavapai Geology Museum. During the day, these vantage points are also ideal for taking in the purple, gold, and brown rock layers, as well as the famous pathway of the Colorado River.

Learn the Lightscape

Lightscape— or a sky unblemished by man-made light — is a rare sight these days, but you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the constellations, planets, and even other galaxies above the Grand Canyon at night. For a week every year in June, the park hosts a Star Party. 

The stars aligned when, in 1991, The South Rim Star Party began its cosmic journey. It is organized and hosted by Steve Rottas, a member of the Saguaro Astronomy Club. The North Rim star program followed in 1994 and is sponsored by the Tucson Amateur Astronomers Association.

Reaching for the stars

In 2016, the Grand Canyon was awarded ‘Provisional Dark Sky Park’ status by the IDA (International Dark-Sky Association) to make the more than 6,000 visitors aware that ‘half the park is after dark’ and retrofitting more than 1,750 light fixtures to make the park 69% ‘Dark Sky Compliant’.

It was awarded full status just in time for its 100^th anniversary milestone in June 2019, the result of a three-year long collaboration between the National Park Service and the Grand Canyon Association.

Find out more about the Grand Canyon’s certification process here. 

Pack the right gear

To truly enjoy your trip to the Grand Canyon at night, the proper gear is essential. Break in your hiking shoes well in advance of your trip and don’t forget to bring plenty of containers full of water/hydration drinks to combat the dehydration that can result from the dry conditions. At night, the temperature drops significantly, so dress warmly.

Think seasonally

Check with the National Park Service for important seasonal tips if you plan to hike the Grand Canyon, especially at night. Always be aware of the weather forecast, and stay on the trails, never hiking alone. Whether traveling down at night on foot or by mule, it takes about four to six hours to reach the canyon floor and about twice as long to hike back up. In winter, there are icy conditions requiring poles and crampons, while in the summer the lower parts of the canyon can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Restaurants within Grand Canyon National Park 

Yavapai Tavern, located within Yavapai Lodge, offers a full bar of local wines and beers. Hungry for Southern specialties? Try classic smoked BBQ wings or street-style tacos and artisan pizza. If that’s not enough to satisfy your late-night cravings, leave your comfort zone behind and try an elk burger!  

Menu

Location: Yavapai Tavern is located at Yavapai Lodge at Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim:

11 Yavapai Lodge Road

Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Seating is outdoors only

Opening hours: 12 PM-9 PM open daily 

El Tovar Dining Room, located within its namesake hotel, offers a gourmet experience you won’t forget. Reservations can require up to 30 days’ notice.

The dress code is casual for breakfast and lunch, whereas business/formal attire is strongly recommended for dinner as it has a fine dining atmosphere.

The walls are adorned with stories from the rich histories of four Native American tribes:

• The Hopi
• The Apache
• The Mojave
• The Navajo

The menu integrates both local and international influences, with signature dishes including Prime Rib hash at breakfast or Salmon Tostada at dinner.

Menus*: 

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner 

World-famous diners have visited El Tovar including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Theodore Roosevelt.

The El Tovar lounge is an inviting space that encourages guests to admire paintings of the Canyon created by local artists. There is also a small veranda, which allows you to take in the spectacular views and soak up the sunset.

Proof of ID is required to access the El Tovar lounge, as you must be 21 years or older to enter. 

The dining room also plays host to an eclectic wine selection, featuring 100 wines from domestic wineries in Arizona as well as varietal wines from California, Oregon, and Washington. The El Tovar wine list has been awarded Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence for four years running.

It is quite the accomplishment for the 70% of partner wineries that pride themselves on making produce that utilizes organic and sustainable farming practices. 

Find out more by viewing the lounge menu.

* Menu pricing is subject to change without notice.

Location: 1 El Tovar Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA (located within the El Tovar Hotel)

Hours of operation:

Breakfast – 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Lunch – 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Dinner – 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Lounge – 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Patio – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. limited menu

Plan your stay

Since it's nearly impossible to complete a round-trip hike to the Canyon floor and back in a single day, decide if you would like to camp overnight or simply hike the trails by day. Daytime mule rides are always available but be sure to reserve your spot well in advance. Rather not rough it? There are plenty of historic and beautiful lodges available for a good night's sleep after stargazing.

Prefer to embrace stargazing as nature intended? Set up camp in the Mather Campground on the South Rim. Reservations can be made here**

Tent and RV camping are available year-round within the Grand Canyon Village and reservations for the RV Park can be made here

*If you wish to make a reservation, it must be made up to six months in advance. You can click the link or call Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777.

*If you would like to backpack and/or camp at the Grand Canyon you will need a backcountry permit.

Whether viewed by day or night, the Grand Canyon is the subject of some of the nation's most memorable photos. Are you heading to the Grand Canyon for stargazing after reading this post? Don't forget your camera and share your best shots with us on Instagram.