Nestled just two miles south of the Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim entrance, Tusayan, Arizona, is often seen by visitors as merely a collection of hotels, restaurants, and gift shops. While it undoubtedly serves as a vital service hub for millions of Grand Canyon travelers each year, Tusayan has a fascinating and complex history all its own, evolving from a remote logging camp to a modern, independent town.
Tusayan’s origins are deeply intertwined with the development of Grand Canyon tourism and the extraction of natural resources. Before it was a bustling tourist town, the area was primarily a logging camp. The dense ponderosa pine forests around what would become Tusayan provided timber for railroad ties, mining operations, and the early construction of facilities at the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Railway, completed in 1901, was a game-changer. It brought increasing numbers of tourists directly to the South Rim, but also facilitated the transport of lumber. The area south of the park, though not yet a formal town, became a natural staging ground for services that couldn’t easily be accommodated within the nascent national park’s boundaries.
Throughout the early to mid-20th century, as automobile travel grew and the Grand Canyon became an iconic American destination, the area outside the park entrance began to sprout various independent businesses. These were often “squatter” operations or businesses on leased land, filling the need for lodging, gas, and food without the strict regulations of the National Park Service. It was essentially an unregulated, unofficial “Grand Canyon Village South.”
By the 1950s and 60s, the collection of motels, gas stations, and restaurants had solidified into a distinct, albeit unincorporated, community. It was a place where many Grand Canyon employees lived and where essential services for both residents and visitors could be found. However, being unincorporated meant that Coconino County handled its services, and the community had little direct control over its own development, infrastructure, or destiny.
Challenges were plentiful:
Despite these challenges, Tusayan continued to grow, fueled by the ever-increasing popularity of the Grand Canyon. It became the practical solution for many large-scale tourism operations that required more space and less restrictive zoning than available inside the national park.
The idea of incorporating Tusayan into an official town gained momentum in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Proponents argued that incorporation would:
However, the path to incorporation was not without controversy. There were concerns about potential increases in taxes, the impact of development on the surrounding national forest, and disagreements over the proposed boundaries of the new town.
After years of debate and several attempts, the residents of Tusayan finally voted to incorporate. On March 24, 2010, the Town of Tusayan officially came into being. This was a monumental step, marking the community’s transition from an informal service area to an independent municipality.
Since incorporation, Tusayan has been focused on establishing its governmental structures, planning for responsible growth, and addressing its unique challenges. Projects have included:
The history of Tusayan is a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities faced by communities that live at the doorstep of a major natural wonder. It’s a story of resourcefulness, resilience, and the enduring human desire for self-determination, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes
Today, Tusayan is a small town with a big job. It’s home to a year-round population of hundreds, which swells significantly with seasonal workers and millions of visitors. It’s the primary gateway for air and ground tours, IMAX experiences, and the largest concentration of lodging and dining options outside the Grand Canyon National Park. The Greenway Bike Trail runs through the town of Tusayan and into the Grand Canyon National Park, a great trail for biking and hiking.
The Town of Tusayan offers many annual events for locals and visitors, most of the events are FREE and are great for all ages:
Visit the Tusayan Website for more information about this small town that serves as a doorstep to the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.
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The Grand Canyon National Park is a short drive from Route 66, and once you’re in Northern Arizona exploring Route 66, you HAVE to take a detour to visit this natural wonder. Tusayan is the closest town to the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance, and our Boarding Pass Partners are waiting for you to come and explore!
Exhilarating helicopter tours at the Grand Canyon National Park provide a bird’s eye view of this amazing wonder. Choose from 25 or 45 Minute Tours offered multiple times daily.
Save $10 per person
Choose Signature, Sunset or Hiking Tours and explore the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon with a professional guide who will share history and information.
Save $5 per person.
Fly over the incredible sights of the Grand Canyon’s South and East Rims: impressive aerial views of ancient rock formations, the Kaibab Forest, & the Colorado River between the canyon walls.
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A Grand Canyon Institution for over 50 years, Big E Steakhouse and Saloon provides unforgettable dining experiences with a large menu and the friendliest servers in the area..
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Amazing selection of sweet treats including fudge, caramel apples, chocolate covered strawberries and delicious gelato. Specialty Coffees are plentiful and satisfying.
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One mile from the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, our hotel is an idyllic retreat for vacations. Explore the beauty of the canyon by day & unwind in our Southwestern-style suites by night
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