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.”
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:
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.
When a Grand Canyon park pass gets purchased before arrival, it does more than save time at the gate. It keeps the entrance lines shorter for every visitor behind. The National Park Service depends on advance sales to manage capacity and protect the canyon experience for everyone who follows.
Pick up the pass at Buck Wild Route 66 Travel Center on Highway 64 in Tusayan. Cash accepted. No Waiting. No stress. Purchase the park pass online and pick it up at Buck Wild, or just stop in and purchase in person.