Grand Canyon: Save with winter rates at South Rim lodges

Visitor services at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are beginning to close down as fall colors give way to winter. The Grand Canyon Lodge closed Oct. 15, and the Kaibab Lodge just north of the national park will shut Nov. 1. But at the South Rim, winter means discounted rates on the lodging that remains open.

The deal: Winter Value Rates start at $85 to $110 per night, plus tax, at two South Rim lodges: Maswik (open year-round) and Yavapai (closed in January and February).

Maswik Lodge sits in a pine forest about a quarter mile from the canyon’s rim. Less expensive, motel-style rooms can be found at Maswik South; bigger rooms with a refrigerator, cable TV and other amenities are at Maswik North.

Yavapai Lodge, the Grand Canyon’s largest, is about a half-mile from the rim and surrounded by forest.

Concessionaire Xanterra Parks & Resorts runs several other lodges on the South Rim, including the historic El Tovar and Bright Angel, but these do not generally offer winter discounts.

When: The winter rates apply to stays from Nov. 10 through March 10. Blackout dates include holidays: Nov. 24-27, Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 and Feb. 19-21.

Tested: I went to the website for the park lodges and found a room with two queen-sized beds that sleeps five for $85, plus tax, at Maswik South and $110, plus tax, for the same type of room at Maswik North. By comparison, summer rates for the same rooms run from $90 to $170 per night. Children 16 and younger stay free in lodge rooms.

Contact: Xanterra Parks& Resorts, (888) 297-2757