Phantom Ranch at Grand Canyon moves to online lottery
The process of reserving a coveted bed at Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon is about to get a little smoother.
Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, which manages accommodations at the South Rim, is switching from telephone reservations to an online lottery for the only lodging at the bottom of the Canyon.
No longer will would-be guests have to keep dialing and redialing on the first day of each month in hopes of getting through.
But you’ll still have to plan well ahead. Fifteen months ahead, to be exact.
The new system is in effect for stays beginning in January 2019 so those interested in that month should enter the onlinelotterystartingonNov.1ofthisyear. Under the phone-in system, reservations could be made 13 months ahead.
Here’s how the new process works, according to the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges website:
Enter the online lottery between the first and 25th day of the month 15 months ahead of your desired stay. Lottery submissions will be processed, winners will be notified and reservations will be guaranteed the following month.
If you’re chosen, you’ll have to pay in advance. If you cancel your plans within 45 days of the start of your stay, you forfeit your deposit.
The current requirement that guests reconfirm their reservations two days
Antelope Canyon is one of the most widely photographed slot canyons in the Southwest. Vibrant photos from inside the ravine have been featured in National Geographic and used as a stock image for Apple products. Here is everything you need to know about making a trip to the Navajo Reservation near Page to explore the colorful canyons.
Upper canyon vs. lower canyon
The first thing to know is that there are two canyons: Upper — “The Crack” — and Lower — “The Corkscrew.” Both require guided tours.
The main difference between the two canyons is their overall shape, said Brenda Catron, the fee collection supervisor of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park and Antelope Canyon for Navajo Parks and Recreation.
before their stay will remain in place.
Those who don’t get selected in the lottery will get another chance as any unclaimed reservations will be released for general sale (on a first-come, first-served basis) starting 13 months in advance of the stay.
Phantom Ranch is the only lodging below the rim of the Grand Canyon so beds there are coveted. Lodging consists of men’s and women’s dorms each with 5 bunk beds and a small bathroom, plus several rustic stone cabins of varying sizes with bunk beds and cold-water sinks. Cabin guests shower in a nearby bath house.
Dorm beds cost $51; cabins cost $149 for two people plus $13 for each additional person.
In addition to having to deal with the phonereservation system, those wishing to secure a bed at Phantom Ranch also were frustrated by people who did get through tying up dates they often did not use. Some people would reserve multiple dates while making plans and then cancel the extra days once their trips were finalized.
Grand Canyon National Park Lodges is still working out some details of the new lottery system. Find out more at www.grandcanyon lodges.com or call 888297-2757.