Kaibab Lodge

Kaibab Lodge sits in North Kaibab National Forest along the highway to the Grand Canyon's North Rim, a cluster of rustic cabins built around a common lodge with a restaurant and lounge. It's less a destination in itself than a basecamp — the kind of place hikers land after finishing a rim-to-rim trek or before an early start on the North Kaibab Trail, and reviewers consistently describe it that way: a quiet, welcoming stop in the middle of the forest.

What to expect

The cabins are older but clean, with small showers that reviewers note run hot with decent pressure — this is rustic lodging, not a resort. The lodge itself functions as a social hub, with guests gathering in common areas to relax after a day on the trail. Breakfast and dinner buffets are available on-site, though a few reviewers flagged the buffet pricing as steep for what it is. Staff get consistent praise across reviews for being friendly and accommodating.

• Rating: 4.2 stars from 374 Google reviews
• Setting: North Kaibab National Forest, en route to the Grand Canyon North Rim
• Wildlife: guests regularly report elk and bison right around the cabins
• Good to know: no cell service on-site — part of the appeal for some, a planning note for others

Book ahead if your trip lines up with North Rim season — this is prime real estate for anyone hiking the North Kaibab Trail or driving up before the rim opens for the day.