$150–$350
Per night (seasonal)
7 Miles
South of the rim
~10 min
Drive to entrance (off-peak)
2 Restaurants
Fine dining + casual on-site
Bowling
On-site alley + pool
IMAX Nearby
National Geographic Center
Lowdown Verdict
The smart fallback when in-park lodges are sold out. Books far later than any South Rim in-park property, full amenities, and the 7-mile drive is a minor inconvenience compared to staying in Williams or Flagstaff. One operational note: plan your arrival at the park entrance before 7:30 AM or after 11:00 AM in summer to avoid the 20 to 40 minute entrance queue.
About the Grand Canyon Squire Inn
The Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn is the largest and most full-featured hotel in Tusayan, the small gateway town on AZ-64 seven miles south of the Grand Canyon South Entrance Station. It is the clear first choice for outside-park lodging at the Grand Canyon — a step above the other Tusayan options in amenities, service, and overall quality.
The Squire Inn is a "Premier" property in the Best Western portfolio, which is Best Western's top tier — not a budget motel flag. Rooms are modern and spacious, the property is well-maintained, and the on-site amenities include two restaurants (the Coronado Room for fine dining and the Squire Pub for casual fare), a bowling alley, outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, fitness center, game room, beauty salon, and gift shop. This is a genuine hotel, not a roadside stopgap.
The National Geographic Visitor Center, which screens the large-format canyon film "Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets," is immediately adjacent — within walking distance of the hotel. If this is your first Grand Canyon visit, 34 minutes in the theater before entering the park orients the geology and scale in a way that makes your first rim view land harder.
The Tusayan Trade-Off: 7 Miles vs. In-Park
Every outside-park hotel decision at the Grand Canyon involves the same math. Here is the honest version:
Advantages of Tusayan
- Books far later — available 60 to 90 days out when in-park is gone
- Lower prices than comparable in-park rooms
- Full amenities: restaurants, pool, bowling, fitness
- Free parking, no entrance fee just to get to your hotel
- Quieter evenings — not surrounded by 6 AM hikers
- No in-park shuttle dependency — drive on your own schedule
Disadvantages vs. In-Park
- Daily 7-mile drive + entrance station wait (20–40 min, 8–10 AM peak)
- No walking out your door to the rim at sunrise
- Need a vehicle — no shuttle from Tusayan into the park
- Must pay entrance fee each day unless you have an America the Beautiful pass
- Early hike logistics require leaving hotel by 5:30–6:00 AM
Entrance station timing: The South Entrance on AZ-64 queues up badly between 8:00 and 10:00 AM in summer (June–August). From Tusayan, budget an extra 20 to 40 minutes during that window. Arrive before 7:30 AM or after 11:00 AM to avoid it. If you have an America the Beautiful Annual Pass, use the pass lane — it moves significantly faster. Buy the pass online before your trip at $80/year; it pays for itself on a 3-day Grand Canyon visit plus any other park that year. See the parking strategy guide for lot-by-lot breakdown once inside.
On-Site Amenities
The Squire Inn is the most amenity-complete hotel within 30 miles of the South Rim. What sets it apart from the other Tusayan options:
Coronado Room
Fine dining on-site. Southwestern menu, steaks, full bar. Reservations recommended for dinner.
Squire Pub
Casual bar and grill, no reservations, open for lunch and dinner. Good fallback for post-hike meals.
Bowling Alley
On-site lanes — useful for families on rainy days or rest evenings between hiking days.
Outdoor Pool & Hot Tub
Pool is seasonal (summer). Indoor hot tub available year-round. Both are welcome after a full day of canyon hiking.
Fitness Center
On-site gym, available to all guests. More reliable than anything in-park, where fitness is typically "go hike."
IMAX Nearby
National Geographic Visitor Center screens "Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets." Walking distance from hotel.
How to Book the Grand Canyon Squire Inn
Unlike in-park lodges, the Squire Inn does not require a 13-month window. It is available on standard hotel booking platforms and Best Western's own site. This is its primary structural advantage: if you are planning a summer Grand Canyon trip in March, April, or May, in-park lodges are already sold out — the Squire Inn is almost certainly still available.
- Book through Best Western's site directly or any major OTA (Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com)
- Check rate parity across platforms — Best Western direct sometimes offers member discounts
- Summer peak (July–August): book 60 to 90 days out for best room selection; rates climb as the date approaches
- Spring and fall: 2 to 4 weeks lead time is typically sufficient
- Request rooms with forest views if available — Tusayan is in the ponderosa pine forest at 6,600 ft elevation
- If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, note it at booking — the hotel can advise on morning entrance timing
For trip planning context, read the Tusayan basecamp guide and the full South Rim lodging comparison. The best time to visit guide covers seasonal conditions that affect both in-park and Tusayan stays.
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Getting to the Grand Canyon from Tusayan
Tusayan sits on AZ-64, the direct route to the Grand Canyon South Entrance Station. The drive from the Squire Inn to the entrance gate is approximately 7 miles — 10 minutes off-peak. Once inside the park, follow signs to Grand Canyon Village or park at the Visitor Center lot and use the free shuttle system.
Key timing to know for the daily drive:
Before 7:30 AM
No queue. Best window for hikers hitting Bright Angel or South Kaibab at first light.
8:00–10:00 AM
Peak queue. Add 20 to 40 minutes in summer. Use pass lane if you have America the Beautiful.
After 11:00 AM
Queue clears. Reasonable arrival if you plan afternoon rim walking rather than morning hiking.
Sunset
Entrance is straightforward. Stay for Hopi Point or Mather Point sunset, then drive back to Tusayan.
There is no free shuttle service between Tusayan and the park. You need a vehicle. The in-park shuttle guide covers the free Village Route and Hermit Road routes once you are inside the entrance station.
Squire Inn vs. In-Park South Rim Lodges
| Property | Price Range | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Western Squire Inn | $150–$350 | Tusayan, 7 mi south | Late-bookers, full amenities, families |
| Maswik Lodge | $130–$230 | In-park, ¼ mi from rim | Best value in-park family option |
| Bright Angel Lodge | $130–$340 | In-park, rim-side | Rim hikers, best value with view |
| El Tovar Hotel | $250–$900 | In-park, rim-side | Historic landmark, fine dining, splurge |
| Yavapai Lodge | $200–$280 | In-park, ½ mi from rim | Families, east Village access |
Grand Canyon Squire Inn FAQ
Plan Your Grand Canyon Visit
All Hotels & Lodges →
Compare all South Rim options
Maswik Lodge →
Best value in-park family option
Bright Angel Lodge →
Rim-side, $130–$340
Tusayan Basecamp Guide →
Everything in Tusayan, entrance timing
Parking Strategy →
Where to park once inside the gate
Best Time to Visit →
Seasons, crowds, entrance timing
Bright Angel Trail →
10-min drive from Tusayan
South Kaibab Trail →
Best ridge views in the canyon
Mather Point →
First rim stop for most visitors
Hopi Point →
Best sunset — drive back to Tusayan after
Travel Planning Guide →
Shuttles, entrance fees, full trip planning
Things to Do →
Top South Rim activities