From Williams
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Sixty miles south of the canyon’s South Rim Entrance Station, Williams sits at the foot of forested Bill Williams Mountain. The mountain, named for famed trapper/guide Bill Williams, has plenty of backroads, trails, picnic areas, and even a small ski resort. Most of the open land around Williams is administered by the Kaibab National Forest.
Though it’s home to fewer than 3,000 people, Williams has a large number of motels and restaurants that cater to Grand Canyon and Route 66 visitors, and the town calls itself “the Gateway to Grand Canyon.” Historic attractions include Saloon Row, the Grand Canyon Railway, and Route 66.
The historic Santa Fe Railway freight depot houses a visitor center (200 W. Railroad Ave., Williams, AZ 86046, 928/635-4061 or 800/863-0546, www.williamschamber.com) jointly operated by the town’s chamber of commerce and the U.S. Forest Service. Stop in to browse the museum and find out about tours and recreational opportunities. You can even pick up an entrance pass for Grand Canyon here.
Three exits lead south to Williams from I-40. If you’re coming from the west, turn on Exit 161. A few hotels and motels are located on this side of Williams. Exit 163 leads to the Grand Canyon Railway depot and the heart of Williams’ historic downtown. Exit 165 connects with Highway 64, which heads north to Grand Canyon, about an hour away.
Airport
Though the nearest commercial airport is 40 miles away in Flagstaff, Williams has an airfield for small planes, H. A. Clark Memorial Field (3501 N. Airport Road, Williams, AZ 86046, 928/635-1280).
Train
Amtrak (800/872-7245, www.amtrak.com) has service from Flagstaff. The train arrives late at night at the same depot that serves Grand Canyon Railway, on the edge of historic downtown. The eastbound train (from Los Angeles) arrives early in the morning.
Grand Canyon Railway (235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ 86040, 928/635-2461, 928/773-0147 or 800/843-8724, www.thetrain.com) provides daily train service from Williams Depot to Grand Canyon Village. The depot, built in 1908, is a former Harvey House and retains a historic flair. The railway offers five classes of passenger service to the canyon on refurbished vintage rail cars. You can arrange a package tour that combines the train ride with lodging and guided rim tours. Trains depart from Williams in the morning.
Taxis/shuttles
Smitty’s Transportation (117 S. Slagel St., Williams, AZ 86046, 928/635-9825 or 888/635-9825) operates taxi services around Williams and the Grand Canyon area daily until 11 p.m. Smitty’s also provides car and van service to the canyon, Las Vegas, Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, the Phoenix airport, or anywhere else you want to go. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Open Road Tours (602/997-6474, 877/226-8060 or 800/766-7117, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.), based in Phoenix and Flagstaff, has daily shuttle service between Williams, Flagstaff, and Grand Canyon. The shuttle to the canyon departs in the morning from the Grand Canyon Railway depot and makes stops in Tusayan and at Maswik Lodge.
Twice-daily shuttle runs between Flagstaff, Williams, and Grand Canyon Village are available from Flagstaff Express Shuttle Services (928/225-2290 or 800/563-1980). Flagstaff Express can also arrange private-car transportation for those whose schedules or needs differ from established shuttle schedules.
Car Rental
You can make arrangements to pick up a rental car from Budget (235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ 86040, 928/635-2248 or 800/527-0700, www.budget.com) at the Grand Canyon Railway Depot.
Accommodations and Food
From national chains to charming B&Bs, Williams has about 30 hotels, motels, and inns in various price ranges. Most are located within a few blocks of I-40 along Route 66 or Grand Canyon Boulevard. Chains include Days Inn, Best Western, EconoLodge, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnson, Motel 6, and Travelodge.
If your trip centers around the train, you might want to splurge on the stately and comfortable Grand Canyon Railway Motel (928/635-2461, 928/773-0147, or 800/843-8724, www.thetrain.com, $200, discounted with train travel). Equally elegant but tucked away from the railroad tracks and Route 66 on two woodsy acres, the Sheridan House Inn (928/635-9441 or 888/635-9345, www.grandcanyonbbinn.com, $135–195) is a particularly well-appointed B&B. The Red Garter Bed & Bakery (928/635-1484 or 800/328-1484, www.redgarter.com, $120–145) is a restored—and supposedly haunted—bordello in historic downtown, close to the visitor center.
If you want local color at moderate prices, the European-style Grand Canyon Hotel (928/635-1419, 928/635-2599, or 877/635-1419, www.thegrandcanyonhotel.com, $70–110), built in 1891, offers historic accommodations downtown. The Grand Motel (928/635-4601, 877/635-4601, or 800/635-9590, www.thegrandmotel.com, $50-115), harks back to the glory days of Route 66. You can stay in a railcar at the Canyon Motel (928/635-9371 or 800/482-3955, www.thecanyonmotel.com, $60–135), a combination motel and RV park located just east of Williams, close to Highway 64.
Williams is a cool summer haven (though in Arizona, this is relative) for campers and RVers. There are several commercial campgrounds here, including two KOAs. The Forest Service operates four campgrounds near Williams, and dispersed camping is allowed throughout the forest, with certain restrictions.
Williams has more than a dozen restaurants, from Route 66–style diners like Twisters (928/635-0266) to several steakhouses, including the iconic Rod’s Steak House (928/635-2671). For spicier fare, try Pancho McGillicuddy’s (928/635-4150). The Pine Country Restaurant (928/635-9718) is known for its hearty breakfasts but serves up home-style cooking all day long. Chains include Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Jack-in-the-Box, McDonald’s, Pizza Factory, and Pizza Hut.
© Kathleen Bryant from Moon Grand Canyon, 4th Edition
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