National park tips: Sleep here on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

El Tovar is the fanciest hotel on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. But it’s pricey, and it’s got only 78 rooms. And no elevators, because it’s historic.

Meanwhile, there are dozens of other rooms and cabins just as close to the South Rim. Instead of paying $217-$538 nightly (2017 rates) for El Tovar, give the alternatives a good look, especially the more rustic rooms and cabins at Bright Angel Lodge, where 2017 rates will be $97-$217 for nonsuite rooms and cabins.

The Grand Canyon, just as the Kolb brothers pictured it »

In honor of this year’s National Park Service centennial, the Travel section is posting 100 park travel ideas and tips based on trips staff travel writer Christopher Reynolds has taken, along with photo-op advice from Times photographer Mark Boster. We’ll post one per day through Dec. 31.

Follow Reynolds on Twitter: @MrCSReynolds

See travel videos by Reynolds from around the world.