Grand Canyon Railway – CRes Manuals

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, RV Park, and Pet Resort is nestled among the Ponderosa pine forest in Williams, Arizona, and is one of the finest hotels in the Grand Canyon-Flagstaff-Williams area. The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is located next to the Williams Depot and just two blocks north of downtown Williams and Old Route 66.

General Info

Closest Cities:
Flagstaff, AZ (36 miles)
Tusayan, AZ (53 miles)

Closest Airports:
Flagstaff, AZ (39 miles)
Phoenix, AZ (182 miles)
Las Vegas, NV (215 miles)

Miscellaneous:
Visitor Center: The Williams and Forest Service Visitor Center is located in Williams at 200 W. Railroad Ave. It is open from 8am to 5pm, 7 days a week (except for some holidays). The Visitor Center has information about the surrounding area, including the historic train depot and historic Route 66.

Webcam: NPS webcams, which include I-40 near Flagstaff
Flagstaff webcam (you may need to click “go live” in the righthand corner)

Direction & Mileages to Williams, AZ

Please note, all mileage and drive times are approximate. For informational purposes only.

Approximate drive time 40 minutes, approximately 34 miles
• Take Interstate 40 West to Williams.
• Take exit 163 (Williams, AZ exit) and turn left (south) on N. Grand Canyon Blvd
• Travel south approximately 0.6 miles and the Grand Canyon Railway will be on the right.

Approximate drive time 1 1/2 hours, approximately 60 miles to south entrance of Grand Canyon National Park
• Head south from Grand Canyon National Park on Highway 64 to Interstate 40.
• Take Interstate 40 West for approximately 2 miles to Williams.
• Take exit 163 (Williams, AZ exit) and turn left (south) on N. Grand Canyon Blvd
• Travel south approximately 0.6 miles and the Grand Canyon Railway will be on the right.

Approximate drive time 1 hour and 45 minutes, approximately 113 miles
• Head east on Interstate 40 to Williams
• Take exit 163 (Williams, AZ exit) and turn right (south) on N. Grand Canyon Blvd
• Travel south approximately 0.6 miles and the Grand Canyon Railway will be on the right.

Approximate drive time 3 1/4 hours, approximately 217 miles
• Head south on US Highway 93 (over the Hoover Dam) to Kingman, Arizona.
• Turn left (east) on Interstate 40 to Williams.
• Take exit 163 (Williams, AZ exit) and turn right (south) on N. Grand Canyon Blvd
• Travel south approximately 0.6 miles and the Grand Canyon Railway will be on the right.

Approximate drive time 2 hours, 45 minutes, approximately 170 miles
• Head south on US-89 towards Flagstaff
• In Flagstaff, turn left onto Country Club Dr
• Take Interstate 40 West to Williams.
• Take exit 163 (Williams, AZ exit) and turn left (south) on N. Grand Canyon Blvd
• Travel south approximately 0.6 miles and the Grand Canyon Railway will be on the right

Approximate drive time 1 1/2 hours, approximately 90 miles
• Head north on AZ Highway 89A to I-17 at Flagstaff.
• From Flagstaff, take Interstate 40 West to Williams.
• Take exit 163 (Williams, AZ exit) and turn left (south) on N. Grand Canyon Blvd
• Travel south approximately 0.6 miles and the Grand Canyon Railway will be on the right.

Link to Maps page

Current Information for Grand Canyon National Park and Williams, AZ

PLEASE ADVISE GUESTS–ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED BELOW PERTAINING TO THIRD PARTY COMPANIES IS OFFERED AS A COURTESY ONLY (PHONE NUMBERS, WEBSITES, AND RATES ARE ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

All park visitors are required to purchase a National Park pass upon entering Grand Canyon National Park. For train guests, the entry fee is included in the cost of their ticket and is different from the rates listed below. See GSCR Fees and Exemptions for fees for train guests. The fees listed below are for guests driving into Grand Canyon National Park.

Current Entrance Fees:
Private Vehicle (non-commercial): $35 (valid for 7 days at North and South Rim)
Motorcycle: $30 per motorcycle (valid for 7 days at North and South Rim)
Per Person: $20 (valid for 7 days at North and South Rim)
(Typically used for bicyclists, hikers and pedestrians)
Youth 15 and under are admitted free.
*For more details and information, refer to www.nps.gov/grca

Weekly passes are non-transferable and are valid for 7 consecutive days including the date of purchase.

NON-RESIDENT FEES FAQ

Groome Transportation Shuttle: (formally known as Arizona Canyon Shuttle) offers scheduled shuttles between Flagstaff and Williams and Phoenix (PHX) Airport. Guests can visit their website at www.groometransportation.com/arizona/
Williams Shuttle: Williams Taxi and Shuttle offers early morning and afternoon scheduled service and private van transportation to and from Williams, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, Las Vegas Airport, and Phoenix Airport (plus other locations). Guests can visit their website at www.williamsshuttle.com or call 1-888-787-4402 (toll free) or 1-928-635-1111 (international/local)

In addition to the RV Park at Grand Canyon Railway, Williams has the unique opportunity of hosting three U.S. Forest Service campgrounds located on three very beautiful fishing lakes. These lakes are stocked throughout the summer months so catching your dinner is a real possibility.

Kaibab Lake Campground: Kaibab Lake is a great place to spend two hours or two weeks. It is located just a couple of miles outside the City of Williams off Highway 64 and is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking and camping. This 75 acre lake is surrounded by tall ponderosa pine and is open for camping from May 1st through September 30th with 73 total campsites. It offers an improved boat ramp for launching your canoe or boats with up to a 10 H.P. motor. Reservations are not required but can be made by calling 1-888-444-6777.

White Horse Lake Campground: White Horse Lake is an extremely popular spot for catching rainbow and brown trout. It is located 19 miles southeast of Williams and also offers excellent hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. A trail following the lakeshore and one to Sycamore Canyon Vista are nearby. This 35 acre lake offers a small paved boat ramp. Only small electric boat motors are allowed. White Horse Lake is open for camping from May 1st through September 30th with a total of 94 single unit sites. Reservations are not required but can be made by calling 1-888-444-6777.

Dogtown Lake Campground: Dogtown Lake got its name from the extensive prairie dog towns that once covered the areas near the lake. Despite its name this 50 acre lake is actually surrounded by beautiful trees. The campground is approximately 6.5 miles south and east of Williams and has a spectacular view of Bill Williams Mountain. It offers a small boat ramp. Only electric boat motors are allowed. Dogtown is open from May 1st through September 30th with 60 camp sites. Reservations are not required but can be made by calling 1-888-444-6777.

The town of Williams is located on the Coconino Plateau. For outdoor fun there are numerous extinct volcanoes and cinder cones nearby that rise out of the flat surroundings. Williams is also located near the Kaibab Forest, and there are many hikes through sprawling meadows and the tall ponderosa pine. There are dozens of marked local trails in the Williams area. Stop in the Williams Visitor Center (200 W Railroad Ave.) for information on these little “secrets.” While you’re there pick up a copy of the Williams Hiking Trails book.

Generally, all dogs in public in the town of Williams must wear a collar with license tags, and must be leashed.

The Kaibab Forest offers 1,114 miles of Forest Service roads open to motorized use. These seldom traveled roads can take guests to scenic and historical places like Sycamore Canyon, the Beale Trail, Laws Spring and many more. The adventurous can even take a day trip from Williams to the ghost town of Jerome on a “challenging” route up and over the Mingus Mountain. Some restrictions do apply and “off-road” travel is no longer allowed in the Kaibab Forest. The Williams Visitor Center can assist guests with free Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Kaibab Forest.

The high mountain lakes mentioned in the fishing section are a perfect get-away to relax and enjoy the tranquil outdoors. Lakes allow small fishing boats, canoe or kayak. Boat and kayak rentals are available at I-40 Fleet in Williams at 928-635-9199.

Williams has six area lakes that offer fantastic fishing. Rainbow trout, brown trout, crappie and catfish can be found on any of these beautiful tree lined lakes.

Cataract Lake is located only one mile from downtown Williams and has a beautiful day-use area for picnics and fishing. It has a small boat ramp for launching your canoe or boats up to 10 H.P. motor. Camping is no longer allowed at Cataract Lake.

Santa Fe Dam Lake is located one mile from downtown on CR73. Its 42 foot high masonry dam was built in 1892. The lake is a favorite spot for in-town locals who enjoy catching trout and catfish.

J.D.Dam Lake is located about 19 miles from Williams. Half of it is on bumpy Forest Service roads. This 15 acre lake is approximately 20 feet deep and is an “artificial lures and flies only” lake. No live bait is allowed. Brown and rainbow trout are caught here.

Kaibab Lake is only a short three mile drive from downtown. Rainbow and Brown trout are frequently stocked here. The lake is easily accessed on a one mile paved road. At 6,800 foot elevation this is a very scenic lake to spend the day fishing on. It offers a boat ramp for launching canoes, kayaks or boats with up to a 10 H.P. motor.

White Horse Lake sits at an elevation of 7,000 foot. This 35 acre lake can be fished from shore or a small boat with an electric motor only. Rainbow and Brown trout are on the menu here.

Dogtown Lake is a 50 acre lake just east of Bill Williams Mountain and about seven miles from downtown. Shore and boat fishing are equally successful with Rainbow and Brown trout being caught. It hosts a small boat ramp for launching canoes, kayaks or small boats with electric motor only.

Guests may stop in the Williams-Forest Service Visitor for free maps to these unique fishing spots.

Horseback riding is available at Mountain Ranch Stables just six miles east of Williams. They are open March through October and offer hourly and half-day rates. Call 928-635-0706 to reserve your seat in the saddle!

Williams boasts many spectacular mountain bike routes ranging from easy to moderate. Many of these routes utilize the hundreds of miles of U.S. Forest Service roads already in existence. The Williams Visitor Center can accommodate guests with maps and trail guides.

The Amtrak shuttle no longer arrives directly in Williams. Amtrak guests will arrive in Flagstaff Amtrak and will be shuttled between Flagstaff and Williams by Groome Transportation. They will be dropped off, and picked up, from GCRR hotel as well. The shuttle also stops at Holiday Inn Express. There is no fee for this service, but tips are appreciated.

There is no special waiting area or room for Amtrak guests inside the hotel. They must either book a room for the day of their arrival or wait in the lobby.

Weather in Williams, AZ

CURRENT WEATHER:

AVERAGES FOR THE MONTH (temps in Fahrenheit; precipitation in inches)

MONTH	AVERAGE HIGH	AVERAGE LOW	AVERAGE PRECIPITATION
JANUARY	41	18	1.32
FEBRUARY	45	21	1.55
MARCH	51	25	1.38
APRIL	60	32	.93
MAY	70	39	.66
JUNE	81	47	.42
JULY	84	54	1.81
AUGUST	82	53	2.25
SEPTEMBER	76	47	1.56
OCTOBER	65	36	1.10
NOVEMBER	52	27	.94
DECEMBER	43	20	1.64