Staying in Cameron

Why Cameron?

Cameron, Arizona, stands as a paragon of frontier hospitality and a veritable gateway to the grandiose splendors of the Grand Canyon’s less-trodden eastern approaches. This venerable outpost, steeped in the rich heritage of the Navajo Nation, presents a launching point of singular convenience for those seekin’ an experience unencumbered by the throngs of tourists who congregate upon the well-worn paths of the South Rim. The eastern ingress, graced by the majestic silhouette of the Desert View Watchtower, offers an altogether more tranquil and introspective communion with the canyon’s ancient grandeur.

For road-weary travelers makin’ their way across the untamed expanse of the Southwest, Cameron stands as the ideal respite—be it the night before an east-to-west Grand Canyon foray or the perfect stop to catch one’s breath after a day of canyon-wanderin’ west to east. With its strategic perch along the highway, it caters well to those venturin’ from Phoenix, Flagstaff, or even Page, providin’ a well-timed pause before embarkin’ upon the grandeur of the South Rim.

The Gardens at the Cameron Trading Post

With its convenient crossroads location, Cameron makes for a well-placed basecamp for two or three nights, allowin’ travelers to embark on day trips to the remote and wondrous landscapes of the North Rim, Lake Powell, or the towering monoliths of Monument Valley before continuin’ onward to Route 66 or the I-40 to continuing on your highway sojourn.

The Climate

Spring: As winter’s frosty grip relinquishes its hold, the desert awakens in a flourish of wildflower blooms and temperate climes. Daylight hours bask in the benevolence of mid-60s to low 80s, whilst the evenings retain a whisper of winter’s chill, necessitatin’ an extra layer for those moonlit desert strolls.

Spring Flowers in Cameron, AZ

Summer: This is not a season for the faint of constitution—nay, summer in Cameron is an infernal crucible, with temperatures eclipsin’ the century mark (100°) Monsoon tempests arrive like clockwork in July and August, deliverin’ a fleeting respite in the form of dramatic, earth-quakin’ storms. An oasis of air-conditioned refuge is paramount - which the Trading Post's Hotel is equipped, and travelers ought to arm themselves with broad-brimmed hats and a water supply fit for a camel’s caravan.

Fall: Autumn unfurls a most agreeable spectacle, with golden hues paintin’ the desert in a subdued symphony of warmth. With daytime highs in the salubrious 70s and the evenin’ air crisp as a freshly pressed linen shirt, it is the ideal season for ambulation. That said, travelers would do well to don an extra layer, lest they be caught unawares by the nocturnal chill.

Cameron Trading Post's Art Gallery

Winter: Do not be beguiled by the notion of an eternal desert swelter—Cameron’s winters possess a bite sharper than a gambler’s wit. Days range from the frigid 40s to the tolerable 60s, while nights plunge into the frozen abyss. The sight of snow crowning the canyon’s rim is a vision most ethereal, though wise travelers should ensure their vehicles are well-equipped for the elements. Snow in Cameron itself can happen a handful of times a year, but capture the moment

Gettin' There

For those who prefer to soar in upon wings of steel, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) presents the nearest aerodrome of consequence, sittin’ a mere hour’s ride south. Should one require a more cosmopolitan point of departure, Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) boasts a bevy of inbound flights, though it demands a three-hour sojourn northward through Arizona’s sunbaked wilderness.

Historic Highway 89 Bridge in Cameron, AZ

Renting a horseless-carriage—preferably with a constitution hearty enough for desert escapades—is non-negotiable. Public conveyances are non-existant, like my invitation to Buckingham Palace, and the open road is the lone path to unveil the region’s manifold marvels, from the towering spires of Monument Valley to the whisperin’ sands of the Painted Desert.

Where to Stay

Lodgin’ options in Cameron are as scarce as shade at high noon, but what it lacks in quantity, it compensates for in character. The Cameron Trading Post is a venerable bastion of frontier hospitality and offers accommodations imbued with the rustic grandeur of the Southwest. Replete with Navajo-inspired decor and vistas that stretch to the very edge of eternity, it is the finest and most proximate refuge for canyon-bound adventurers.

Book a Room at the Trading Post

Cameron Trading Post Motel

Navajo Land Hotel in Tuba City

Those seekin’ greater variety in their accommodations may wish to cast their lot with the towns of Flagstaff or Tuba City, the latter bein’ an especially fine choice for travelers bound for Monument Valley.

The NavajoLand Hotel in Tuba City provides a comfortable stay with a dose of local culture, servin’ as a fine waypoint for wanting a head start to Monument Valley, as opposed to slumbering in Cameron. While stayin’ here means a slightly longer drive from the canyon, round about 30 more minutes , it allows road-trippers to keep pushin’ forward without backtrackin’.

Book a Room in Tuba City

Grub

Ain’t no place servin’ up a more authentic taste of the Southwest than the Cameron Trading Post Restaurant, where weary travelers can indulge in the legendary Navajo taco—a golden disc of frybread so divine, one might suspect the angels themselves had a hand in its creation, and more than hearty enough for two people. You'd should also consider their mutton stew, a dish steeped in the traditions of the Diné people, warms both belly and spirit.

Navajo Taco at the Cameron Trading Post

Keep in mind the Trading Post's Restaurant is a sit-down affari, if you're more strapped with time and axions to hit the road travelers would do well to stock their provisions accordingly A Simpson's Market right on the intersection of Highways 89 & 64. Those hankerin’ for a broader selection of vittles may venture south to Flagstaff, where eateries abound in both refinement and rusticity.

Sight Seein'

Should one desire to revel in splendor beyond the yawning abyss of the Grand Canyon, Cameron stands as a sentinel to the Navajo Nation’s celestial wonders. Just northward lies Marble Canyon, Navajo Bridge, and Lee's Ferry, where the mighty Colorado begins its descent into the depths, its waters a ribbon of jade cuttin’ through the rust-hued stone.

Little Colorado River Gorge

To the east, the Little Colorado River Gorge Tribal Park presents a vision of raw, untamed majesty—a place where the land itself bears testament to the sheer force of time’s sculptin’ hand. This gash in the earth, lesser-known but no less spectacular than its larger cousin, slices through the desert in a sinuous dance of cliffs and crags. Managed by the Navajo Nation, this sacred land is a place of reverence, where the whisper of the canyon walls carries echoes of ancient traditions. Travelers with an eye for the profound and a taste for the undiscovered would do well to linger at its rim, takin’ in the sheer vertical grandeur and the ribbons of turquoise water far below.

A mere hop and a skip away, betwixt Cameron and Tuba City, the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks offer a prehistoric promenade, where fossilized footprints immortalize the titanic beasts that once thundered across these lands.

To the north, Lake Powell unfurls its sapphire waters, a stark contrast to the fiery hues of the desert, beckonin’ travelers with the promise of boating, fishin’, and explorin’ labyrinthine slot canyons.

Dogtown Lake

Monument Valley

For those with Monument Valley in their sights, Cameron makes a fine stopover en route to its legendary sandstone spires, sittin’ about a two-hour drive south of this cinematic wonderland. While an out-and-back excursion in a single day is possible for the ambitious traveler, many may prefer to craft a loop that includes both Monument Valley and Lake Powell, spendin’ a night in Kayenta or Page before returnin’ to Cameron. This allows time to soak in the grandeur of the land, whether it be the silhouetted buttes of Monument Valley at sunset or the glassy waters of Lake Powell reflectin’ the fiery glow of a desert sunrise.

Hiking

For those whose souls stir at the thought of a rugged, backcountry pilgrimage, the Hopi Salt Trail offers an odyssey worthy of the most intrepid wanderers. This formidable path descends precipitously into the depths of the Little Colorado River Gorge, a sacred landscape where the Hopi people have traversed for centuries to gather precious salt deposits. Unlike the more frequented trails of the Grand Canyon, the Salt Trail is a demanding undertaking, fraught with loose rock, steep descents, and an ever-present sense of isolation.

Hopi Salt Trail leads to turquois waters.

This journey is not for the faint-hearted, nor the ill-prepared—it requires keen navigation skills, sufficient water reserves, and an unwavering respect for the land’s spiritual significance. Those who embark upon its serpentine course will be rewarded with a vision of primordial grandeur, where towering cliffs hem in the turquoise ribbon of the Little Colorado River, and silence reigns but for the whisper of the wind and the occasional cry of an eagle overhead.

While this trek is a profound and humbling experience, it should not be attempted without proper preparation. Permits are required from the Navajo Nation, and hikers should be mindful that this is a revered and sacred landscape. Yet, for those who seek a true communion with the land—untouched, untamed, and unrelenting—the Hopi Salt Trail is an experience that will etch itself into the very marrow of their being.

Tours

Unlike some of its more bustling neighbors, Cameron ain’t exactly the place to saddle up for a guided excursion straight outta town. Those hankerin’ for a grand adventure will need to chart their own course, drivin’ to their desired destination before joinin’ a tour from there. But with so many world-renowned sights within a manageable ride, the effort is well worth it.

View from Grand Canyon Village

For those set on unravelin’ the majesty of the Grand Canyon, guided tours launch from the South Rim, an easy hour’s drive west. There, one can partake in everything from ranger-led walks to helicopter flights that soar high above the abyss. Monument Valley, a two-hour drive northeast, serves up jeep tours led by Navajo guides who weave history and folklore into the dramatic landscape. Meanwhile, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell—both reachable in under two hours—offer boat tours, slot canyon hikes, and float trips that glide through the sculpted waterways of the Colorado Plateau.

So while Cameron might not be the place to hop straight onto a tour, it sure makes for a mighty fine jumpin’ off point. A little drivin’ is all that stands between travelers and some of the Southwest’s most spectacular guided experiences.

Let's Wrap This Up!

Cameron, Arizona, may not boast the glitzy accommodations or tourist-packed promenades of its South Rim counterpart, but therein lies its allure. This is the West unvarnished, the land as it was and ever shall be—rugged, grand, and utterly untamed. Whether one stays a night or lingers long enough to weave themselves into the fabric of the land, Cameron offers a gateway not only to the Grand Canyon, but to the very soul of the frontier itself.