Fred Harvey’s Hermit Camp

Cover artwork showing the Hermit Camp

Today at the office, we were looking at an old softcover book published by the Fred Harvey company called “The Story of the Grand Canyon.” The book was originally published in 1917, but our copy is a tenth edition published in 1926. On the cover of the book is a drawing of the old Hermit Camp with the towering walls of the Redwall Limestone behind it. On our rafting trips in Grand Canyon we occasionally do a hike we call the “Granite to Hermit” hike. The hike starts at Granite Rapids, follows Monument Creek up past its namesake and eventually reaches the Tonto Platform. From there the hike follows the Tonto downstream to the Hermit Drainage, descends into Hermit Creek, and finally ends at Hermit Rapid. Right before the trail leaves the Tonto Platform and heads down into Hermit Creek there are a series of foundations and other ruins from the old Hermit Camp that can be seen off to the left. The hike is a favorite to many because of the feeling of being in the middle of it all–the rim, the river, the side canyons, the buttes and mesas, the temples. There are fantastic views in all directions. There is also some really interesting history related to the Hermit Camp. Seeing the cover of the book sparked our interest to learn more.

Back to the Early 1900s.

The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway reached the rim of the Grand Canyon around the turn of the century, and they desired to bring folks down into the Grand Canyon for monetary reasons. Ralph Cameron controlled the Bright Angel Trail at the time and he was charging a toll for everyone who traversed the trail. So, the Railway went to the next best place to build a trail, which turned out to be the Hermit Trail. The route, like most in Grand Canyon, had been used by Native Americans. The Railway hired the L.J. Smith Construction Company to build a trail big enough for the safe passage of people and equines. The trail was named after the “Hermit,” Louis Boucher, who operated several mines and prospected in the area. During this same time frame the railroad constructed the Hermit Camp on the Tonto Platform next to Hermit Creek. Guests would start their trip with a 9 mile stagecoach ride from the Train Station to Hermit’s rest. At Hermit’s rest they would ride mules down the trail to the camp, usually arriving early in the afternoon. From there, many guests would walk the short distance down Hermit Creek to the Colorado River and return back to the Hermit Camp in the early evening. The scene would probably look similar to Phantom Ranch today with guests eating together and telling tales of their Grand Canyon experience. After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, guests would return to Hermit’s Rest via a Mule, and then ride the stage coach back to the Train Station and the El Tovar.

Fred Harvey Postcard Showing Hermit Camp around 1920

Fred Harvey Takes Over

The Hermit Camp was operated by the Fred Harvey Company, a partner of the railroad. Plenty of time and money was put into the venture to provide first class accommodations. Guests stayed in tent cabins that featured windows, Native American rugs, and stoves. In addition, visitors had electricity, telephone service, and even showers. The central dining room was complete with meat, vegetables, fresh fruit, and ice. The building cost of the trail and camp was about $100,000.00. In 1912 the camp was composed of 11 canvas tent cabins and a Dining Hall. At full capacity the camp could accommodate 30 guests. In 1927 the mule trip, overnight accommodations, and the meals cost $18.25 per person. With inflation this translates to about $275 per person today, close to the same price of a trip to Phantom Ranch today.



In 1914 Mary Colter designed Hermit’s Rest at the beginning of the Hermit trail as a place to relax and buy gifts after hiking the Hermit Trail. In 1925-26 a 4000 foot aerial tram was built from Pima Point down to the Hermit Camp. The tram was used to ship supplies to the camp. In 1930, the National Park Service (NPS) persuaded the railroad to abandon Hermit Trail and Hermit Camp and focus its attention on Phantom Ranch. This lead to the closing of Hermit Camp which had hosted thousands of guests in its 18 year run.

Photo of the Hermit Camp Tramway that transported supplies from Pima Point down the to Camp from 1926-1930

Grand Canyon National Park Service

In 1930 the NPS had recently purchased the Bright Angel Trail from Ralph Cameron and completed a rim to rim trail along the North and South Kaibab. In addition they believed it would be better to develop one central corridor of trails and lodging to protect the Grand Canyon for future generations. Phantom Ranch also was a more desirable location than the Hermit Camp because of its proximity to the Colorado River and Bright Angel Creek. Hermit Camp continued to deteriorate until 1936 when the NPS ordered the dismantling of it. The tram was taken down and the buildings were destroyed. In November, during a cold night, visitors near Grand Canyon Village watched a huge blaze, as anything left of the camp was burned to the ground. The only remnants of the camp today are the tramway’s concrete foundation, steel wheels and cables, a cellar, a corral, and the concrete building foundations and sidewalks. So next time you find yourself hiking the Granite-Hermit Loop in conjunction with a Grand Canyon rafting trip be sure to check out this interesting piece of Grand Canyon history.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

More About the Fred Harvey’s Hermit Camp

Sandy beach inside a cavern overlooks a river, with red rock canyon walls and a blue sky.

Horseshoe Bend Section of the Colorado River

February 15, 2026
The Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam flows through the lower reaches of Glen Canyon on its way to Lees Ferry , forming one of the most studied and discussed stretches of river in the American Southwest. Released from the base of the dam, the water is typically clear and tightly controlled. In recent years, however, lower water levels in Lake Powell have caused releases to come from shallower depths, warming the river compared to past decades and changing the conditions downstream. This reach is calm and approachable, making it a popular destination for kayaking, rafting, fishing, and flatwater exploration. Visitors often take time to linger along the banks, explore side canyons, and pull over at small beaches and alcoves—experiencing the river at an unhurried pace that encourages observation and learning.  Quick facts about this stretch of river naturally help frame why it matters:
Glen Canyon Dam with bridge and canyon walls under a blue sky. Water flows towards the dam.

A Colorado River Guide: Dirty Devil to Bullfrog

February 12, 2026
The Dirty Devil River joins the Colorado River at River Mile 169.5. John Wesley Powell camped at this confluence on July 28, 1869, describing the tributary as extremely muddy and foul-smelling. Jack Sumner later named it the Dirty Devil. The Dirty Devil is formed by the confluence of Muddy Creek and the Fremont River near present-day Hanksville, Utah. The Fremont River originates at Fish Lake and flows along the Waterpocket Fold through Capitol Reef National Park. Muddy Creek drains the San Rafael Swell. Historic Context — Powell’s Expeditions: Powell’s 1869 expedition recorded the Dirty Devil as both a geographic reference and a warning. In his later expeditions of 1871–72, Powell returned with improved boats and a scientific mandate. Tributaries such as the Dirty Devil became fixed reference points for mapping and geologic observation. Powell’s journals note the heavy silt load and poor water quality here, and his party avoided using the Dirty Devil as a water source when possible.
Camping gear on a sandy beach near a red rock wall and river under a cloudy sky.

Camping and Dining

February 12, 2026
Camping and Dining