Cliff Dwellers Lodge

Cliff Dwellers Lodge sits on Highway 89A in Marble Canyon, a stretch of high desert between the Vermilion Cliffs and the Colorado River that feels a world apart from the ponderosa forest up at Jacob Lake. The stone-and-timber property has cabin-style rooms, a restaurant with patio seating, and a fishing store, and it's earned a 4.7 rating from 655 reviews on the strength of that combination. Reviewers consistently call the rooms comfortable and reasonably priced, and more than one says they've driven up from as far as Phoenix just for lunch.

What to do here

• Book a guided kayak trip on the Colorado River through the lodge's outfitter desk — it's the most-mentioned highlight in recent reviews
• Eat on the patio and take in the Vermilion Cliffs scenery, especially with fall color in the surrounding canyon country
• Stop in the fishing store for local gear and advice before heading toward Lees Ferry

The restaurant and front desk are open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. It's a convenient, no-fuss base for exploring Marble Canyon and a genuinely scenic detour on the way to or from the North Rim, about an hour's drive from Jacob Lake.