Verkamp's Visitor Center
Visitor Center and closet structure to El Tovar.
Guide Sections
Use Verkamp's Visitor Center's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Auto Tour
Verkamp's Visitor Center Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Grand Canyon Village
John Verkamp was a pioneer in the history of Grand Canyon tourism, arriving at the South Rim in 1898 to sell souvenirs out of a tent before opening a more permanent curio shop in 1905. The original building still stands and now serves as a visitor's center convenient to the El Tovar. In addition to an information desk and bookstore, Verkamp's has an exhibit on the development of Grand Canyon Village. Park rangers are on hand to answer questions, and several Ranger-led educational talks and tours start here.