A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Hull Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Kaibab National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona. 9.8 miles from Tusayan.

Managed by
Forest Service Kaibab National Forest
Sites
1 1 cabin non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Located just steps away from the world-famous Grand Canyon National Park, Hull Cabin is the oldest historic structure in the area. It provides a variety of amenities, as well as access to multiple recreational activities within the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest . Visitors enjoy miles of trails, fishing at the nearby tanks, sightseeing and viewing the region's abundant wildlife.

The cabin can be accessed by vehicle. A portion of the roadway is graded gravel, requiring slower speeds. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

With miles upon miles of national forest and park lands to explore, visitors have no shortage of outdoor activities from which to choose. Hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking are available on an 800-mile segment of the Arizona Trail, as well as within Grand Canyon National Park.

Fishing can usually be accessed at nearby Russell Tank during an average or high water season. The small Hull Tank, located near the cabin, is a prime watering hole for wildlife such as elk, mule deer, wild turkey, javelina and numerous birds and raptors. Lucky visitors may even have the chance to spot an endangered California condor.

Facilities

The cabin sleeps up to six people. It consists of a bedroom, living room and a fully equipped kitchen. The bedroom has two sets of twin-sized bunk beds, and there is one queen-sized futon in the living room.

Kitchen supplies include indoor plumbing (water is hauled to the site), an oven, stove, refrigerator with freezer, dishes, utensils, pots, pans and some cleaning supplies.

A separate shower house is located just outside the cabin and contains a vault toilet and two shower stalls with solar shower attachments ( click here for more cabin details).

A firewood enclosure is located next to the shower house.

Guests must bring their own food, bedding (sheets, blankets, pillows and/or sleeping bags), towels for the bathroom and kitchen, garbage bags, warm clothing, dish soap, flashlights and an axe for splitting wood for the outdoor fire pit. Visitors must bring their own solar-shower bladder bags for use of the outdoor shower.

Natural Features

The cabin sits in a secluded meadow surrounded by a stand of old growth ponderosa pine trees, at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The location provides easy access to Grandview Lookout Tower, which offers 360-degree views of the canyon and surrounding forest.

The building originated as a one-room homestead, constructed by the Hull family in the late 1880s with hand-hewn logs. It was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in 1907 for use as a ranger station. In 1985, the cabin was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Summer temperatures on the South Rim are relatively pleasant, but weather can be unpredictable. Visitors should come prepared for changeable mountain weather, cold nights, thunderstorms or even snow.

Nearby Attractions

Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim is a must-see for visitors and is located just a mile away. The South Rim is the most accessible part of the park and is open all year. The nearby town of Tusayan also offers restaurants, hotels, gift shops, a general store and various tours.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fire lookouts/cabins overnight
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Hull Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in. The federal record’s point for it sits at a very different height from the one the agency describes, so the pin may be off: trust the directions above over the map.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated August 23, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.