(10,000 x 2608) Looking up the muddy Colorado River from the River Trail towards the Silver and Black Bridges and Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon National Park

The Phantom Ranch area is unique, a last vestige of riparian habitat in Arizona. It also boasts a long history of human occupation. In some ways it has remained remarkably unchanged—still remote, still accessible only by foot, mule, or river. But it is a dynamic environment. Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground, like the rest of the park, are under tremendous pressure from public use. Demand for use far exceeds the carrying capacity of the fragile desert and riparian environments. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn.

To spend the night in a Phantom Ranch dormitory or cabin an advanced reservation with Xanterra Parks & Resorts is required <a href="http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging-704.ht" rel="nofollow">www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging-704.ht</a> ml

To camp at Bright Angel Campground you must obtain a backcountry permit from the National Park Service <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcount" rel="nofollow">www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcount</a> ry-permit.htm

National Park Service rangers at Phantom Ranch, challenged to provide for the enjoyment of the visitor and the ecosystem around you, have embraced numerous strategies. You also play an important role. Do your part. Stay on trails. Don’t feed the animals. Carry out your trash.