Visiting this natural wonder in autumn is as much about dodging crowds and heat as saving money.
That said, while lodges in the national park itself tend to keep prices steady all year, room rates in nearby Flagstaff drop about 14% to an average of $93 a night once summer ends.
Those who don't mind a few hours' drive can cut costs further by flying into the Phoenix airport. Last fall, flights in and out of the city averaged $338, according to Hotwire.com, compared with $436 at the closer airport in Tusayan, Ariz.
If you know when to go, you can visit four great towns without paying sky-high prices.
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