Kolb Studio Tour
Join Grand Canyon Conservancy for a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Kolb Studio Residence!
- Dates:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trip Length: One Hour
- Cost: $30/person
- Group size: 8
A Family Home and Photography Studio
Kolb Studio appears to be just an old house perched on the rim of the canyon. However, if you step inside, or see it from Bright Angel Trail on your hike out of the canyon, you get the sense it is much more than that.
This is the Victorian-era home of the Kolb Brothers, who created a lasting legacy of adventure, exploration, family love, and amazing Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the canyon itself.
Photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb helped turn the Grand Canyon into a national icon. They built Kolb Studio, one of the earliest tourist destinations on the South Rim. The brothers began to take photographs of the mule riders from a small toll shack on the Bright Angel Trail. The toll shack would later become today's five story home, theater and photo studio built right on the edge of the canyon! The studio was used to document the trips of visitors and create imagery of Grand Canyon for 75 years.
Contact gccfi@grandcanyon.org for private tours or additional dates and times.
The Kolb Studio is preserved on the edge of the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, having once been the home and photography studio of the Amazing Kolb Brothers. The Kolb Brothers brought the beauty and adventure of the Grand Canyon into millions of people’s hearts and minds through their photography, back when a photograph was hard to come by. Take a “Minute Out In It” to listen to excerpts of The Grand Canyon Film Show as narrated by Emery Kolb himself. And be sure to visit the Kolb Studio on your next visit to Grand Canyon National Park! Video by NPS R/Lane.
Trip Details
- Learn about the wonders of the Kolb Family from an experienced, expert guide
- Walk through the home of Emery, Blanche, Edith, Ellsworth and family
- Expect to see sweeping views of the canyon from a home on the edge
- Learn about the fascinating history of private entrepreneurship and art at Grand Canyon
- Grab some of the best photos of your vacation
Video of the photography room in Kolb Studio
Itinerary
Your group will meet our guide in the gallery of Kolb Studio, where we will weave the stories of the Kolb family into our behind-the-scenes tour. Very few people ever get a chance to visit the rooms throughout this once-private home. You'll get a glimpse of what it was like to live on the rim of Grand Canyon in the early part of the 20th Century.
Meet Location: Gallery (downstairs) of Kolb Studio
Time: 1 hour
End location: Kolb Studio
- Contact gccfi@grandcanyon.org for private tours or additional dates and times
Emery (a young photographer) and Ellsworth (a budding adventurer) put Grand Canyon on the tourist map.
The brothers filmed the first ever moving picture of the mighty Colorado and performed stunning and death-defying photography stunts, just to show the magnificence of Grand Canyon.
The Kolb family created a business on the edge (quite literally).
They built a home, a life, and family in the very studio that is used to show artwork today.
What's included
Price for the class includes:
Our expert instructor.
Behind the scenes access to the lower stories of Kolb Family Home
Instructions on best places to park
What's not included
You are responsible for:
Being on time (once the tour group has gone behind the residence tours, we cannot allow access)
Reading, understanding, and signing the Assumption of Risk Form before the start of your tour
Transportation to and from the Canyon
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation 15-20% of trip cost, read this article to receive more guidance)
Cancellation Policy
If a cancellation is made more than 72 hours before the start of the tour, a 50% refund will be issued. If the cancellation is made within 24 hours of the tour's start, no refund will be provided, and the full program fee will be retained. All reservations retain a 10% administrative fee.
Reserved spots are transferable to different trips, if there is availability. This transfer can occur up to 14 days prior to the trip's start date.
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trip due the following circumstances; failure to meet the participant minimum and loss of scheduled staff due to injury or illness. In this event, participants will receive a full refund.
In addition, Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute may cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather events, natural disasters, park closures, and health emergencies, and there is no alternative trip available to you. In this event, if Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute cancels 5 days or more prior to departure, the customer will receive a full refund. If the trip is a day or private program and GCCFI cancels 4 days or less the customer will receive trip credit.
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute is not responsible for: flight tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear, medical expenses, clothing, and any expenses occurred while preparing for this trip.
We highly recommend the purchase of trip insurance to help offset any cost incurred if cancellation occurs.
Testimonials
The Zelkovic Family
“Our day with the Field Institute exceeded all our expectations and we came away with a great respect for the canyon and for the work of the Conservancy. It was such a wonderful experience from beginning to end and hope we can return in the not so distant future to participate in one of your multi-day programs.”
The Jankowskis
“Our family’s experience was nothing short of amazing! Slim (our guide) provided a perspective we would have never been able to get on our own and we learned so much. Her passion for the canyon and what she does came through too, which made our time something we’ll never forget!”
Amy Waits
“The guides were awesome – so educational and patient!!! Encouraging & helpful in every way. Such an amazing first visit to the canyon – Life changing to have experienced the GC up close & personal… Thank you so much!”
Joe Sweeney
“I've brought many school groups to the Field Institute and the quality of instruction provides them with an understanding of Indigenous cultures, diverse ecology, and geologic history. Students leave with a stronger sense of self-confidence, an intimate connection to nature, and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Andy M.
“Top to bottom, the Field Institute exceeded all of my expectations .... they ensured we packed wisely for our trip and saved me from lugging around 5 lbs. of junk I didn't need. Overall, it's packed with value that I don't think commercial outfitters would provide and delivered a deeply rich experience.”