Grandview Lookout Cabin, AZ 2024
On the heels of the Grand Canyon’s southern rim is the Grandview Lookout Cabin, a historic Forest Service compound and popular tourist site for those venturing the world-famous Arizona Trail (AZT).
PROJECT PARTNER: Kaibab National Forest
SESSION DATES: October 13-18
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Sarah Mees!
CREW LEADER: Matt McKay!
Project Site Description & History
Located on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, the cabin at the Grandview Lookout Tower serves as a popular recreational stop for folks embarking on the Arizona Trail (AZT) and is just 4 miles from the breathtaking Grandview Point, a spectacular place to see one the America’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders! Built in 1936, the cabin was constructed as residence for seasonal fire lookouts who manned the adjacent lookout tower.
In 1988 the cabin was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places and represents the forest service’s long-standing commitment to fire protection as well as encapsulating Theodore Roosevelt’s New Deal policies that have shaped today’s approach to public lands management through the conservation movement of the mid-twentieth century.
We’re sure this will be a popular project for folks, so please act quickly and secure your spot at the Grandview Lookout Cabin as we gear up to restore and replace exterior elements of the cabin, rehabilitate wood windows sashes, wood screens, and more! Visit the Kaibab National Forest’ website for more information.
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: October 13-18
Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.
LOCATION: Located approximately two hours north of Flagstaff, AZ.
ACCESS: 
Tents, truck-campers, campervans, trailers and RVs will have access to our campground. There is an unlimited amount of dispersed camping around the compound. Showers will not be available and dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. Weather conditions may be rainy, cloudy, or sunny. Volunteers are responsible for checking weather conditions before their session begins, and packing appropriately.
Scope of Work
HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Grandview Lookout Cabin:
- Construct ADA ramp with a removable wooden ramp and surrounding driveway aggregate
- Construct fence around the perimeter
- Repoint chimney
Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.
Sign Up!
We’re thrilled this project has inspired you to volunteer!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Visit our Job Calendar to see spaces are available!
*All registrations submitted to projects at capacity will be automatically added to our waitlist.*
CANCELLATIONS effect our ability to complete projects. Please register only if you are certain about your ability to participate.
You will know your registration was successful when you receive a confirmation email. Contact volunteer@historicorps.org for assistance.
HistoriCorps does not charge for its volunteering projects. HistoriCorps relies on donations to continue engaging volunteers to save significant historical sites across America for generations to come. Your donation of any amount will make an incredible difference! Increase your impact – make a generous gift today.
Volunteer Logistics, Policies, and Advice
We’re so glad you’re interested in joining this project! If you’re new to our community, review the Volunteer FAQ first! Please note the following logistics and policies:
- Volunteering with HistoriCorps is free! We will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite or shared indoor lodging. Dinner is not provided on the first night.
- Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own gear, work gloves, sturdy work clothes and boots, and appropriate sleeping equipment. Check the average temperatures before you start packing – the nights and mornings may be colder than you anticipate! Then, read this advice about how to stay warm when tent camping in colder places.
- Campsite accessibility varies by project. Some projects can accommodate tents only; others can accommodate small RVs. Please review the project site description above for more information, and if you’re still not sure, email volunteer@historicorps.org for help.
- If this project does not offer showers, you might want to consider bringing a solar shower or research other methods to clean up after the work day.
- Volunteer crew sizes generally range from 4-8 volunteers, with two HistoriCorps staff that lead and train volunteers in the work.
- Safety is one of HistoriCorps’ top priorities, and volunteers can contribute to a safe working environment by ensuring their physical fitness is adequate for the work. See above for this project’s scope of work and difficulty level. Please, call us if you are not quite sure if a project is a good fit for your skills or fitness level. We may be able to suggest a project more suitable and enjoyable for you.
- Hard hats, eye protection, ear protection, gloves are standard personal protection equipment (PPE) required on all projects. Hard hats must be worn at all times on the project site, unless working in a designated safe space. Field staff will train volunteers on correct use of PPE.
- Dogs are generally allowed to accompany their humans in project campsites (actually, we love having dogs join us around the campfire!). Dogs are not permitted on the job site for everyone's safety. HOWEVER: HistoriCorps also follows the rules and regulations of our project partner. If the project partner does not permit dogs onsite then HistoriCorps is no exception. Please ask HistoriCorps or the project partner directly if you have any questions about whether Fido is welcome.