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Valle, AZ is being renamed to Grand Canyon Junction, AZ

“Grand Canyon Junction” is a geographically appropriate name and can revitalize the region to be envisioned for what it is, an important gateway community and scenic stopover on the way to Grand Canyon National Park.
January 2023 Update: The Grand Canyon Junction name change request was declined by the Arizona Board on Geographic and Historic Names.
Current Status of Name Change

The Grand Canyon Junction Coalition

The Valle area has some of the finest scenic vistas and views of northern AZ and the Coconino Plateau. Wildlife is plentiful; raptors, antelope, deer, elk, bobcats, badgers, coyotes and many other animals make their home here. It’s also known for its incredible sunsets, moon rises and horizon-to-horizon views of the Milky Way.

A Valle Area Plan was created by Coconino County in October 1999. The plan’s VISION STATEMENT highlighted the area as having “… a future of promising opportunities” and a desire to “… maintain its freedom of expression through varied architecture and business themes.” In addition, its “… proximity to the Grand Canyon National Park also requires consideration and respect for the unique environmental sensitivity of the region.”

We hope the name change facilitates and builds momentum for the vision of “Grand Canyon Junction” becoming an inspiration for economic prosperity, residential improvements and keep the area scenic for travelers.

Valle / Grand Canyon Junction is an unincorporated area that encompasses approximately 300 square miles of Coconino County made up of various Subdivisions, State Trust, Forest Service and Rural Un-subdivided tracts of land. It extends from the junction of Hwy 180 and SR 64 north to the Kaibab National Forest boundary, south to the Red Lake Area Plan boundary at Howard Lake, and approximately eleven (11) miles west and seven (7) miles east of the Hwy 180 and SR 64 Junction.

Valle / Grand Canyon Junction is a unique community emerging from a rich history of ranching, railroads and highways to the Grand Canyon. Valle / Grand Canyon Junction can continue to grow and have a future of promising opportunities. Due to its location at the junction of Highways 180 and 64, the main routes to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the community is uniquely situated. With increasing tourism to the region and a limited private land base closer to the Canyon in Tusayan, there are opportunities to assist in providing visitor services at Valle / Grand Canyon Junction.

Only 25 miles from the Grand Canyon National Park, the environment is very different from the environment surrounding the main South Rim portion of the Park. This contrasting environment is part of the essence of the region and community, and preserving it is important.

It is the uniqueness of the area which emphasizes the diversity important to the residents, and which is a critical element to maintain in developing a vision for the future and growing with the times.