Williams, Arizona

Williams is a small town that is proud to celebrate its location on historic Route 66. Because of its location near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Williams is a major tourist stop and has many inns and motels. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service to Williams, operating its Southwest Chief between Chicago and Los Angeles. Rail passengers actually arrive and depart at Williams Junction, 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Williams, and are shuttled by Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach from Williams Junction to the Grand Canyon Railroad Station in downtown Williams. The downtown station also serves as the southern terminus for the Grand Canyon Railway. Because of these transportation services, Williams advertises itself as the ‘Gateway to the Grand Canyon’. The Historic Route 66 Fun Run occurs at the end of April each year. Williams is named after William "Old Bill" Williams, a mountain man and trader who often trapped in the area in the early 1800s.