Planning your next adventure to the Grand Canyon National Park and wondering where to sleep? Whether you’re a camper or an RV enthusiast, we’ve compiled the ultimate campground guide to help you make the most of your stay, including information on reservations, amenities, and nearby options.
Can I Camp Anywhere in the Grand Canyon?
No, you can’t just set up your tent anywhere at the Grand Canyon. The park offers four established campgrounds, three on the South Rim (Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and Trailer Village RV Campground) and one on the North Rim. Additionally, there are backcountry campgrounds like Havasupai Gardens, Bright Angel, and Cottonwood accessible by hiking or mule rides.
For the best chance of securing a backcountry permit, submit your permit application during the Earliest Consideration period, up to four months in advance.
How Much Does It Cost to Camp at the Grand Canyon?
While camping is cheaper than staying in a hotel, it’s not free. As of 2023, prices vary: Mather Campground ranges from $18-$50/night, Desert View is $18/night, and Trailer Village RV Campground starts at $64/night. Reservations are essential and can be made online.
Read More: How To Charge Phone While Camping
South Rim Campgrounds Inside Grand Canyon National Park
Mather Campground:
Nestled in a pinon-juniper and ponderosa pine forest, Mather Campground offers over 300 spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Pets are allowed on leash, and amenities include running water, electrical outlets, a dump station for RVs, and a horse camp. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Desert View Campground:
Located 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village, Desert View Campground has 50 secluded sites surrounded by pinon and juniper trees. Advance reservations are required, and it’s open from April to October. Facilities include flushing toilets and sinks, but no showers.
Trailer Village RV Campground:
Ideal for RVers, this concessionaire-operated RV park offers full hook-ups for RVs up to 50 feet long. Open year-round, it’s close to the South Rim village. No wood fires are allowed, but charcoal fires are permitted.
Campgrounds Outside the South Rim of Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Village RV Park & Campground:
Located 1 mile from the South Entrance, this privately-owned campground offers tent and RV sites with 30/50 amp full hook-ups. There’s also free dispersed camping near Tusayan and Ten-X Campground in Kaibab National Forest.
Bonito Campground:
18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, this National Forest Service-run campground near Sunset Crater National Monument offers 44 first-come, first-served sites amid ponderosa pine trees. Open spring through mid-October.
Read More: Eiland Van Maurik Camping
North Rim Campgrounds Inside Grand Canyon National Park
North Rim Campground:
With 90 sites, picnic tables, and campfire rings, this developed campground is close to the visitor center and Grand Canyon Lodge. Facilities include water spigots, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Tuweep Campground:
Remote and challenging to access, Tuweep Campground requires a permit in advance. Only reachable by high-clearance vehicles, it offers nine small campsites with minimal facilities.
Campgrounds Outside the North Rim
DeMotte Campground: Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, this campground 7 miles north of the North Rim offers 38 campsites. Half can be reserved in advance, and it’s open mid-May through mid-October.
Jacob Lake Campground: Located 45 miles from the North Rim entrance, this U.S. Forest Service-operated campground offers 51 sites and can be reserved through Recreation.gov.
Kaibab Camper Village: A commercial campground near Jacob Lake with full hookups for large RVs and tent sites. Pet-friendly and open mid-May through mid-October.
Dispersed Camping near the Grand Canyon
There are options for dispersed camping near both the South and North Rims. Fence Point, part of Kaibab National Forest, offers primitive camping with rim-side views, accessible by a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle.
Backcountry Campgrounds Down in the Grand Canyon
Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Garden):
A stunning backcountry campground halfway between the South Rim and the Colorado River, accessible via the Bright Angel Trail. It has 15 sites with picnic tables, pack poles, and metal food storage cans.
Bright Angel Campground:
Accessible via the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trails, this beautiful backcountry site requires effort to reach. The Bright Angel Trail is 9.9 miles, while the South Kaibab Trail offers panoramic views.
Use this comprehensive guide to plan your camping adventure at the Grand Canyon in 2024, considering reservation requirements, amenities, and the unique experiences each campground offers.
Read More: How to Find Dispersed Camping
