Best Camping Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world and is one of the most well known landmarks in the United States. It’s no wonder that it gets so many visitors a year, and is a popular spot for camping trips.

If you are planning to explore the Grand Canyon National Park on a camping trip then you will need to make sure you choose the right campground.

We have put together this list to tell you everything you need to know. Keep reading to find out more.

1 . North Rim Campground

North Rim campground is a seasonal campground that is open from May through to October (exact dates vary year on year depending on the climate).

It is available for use in the Winter to people that have a backcountry permit, but you must be prepared for the weather. This tends to be a popular option for people who like snowshoeing, winter hiking and cross-country skiing.

The North rim is only visited by around 10% of people who go to the Grand Canyon, so it is quieter than many other spots. The North Rim itself has an elevation of over 8000 feet.

There is a visitor center at the North Rim with a shop, an exhibit and a patio seating area to make the most of the outstanding views.

If you want to appreciate some of the best views of the Grand Canyon without having to face the hordes of tourists and bus trips etc then this could be the perfect campground for you.

There are 87 camping spots at the campground, 12 of which are tent only. There are no hookups, but the site has other facilities – potable water, flushable toilets and compostable toilets, laundry, a dump station, and coin operated hot showers.

These facilities are seasonal, and will not be available to winter campers. There are designated areas for campfires on the campground.

2 . Mather Campground

This campground is very different from North Rim Campground. It is on the South Rim and is much larger, with 327 camping spaces, 55 of which are tent only. There are no hookups, but each site has a cooking grate, a picnic table and plenty of parking space.

Generators are allowed in the campground, except for in the section designated for tents (Pine Loop). There is a free dumpsite which is very handy. There are also flushable toilets and hot showers onsite.

Although this is a large campground, the sites are well spaced out which means it doesn’t feel too crowded.

Pets are allowed in the campground if they are kept on a leash, but make sure you check the temperatures first as it can get very warm in the summer. There is also a horse camp for those people who are exploring the area on horseback.

3 . Desert View Campground

The Desert View Campground has some of the most panoramic views of the Grand Canyon from the South Ridge. It is more secluded than some of the other spots, and only has 50 spaces which makes it nice and quiet.

There are no hookups and all of the sites are suitable for tents and RVs under 30 feet. There are no hookups, but you can run a generator between the hours of 7am and 9am and 6pm to 8pm.

Each spot has a picnic table and a fire ring with a cooking grill and the sites are well spaced out. Pets are allowed on the campground if they are kept on a leash. There are no showers or laundry facilities on this campground, but there are flushable toilets.

You need to book online if you want to use this campground. Spaces can fill up quickly, sometimes up to 6 months in advance over peak weekends.

However, you can phone up if you want to try and make a same day reservation.

4. Trailer Village RV Park

We have included this campground on our list because it is the only South Rim campground that offers full hookups for RVs including sewage, water, and both 30 amp and 50 amp electrical options.

It’s also open all year round, so you can use your RV to stay cozy if you want to visit the Grand Canyon during the colder months. There are 123 sites on this campground and none of them are suitable for tents – it is an RV only campground.

These spaces fill up quickly and can be reserved online up to 13 months in advance. If you intend on visiting during peak season (May through to October) then you might need to book a year in advance.

This campground benefits from year round facilities like flushable restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, trash and recycling, a dump station, and a camp store.

You can stay in this campground in an RV up to 50 feet long, so it is the ideal choice if you have a large RV.

5 . Bright Angel Campground

This campground is a little different as it is at the bottom of the canyon rather than on one of the ridges. It takes its name from Bright Angel Creek, a tributary of the Colorado river half a mile North of the campground.

The campground is right on the creek, so you can follow it upstream to find the river along with a canteen selling snacks and drinks. This campground benefits from flushable toilets, drinking water, and picnic tables.

The campground is well shaded by cottonwood trees which is ideal for hot summer days. You need to reserve online to use this campground, and you will also need to have a backcountry permit.

There are only 32 spaces and they fill up pretty quickly, though a lot of them for one night only. Backpackers often use this campground for a single night at the beginning or end of their trek.

6. Havasupai Campground

This campground was closed to the public for some time but is now taking reservations again. Reservations are managed by the Havasupai tribe as the campground is on the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

The campground has drinking water, restrooms and picnic tables for guests to use. There are no campfires allowed on this campground, and you must not consume any alcohol on the reservation.

A lot of people use this campsite if they want to visit the Havasupai Falls, an area of great natural beauty that is a paradise of blue/green water. You can also fish in Havasu Creek.

These attractions and the campground itself are only accessible via an 8-10 mile hike, a pack mule or a helicopter. If you are looking for a taste of adventure, this could be the perfect option for you.

This is a very sought after campground and it can be hard to secure a booking – the native tribe has previously had issues with too many visitors causing flood damage.

7. Cottonwood Campground

This campground below the quieter North Rim requires a backcountry permit. It’s not too far from Bright Angel Creek – perfect for staying cool on a warm day or for gathering water in off peak months when less facilities are available on the campground.

The toilets are available all year round, as is the emergency phone, but the drinking water is only seasonal. This is a great campground if you want to spot some local wildlife.

Keep an eye out for squirrels, deer and ring-tailed cats. It’s also a good spot for camping, with plenty of great trails nearby.

This campsite is best reached on foot, so it is only suitable for tents rather than RVs. It is in a very quiet area of the Grand Canyon which is ideal if you are seeking peace and calm, and you want to get close to nature.

8. Ten-X Campground

This campground is in the Kaibab National Forest and is very close to the South Rim entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. It has 70 sites along with two areas designated for group camping (which a special permit is required for).

The sites are well spaced out and each site can accommodate up to 8 people. There are water hydrants, but there are no other sources of water. The facilities are very basic – toilet pits and fire pits – but the campground is generally clean and tidy and is great if you aren’t looking for luxury.

This campground is at an elevation of 6600 feet and nestled in forest – a lovely spot for hiking and exploring. There is a short nature walk around the campground which is perfect for appreciating the plant life and spotting different wildlife species nearby.

It is walking distance to the Grand Canyon park, and also close to Tusayan town. Here, you can take part in activities such as horseback riding, helicopter rides over the grand canyon, and various tours and excursions.

Summary

These campgrounds are the best places to stay if you are visiting the Grand Canyon National Park.