5 Awesome Campsites in Grand Canyon

by Aventura on October 02, 2022

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and for good reason. The natural wonder is home to some of the most incredible sights on Earth, and it's worth visiting just for that. But if you're going to visit such a popular place, it's important to have an idea of what you're doing.

The National Park Service has several campgrounds around the canyon that are open year-round, offering sites with hookups and primitive sites.

These campgrounds are great places to stay while you explore the park, but they're also a great way to explore the Grand Canyon while camping.

We've put together this guide with everything you need to know about camping at Grand Canyon National Park. From where to camp to what's allowed and not allowed, we've got all your bases covered. 

Can I Set Up My Tent Anywhere in the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon is an amazing place. It is one of the seven natural wonders, and it is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

If you are planning a camping trip to the Grand Canyon, there are a few things that you should know before you head out. The park itself has rules and regulations that must be followed, and it is important to know what they are before your trip so that you do not get into trouble with park rangers or other authorities.

One of the most important things to know about camping in the Grand Canyon is that there are certain campsites available only for those who have reservations in advance. These can be very difficult to obtain, but if you can get one by planning a little early, then your camping experience will be much more enjoyable.

Mather Campground and Desert View Campground, both located on the South Rim, are both bookable in advance. If you want to stay at Desert View Campground, you must make a reservation in advance. Since the Trailer Village RV Campground is operated by a commercial concessionaire rather than the park service, reservations can be made through VisitGrandCanyon.com.

In addition, the North Rim Campground, located on the North Rim, accepts bookings in advance through Recreation.gov. A camping spot at this park is highly sought after, thus booking in advance is highly recommended. 

5 Best Campsites in Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park has a lot of campsites. Some of them can be first-come, first-served, and many require a reservation. These are the best ones to sleep at in Grand Canyon:

Mather Campground

Mather Campground is one of the most popular campsites in Grand Canyon National Park. It's located near the South Rim, so it has easy access to the park's attractions and activities. The campground also has a store, laundry facilities, and showers.

There are 240 sites at Mather Campground; some are full hookup sites with electricity, water, and sewer connections. There are also tent sites available for those who don't have an RV or camper van to bring with them. Reservations aren't needed for these sites; they're available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

Photo: NPS by Christian Schroll | Mather Campground, Grand Canyon

Desert View Campground

Desert View Campground is located along the South Rim which is about 26 miles from the entrance to Grand Canyon Village. The campground is open year-round and has 50 campsites available for visitors to enjoy. Desert View is a beautiful place to spend the night while visiting the park, but there are some things you should know before making reservations.

The first thing to consider when booking a campsite at Desert View is what time of year you will be staying. You will want to avoid staying during the peak seasons like summer and winter because they are very busy times and can be difficult to get reservations during those seasons. Spring and fall are good times because they aren't as busy as summer or winter, but still offer great weather conditions for camping.

The second thing you should think about when booking a campsite at Desert View is whether or not you want an RV site or a tent site. If you want an RV site then you should book early because these types of sites fill up quickly due to their popularity among visitors who want larger areas for parking their vehicles and equipment such as trailers and campers.

Trailer Village Campground

Located on the South Rim, this campground is a great option for those who want to be near the rim and still want to enjoy some amenities. The Trailer Village offers more than 100 sites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites include full hookups and tent sites. Amenities include restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Reservations are not accepted but are strongly recommended during peak season (March through November).

North Rim Campground

The North Rim Campground is located along the North Rim Parkway, which is a scenic drive that loops around the north side of the Grand Canyon. The North Rim Campground is a great place for tent camping and car camping. The campground is located in Grand Canyon National Park and it's about as far away as you can get from the crowds of the South Rim. 

North Rim Campground has many sites available and is first come first serve only. You can keep your vehicle at the site with you during your stay, but there are no hook-ups or showers available at this location.

Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Camp is situated on the North Kaibab Trail and can be reached from either the Colorado River or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The South Rim receives around 90% of the total number of visitors, whereas the North Rim receives just about 10%. Because of this, the number of people staying at this campsite in the Grand Canyon has decreased.

In addition to this, it has a historic atmosphere that the Grand Canyon campsites on the South Rim that are located nearby just cannot compete with.

As there is still a significant amount of terrain to cover on the way back, most individuals who make the journey to Cottonwood are experienced hikers who have brought all of the necessary gear with them.

Camping in the Grand Canyon Can Be an Out of the World Experience

Camping in the Grand Canyon can be an out-of-this-world experience. It is a great way to enjoy nature and get to know yourself better. You can bring your tent or rent one at any of the campgrounds in and around the Grand Canyon. There are also plenty of hotels (and restaurants) nearby if you don't want to camp out overnight.

If you are looking for an exciting adventure with family or friends, then camping in the Grand Canyon should be at the top of your list. If you have never been there before, then make sure that you plan so that you will not have any problems with transportation or getting lost while hiking on trails with steep drop-offs and narrow paths that lead to breathtaking views from high altitudes where you can see miles upon miles into the distance as far as your eyes can see!


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