Camping in Grand Canyon National Park

 

Visit this webpage (updated daily) for a list of what is open, hours of operation, and COVID-19 updates.

 
Grand Canyon National Park Campground snapshots showing RV and tent sites on the South Rim and North Rim.
 

This page has information about Developed Campgrounds — where vehicles are permitted.


If you would like to backpack and camp inside Grand Canyon, you will need a backcountry permit. Details >

National Park Service Campgrounds

All campgrounds within the park book up well in advance. Campground reservations can be made online through recreation.gov —up to 6 months in advance, or by calling them at 1-877-444-6777.

Note: National Park Service campgrounds in the park do not have RV hook-ups

 

South Rim Campgrounds - Open All Year

 
two tents in a campsite beneath tall pine trees, There is also a picnic table.
Mather Campground - South Rim Village

Large campground without hookups. Open all year. Laundry & Showers. Centrally located. Free shuttle bus service.

a row of 6 recreational vehicles each parked on a pull-through pad in a campground.
Trailer Village - South Rim Village

RV Campground with full hookups. Open All Year. Centrally located. Free shuttle bus service

 

South Rim Campgrounds - Seasonal

 
In a paved campsite, a white SUV with a gray and white tent attached at the rear.
South Rim: Desert View - Seasonal

Seasonal. Closes for the season on October 16, 2023. No hookups. 23 miles (37 km) east of Grand Canyon Village. Reservations are Required.

A blue tent, a picnic table and a metal cooking grill in a campsite surrounded by pine trees,
South Rim: Ten-X Campground - Seasonal

National Forest Campground. Open May 15 through Sept. 30, 2023. No hookups. 9 miles (14 km) south of Village. Reservations Recommended.

 

North Rim Campgrounds - Seasonal

 
a blue and white dome tent and a picnic table in a campsite surrounded by golden aspen trees.
North Rim Campground - Seasonal

Inside the park. No Hookups. Sites are by reservation only through recreation.gov. Open from June 9, through October 15, 2023.

a trailer parked within a campsite with towering pine trees in the background.
DeMotte Campground - Seasonal

National Forest Campground - No Hookups. 7 miles (11 km) north of the park boundary. Open mid-May to mid-October, 2023.

 

How Do I Decide Which Rim to Visit ?

 
Sunset from Mather Point on the South Rim.
Sunset from Mather Point

Most People Visit Grand Canyon's South Rim

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open all year and is located on the "Arizona" side of the Canyon. The South Rim is close to Interstate 40 and the transportation centers of Williams, Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona. The South Rim also has a local airport and rail service. 90% of travelers visit the South Rim.

Since it is easier to get to, the South Rim is very busy, and during the summer season, campgrounds hustle and bustle and are often filled to capacity. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Detailed information about camping on the South Rim (including Desert View)
Along with the closest campgrounds that are outside of the park.

 
Viewing the canyon from the patio of Grand Canyon Lodge.
View from Grand Canyon Lodge's veranda.

North Rim is Harder to Get to, and is More Wild and Secluded

Because of its 8,000 ft/ 2,438 m elevation and likelihood of early snowfall, most visitor services on the North Rim are only available during a short season. The lodge and the campground will close for the season on October 16 this year. Only 10% of travelers visit the North Rim. Details >

The North Rim is located on the "Utah" side of the Canyon. The nearest towns to the park's North Rim village are Fredonia, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah. There is no airport or rail service to the park, so it may only be reached by road. Campground Reservations are required.

Detailed information about camping on the North Rim (including Tuweep)
Along with the closest campgrounds that are outside of the park.

 
 
Map showing the Colorado River creating a barrier that splits the park into North and South Rims.
The mile-deep Colorado River creates a barrier that splits the park into north and south Rims. In this illustration, the North Rim is shown in yellow and the South Rim is shown in blue.

Why South and North Rims?

A 277 mile long (446 km) canyon separates the park into South and North Rims. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is a mile-deep, (1.6 km) and creates a barrier that bisects the park. Even though the average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles/ 16 km, be aware that it is a five-hour drive of 215 miles/ 346 km between the park's South Rim Village and the North Rim Village.

Scenery, climate and vegetation are noticably different between north and south rims because of differences in elevation. It is almost like having two parks in one and it takes time, planning and effort to be able to visit both sides of the Canyon in one trip.

 

Last updated: October 18, 2023

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

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