Camping Near Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona | Established 1919
About Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park covers 1.2 million acres in northern Arizona. The canyon stretches 277 river miles, averages 10 miles wide, and drops a mile from rim to river. The South Rim sits at 7,000 feet elevation. The North Rim, 1,000 feet higher, is accessible from mid-May through mid-October.
The park has three NPS campgrounds. Mather Campground on the South Rim has 327 sites and stays open year-round. Desert View Campground has 49 sites, open spring through fall, with a 30-foot RV limit. Trailer Village RV Park is the only in-park option with full hookups (30/50 amp) and accepts rigs up to 50 feet. Tusayan, six miles south, has private campgrounds and RV parks with additional amenities.
Spring and fall offer the best camping weather, with daytime highs in the 50s to 70s°F. Summer brings highs in the 80s on the rim and monsoon storms in July and August. Mather Campground reservations open six months ahead on Recreation.gov and fill quickly for peak months.
Camping Tips for Grand Canyon
- Inner canyon temperatures exceed 100°F in summer. Do not hike to the river and back in one day without at least one gallon of water per person.
- Reserve Mather Campground on Recreation.gov six months before your arrival date. Peak season sites sell out within days of opening.
- South Rim elevation is 7,000 feet. Nighttime lows drop to the 30s°F even in summer. Pack layers and a warm sleeping bag.
- Elk roam through Mather Campground regularly. Store all food in your vehicle or the provided storage lockers.
- Catch sunrise at Mather Point or Yaki Point, both within a short drive of Mather Campground. Canyon light changes dramatically at dawn.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Grand Canyon National Park
11.NavajoLand Tuba City R.V. Park
Navajoland RV Park & Campgrounds is open year-round and centrally located in Northern Arizona for easy access to lots of popular tourist destinations. In addition to our wonderful...
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12.Ten-X Campground
Tusayan-Montane Campground is a quiet, peaceful campground located in beautiful Kaibab National Forest, just 4 miles south of the Grand Canyon National Park entrance. It generally...
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13.Trailer Village RV Park
Trailer Village RV Park is located near the Grand Canyon, offering a unique experience for visitors. The park is situated in a scenic area, providing easy access to various...
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14.Mather Campground
Mather Campground is on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Grand Canyon is one of the most inspiring landscapes on Earth and draws over five million visitors...
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15.Cottonwood Campground
This data does not belong to Cottonwood Campground. It appears to be the website content of Grand Canyon National Park. Unfortunately, there is no information about Cottonwood...
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16.Mather Campground Showers and Laundry
Located near the Grand Canyon, Mather Campground Showers and Laundry offers a convenient and comfortable stay for visitors. The campground is situated in a beautiful desert...
Show more17.Jacob Lake Campground
From canyons to prairies, peaks to plateaus, the Kaibab National Forest, which is nestled on the Colorado Plateau, offers layers of opportunity for discovery. The Mogollon Rim...
Show more18.Demotte Campground
The DeMotte Campground is located within the North Kaibab Ranger District just seven miles north of the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim. This is about 25...
Show more19.PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE RANCH
Peaceful Experience Ranch is located in Williams, Arizona. The ranch offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city...
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20.Grand Canyon RV Park
Grand Canyon RV Park is located near the Grand Canyon South Rim. The park specializes in Native American crafts and has been in operation since 1916. The park's website does not...
Show moreShowing 11–20 of 28 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp near Grand Canyon?
Mather Campground and Desert View Campground on the South Rim both cost $30 per night. North Rim Campground is also $30 per night. Trailer Village RV Park, the only in-park full-hookup option, costs $92 per night for pull-through sites with 30/50 amp electric, water, and sewer. A $35 per vehicle entrance pass is required separately.
Group sites at all NPS campgrounds are $50 per night. Hiker and biker sites at Mather cost $6 per person per night. Ten-X Campground, a U.S. Forest Service site two miles south of Tusayan, offers 70 sites for $10 per night from mid-May through September with pit toilets and cold water. Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan has hookups and showers. Private campgrounds in Williams and Flagstaff typically run $30 to $60 per night.
When is the best time to camp at Grand Canyon?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through October) offer mild weather and manageable crowds. South Rim daytime highs range from 50 to 70°F in these months. Summer brings highs in the 80s with afternoon monsoon storms in July and August. Mather Campground is open year-round for winter camping.
The North Rim is open from mid-May through mid-October. Winter camping at Mather is possible, but expect snow, icy roads, and nighttime lows near 0°F. Spring wildflowers peak in April. Fall colors along the North Rim are best in late September and early October. Monsoon season brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms but also cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
How do I reserve a campsite at Grand Canyon?
Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and North Rim Campground take reservations through Recreation.gov, opening six months before your arrival date. Trailer Village RV Park is booked through visitgrandcanyon.com. Summer and holiday weekends sell out quickly, so book as soon as your window opens.
Mather keeps 10 to 15 first-come-first-served sites available, but these fill by late morning during peak season. Desert View requires reservations from April through October. Cancellations do create openings, so check Recreation.gov regularly. The maximum stay is seven days at Mather from May through September and 30 days the rest of the year.
Is it dangerous to hike in the heat at Grand Canyon?
Inner canyon temperatures regularly exceed 100°F from May through September. The NPS warns against hiking from the rim to the river and back in a single day at any time of year. Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day. Start hikes before dawn and rest in shade during the hottest hours.
Temperature increases roughly 5.5°F for every 1,000 feet of descent. A comfortable 80°F day on the South Rim means over 100°F at Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor. Bright Angel Trail has water stations and shaded rest houses, making it the safest corridor trail. Hiking back up is far harder than going down. Overnight trips below the rim require a backcountry permit from the park's Backcountry Information Center.
Can I camp with an RV at Grand Canyon?
Trailer Village RV Park is the only in-park campground with full hookups (water, electric, sewer). It has 123 pull-through sites accepting rigs up to 50 feet at $92 per night with 30/50 amp service. Mather Campground accepts RVs but has no hookups. Desert View Campground has a 30-foot maximum vehicle length.
A dump station is available near Mather Campground. Generators are permitted at Mather during limited daytime hours. For larger rigs or full amenities, Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan (seven miles south) has hookups and showers. Private RV parks in Williams and Flagstaff offer more options with laundry, Wi-Fi, and pull-through sites for big rigs.
Can I bring my dog camping at Grand Canyon?
Dogs are allowed in developed areas on the South Rim, including Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and Trailer Village. They must be on a leash of six feet or shorter. Dogs are not permitted below the canyon rim on any inner canyon trail, on park shuttle buses, or in park lodging except pet-friendly rooms at Yavapai Lodge.
The Grand Canyon Kennel near Maswik Lodge on the South Rim boards dogs and cats daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season. The kennel allows you to hike below the rim or take a shuttle without leaving your pet unattended. On the North Rim, pets are limited to the bridle trail connecting the North Kaibab Trail and Arizona Trail.
Do I need a permit to camp below the rim at Grand Canyon?
A backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays below the rim. The park issues a limited number per day to protect the canyon environment. Permits cost $10 per permit plus $8 per person per night below the rim. Apply through the park's Backcountry Information Center up to four months in advance.
Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon offers cabins and dormitory beds booked through a lottery system. Bright Angel and South Kaibab are the two corridor trails connecting the South Rim to Phantom Ranch. Bright Angel Campground and Havasupai Gardens Campground are the designated backcountry camping areas along these trails. Demand far exceeds supply, so apply early.
What are the top attractions near Grand Canyon campgrounds?
Mather Point and the South Rim Trail are a short walk from Mather Campground. The Bright Angel Trailhead in Grand Canyon Village drops into the canyon with water stations along the way. Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot stone tower designed by Mary Colter, sits next to Desert View Campground. The Hermit Road shuttle accesses eight rim overlooks.
Sunrise and sunset from Mather Point, Yaki Point, or Hopi Point are the park's most popular viewing experiences. The South Kaibab Trail offers unobstructed canyon views but has no water or shade. For a less crowded experience, the Shoshone Point Trail is a one-mile walk to a secluded overlook. The daily ranger-led Geology Walk from Mather Point provides context for the canyon's two-billion-year rock record.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $35/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- March – October
- Nearest Town
- Tusayan, AZ, Williams, AZ, Flagstaff, AZ
- Elevation
- 2,400 – 8,000 ft
- Park Size
- 1.2 million acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~4.7 million