Camping In and Around Arizona Grand Canyon

Camping Inside Grand Canyon National Park

Desert View Campground (South Rim)

You will find Desert View Campground 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Depending on the weather, Desert View Campground is open from mid-May though mid-October. Desert View Campground is available only on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations). The cost is $12.00 per site per night. There are no hook-ups at this Grand Canyon campground.

Mather Campground (South Rim)

Mather Campground is operated by the Grand Canyon National Park Service and is open all year. It is located in Grand Canyon Village. Both tent and RV camping is allowed in Mather Campground. There are no RV hook-ups. Maximum RV size is 30 feet. Mather Campground does accept reservations and they are strongly advised from April through November. Sites may be reserved up to five months in advance.

Fees are $18 per site per night for a maximum of two vehicles and six people. Group camp sites are also available fir $50 per night for a maximum of 50 people. Reservations are not accepted from November to March 1st. During that periond, fees are $12 per site per night on a first-come first-served basis. Golden Age or Golden Access passport holders pay only half price year round.

Firewood may be purchased at the general store. Laundry and showers are available for a fee.

Driving Directions to Mather Campground:

Mather Campground is located in Grand Canyon Village.

From the south entrance of Grand Canyon National Park, follow the road for about three miles to the stoplights. Then turn left onto Center Road. Go 1/4 mile, then turn right onto Market Plaza Road. The campground is about one mile down Market Plaza Road on the right.

From the east entrance of Grand Canyon National Park, follow the road 25 miles, and turn left at the "T" intersection onto South Entrance Road. Go about 1/2 mile to the stoplights and turn right onto Center Road. Go 1/4 mile on Center Road, then turn right onto Market Plaza Road. The campground is about one mile down Market Plaza Road on the right.

Trailer Village (South Rim)

RV sites with hookups are available at Trailer Village just adjacent to Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park. Reservations are advised. Cost is $25 plus tax per site per night for two people. There is an additional charge of $2 for each additional person over age 16. Except during winter, adump station is located nearby. Campers must register at the entrance to Trailer Village.

North Rim Campground (North Rim)

North Rim Campground is perated by the Grand Canyon National Park Service. This campground is open from mid-May to Mid-October. Campsites fees are $18-$25. Golden Age or Golden Access passport holders pay half price year round.

There are no RV hook-ups, but there is a dump station. There are also showers and a laundry located near the campground for a fee. Pets are allowed as long as they are always attended and on a leash. Campsite grills are made available at each site for wood and charcoal fires. Laundry and showers located near the campground for a fee.

There is a maximum of two vehicles, six people, and three tents allowed one each site. Reservations are required and may be made up to five months in advance. Sometimes sites are available on a last minute basis. Stop in at the campground to check on unexpected vacancies.

Backcountry Camping

You can camp in Grand Canyon National Park outside a developed campground on the rim if you first obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. This also includes Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch. All campsites in the Inner Canyon require a backcountry permit. Sometimes a few permits are available the same day, but it is strongly advised that you obtain your permint in advance. The fee for backcountry camping in Grand Canyon National Park is $10 per permit plus an additional $5 per night per person.

Camping Outside Grand Canyon National Park

South Rim

Camper Village commercial campground is located outside Grand Canyon National Park in Tusayan, 7 miles south of Grand Canyon Village.

Ten-X Campground is a U.S. Forest Service Campground located 2 miles south of Tusayan in the Kaibab National Forest. This campground is open from May 1 through September 30. There are no RV hook-ups or showers. Pit toilets and cold water faucets are available throughout the campground. Ten-X campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, but vacancies are usually available. The cost is $10 per vehicle per night. Group campsites are available. Reservations are required for for group sites.

Dispersed camping is permitted in the Kaibab National Forest outside Grand Canyon National Park.

North Rim

There are w National Forest campgrounds near the North Rim. They are located 16 and 45 miles north of the North Rim. Dispersed camping is permitted in the national forest outside the park.