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Everything you need to know about camping at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon camping is an experience that will stay in your memory for a long time — the views of the rocky terrain, the thrill of setting up your tents and chairs, lighting up the campfire, stargazing, and sharing a meal on the picnic tables. Both the North Rim and the South Rim have camping grounds, although some of them are seasonal.

Camping at Grand Canyon | South Rim vs. North Rim

South Rim

  • The South is the more popular camping spot, with some campgrounds that operate all year round.
  • The South Rim is more accessible for guests. Those travelling by car can use Interstate 40. South Rim is also closer to Williams, Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona and it has a local airport and train service.
  • If you're a novice camper, the South Rim is a better place to set up your spot because there are more amenities and the camps are less remote.
Find out more about the South Rim

North Rim

  • The North Rim is closed between December 1 and May 14 during the winter months. Therefore, most campgrounds here are also seasonal, usually open from May to October. You can camp in parts of the North Rim Campground in the winter, though, if you can access it from the South Rim.
  • Although Fredonia, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah, are close, there is no airport or rail service, so visitors will have to come by road.
  • The terrain is wilder and more secluded in the North Rim, so it is best for more experienced campers or those who want more privacy.
Find out more about the North Rim

South Rim Campgrounds

South Rim campgrounds are popular camping sites with tourists who come on Grand Canyon camping trips. About 90% of all campers set up here. These have more amenities and are well connected by road, flights, and trains. Here is what you need to know about the camping grounds at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:

Mather Campground

The most popular camping ground in the South Rim, the Mather Campground is open in all seasons, so you can book a spot anytime. Each site includes a number of amenities, such as a campfire spot, space for around 6 people, a picnic table, parking for two vehicles, and room for three tents. There are 327 such sites. RV spaces have no power hookup, they are only pull-through. There is a designated area exclusively for tents called the pine loop, where no generators are allowed. You will not get cell phone or internet signals. The Mather Campground is also wheelchair accessible.

  • Location: 1 Mather Campground Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps
  • Operating hours & seasons: Daily, 24 hours
  • Facilities: Trash/recycling collection, camp store, ice for sale, firewood, staff on site, laundry, potable water, dump station, flush toilets, hot showers.
  • Things to do nearby: When you're at the Mather Campground, you can take a shopping trip to the Canyon Village Marketplace for supplies, take a small hike down the South Rim Trail, visit the Verkamp's Visitor Center, or enjoy the views from overlooks such as Yavapai Point or Lookout Studio.

Trailer Village Campground (South Rim Village)

This all-season Grand Canyon camping ground is only for RVs and has hookups and paved pull-through sites. The maximum vehicle length allowed here is 50 feet. If you're coming during the busy season, booking a spot at least a year prior to your trip is recommended. This campground is pet-friendly, but they must be on leash. Quiet hours are from 10pm – 8am, and only charcoal fires are allowed. There are no cell phone or internet signals. The Trailer Village Campground is mostly paved and level, so it is accessible for wheelchair users.

  • Location: 100 Trailer Village Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps
  • Operating hours & seasons: Daily, 24 hours
  • Facilities: Trash/recycling collection, camp store, ice for sale, staff on site, laundry, potable water, dump station, flush toilets, hot showers.
  • Things to do nearby: Mather Point and the Abyss are the two closest viewpoints you can visit during sunset or sunrise when at the Trailer Village Campground. If you want to explore the natural and cultural history of the area, you can even consider dropping into the Yavapai Geology Museum and Hopi House, which are also nearby.

Desert View Campground

This campground, situated at the East Entrance, has 49 campsites with a picnic table and cooking grill with a fire ring for each spot. The maximum length allowed is 30 feet for RVs or vehicles fitted with travel trailers. Reservations are a must. Pets are allowed here, but must be on a leash. This campsite is seasonal, so you cannot access it during the winter. Cell phone and internet connectivity are unreliable, and the camp maintains quiet hours from 10pm to 6am.

  • Location: Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps
  • Operating hours & seasons: Seasonal, closed from October 14–April 11, functional 24 hours during the summer.
  • Facilities: Seasonal amenities - Trash/recycling collection, camp store, ice for sale, staff on Site, amphitheater, potable water, flush toilets.
  • Things to do nearby: When at the Desert View Campground, you can go to the Desert View General Store for supplies. You can also visit the Tusayan Ruin, Moran Point, and Navajo Point. 

Tusayan Montane Campground

Located within the Kaibab National Forest, this beautiful campground just outside of the South Rim sits in the middle of Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak trees. The campground is seasonal, so it's open May 14 through September 30. Guests will not find any showers or RV hook-ups here. The toilets available are pit-style, and cold water faucets can be found throughout the area. Tusayan Montane has 142 single campsites and 18 double campsites, with amenities like picnic tables, fire pits and grills, pit-toilet access, and parking. The two group campsites also have picnic shelters and tent pads.

  • Location: Unnamed Road, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps
  • Operating hours & seasons: Seasonal, open from May 14 to September 30, functional 24 hours during the summer.
  • Facilities: Tent pad, picnic table, fire pit, grills/fire ting, BBQ, lean to/shelter, platform, Accessible Occupant Message.
  • Things to do nearby: The Tusayan Montane Campground offers short forest hikes and a 3-mile loop trail. Visitors can also visit the nearby town of Tusayan and enjoy horseback riding, helicopter rides, etc. The Grand Canyon National Park is also nearby.

North Rim Campgrounds

The North Rim is more secluded and wild, offering campers a more rustic experience. Resources are scarce and conditions are harsher here, so mostly experienced campers stay here. Let's look into a more detailed overview of the North Rim campgrounds:

North Rim Campground

The North Rim Campground is an unconventional campground to set your tents up at because of its remoteness. However, it is full of breathtaking views of the canyon, rustic hiking trails, and thriving wildlife. There are 78 campsites with picnic tables, cooking grills, and campfire facilities. Laundry and showers are coin-operated, and water spigots are available all over the ground. If you want to camp here in the winter, some sections are available, but you'll have to make your way in from the South Rim or via Jacob Lake. The campground is wheelchair accessible in case visitors have mobility needs.

  • Location: 568 Campground Rd, North Rim, AZ 86052, United States | Find on Maps
  • Operating hours & seasons: Seasonal, functional 24 hours during the summer, closed during winter, except in certain areas.
  • Facilities: Seasonal amenities - Trash/recycling collection, camp store, ice for sale, staff on site, amphitheater, laundry, dump station, potable Water, flush toilets, composting toilets, hot shower, coin-operated shower.
  • Things to do nearby: Bright Angel Point and the Grand Canyon Lodge are nearby. You can also go on a number of hikes, such as the Uncle Jim Trail.

DeMotte Campground

Nestled among the pine and conifer forests of the North Kaibab Ranger District, this campground is about 7 miles away from the North Rim. If you love birdwatching, this is the perfect perch for you to catch a glimpse of some wild avian species. You might also chance upon the tassel-eared Kaibab squirrel, which is unique to this area.  For those arriving by car, you can take Arizona's Highway 67 and reach the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center. From there, you have to travel about 25 miles south to reach the campground.  DeMotte allows tents, trailers, and small motorhomes, but there are no utility hookups. There are 38 single-family spots that provide tables, cooking grills, and drinking water.

  • Location: Forest Rd 616, Fredonia, AZ 86022, United States | Find on Maps
  • Operating hours & seasons: Seasonal, open from mid-May 14th to mid-October, functional 24 hours during the summer.
  • Facilities: Accessible vault toilets, drinking water, host, trash collection, quiet area, fire pit, tent pad, picnic table, BBQ, grills/fire ring.
  • Things to do nearby: The North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is close, so you can visit it from the campground. There are a number of small trails from the North Rim that you can take day hikes on, as well.

Things to know before planning a camping trip to the Grand Canyon

  • Wastewater: Be careful while handling wastewater from washing your clothes, dishes, or bathing. Do not use the water source directly. Instead, take back water to your spot and drain the used water down the toilets.
  • Waste disposal: Dispose of garbage properly, as the Grand Canyon is a fragile ecosystem. Littering is strictly prohibited. In case the designated garbage dump is not near you, carry your waste till you find one.
  • Reservations: Keep in mind that reservations must be made prior to your arrival at the campground. The South Rim campgrounds are especially busy, and there is a limited amount of space for campers at the Grand Canyon National Park.
  • Permits: Campers will need a backcountry permit to camp overnight at the Grand Canyon, except at the Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and North Rim Campground.
  • Choosing the right campground: There are sections of the campgrounds that are tent-only as well as designated spaces and campgrounds for parking your camper or RVs, so be mindful of the instructions that are given when you enter the campground.
  • Accounting for weather: Always get the latest information regarding weather conditions, waterlines, trails, and terrain. This will help you plan your Grand Canyon camping trip for maximum safety and fun.
  • Carry essentials: Bring your own set of essentials when you come for a Grand Canyon camping trip, such as water, food, waste disposal bags, sunscreen, bug repellent, and others. Pack layers of clothing so you can switch depending on the weather, especially during the winter months.
  • Accessibility: A number of campgrounds have accessibility features — Mather Campground, Trailer Village, as well as the North Rim Campground. There are access restrooms and parking spots as well.

Frequently asked questions about Grand Canyon campgrounds

Mather Campground, Trailer Village, and North Rim Campground have accessible sections for guests who use wheelchairs.

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