Camping in and around the Grand Canyon

Hiking the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Camping out in the Grand Canyon makes that experience a hundred times more exciting and memorable. If you want to backpack into the Grand Canyon and stay at a campground, you'll need to do lots of planning. The desert conditions are no joke, and you must know how to handle yourself in very hot, dry weather. It's over 1-- egrees F in the bottom of Grand Canyon in summertime. Hydration is a constant effort of carrying lots water, drinking it often, and finding more to replenish your supply. Also, you have to get a Backcountry Use Permit to camp in the Grand Canyon. Get these at the Backcountry Office in Grand Canyon Village. Starting on the first of every month, the office takes reservations for that month plus the next four months after that. Holidays are jammed, so make holiday reservations as early as possible. The Backcountry INformation Center is open every day during business hours, and is located next to the Maswik Lodge. Be ready to give the reservation officer your itinerary, because they will ask for it when making a reservation at a campground. Then, stick to that itinerary, since it's really for your own safety. They take credit card. The campgrounds, Indian Garden, Cottonwood, and Bright Angel Campground, allow hikers to spend two nights there only, so for other nights, plan to do some wilderness camping within the park, in designated spots. During winter, you can stay up to four nights, since there are fewer people backpacking.

Free Campground in Grand Canyon

Hikers who want to stay overnight in the Grand Canyon, right down in the bottom of the Canyon after hiking down thousands of feet, can camp for free at a campground near Phantom Ranch. The free campground is on the South and North Kaibab trails. There are even toilet facilities and running water. Don't plan on taking a shower, since there aren't any. Don't forget your backcountry permit if you stay down in the Grand Canyon. There are 32 tent sites and reservations are absolutely necessary.

Indian Garden

Indian Garden also provides free camping, but is only halfway down into the Grand Canyon. It's on the way to Phantom Ranch, located on the Trail. There is running water and toilets but, like the free campground next to Phantom Ranch, no showers. You'll also need backcountry permit for Indian Garden as well. It's open all year, and has 15 tent sites.

Mather Campground

This is a National Park Service Campground near Grand Canyon Village. It's open all year, and has 190 tent sites and 97 RV sites. There are no hookups, however. There are flush toilets, water, showers, and laundry facilities. Make reservations, although they don't accept them December through March. Summertime gets busy, and so is Spring time at Mather Campground. Make reservations at the National Park Reservation Service.

Trailer Village

This campground is also in Grand Canyon Village, and also with RV sites but no tent spots. They have hook-ups, too. The name really says it all, actually! They are open all year round, and like Mather Campground, do not accept reservations December through March, but the rest of the year reservations are accepted. They full hook-ups as well as bathroom facilities which are a half mile trek from the actual campground. Trailer Village is located off Village Loop Drive in Grand Canyon Village.

Desert View Campground

There are 50 campsites here, available on a first-come first-serve basis. No hook-ups, but there are flush toilets and water. There are grills and picnic tables, too. Reservations are not accepted. RVs are welcome, as are tenters. It's located on Desert View Drive, 23 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. It's open mid-May through mid-October.

Red Lake Arizona Campground & Hostel

Red Lake Campground is eight miles north of the town of Williams, which is on your way to Grand Canyon National Park from most points. It's on State road 64. They have 14 test sites and 14 RV sites with full hook-up. You'll also find a general store, souvenir shop, gas station, and a place to buy propane. If you don't have a tent, you can stay in the hostel part of Red Lake Arizona Campground & Hostel. There are dorm-style beds and private rooms. There are a total of 32 dorm beds, four to a room, and you share the bathroom. Ther's a common room with TV and a VCR, and coin-operated showers. Guests can also use the common kitchen which has a microwave, toaster and fridge.

Camping in Kaibab National Forest

There are developed and undeveloped camsites which can be reserved. Kaibab National Forest runs from the town of Williams up to Grand Canyon National Park.

North Rim Campground

THere are no hook-ups here, and it's closed from mid-October to mid-May. You can make reservations through the National Park Service's website or by calling their 800 number. There are Rangers in a booth near Jacob Lake who can tell you about the campground, and whether it's full at the moment.

Demotte Park and Jacob Lake

Demotte Park is also at the North Rim, and there are no hookups here, either. It's seven miles from the North Rim. Jacob Lake doesn't have any hookups either.

Lees Ferry Area

Lees Ferry Campground has 30 tent/RV sites, with no hookups. Wahweap Campground has more than 200 sites for either tent or RV.