Campgrounds

 

This page has information about "developed" campgrounds. (where vehicles are permitted)
For information about backpacking and camping within the canyon, visit this link.

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How Can I Make Campground Reservations ?

Advance campground reservations can be made for two of the three NPS campgrounds within Grand Canyon National Park. The NPS campgrounds do not have RV hook-ups.

• Mather Campground on the South Rim (in Grand Canyon village)
  
  
• and the North Rim Campground.

Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service
by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at http://www.recreation.gov/
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

There is only one RV campground within the park with full hook-ups. It is located in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Trailer Village is a concessioner operated RV park with full hook-ups. Reservations for Trailer Village are made through Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

The NPS Desert View Campground, on the South Rim of the park, and 25 miles/ 41km to the east of Grand Canyon Village, is first-come, first-served only. No reservations are accepted. There are no RV hook-ups at Desert View. The campground is open seasonally, May through mid-October.

 

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How Do I Decide Which Rim to Visit ?

 

Sunset from Mather Point

Most people visit Grand Canyon National Park'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 closer to Interstate 40 and to the transportation centers of Williams, Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona. The South Rim also has a local airport and rail service.

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)

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View from Grand Canyon Lodge.

North Rim: Harder to Get to - More Wild and Secluded

Because of it's 8,000 ft/ 2,438m elevation and liklihood of early snowfall, most visitor services on the North Rim are only available during a short season that lasts from mid-May through mid-October.

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. (that means that the North Rim village may only be reached by road) Because the North Rim has a shorter season, Campground Reservations are strongly Recommended.

Detailed information about camping on the North Rim (including Tuweep)

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Quick links to information about:

Lodging	Maps	Shuttle Buses	Guided Tours	Ranger Programs
Campgrounds	Food	Public Transport	Mule Trips	Visitor Centers
Goods/ Services	Permits	River Trips	Hiking	Sunrise/ Sunset

 

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 is the park separated into 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.