Developed And Backcountry Camping At Grand Canyon National Park

Camping is a great way to experience Grand Canyon National Park. If you enjoy "roughing" it while you are in the Grand Canyon, you have several types of camping experiences to enjoy.

There are both developed and backcountry camping allowed in Grand Canyon National Park. Developed camping is where vehicles are permitted. Backcountry camping requires you hike or raft to the campsite.

For developed sites, you can make campground reservations at two of the developed campgrounds in Grand Canyon National Park.

1. The Mather Campground on the South Rim located in Grand Canyon Village

2. The North Rim Campground

Reservations for both of these developed campgrounds can be made up to 6 months in advance through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at recreation.gov.

There are additional developed campgrounds within Grand Canyon National Park, but they are on a first-come first-served basis. To make it easy for you, we have divided the developed campgrounds into North Rim and South Rim Campgrounds.

 

North Rim Developed Campgrounds Inside Grand Canyon National Park

Camping within Grand Canyon National Park on the North Rim is restricted to designated campgrounds. The fees for camping are charged per night and are in addition to the entrance fees.

The North Rim Campground is open from mid-May to mid October and is operated by the National Park Service. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance for this campground and we recommend that you make your reservations as soon as you can.

Fees for the North Rim campsites are $18-$25. If you do have a Golden Age or Access passport, you only pay half price. You will need to give your Access passport number when making a reservation and the holder of the passport must camp at the site.

You are allowed two vehicles, up to six people, and three tents at each site. If you are towing a trailer, pop-up camper, fifth wheel, or RV pulling a vehicle, those are considered two vehicles.

There are no RV hook-ups at the campsite, but there is a dump station located in the campground. Coin operated laundry and showers are located at the campground entrance.

You may take your pets, but they need to be on leash at all times and can not be left unattended.

A limited number of North Rim Campground campsites are available after mid-October. The only services available are portable toilets and reservations are not accepted during this time.

North Rim Camping Outside Grand Canyon National Park

DeMotte Campground is operated by the United States Forest Service and is 16 miles north of the Grand Canyon Rim. There are no RV hook-ups or reservations. Use is on a firs-come, first-served basis.

Jacob Lake Campground is operated by the U.S. Forest Service and is located 45 miles north of the North Rim. The campground is only open during the summer, there are no hook-ups or reservations and the fee is $14 per vehicle/night.

Kaibab Camper Village is a commercial campground located near Jacob Lake about 45 miles north of the North Rim.. There are full RV hook-ups available.

Northwest Rim Of The Grand Canyon

Tuweep Campground is a primitive campsite on the northwest rim of the Grand Canyon. The area is mangaged for primitive values and services and developments are limited.The 9 primitive campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis. Up to 6 people and to vehicles are allowed at each campsite. There is no campground fee, but you must register in the campground register. The only improvements are composting toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates. Make sure to bring your own water and firewood!

The main attraction near the Tuweep Campground is the Toroweap Overlook which sits 3000 vertical feet above the Colorado River. The view is breathtaking and is one of the most unusual views in Grand Canyon National Park. It can be difficult getting to Tuweep Campground due to the primitive road, but it is well worth your effort.

South Rim Campgrounds Inside Grand Canyon National Park

 

Mather Campground is open year-round and you can make reservations except during the winter. Located in Grand Canyon Village, Mather Campground is operated by the National Park Service.

The Mather campground provides sites for both tent and RV camping, although there are no RV hookups. There are handicapped accessible campsites and restrooms available. You are allowed to have your pets, but they can not be left unattended and they must be on leash at all times. You are allowed to build wood and charcoal fires in the campsite grills. The gathering of down wood for firewood is not permitted, buy you can buy wood at the nearby store. Showers and laundry facilities are located nearby and you will need to pay an extra fee for using them. Campground fees are $18 per site per night.

The park does provide free shuttle buses that provide you transportation from Mather Campground to the Visitor Center, stores, restaurants, scenic overlooks, and trailheads.

Trailer Village is next to Mather Campground and provides RV sites with hook-ups. Trailer Village is operated by Xanterra Parks and advanced reservations can be make by calling (888)297-2757. There is a RV dump station that is located near Mather Campground. You are allowed to have pets at Trailer Village, but they must be leashed and not left unattended.

Desert View Campground is located 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. The campground is open from May through October and campsites are on a first come - first served - self-registration basis. During the summer, the campground is usually full by early afternoon and reservations are not accepted, so it is important to get to the campground early to claim your campsite. You can stay at the campground for up to 7 days and you need to check out by 11:00 AM.

Most of the 50 campsites at Desert View Campground are set up to accomodate tents, small RV's and travel trailers. There is a 30 ft. maximum RV length, and very few sites can hold large RV's. There is also a limit of six people per campsite, two tents, and two vehicles. You are allowed to have pets, but they must be leashed and not left unattended.

The fee for campsites at the Desert View Campground are $12.00 for each site for each night. The Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Golden Age Passport, and Golden Access Passport entitles the owner of the pass to a 50% discount on camping fees.

Backcountry Camping

If you want to camp anywhere in Grand Canyon National Park, other than the developed campgrounds on the North Rim, South Rim, or Tuweep, you need to first obtain a camping permit from the Backcountry Information Center.

A backcountry permit is required for:

• overnight hiking
• overnight horseback riding
• overnight cross-country ski trips
• off-river overnight hikes by river trip members
• overnight camping at rim sites other than developed campgrounds
• overnight camping on the North Rim during the winter season

A backcountry permit is not required for:

• day hiking
• day horseback riding
• overnight camping at Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, North Rim Campground (summer season only), and Tuweep Campground
• overnight stays at the dormitories or cabins at Phantom Ranch (advanced reservations with Xanterra Parks & Resorts required)

While you are in the backcountry, you must have your permit in your possession. Once you have established your campsite, you have to attach your permit to something in plain view like your tent or pack, so a ranger can easily check it.

For backcountry camping, there is a non-refundable fee of $10 per permit plus an additional $5 per person per night camped below the rim and $5 per group per night camped above the rim. If you camp in the backcountry a lot, you can buy a one-year Frequent Hiker membership for $25 that waives the initial $10 fee for each permit obtained by the trip leader for twelve months from the date of purchase.

To apply for a backcountry permit you can get the forms on the Internet and then FAX (928)638-2125 or mail your application to Backcountry Information Center/GCNP, P.O. Box, 129, Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023.

Obtain and fill out the Backcountry Permit Request Form:

• Backcountry Permit Request Form (PDF file) 

• Backcountry Use Area Map (PDF file)

When you are in the backcountry of the Grand Canyon, we firmly believe that you should follow the "Leave No Trace" techniques to minimize your impact on the land. Please read and follow the "Leave No Trace" principles below as outlined by the National Park Service and the "Leave No Trace" campaign. We also suggest that you watch the short Leave No Trace video.

Leave No Trace

All Grand Canyon backcountry users are asked to follow Leave No Trace principles. The goal is to have minimum human impact on the canyon as a result of your trip. Important Leave No Trace principles at Grand Canyon include:

1. Be well prepared. Know the route and area in which you are planning to hike.
2. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is prohibited.
3. Stay on main trails; do not shortcut switchbacks.
4. Pack out what you bring in. This includes used toilet paper and all trash.
5. Fires are prohibited below the rim. Do not burn toilet paper -pack it out!
6. Bury solid human waste at least 200' from water in a shallow cat hole 4-6" deep and 4-6" in diameter.
7. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200' away from creeks and potholes. Scatter strained dish water.
8. Let nature's sounds prevail. Keep loud voices and noises to a minimum.
9. Leave what you find. This is particularly important when it comes to cultural resources of any kind, including artifacts and archaeological remains. Leave them as you find them.

Again, we strongly suggest that you respect and take care of the Grand Canyon during your brief stay in both the developed and backcountry campsites. We hope that you have a great time camping and we know it will be an adventure you will remember for a long time!