Campgrounds near the Grand Canyon
Arizona Travel Guide brings you a selection of campsites and campgrounds near the Grand Canyon including in Grand Canyon Village near the edge of the canyon.
Camping is one way to get a great experience of the Grand Canyon, by getting closer to the nature that surrounds this wonderful place. There are several campsites in or close to Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim, and another that is very close to the North Rim. The Grand Canyon does have extreme weather conditions, because of its high elevation, and access roads can be closed any time during the winter.
Campsites (and hotels) get booked well ahead in the more popular months, so if you’re looking for a campground either plan well in advance or be prepared to accept your second or third choice.
Campgrounds near the Grand Canyon
- Mather Campground. This is a large, wooded campground with 327 sites, bathrooms, a laundry, nearby hiking trails & scenic canyon views. This is the only campground in Grand Canyon Village, although it is a 30-minute walk or 4-minute drive to the rim of the canyon. It has a 4.7 star rating on Google Maps.
- Bright Angel Campground. This is a tree-shaded backcountry campground down in the canyon itself, alongside Bright Angel Creek and close to Phantom Ranch. To visit you need a Backcountry Permit, so visit the website to see how to apply… and what your chances are of getting one! It has a 4.8 star rating on Google Maps.
- Desert View Campgroundis a basic reservations-only campground with restrooms, open April to October. See the website for how to reserve a place. It’s a 40-minute drive from Grand Canyon Village but only a 10-minute to the canyon rim near the Desert View Watchtower and Navajo Point. It has a 4.7 star rating on Google Maps.
- Grand Canyon Camper Village offers no-nonsense tent and full-hookup RV sites with some shade trees, laundry, showers, and adjacent restaurants. It’s in the town of Tusayan, a 10-minute drive south of Grand Canyon Village. It has a 3.4 star rating on Google Maps.
- North Rim Campground is a campground close to stunning views of the canyon from the North Rim. It opens roughly May-October, depending on the weather. The North Rim is at an elevation of 8,200 feet, compared to the South Rim’s 7,000 feet, so winters are longer and more extreme. Note that there’s no internet or cell phone reception at the campground, which has a 4.6 star rating on Google Maps.
These are just a few of the campgrounds near the Grand Canyon. Always remember that the Grand Canyon is hugely popular and you should definitely plan your dates and book ahead.
Frommer’s Arizona and the Grand Canyon
This is our recommended guide for Arizona and the Grand Canyon, if you’re thinking of planning a visit. The two authors both live full-time in Arizona and the book is therefore based on lifetime experiences of the state. It has 86% 5- and 4-star ratings on Amazon.
