Grand Canyon Camping
At The South Rim

Cool pine forest. Crisp fresh air. The quiet sound of tranquility. Yep, those are the pleasures of Northern Arizona. Then throw-in the breathtaking views of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and camping becomes a paradise. Our purpose is providing overview information that will help make your Grand Canyon camping experience all you can expect and much more.

Campgrounds within the Grand Canyon National Park are operated by the National Park Service within its guidelines, restrictions and camping fees. Outside the park campgrounds area also available in the surrounding Kaibab National Forest. If you wish to camp anywhere within the Grand Canyon National Park other than developed campgrounds on the rims, a Backcountry Permit is required from the Backcountry Information Center. For detailed camping guidelines and up-to-date information, please call the respective campground phone numbers. No open fires. Camping fees are required and subject to change.

Campground, Trails and Viewpoints Map

Developed South Rim Campgrounds.

Mather Campground.

Mather is open all year and it is advisable to make reservations which can be made six months in advance. It is located in Grand Canyon Village close to the action on the rim. The NPS limits each site to six campers, three tents and two vehicles. RVs and trailers are considered as two vehicles. Group sites are available for groups up to 50 campers with a maximum of three vehicles per group.

Mather permits RV or tent camping with a maximum vehicle length of 30 feet. There are no hook-ups. Accessible campsites and restrooms are available. It is per friendly but must be leashed at all times. Showers and laundry facilities are available at an additional fee. Fires are only permitted in provided campsite grills and may use wood or charcoal. Wood can be purchased at the general store. The collecting of down wood at the park is prohibited.

Campsite usage fees apply. Currently they are $18 per site, per night and are subject to change without notice. Golden Age or Access passport holders pay only ½ price year round. Passport number is needed when making reservation and the passport holder must be camping at the site).

During the winter, from mid-November through February 28 reservations are not available. They are first-come during that period and a reduced fee of $15 per site. There is a self-pay machine at the Campground Office.

Mather Reservations. 1-877-444-6777 or online at http://www.recreation.gov/

Trailer Village.

Trailer Village is located adjacent to Mather Campground and is operated by Xanterra Parks. It is open all year and reservations are strongly recommended. It features RV site with hook-ups with a dump station located nearby at Mather Campground but it is closed during the winter months. Pets are permitted but must be on leash at all times. Current fees are $25 plus tax per site, per night for two campers. Each camper above two is charged $2. Rates are subject to change.

Trailer Village Reservations. (888) 297-2757 or
(928) 638-2631.

Desert View Campground.

Desert View Campground is located about 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village and is only open, weather permitting, from mid-May to mid-October. Camp sites are only available on a first-com basis. Reservations are not accepted and there is 7 day camping limit. The checkout time is 11:00AM.

Desert View is typically by early evening during the peak summer months, so come early and take you chances. There are a total of 50 campsites and most sites are sized to accommodate tents or smaller RV’s or Travel Trailers. Very few sites can accommodate large RV’s or Travel Trailers (30 ft. maximum length). There is a limit of six persons; two tents; or two-vehicles or one RV/Travel Trailer per site. Pets must be leashed at all times.

There are limited conveniences at Desert View Campground. No water, no utility or sewer hook-ups. There are however one men's, women's and handicap accessible restrooms with flushing toilets and cold water sinks. There are two water faucet in the campground and no shower facilities. Each campsite has a campfire grill for cooking use.

Fees are $12.00 for each space per night. The Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Golden Age Passport, and Golden Access Passport entitle the pass owner to a 50% discount on camping fees. No discounts on camping for any other Federal Pass holders. The campground accepts exact cash or credit card with an automated fee machine located by the campground restrooms.

Desert View Campground Map

Outside Grand Canyon Park Camping.

Ten-X Campground.

Ten-X is located 2 miles (3km) south of Tusayan Az which is a few miles south of the Park. It is operated by the US Forest Service and is only open from mid-April through September on a first-come basis. Reservations are not accepted accept for large groups, but the campground is rarely ever at capacity. Pit toilets and cold water faucets are located throughout the campground, but there are no hook-ups or showers. Current fees are $10 per vehicle, per night. A group site for groups up to 100 campers are available and reservations are required.

Information. (928) 638-2443 or Forest Service Website.

Camper Village.

Camper Village is a commercially operated campground located 7 miles south of Grand Canyon Village in Tusayan, Arizona. It is open seasonally and has hook-ups and coin-operated showers. Current fees are $18 to $26 per night.

Information. (928) 638-2887

Dispersed Camping Outside The Park.

Camping "at large" in the National Forest, but outside the Grand Canyon National Park is permitted. However, camping must be at least 0.25 miles away from Highway 64. Some restrictions apply. Call for information.

Tusayan Ranger District
Kaibab National Forest
(928) 638-2443

Backcountry Camping.

Camping in undeveloped campgrounds is permitted all year but requires a backcountry camping fee. This includes the Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch and all camping sites in the Inner Canyon. Reserving a camping site in advance is recommended although a small number of backcountry permits are available for the same day.

Call 928.638.7875