Camping in Grand Canyon: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations & Rates
Yes, you can camp inside Grand Canyon National Park. The park has four official campgrounds: two on the South Rim (open year-round or nearly so), one on the North Rim (seasonal), and two backcountry campgrounds at the bottom of the canyon, accessible only on foot. Reservations are required for the vast majority of sites and are made through recreation.gov. For summer, plan several months ahead.
Campgrounds in the park (3)
- Campground Desert View Campground (Reservations Required) recreation.gov · 49 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Mather Campground - South Rim recreation.gov · 327 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Trailer Village RV Park - South Rim see NPS · 123 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Can You Camp Inside Grand Canyon?
Yes, and it's one of the most intense ways to experience the park. Waking up before dawn with the canyon right outside your tent changes everything. Camping outside a designated site is strictly prohibited throughout the park, including both rims. Backcountry camping below the rim is the only exception, and you'll need a specific permit issued by the Backcountry Information Center.
Campgrounds on the South Rim
The South Rim has most of the campsites and remains accessible year-round. This is where most stays take place.
Mather Campground
The park's largest campground has 327 sites spread across several loops in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. It accommodates tents and RVs, with no electrical hookups. Showers and laundry facilities are available nearby at Maswik Lodge. Open year-round, with reservations through recreation.gov. Rate: about $18 per night.
On a visit in March, loops B and C offered good privacy among the ponderosa pines, without the August crowds.
Trailer Village
Next to Mather, Trailer Village is reserved for RVs with full hookups (water, electricity, and sewer). It has about 79 sites. Rates are higher, at around $55 to $65 per night, but the services make up for it. Reservations are made through Xanterra Parks, not recreation.gov.
Desert View Campground
At the park's east entrance, Desert View is 25 miles east of the main village. It has 50 sites for tents and small vehicles, with no hookups or showers. Open seasonally, roughly from May through October. It's often quieter than Mather, and sunrise over the canyon from Desert View Watchtower is worth the extra drive. Rate: about $12 per night.
The North Rim Campground
The North Rim sees fewer visitors and opens only in mid-May. The access road closes in mid-October and is snow-covered by November.
North Rim Campground
About 87 sites for tents and RVs, with no hookups. Reservations are available through recreation.gov, with the season running from mid-May to mid-October. Rates are comparable to Mather, at $18 to $25 per night. The elevation, around 8,400 feet, brings welcome coolness in July, but nights call for a good sleeping bag.
RV or Tent: Which Option Is Best at Grand Canyon?
Mather and North Rim accommodate both, without hookups. If your rig needs full hookups, Trailer Village is the only option in the park. Large RVs over 30 feet long should check the length restrictions for each loop before confirming a reservation. For everything you need to know about visiting Grand Canyon by RV, see the Grand Canyon RV camping guide.
Camping Nearby: Private Campgrounds Outside the Park
The park is often full from June through August. In Tusayan, just south of the main entrance, Grand Canyon Camper Village offers about 250 sites with or without hookups. Williams and Flagstaff, 50 to 60 miles south, offer other private options that are generally less expensive. For lodging in and around the park, including lodges, hotels, and motels, see the Grand Canyon lodging guide.
Dispersed Camping and Backcountry Camping
Spending the night along the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon is possible, but it takes preparation. Two campgrounds are accessible only on foot or by mule: Bright Angel Campground, along the river, and Cottonwood Campground, partway along the North Kaibab Trail from the North Rim.
A wilderness permit is required for any stay below the rim. Demand far exceeds availability, so apply four months ahead through the Backcountry Information Center. For descent routes and difficulty levels, see the Grand Canyon hiking guide.
How and When to Reserve a Grand Canyon Campsite
Reservations open on recreation.gov on a rolling six-month window. In practice, July sites become available on January 1, and August sites on February 1. Log in right when the window opens for peak periods such as Easter, summer, and American spring break.
Outside the main season, from November through March on the South Rim, demand is lower and last-minute sites are easier to find. To identify the best window based on weather and crowds, read the guide to when to visit Grand Canyon.
Rates: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost at Grand Canyon?
| Campground | Type | Approximate rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mather Campground | Tent / RV without hookups | ~$18/night |
| Trailer Village | RV with full hookups | ~$55 to $65/night |
| Desert View Campground | Tent / small RV, no hookups | ~$12/night |
| North Rim Campground | Tent / RV without hookups | ~$18 to $25/night |
These rates are in addition to the park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. If you visit several parks during the year, the America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers admission and pays for itself after the second park. For an overview of entrance fees and passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.
Safety and Camping Best Practices at Grand Canyon
Store food properly. Squirrels, ravens, and mule deer are experts at getting into poorly closed bags. Store all food, wrappers, and scented products in your car's trunk or in the metal storage lockers provided at each site. Black bears occasionally appear in the park, so follow the same rules as a matter of principle.
Heat in the canyon. Temperatures at the bottom of Grand Canyon exceed 104°F in July and August. If you're hiking from your campsite, plan on at least 4 liters of water per person per day, and avoid descending between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seasonal conditions are covered in the Grand Canyon weather guide.
Rattlesnakes and scorpions. Shake out shoes, gaiters, and clothing left on the ground before putting them on, especially in the evening. Don't turn over rocks or logs with your bare hands.
California condors. Grand Canyon is home to a reintroduced colony of condors (Gymnogyps californianus). Don't feed them or try to approach them. These protected birds are harmed directly by contact with humans.
For the park's general rules, see the details in the Grand Canyon guide.
Which Campground Should You Choose?
For families with tents: Mather Campground is convenient to the village, grocery store, restaurants, and free shuttles. Target loops with renovated restrooms when you make your reservation.
For RVs with hookups: Trailer Village on the South Rim is the only full-hookup option in the park.
For peace and quiet: Desert View Campground on the eastern South Rim or North Rim Campground offer a noticeably quieter atmosphere, especially on weekdays.
For adventure: Bright Angel or Cottonwood Campground in the backcountry, with the proper permit. These sites are best left to experienced, well-equipped hikers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp inside Grand Canyon?
Yes. The park has four official campgrounds accessible by car or on foot (South Rim, North Rim, and backcountry). Camping outside a designated site is prohibited throughout the park.
Which campground should you choose at Grand Canyon?
Mather Campground is the default choice on the South Rim because of its size and services. For peace and quiet, choose Desert View or North Rim Campground. For a night along the Colorado River, choose one of the backcountry campgrounds, with a permit required.
When should you reserve a Grand Canyon campsite?
Reservations open six months ahead on recreation.gov. For summer, from June through August, reserve as soon as the window opens, in December or January depending on the month you want.
How do you camp at Grand Canyon?
For developed campgrounds, reserve through recreation.gov, or through Xanterra for Trailer Village. For backcountry camping below the rim, a permit is required. Submit your application to the Backcountry Information Center four months before your desired date.
How much does a campsite cost at Grand Canyon?
Rates range from $12 per night at Desert View to $65 at Trailer Village for RV hookups. Mather and North Rim Campground run about $18 to $25 per night, not including the park entrance fee of $35 per vehicle. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.
Can you encounter bears while camping at Grand Canyon?
Black bears are present in the park, but encounters remain rare. Food-storage rules still apply: use your car's trunk or the on-site metal lockers, and keep all food and wrappers out of your tent.