Camping at Grand Canyon: 3 NPS Campgrounds, Rates, and Reservations

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Grand Canyon

The park has three campgrounds managed directly by the NPS, with 499 sites in all. Two are on the South Rim (Mather Campground and Trailer Village RV Park), and one is in the eastern part of the park (Desert View Campground). The summary table on this page lays out the basic facts for each site: sites, services, rates, and reservation rules. This guide puts those details into perspective and helps you choose.

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 ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Grand Canyon?

Yes, and it is one of the most intense ways to experience the park. Getting up before dawn with the canyon right outside your tent changes everything. Camping outside a designated site is strictly prohibited throughout the park, including the rims. Only backcountry camping below the rim is allowed, with a specific permit issued by the Backcountry Information Center.

Campgrounds on the South Rim

The South Rim holds most of the park's 499 NPS sites and remains accessible year-round. This is where most camping trips take place.

Mather Campground

Mather is the park's largest NPS campground, with 327 sites spread across several loops in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. Of those, 55 are tent-only sites and 7 are group sites. The campground accommodates tents and RVs up to 30 feet long, with no electrical hookups. A dump station is available on-site. There are no showers at the campground. The nearest ones are at Maswik Lodge, a few minutes away on foot.

The system is mixed: some sites can be reserved on recreation.gov, while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The rate is $12 per night. For peak-season weeks, book as soon as the reservation window opens.

On a March visit, the inner loops offered good privacy among the ponderosa pines, far from the crowds you get in August.

Trailer Village

Next to Mather, Trailer Village RV Park is for RVs only. It has 123 sites, including 80 with electrical hookups. It is the only NPS hookup option in the park. Rigs can be up to 50 feet long. Amenities include showers, laundry, a dump station, and a store. The rate is $80 per night.

You book through the park concessioner's website, not recreation.gov. The link is in the table. Keep that in mind when comparing availability because the two systems are separate.

Desert View Campground

At the park's east entrance, about 25 miles from the main village, Desert View has 49 sites for tents and RVs up to 30 feet long, with no hookups or showers. Reservations are required through recreation.gov. The rate is $15 per night.

The season is short. In 2026, the campground opens April 11 and closes October 18. It is often quieter than Mather, and sunrise over the canyon from Desert View Watchtower is worth the extra drive.

The North Rim campground

The North Rim gets fewer visitors than the South Rim and opens only in mid-May. The access road closes in mid-October and is snow-covered by November.

North Rim Campground

The North Rim has a seasonal campground for tents and RVs. This site was not included in the NPS data available when this guide was written. Check recreation.gov or the park's official website for current rates, site numbers, and availability. At about 8,400 feet, the elevation brings welcome relief in July, but you'll want a good sleeping bag at night.

RV or tent: which option is best at Grand Canyon?

Mather accommodates tents and RVs up to 30 feet, with no hookups. Desert View has the same length restriction. If your rig needs electrical hookups, Trailer Village is the park's only NPS option: 80 connected sites out of 123, with a maximum length of 50 feet. Large RVs 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 guide.

Camping nearby: private campgrounds outside the park

The park often fills up between June and August. In Tusayan, just south of the main entrance, Grand Canyon Camper Village has 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 lodges, hotels, and motels in and around the park, see the Grand Canyon lodging guide.

Dispersed camping and backcountry camping

Spending the night beside the Colorado River, deep in the canyon, is possible, but it takes planning. Two campgrounds are accessible only on foot or by mule: Bright Angel Campground, beside the river, and Cottonwood Campground, halfway 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 downhill routes and difficulty levels, see the Grand Canyon hiking guide.

How and when to reserve a campsite at Grand Canyon

Reservations for Mather and Desert View open on recreation.gov through a rolling six-month window. In practice, July sites become available January 1, and August sites February 1. Log in the moment the window opens for peak periods such as Easter, summer, and U.S. spring break.

Mather also has first-come, first-served sites, which are useful outside the busy season. From November through March on the South Rim, demand is lower and you can often find a last-minute site. To find 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?

The three NPS campgrounds range from $12 to $80 per night. Mather is the least expensive at $12, followed by Desert View at $15. Trailer Village, the only site with electrical hookups, costs considerably more at $80. Showers, laundry, and hookups make the difference worthwhile if you need them. The table lists the services included at each rate.

You also pay the park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. If you visit several parks in a year, the $80 America the Beautiful pass 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

Food storage. Squirrels, ravens, and mule deer are experts at getting into a poorly closed bag. Store all food, packaging, and scented products in your vehicle's trunk or in the metal storage lockers provided at each site. Black bears occasionally occur in the park, so follow the same rules as a matter of course.

Heat in the canyon. Temperatures at the bottom of Grand Canyon can exceed 104°F in July and August. If you're heading out from your campsite, plan on at least 4 liters of water per person per day, and avoid going down 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 California condors (Gymnogyps californianus). Don't feed them or try to approach them. They are protected birds, and contact with humans directly harms their survival.

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 for its proximity to Grand Canyon Village, with its grocery store, restaurants, and free shuttles, as well as its $12 nightly rate. Aim for loops with renovated restrooms when you book.

For RVs with hookups: Trailer Village on the South Rim is the park's only option with electrical hookups, for rigs up to 50 feet long.

For peace and quiet: Desert View Campground at the park's east entrance offers a noticeably quieter atmosphere, especially on weekdays. The season is short, from April to mid-October, and reservations through recreation.gov are required.

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