Grand Canyon National Park's Desert View Campground sits on the South Rim's quieter eastern section, managed by the National Park Service and open from mid-April through mid-October. Located roughly 25 miles from the main village area, this 50-site campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with sites typically filling by early afternoon during peak season.
The campground spreads through a pinyon pine and juniper forest, with sites ranging from pull-throughs suitable for 30-foot RVs to smaller tent-only spots. Outer loop sites between 22 and 44 offer more spacing and privacy, while inner loop sites sit closer together. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, though fire restrictions apply during dry periods. "The tent spots were flat and well maintained," notes Corey B., though he mentions the single restroom facility requires "a bit of a walk each time."
A short unmarked trail between sites 46 and 48 leads directly to the canyon rim, providing sunrise views without the crowds found at more popular overlooks. The Desert View Watchtower and general store sit within walking distance, selling supplies, firewood, and local beer and wine. Wildlife encounters include elk wandering through campsites and occasional wild horse sightings. Joy warns that "ravens will steal anything resembling food," including non-food items left unattended.
The campground lacks hookups beyond water spigots at select sites, and showers require a drive to Mather Campground. Cell service remains intermittent, and the rough access road can challenge low-clearance vehicles. June temperatures drop into the 30s at night despite warm days, making proper gear essential.
Campers seeking additional options can explore campgrounds near Grand Canyon National Park, including dispersed sites like Forest Road 682 just 4.5 miles south for those wanting even more solitude.
Description
Overview
Located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park at an altitude of 7,463 ft (2,275 m), Desert View Campground is located 23 miles (37 km) to the east of Grand Canyon Village. The Desert View area offers a peaceful setting. Most sites are sized to accommodate tents or smaller RVs, or vehicles with travel trailers (30 ft./9 m total length). Vehicles over 29' in (8.8 m) total length may not be able to negotiate turns without damaging resources and/or vehicle/trailer.Due to high demand, Desert View Campground requires advanced reservations during its season, usually mid-April to mid-October. You may book reservations up to 6 months in advance. Desert View Campground does not hold back any campsites for first-come, first-served camping during peak season and does not have a wait list or call back system._You may book same day reservations here on Recreation.gov or through the toll-free call center at 1-877-444-6777.
Recreation
Wildlife Viewing Bicycling Photography Star Gazing and Night Sky Events
Facilities
There are a total of 50 campsites in the Desert View Campground. Most sites can accommodate tents or SMALL RV's or travel Trailers. Sites can not accommodate RV's or travel trailers over 30 ft. maximum length - Front bumper to rear bumper). Limit of six persons; two tents; two-vehicles or one RV/Travel Trailer per site. There are no Group Sites. Affiliated Groups cannot break up into separate sites. Examples of Affiliated Group: clubs, Scouts, organizations, group of friends, large family gatherings. All campsites are dry sites. No utility, water, or sewer hook-ups are available. Each site does have a campfire grill for fires and cooking use and a picnic table. There are two water faucets located within the campground. There are men's, women's, and accessible restrooms in the campground. The restrooms have flushing toilets and sinks (no hot water). Desert View has no showers, laundromat, or dump station. The nearest are at: Mather Campground, in Grand Canyon Village, 26 miles/42 km west of Desert View. A General Store and a Gas Station are in the Desert View area; with limited groceries and firewood.
Natural Features
Desert View Campground lies beneath a mixture of pinyon and juniper trees, providing most campsites with ample shade. The campground is less than 1/2 mile (.8 km) from the rim of the canyon. A visit to the canyon during sunrise and sunset yields spectacular views of yellow, orange, red and violet hues in the canyon walls. Layers of rock display billions of years of geologic history. Campers can take a short walk from the campground to the historic Desert View Watchtower. Visitors can see the mighty Colorado River, which flows 277 miles (446 km) through the bottom of the canyon. Wildlife abounds on the South Rim, including elk, mule deer, coyotes, lizards, songbirds and the endangered California condor. Although condors nest below the rim, they can be seen soaring several thousand feet above the canyon in search of carrion.
Nearby Attractions
Desert View provides one of the widest views of Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. The Mary Colter's Desert View Watchtower displays this architect's talent. The Desert View area offers an aviation memorial, a trading post and market, and Tusayan Ruin and Museum which provide glimpses into the life of a small Ancestral Puebloan village 800 years ago, all within 5 miles from the campground.
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation adjustments are made online through www.recreation.gov. or by phone (877)444-6777.
Fee Info
Campsites at the Desert View Campground are $18.00 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. There are no groups sites at Desert View. An individual may not book multiple campsites for the same dates (one campsite per night per individual). Campsites are limited to 6 campers per site. Gatherings of multiple campers from different sites at a single campsite is not permitted as it leads to increased noise and resource damage. Mather Campground has Group Sites.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundDesert View Campground — Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona
Directions
The Desert View Campground is located in the Desert View Area; 23 miles (37 km) to the east of Grand Canyon Village and 28 miles west of Cameron; near the Desert View Gas Station.
Coordinates
36.03893676 N
111.8226088 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 64 usersLast on 3/25/26
VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 70 usersLast on 3/25/26
AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 3/25/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 64 usersLast on 3/25/26
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 70 usersLast on 3/25/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 3/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 2 hrs 28 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 3 hrs 3 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 3 hrs 54 min from St. George, UT
