the dyrt
Standard (tent/RV)
Cabins
Tent Cabin
Dispersed
Group
RV Sites
Tent Sites
Yurts
Equestrian
Fires Allowed
Pets Allowed
Drinking Water
About Mather Campground
Mather Campground is located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. Grand Canyon is one of the most inspiring landscapes on Earth and draws over five million visitors per year to its spectacular scenery. Mather campground Grand Canyon is large and can accommodate a variety of needs and comfort levels. It is the only campground within Grand Canyon Village. Scenic overlooks, the park's free shuttle bus system, the Visitor Center, the general store and hiking and biking trails are all within a few miles from the facility. The campground is at an elevation of approximately 7,000 ft. Summers are sunny with high temperatures generally in the 80s. Thunderstorms frequently occur in July, August, and early September. Fall and spring are mostly sunny and cool with the occasional snow. Weather is variable; visitors should come prepared.
Recreation
From the campground, campers can access the Greenway, a paved walking and biking trail that leads to scenic overlooks and the Visitor Center. The Rim Trail, a paved walking trail, is one mile away and runs for 14 miles along the edge of the canyon. Leashed pets are allowed on both trails, but are not permitted below the rim. Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails descend into the canyon. Their trailheads are a short shuttle bus ride from the campground. The park's concessionaire also offers day and overnight mule riding trips into the canyon and along the rim.
Facilities
Mather Campground is a large facility with 327 campsites. Each site includes a campfire ring with a cooking grate, picnic table, parking space and room for up to three tents. There are flush toilets and drinking water spigots throughout the campground. There are no hookups available but there is a free dump station near by at Camper Services. Trailer Village, located next to Mather Campground, has hookups and can accommodate larger RVs. Almost all of the RV spaces are pull-through. Generators are NOT permitted in Pine Loop (sites 265-319).
Natural Features
Mather Campground lies beneath a mixture of a tall canopy of Ponderosa pine, Pinyon, and Juniper trees, providing most campsites with ample shade. The campground is one mile 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 shuttle bus ride from the campground to the Visitors Center. Visitors can also visit Yavapai Geology Museum, where they learn about the forces that formed the canyon. Below, visitors can see the mighty Colorado River, which flows 277 miles 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 for carrion.
Nearby Attractions
Numerous visitor centers, restaurants, museums and shops are within a shuttle bus ride from the campground. Beyond the village, Desert View provides one of the widest views of Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. The Desert View Watchtower displays the talent of architect Mary Jane Colter. Tusayan Ruin and Museum provide glimpses into the life of a small Ancestral Puebloan village 800 years ago. Both are within 25 miles from the campground.
ADA Access: N
Sites
357
Fee Info
Please Note: The $6 campsites are for campers who arrive on foot or bicycle only. Please refer to the Need to Know section for more information.
Price
$15.00 - $50.00
Operator
National Park Service
Access
Drive In
Walk In
Hike In
Features
ADA Accessible
Alcohol Allowed
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Fires Allowed
Firewood Available
Market
Pets Allowed
Phone Service
Picnic Table
Reservable
Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Showers
Toilets
Trash Available
Water Hookups
No WiFi
Contact
Location
Mather Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
Mather Campground is located within the park in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. From the south entrance station, proceed for about three miles and turn left on Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn right onto Market Plaza Road. The campground is about one mile down Market Plaza Road on the right. From the east entrance station, follow the road 25 miles and turn left at the "t" intersection onto South Entrance Road. Travel about 1/2 mile and turn right at the intersection onto Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn right onto market plaza road. The campground is about one mile down market plaza road on the right.
110 Reviews of Mather Campground
Perfect Location to Explore the Canyon
This campground is right next to the Rim walk and village so it is the perfect basecamp for heading into the canyon.
There are bathrooms, firewood, separated sites, multiple loops, and large sites. We were able to do a group camp here multiple times. Feb, May, and October.
Be prepared for wildlife and crazy weather though. It snowed in May and was 80 degrees in October. There is always a constant flow of people coming in and out of the park so it was nice to have a bit of quiet in the campground just knowing what was on the other side of the trees.
The bathrooms are well taken care of and if you are missing anything you can hit up the general store to grab it…including ice cream after a long hike. This campground is perfect for the new camper. It has EVERYTHING you may need.
The Grand Canyon shuttle is really helpful for traveling to Hermit's gulch quickly bit otherwise they designed this campground great for getting around easily.
I would advise booking as far in advance as you can get! During Winter months the hiker/biker sites aren't available but normally they are $15. During the Winter months the tent sites are only $18 and are usually available last minute. Summer costs jump up to about $50 per night.
Love this campground
I have stayed in May and mid October. Both times were perfect. Clean and nice. Mule deer wander through, Ravens appear as well. Close to shuttle stop and General Store.
Great Experience, right by the Canyon.
We stayed in the large-group campsites, and it was very nice with plenty of space for our group. We were able to have a nice fire and were only a few minutes from the Grand Canyon where we got to take sunset photos.
Grand Canyon Camping at its Best
Mather Campground is a 15min walk from the south rim trail. There are lots of campsite but they fill up quickly so make a reservation. There’s a store, laundry and shower facility for the campers but it can be a walk from a distant campsite. Make sure you check in when you arrive.
Cell Service: Slow, Roaming, Verizon.
Central to south rim and all its glory
Large well maintained campground in the heart of the south rim. You can expect all the usual NPS services and amenities- fire pit, picnic table, pit bathrooms and many many families on vacation.
The location at the heart of south rim is great and unbeatable and makes the strangers kids shouts worth it.
Awesome, peaceful campground!
I loved how peaceful and serene this campground is. So easy to check in and out; there is also a laundromat and showers on site! The rim is only a short bus ride (provided by the park) away! About 5 minutes! Loved it and will be back again!
Perfect location
Just the perfect combination of being close to the canyon, and out alone in nature. Lots of trees for hammocks, views of the sunset, and even wandering elk make this campsite incredible
Large spots, neat elk!!
We had a group spot to ourselves, lots of space and the site was tucked between the trees. Elk walking around all the time, really neat to see. A lot of restrooms. The crows are mischievous so keep all of your stuff stowed away. Close drive to the canyon rim and hiking, we would stay here again.
Mather Campground, Grand Canyon National Park
Drove in at the last minute, the sign says full, but talked to backcountry office ranger and he got us a site right in the middle of mather. Elk everywhere, huge site, with fire pit and picnic table. Flat tent pad, under a tree. and a lot quieter than I thought it would be. We were headed down to Phantom ranch the next day super early and was within 10 minutes of backcountry office on the south rim.
Starry Nights in South Rim
Tent camp in an officially recognized International Dark Sky Park!
Bathrooms and drinking water are located through out each loop. Shower and laundry a little walk at the entrance to the campgrounds.
By day there is plenty of shade and trees. The National Park shuttle system has a stop a the front of the campsite to get you anywhere you need to go.
Nights are cool and the starts are incredible, one the the best star gazing locations in the nation.
