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197 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 28, 2019

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.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Berton M., October 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Berton M., October 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Berton M., October 28, 2019
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2019

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.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Shavit L., October 10, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Shavit L., October 10, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2019

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!

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Lily R., August 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Lily R., August 28, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2019

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

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Kristen , August 10, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2019

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.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Kayla H., August 9, 2019
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Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

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.

Site251
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2019

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.

SitePine Loop 310
Month of VisitJuly
  • Gate to Campground
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  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Bryan H., July 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Bryan H., July 24, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2019

Busy, but nice

Campsite 107

Was able to secure a reservation about two weeks in advance for a Saturday night stay in July. If you weren't able to get a reservation in advance, check back a week or two prior to your desired dates for cancellations.

The check in was easy, only took a few seconds to find our reservation and give us directions to the site.

The site was mostly level, clean, and fairly large considering the size of the campground. There was a good mix of shade to put the tent and chairs, and open sky to view the stars. Looking around, we probably had one of the least shaded sites, but it wasn't too bad. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill.

The site was fairly close to a restroom and there was some noise from the air dryers and the door opening and closing throughout the night. They were clean though, and there's a sink around back for dishwashing. I would not pick a site right next to a bathroom: there was a site maybe 15 feet away and that's too close.

All of our neighbors were nice and quiet, but we could hear a couple loud groups coming from the far parts of the campground. The hosts are very strict about the generator curfew (love it!) and not stringing stuff from trees. Hammocks are fine, but you need to take it down when you're not actually in it. This is to protect the animals who will wander through your site.

Watch for lots of pedestrians walking down the road to and from the showers. We didn't use those facilities.

There are lots of elk and deer that are waaay too comfortable around humans, so make sure you keep all food put away, watch your pets, and take your trash to the dumpsters. It was interesting seeing the elk, but sad at the same time. One of our neighbors left a trash bag out overnight and the elk (and later the crows) destroyed it.

The campground is about a 20 minute walk from Mather Point and the visitors center via a paved walking path that starts just past the Juniper Loop. There's a whole network of paths, mostly paved, some dirt, around the Village that connects most everything, plus the shuttle bus. The general store is about 1/4 mile from the campground entrance.

Near zero cell service with Sprint. Just enough to get an occasional push notification.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mike M., July 23, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mike M., July 23, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2019

Pretty cool!

Great camping spot. Lots of spaces. Coin operated showers and laundry. This campground is literally within walking distance from the Grand Canyon Village which was very nice. Beautiful place.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amaya L., July 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amaya L., July 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amaya L., July 12, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2019

Cleanliness at its best

The best site on a national park yet!! Theres electricity hook up tho for those wanna be on a wild side away from city id suggest a 6 month reservation to havasupai falls.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Joan F., July 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Joan F., July 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Joan F., July 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Joan F., July 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Joan F., July 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Joan F., July 1, 2019
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Reviewed Jun. 13, 2019

Ranger Review: Icemule Pro Cooler at Mather Campground

Mather Campground Review

For some reason, despite never having been there before, I have always thought that the Grand Canyon is the most American of all national parks. So I planned my SW trip to start off here. We flew into Vegas and we got to drive through the Kaibab National Forest to get to Mather campground (if you can’t find any available campground reservations within the GCNP itself I would recommend checking for site availability at Kaibab). The surrounding area is much more forested than I had anticipated- so watch out for unexpected large wildlife! 

On our first night we arrived at site 260 in the oak loop slightly past sunset with enough light to find our site and set everything up. For sites 259-264 PLEASE LOOK AT A MAP to find your campsite, there is an unmarked turn to the right after site 213 to get to this section and we were quite confused when we drove through the entire main loop and then found ourselves back on a main road without encountering 260. Our site itself had a nice spread to it that made it feel relatively private despite clear visibility to the sites on either side of us. There was definitely enough room to set up 2 tents. The bathrooms were decent enough, however they are equipped with those fast-drying hand dryers that are LOUD and the noise carries well into the campground. For this reason alone I would try to avoid being in the near vicinity of the bathrooms, unless you can sleep with ear plugs in or are a heavy sleeper. 

There are apparently coin operated showers at the beginning of the campground area, but we didn’t even know they existed at the time so I can’t comment on those. The bathrooms DO have an outlet between the two sinks that people use for various purposes- one morning a lady was brewing coffee, another morning I used it to quickly blow dry my hair after spritzing it (I just have a pixie, don’t hog the sink area if you are going to take more than a few minutes!). 

Here are some tips that I have to share from my trip

-We were there the first weekend of June and it was perfect!  Cool temps at night, relatively hot during the day, and since a lot of schools aren't out yet the tourist situation was never bad. We never had to wait on a shuttle.

-Wake up early for the sunrise! If you are a light sleeper you will probably be woken up an hour before sunrise by your fellow campers getting ready to go watch it rise. You might as well join them. If you’re planning on hiking down into the canyon you should do it soon after the sunrise so your hike will be shaded and cooler than mid-day. We really liked the South Kaibib trail- we only went to Ooh-Aah point and back and that was a fulfilling hiking experience for us.  The signs about going up being hard are all true.

-There is a nice coffee shop by the visitor center that has reasonable prices on some grab and go type food- they even have a microwave to heat up sandwiches

-Only have one night to catch the sunset? Catch it in two places! We started our sunset viewing by hopping on the red shuttle, getting off at Hopi point to watch the colors in the canyon change(the shuttle does NOT pick up at this location going back towards the visitor center), then once you have had enough of watching the colors in the canyon change color hop back onto the shuttle to Mohave point to watch the sky colors change. You have a pretty view of the sunset over the river and the furthest outlook point here. Once the sky colors are past their peak hustle back to the shuttle pickup area to try to prevent having to wait too long for a ride back. By doing this you avoid the huge crowd of people waiting to be shuttled back to the visitor center at Powell Point (Powell point is right next to Hopi point so you have crowds from both locations trying to get back).

-Are you looking for a place to charge your phone and have wifi? The nearby Starbucks does NOT have public outlets.

-Elk are abundant! Leave them alone! Do not get close to them to take a picture- you will more than likely never look at it ever again so it’s not worth the risk of getting hurt!

-Do the Desert View drive and get a fry bread taco from the restaurant located in the desert view tower area (the taco wasn’t fried like you can get elsewhere, but it was still really good and toppings tasted better than any other fry bread taco I have had)! My favorite Grand Canyon overlook was at the tower area- really great view of the river. Pay attention to which parts of the park you are entering and leaving though. We did the drive on our first full day there, then found out we had to go the same route the next day to exit the park towards Page. It takes a while to exit the park going this way since the speed limit starts off pretty slow. Also, going east on 64 after you leave the park is stunning. There is an official scenic overlook that you can pull off and hike a ways to and putz around at the top of a canyon.

-We found that a two-night stay was the perfect amount of time for us since we didn’t want to do a ton of hiking into the canyon (the cautionary signs are a very good deterrent) and we were still able to spend a decent amount of time at many of the overlooks.

-If you are renting a car check to make sure that you can drive to all of the states on your itinerary! We rented our car from Budget at the Las Vegas airport location that you take a shuttle to and had no idea until we got there that we were only allowed to drive to Arizona, Utah, California and Nevada!  Luckily we didn't add on Mesa Verde like we were trying to at the last minute. The cars have a sticker notifying you that they have a tracker in them.

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Icemule Pro Large Cooler review 

As a Dyrt Ranger I got the opportunity to test out exciting camping gear from time to time. For this camping trip I was provided an Icemule Pro Large backpack cooler to review. I was extremely excited to try this out because the only cooler that I have is a cheapo 6-pack holder that you can pretty much just use to keep a few drinks cold for an evening. I liked that this was a backpack instead of a traditionally shaped cooler or a tote bag since lugging a cooler full of consumables AND ice isn’t the most ergonomic thing in the world when you are carrying it on one side of your body or if you need to hoist it up in front of you. Wheeled coolers are also great when you have a smooth surface to pull them across, but you definitely wouldn’t bring one on a trail!

Another nice thing about using this pack instead of a cooler is that it easily fits in places that coolers don’t. We had our car pretty full of suitcases and camping gear, so this just sat on the floor behind the passenger seat for most of the trip. This is currently the smallest bag that they have in this style, and it is huge! I was considering getting a larger size, but I’m so glad that I didn’t. These are the details on the site: Capacity: 23L/ 18 cans+ ice In Use Dimensions: 17" x 11" x 14" Weight: 3.2 lbs 

I used this cooler on my weeklong Southwest trip last week. For the first 3 days it was used solely as a car cooler and was filled with about 3/4 of a plastic grocery bag’s worth of food and drink and a big bag of ice that had it completely full. I would not want to carry this full on my back for a significant amount of time. The ice lasted almost 3 days when it was filled to the top with ice on day 1, which is pretty impressive considering that it was in a hot car most of the time. I am looking into loose ice alternatives since it was a pain to try to hack the ice cubes apart (they had fused together on day 2) to try to find what I wanted. Also, there isn’t a spout to release any of the melted water so you need to carefully empty the bag while preventing your stuff from falling out. I’m probably going to experiment with frozen water bottles or with the flexible ice pack sheets. 

I really enjoyed this cooler when I had just a short layer of ice at the bottom and a few drinks in it for hiking. It was an odd experience hiking in the treacherous heat at the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada (go here in the early early morning or after 5pm its amazing!) and having brain freeze from extremely chilled water. 

Room for improvement

-The pads that are against your back while wearing this are quite scratchy- the first time I brought this on a hike I had to have my husband wear it since I was wearing a tank top that exposed my back to the pads.

-The chest strap(like on the majority of packs) is too low. When I have the chest straps joined together at their highest setting it cuts across my chest in an unfortunate way

-Like I said before- this thing is enormous AND there are even larger sizes!!! They only offer smaller bags in a crossbody style, but I prefer a backpack style.

-I think this line of backpack coolers is geared towards men and the crossbody style is geared towards women. This is evident in the color selection- this pack style currently comes in black, duct tape gray, olive, and camo. I like the black style the most, but I find it easier to find colored things in my storage room so I went with the olive. I do appreciate how little room it takes to store!

I would give this 4/5 stars on account of the minor details that prevented this cooler from being as comfortable as it could- mainly the itchy padding and the chest strap location. I probably would have given it 4.5/5 had there been a better color selection too (shallow, I know).  This definitely isn’t a replacement for my regular hiking pack, but I’m definitely glad to have it since I’m usually hiking with my husband so we can each have a pack. There are some accessories that you can purchase to use with the icemule that I think are worth checking out. I bought their drybag for storing unsealed food in the cooler and there is also a Icemule Pro Pack dry storage compartment that you can stash on the outside of the cooler. 

This item has a 15% price increase from the time I ordered it to the time that I am writing this review, so if you're interested in picking one up do it sooner than later and you should be able to get 10% off currently on your first order.

SiteOak loop 260
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
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  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Krista T., June 13, 2019
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Reviewed Jun. 4, 2019

Maple Loop #198,199,200

The Maple Loop is the outer most campground loop. It is a hike if you choose to walk to the GC shuttle stop. We chose to drive to the nearby market and catch the shuttle there. We reserved our energy for hikes around the rim. Firewood is available at the market for $7.49 (the highest price we’ve ever paid for firewood). Elk roamed the campground. Flush toilets are available and an outdoor sink is available to wash dishes. Camp sites are close together but the trees offer privacy from your neighbors. We kept our campsite tidy and the ravens were not s problem. $2 8- minute showers and a laundromat are available at camper services at the entrance to the campground.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Melissa A., June 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Melissa A., June 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Melissa A., June 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Melissa A., June 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Melissa A., June 4, 2019
Reviewed May. 28, 2019

Amazing Campground if You're Lucky

Hard to get a spot at this site during peak season.  We were lucky enough to get one night over Memorial Day weekend, but then had to find dispersed camping in the National Forest just outside the park for our second night.

Facilities were great, and easy access to the main areas of the park.  Saw lots of wildlife at the camp site, even had a few deer/elk pass right through our site while sitting in the hammock.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Austin C., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Austin C., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Austin C., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Austin C., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Austin C., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Austin C., May 28, 2019
Reviewed May. 23, 2019

Beautiful!

Lots of deer and very clean.  Gets very cold at night and early morning.

Bathrooms are clean.

Great camping location for couples and families.

Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed May. 10, 2019

Wooded sites

I stayed here for 2 nights in October, during that time it was very cold in the Grand Canyon. This campground didn’t have many people staying in it, so it was very quiet. The bathrooms were close by and there was a laundry facility. There were large deer everywhere.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Michele J., May 10, 2019
Reviewed May. 8, 2019

WOWZA!

This. Place. Breathtakingly beautiful. Obviously the canyon stole the show, but Mather Park was a treat as well. It was jam packed with tourists, but still amazing! I loved being close to the general store and hotel, complete with a restaurant, coffee shop and cafeteria hall! We decided to go on a walk the next morning to view the sunrise and it only took us about 15 minutes from our campsite! Hiking down and back up the South Kaibab trail was a treat for the both of us as we got engaged near mid-point! The hike down was easy, but going back up was tough! Be sure to pack lots of water and carry minimally, and abide by the signs. The views are incredible and the park staff were all very nice! The weather during March was a bit nippy at night inside the tent, but during the day it warmed up. We can’t wait to go back and experience Horseshoe Bend!

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sapphire J., May 8, 2019
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2019

Cozy but...

The campsite was cozy but you have to pay $2 in quarters for a "18min" shower which was more like 10mins. There was quite a bit of trash around the site. We picked up and threw away what we could. We camped there on a Monday then backpacked in the grand canyon and came back to Mather on thursday. Not very quite but great if you're wanting a cheap in the park option for sleeping.

Site245
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Rebecca K., April 24, 2019
Reviewed Apr. 12, 2019

Quiet and flat

It seems like the campground might be crowded, and you can see your neighbors in most sites, but there are trees and some privacy. Deer wander through, too, which is fun. There and sidewalks for the children to ride bikes and scooters. It can be a bit of a walk to reach the shuttle, but it’s worth the effort to avoid parking.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Jennifer O., April 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Jennifer O., April 12, 2019
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2019

Great location

April was pretty cold at the Grand Canyon and we weren’t super prepared to have snow but it was a great location. Trails in the canyon and around the rim we’re close. There was a grocery store in the park and not too far from the campground. The facilities were very well kept. The camp spots were pretty open and were lacking in privacy but that’s not abnormal for a national park.

Site109
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Kayla R., April 10, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Kayla R., April 10, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Kayla R., April 10, 2019
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Kayla R., April 10, 2019
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2018

South rim Grand Canyon trip

Really close campsite to the Grand Canyon. Nice clean restrooms. We went in November so it was cold(low 10’s and only up to mid 20’s during day! So be prepared. Sites had table and fire pit. And easy access roads to sides

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Wutang P., December 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Wutang P., December 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Wutang P., December 8, 2018
Reviewed Nov. 26, 2018

Close but crowded

A large campground in the middle of the park. Pine loop is generator free so it was quieter than the rest. There are no quick walks to the rim from the camp but there is a bus system that can take you there. November was a quieter time but still fairly busy.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

Clean and simple

We stayed at this campground for two nights in September. Checking in was easy, informative and we also got a detailed map of the campground. Bathroom and drinking water is close by and every bathroom has an outdoor sink for washing dishes and animal proof trash cans. Campsites are nice, clean and big, every one of them has a picnic table and designated campfire. There is a campsite host on site 24/7. We had a nice, quet stay at this campground, and if you're lucky you'll see deer/elk early in the morning around your tent eating breakfast :)

Reviewed Sep. 23, 2018

Mather Grand Canyon sept 2018

Grand Canyon is a professional setup. They know how to do things, while this is the most popular park in the US, they are very organized. Yes, we had to make reservations and we were camping in a tent 3 nights and had to change campsites each night. Plenty of bathrooms with running water/flush toilets, showers are in a central location close to the check in site, and showers were $2.00 for 8 minutes. Shuttles arrive frequently to take you where you need to go, or the marketplace is a short walk. We got our water refilled at the marketplace for free. Mather is a tent campground, RVs are at a separate site.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Deborah C., September 23, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2018

Nice campground close to rim

Decent campground, I stayed here before hiking to Bright Angel Campground the next day.

It is a very large campground but the sites are well spaced.  Very close to the canyon, great place to stay regardless of your plans at the park.

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2018

Great Place to stay to see the Canyon

We stayed here the night before and the night after we hiked down into the canyon. The spots are reasonably spaced out and serviced by several restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Each site has a spot for a tent, picnic table, and fire ring. Firewood and everything else can be bought at the park store that can be driven to or you can take a shuttle to.

If you want a shower you have to go back down to the laundry area and they are $2 for 5 min. My husband's shower cut off early though, so don't bank on your full 5 min.

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Mara F., September 2, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2018

Mather Campground - Grand Canyon National Park

We camped at Mather Campground a couple of years ago when my brother was driving from California to Boston, MA for his big move. He and his girlfriend reserved a site in Mather for a couple nights before heading to New Mexico to visit her family before the big move. My boyfriend and I️ decided to tag along LAST MINUTE for the first leg of their journey and join them in the Grand Canyon, as I️ had never seen it before.

Had we not been able to stay in the site my brother had reserved months in advanced, there is no way we would’ve gotten a site so last minute. GCNP is an extremely busy NP year round, and during the non-snowy months the campgrounds are packed with campers. With that being said, and considering how huge Mather Campground is (there’s hundreds of sites!), the campgrounds did not feel like a sardine can - I️ was surprised by the spacious site lots, we had plenty of room for two tents on the site, even having two vehicles.

Most of the campsite loops that I️ saw are amongst trees, but they do not provide total shade coverage or privacy from your neighboring sites. There were definitely enough trees to set up a hammock, so if you have one, bring it along! It would also be easy to string up extra tarps for shade or cover from potential storms.

Each site had a fire ring and a picnic table (be aware that fire bans are put into place at certain times during the year, so you may not be able to use that fire pit). The plumbed bathrooms were clean, and coin-operated showers are available right outside the campground, along with laundry facilities. There is a well-stocked general store inside the NP which is handy if you need to replenish your camp kitchen or if you forgot something. There are also restaurants available inside the NP village.

There is a shuttle station right outside of Mather, only a couple minutes away by foot. All of the NPS shuttles are efficient and timely, we like to utilize them whenever we are in a NP, wether you have to or not - using the shuttle decreases the congestion and pollution inside the national park, and keeps wildlife, cyclists, and pedestrians visiting the park safer. The GCNP shuttle can take you all around the Grand Canyon - it’s a great way to see the park!

The noise pollution from the road isn’t terrible inside the campground at night, road can be heard - there is a lot of travel in and out of GCNP. Also, campers rise early early to catch the sunrise over the canyon or to beat the heat while hiking, so there is definitely a bit of noise made about the campground in the early morning hours.

Be mindful that the Mather sites do not have any sort of food lockers, and there are a lot of critters running around the campground including rodents and elk! There are quite a few BOLD elk roaming around the campground and NP - they seem pretty darn comfortable around people, and go through campsites looking for food and water. Even though they seem relaxed and tame, the elk are still very large, wild animals, and can do some serious damage if provoked. DO NOT approach them, and be respectful and leave them plenty of space. The rodents are relentless, as they always tend to be - be sure to lock all of your food up inside your car at night!

This area is known to have scorpions, rattlesnakes, and other creepy crawlers roaming around. I️ wouldn’t be too worried about rattlesnakes within the campground area, but you never know; be alert, especially around rock piles and pits where they could be hiding. We did not see any scorpions in the campground, but I️ would still suggest keeping your tents zipped up tight at ALL TIMES and keeping your shoes inside your tent or the car - if you keep your shoes out overnight, or any time, really, be sure to knock them together a few times to make sure nothing crawled inside.

Be aware: the ground is HARD and ROCKY. The dirt is hard and packed in, so it was actually very challenging to drive the tent stakes into the ground, even with the help of the butt of a hatchet. Also - the ground is not smooth, and there’s a lot of rocks embedded in the ground. Be sure to bring a thick camp pad or an air mattress, otherwise you are in for an uncomfortable night.

Dogs were allowed in the campground, many of our neighbors had dogs. We happened to be camping with my brother’s bearded dragon, Iggy. She was used to adventuring with my brother on her leash, so she roamed around the rim of the canyon with us as we explored. She slept safe in my brother’s car at night, in the travel cage they arranged for her.

CAMPSITE SPECS

Fees: $18/night

Plumbed Toilets: Yes

Drinking Water: Yes

Showers: Yes - coin operated

Picnic Table: Yes

Firepit: Yes

Cooking Grate: Yes

Shade: Some - limited

Cell Service: NO

Trash: Yes

Animal Bins/Food Lockers: NO

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Amanda M., September 1, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2018

Great experience!

We camped there for 3 nights. In the first place we were surprised that you could camp at the Grand Canyon (not from a campers circle), we just thought you could stay at the lodges. Once we got there we found a great place where to put our tent, very spacious (its designed for max. 6 pax), park our car roght next to the tent and a picnic table and a fire ring. We had some neighbours, but they were far enough that you didn't need to hear their conversations. There were bathrooms and water pumps almost everywhere and showers at the entry (paid, $8 in quarters for 8 min) The store nearby (15 min walking from our campsite, wasn't expensive, in case you need something last minute) There were also free shuttles that would take you all around without having to move the car

SiteJuniper Loop, site 170
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Anna C., August 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Anna C., August 29, 2018
  • Elks rooming around
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Reviewed Aug. 25, 2018

Pristine campground

This campground is the most pristine campground I’ve ever camped at. Gorgeous, great facilities, friendly elk. Great walking trails around and short drive to fantastic trailheads!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by Sarah R., August 25, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2018

Wonderful Place to Camp!

Reserve your site early!!! We camped over spring break in March 2018 & reserved our nights in October 2017. The primitive site itself is nothing all that special, but it’s everything you need. Despite the heavy traffic the Grand Canyon sees, the campsites are not crammed together. They are spacious & well-kept. There are lots of big rocks embedded in the ground, so be mindful when you set up your tent—particularly if it’s a big tent—so that you can sleep well. The bathrooms at the campground are nice & clean & the showers are worth the quarters if you’re camping multiple nights. I heard footsteps one morning & looked out to see elk outside our tent! They roam the campground pretty consistently so you can hope to see some during your visit.

  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by emmy , August 6, 2018
  • pretty spacious campsites
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  • enough trees to use to hang a tarp over the fire pit in the rain!
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  • Review photo of Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park by emmy , August 6, 2018