Tall ponderosa pines line Fire Road 688 as it runs south of the Grand Canyon, giving campers a forested base roughly 10 to 20 minutes from the South Rim. Sites spread across open terrain for considerable distances, and the layout means groups rarely feel crowded even on busy weekends. The road itself is well-maintained near the entrance, though conditions narrow and roughen further in, with ruts and rocks that can challenge low-clearance vehicles. Large rigs do best near the beginning of the road, where sites are more level and maneuverable.
Camper accounts describe arriving on a Saturday afternoon and passing more than 10 open spots before settling on one. Brad B. notes that "even the trees are spaced enough to provide enough sun for solar panels," which matters for those dry camping here without hookups. Some sites come with existing fire pits, and at least one reviewer found firewood already stacked at their spot. Fires are permitted, and the campground is free, with a 14-day consecutive stay limit.
Cell coverage is inconsistent. T-Mobile gets a spotty signal, and AT&T fares similarly. Starlink works when there's a clear line through the canopy. A general store is within reasonable driving distance for resupply runs. Campers interested in dispersed choices around Kaibab National Forest will find several comparable options along nearby forest roads, including Forest Service Road 686 - Dispersed and Forest service Road 688 Dispersed Camping within a mile.
One practical note: sites fill by early evening during peak season, with at least one camper finding the area claimed by 7pm on a Thursday. Muddy conditions after rain can make it harder to exit some spots. Arriving before midday on weekends and keeping an eye on the road surface after precipitation will make the stay considerably smoother.
Description
The vast majority of all three ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest is open to dispersed camping unless specifically restricted for reasons such as proximity to developed campgrounds or other natural or cultural resource concerns. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a developed campground. If you plan to disperse camp on the Kaibab National Forest, please review our Dispersed Camping Guidelines and Restrictions. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5313083.pdf https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd737153.pdf
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFire Rd 688 is located in Arizona near Grand Canyon
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
35.92499266 N
112.12142255 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 8/19/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 39 usersLast on 8/19/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 4/7/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 8/19/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 39 usersLast on 8/19/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 4/7/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Fire Rd 688 - Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 8 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 1 hr 52 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 3 hrs 14 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
- 5 hrs 20 min from St. George, UT
