Hiking trails wind through the pines at Jacob Lake Campground, where sites sit among tall trees at 7,900 feet elevation in the Kaibab National Forest. The campground operates as a base for exploring the North Rim of Grand Canyon, located 45 minutes south via Highway 67. Campers can access the facility year-round when roads permit, though snow typically closes the area in winter months.
Highway 89A runs directly adjacent to the camping loops, creating constant road noise that carries through the night. Kiri notes it's "definitely not a peaceful escape" due to the rumble of RVs and large trucks. The sound may be less noticeable for RV campers than tent users. Sites are arranged in two loops, with Loop A offering first-come, first-served spots and Loop B requiring reservations.
The campground provides vault toilets that maintenance staff clean multiple times daily, plus hand pumps for water access. Fire rings include cooking grates at most sites, though some campers bring their own equipment. Jacob Lake Inn sits directly across Highway 89A, offering meals, fuel, and supplies within walking distance. Cell service varies by carrier, with Verizon and T-Mobile providing better coverage than AT&T.
Sites accommodate RVs up to approximately 30 feet, though no hookups or dump station exist on-site. The surrounding forest attracts deer, elk, and occasional buffalo herds visible along the drive to Grand Canyon's North Rim. Amy E. confirms "no showers, but there are very clean vault toilets and pump water available." Nearby options include Kaibab Camper Village for those needing hookups.
Reservations open in advance for Loop B sites, while Loop A operates first-come, first-served during peak season.
Description
Overview
Jacob Lake Recreation Area is conveniently located in Jacob Lake, Arizona, the gateway to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The campground is nestled among the towering Ponderosa Pine trees of the North Kaibab National Forest, where ample opportunities to enjoy nature abound, from hiking and mountain biking to birding. Summer temperatures are pleasant during the day and nights are cool, while several feet of snow cover the landscape in winter. The campground is open on a seasonal basis, though the national forest remains open year 'round.
Recreation
Grand Canyon National Park is a popular destination for campers staying at Jacob Lake Recreation Area. But from the campground itself, visitors can walk a pleasant one-mile loop trail, or take a 10 minute drive to the Kaibab Plateau Trail a section of the Arizona Trail, which runs north-to-south across the entire length of the state. The national forest also has a variety of mountain biking trails ranging from beginner to advanced levels. There is no fishing at Jacob Lake. Reservations for horseback riding and chuck wagon rides, as well as bike rentals, are available at Jacob Lake Inn across the street.
Facilities
The group campground is adjacent to Jacob Lake Campground and features two group sites that can accommodate up to 100 people each. While perfect for weddings, family reunions and other large group events, this campground is not intended for traditional camping with small groups of people. The facility offers ramadas, grills, tables, toilets and water. Jacob Lake Recreation Area is very accessible. It is located on 89A, a paved U.S. highway, yet set far enough back from the road to provide privacy. The roads within the campground are gravel. The facility is across the street from Jacob Lake Inn, which has a restaurant, gas station, gift shop and limited groceries, and the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center. The nearest full facilities are 30 to 40 miles away in Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab, Utah.
Natural Features
Jacob Lake is at an elevation of 7,920 feet. The Kaibab Plateau is an area uplifted by geologic processes, making it higher in elevation than the surrounding deserts (the closest town of Fredonia, Arizona is 28 miles away and nearly 4,700 feet). Many species of wildlife call the Kaibab home, including the tassel-eared Kaibab squirrel, found nowhere else in the world, and numerous species of birds. The nearby lake only fills up with water occasionally, but marsh areas along the edges of the lake are great bird habitats.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is 44 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park's rustic and less populated North Rim - home to abundant wildlife, hiking trails, spruce-fir and Ponderosa pine forests and unparalleled views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Enjoy a visit to the North Rim from mid-May through mid-October; the road is closed during winter. Grand Canyon National Park>
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundJacob Lake Campground - Kaibab National Forest is located in Arizona
Directions
The facility is 30 miles southeast of Fredonia, Arizona on U.S. Route 89A. It is 0.1 miles from the intersection of U.S. Route 89A and State Route 67.
Address
HC 64, BOX 65
Fredonia, AZ 86022
Coordinates
36.7 N
112.2097222 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/14/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 3/14/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/14/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 3/14/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 1 hr 39 min from St. George, UT
- 2 hrs 32 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 22 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 44 min from Prescott Valley, AZ






















































