Best Campgrounds near Grand Canyon, AZ

Camping options around Grand Canyon National Park range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on adjacent public lands. Mather Campground within the park offers tent, RV, and glamping sites with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets. For those seeking free alternatives, Forest Service Road 328 and Long Jim Loop provide dispersed camping opportunities just outside the park boundaries. North Rim Campground serves visitors exploring the less crowded northern section, though it remains closed for 2025. Several campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with Trailer Village RV Park offering additional cabin options.

Access to camping areas varies significantly by season, with many Grand Canyon campgrounds operating on limited schedules. Mather Campground typically operates from March through November, while Desert View Campground runs from April to mid-October. "About 10 minutes driving from Grand Canyon south rim entrance. Very close to the grocery store and coffee shop and other stores. Lots of spacious spots to choose from," noted one visitor about Long Jim Loop. The North Rim area, including its campground, generally closes from November through mid-May due to snow. Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F at lower elevations, while rim areas remain more moderate. Most dispersed camping sites have 14-day stay limits, and reservations are strongly recommended for established campgrounds, especially during peak summer months.

Campers consistently praise the proximity of dispersed camping areas to the park entrance. Forest Service Road 328 receives high ratings for its accessibility and natural setting. According to one review, "Great free dispersed camping immediately outside the Grand Canyon! There are an abundance of sites here." Wildlife sightings, particularly elk, are frequently mentioned in visitor feedback for campgrounds within and near the park. Visitors to Ten-X Campground appreciate its quieter atmosphere compared to in-park options, with one camper describing it as "far away from your fellow campers" with "a lot of wildlife." Desert View Campground on the eastern edge offers what one visitor called "unbelievable views and no crowds" via an unmarked trail accessible directly from the campground. Most dispersed camping areas lack facilities, requiring visitors to pack in water and pack out waste.

Best Camping Sites Near Grand Canyon, Arizona (122)

    1. Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    205 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $6 - $50 / night

    "Everything close by, buses to Grand Canyon perfect for hikers) campsites a little close to each other , but I understand they are trying to accommodate many travelers ."

    "If you want to camp relatively close to the rim of the Grand Canyon, this is the spot."

    2. Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed

    125 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    5 miles

    "We are on our way home to Tulsa from Grand Canyon and needed to stay overnight. Perfect secluded spot"

    "Great free dispersed camping immediately outside the Grand Canyon! There are an abundance of sites here, we spent about 45 minutes just picking and choosing our favorite."

    3. Trailer Village RV Park — Grand Canyon National Park

    64 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-1006

    "The whole area is beautiful, clean and right at the Grand Canyon.  Hook ups were all great.  Great market nearby.  Everything walking or biking distance."

    "We brought our 38ft MH and toad into Grand Canyon for this trip and it was plenty accommodating. The spots are quite large and we were lucky enough to get one with a large treed area next to it."

    4. Grand Canyon Camper Village

    42 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-2887

    "Perfect for exploring the Grand Canyon for a few days. You can walk to the canyon rim or walk to shuttles that will take you anywhere in the park."

    "We stayed 1 night to get to the Grand Canyon in the morning. We arrived late but gave staff a heads up. They had everything we needed waiting on the office door. Check in and out was a breeze."

    5. Tusayan-Montane — Grand Canyon National Park

    35 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-2443

    $40 / night

    "We were so pleased to find this camp on the way to the South Rim (about 15 min from Grand Canyon NP). There was only 3 other campers on the entire site when we arrived in Sept."

    "Great wooded campground near the grand canyon that is less crowded than mather campground. Lots of elk and deer in the area. Gets you away from the tourists and visitors of the grand canyon."

    6. North Rim Campground (Closed for Remainder of 2025)— Grand Canyon National Park

    39 Reviews
    North Rim, AZ
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-7814

    $6 - $50 / night

    "We walked from the Campground over to the saloon and lodge for a beer and to explore. The campsite was absolutely amazing and the views were perfect."

    "It's quite amazing to wake up in the morning with the Grand Canyon within a stones throw of your tent! Campsites are more secluded than I expected, but you can still see other campers."

    7. Long Jim Loop Campground

    23 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-2443

    "About 10min driving from Grand Canyon south rim entrance. Very close to the grocery store and coffee shop and other stores. Lots of spacious spots to choose from."

    "It is so convenient, only 1 mile out from the South Rim entrance of Grand Canyon and was not crowded whatsoever. There are tons of sites and each one is private, shaded, and easily accessible."

    8. Clear Creek Area Dispersed — Grand Canyon National Park

    16 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-2443

    "Parked & Hiked In Very Primitive located next to creek sandy Campsite with Primitive Stone Fire Pit"

    "Close to tons of activities, lots of hiking, wildlife, water sports. Campsite itself is nice, similar to many National Park Service and National Forest Service sites I've been to."

    9. Bright Angel Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    13 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-7888

    "It takes some work to get here (aka hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon) but it is worth it! "

    "In the summer of 2016, my husband expressed interest in hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim with me. Immediately I thought, "no way"! No showers, no electricity, no cell phone service..."

    10. Desert View Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    40 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-7081

    $30 / night

    "Great location to enjoy the east side of Grand Canyon NP.  There is a fantastic trail right from the campground for unbelievable views and no crowds.  Trail is unmarked but easy to find and follow.  "

    "A quick trip exploring the eastern south rim of the grand canyon, from Desert View Watchtower to Grand Canyon Village."

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Recent Reviews near Grand Canyon, AZ

962 Reviews of 122 Grand Canyon Campgrounds


  • IThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed

    Great spot near Grand Canyon

    A really convenient spot for those looking to tent, car camp or pull up in a RV. About a 10 minute drive until the Grand Canyon. Private sections with already established fire pits but other people near by so didn’t feel isolated! Great find.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    Peaceful Pines and Perfect Proximity to the Canyon

    Mather Campground is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Grand Canyon National Park. The campsites are spacious, shaded by tall pines, and offer a wonderful sense of privacy and calm. Facilities are clean and well-maintained, with easy access to water, restrooms, and shuttle stops. The best part is how close it is to the South Rim—just a short walk or quick bike ride to stunning viewpoints and trails. Whether you’re camping in a tent or an RV, Mather provides that classic national park experience: quiet nights under starry skies and mornings filled with birdsong. Highly recommended!

  • Stacia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    lookout tower Dispersed camping

    Amazing spot!

    We stayed 2 nights here and it was a blast. Keep going past the cattle guard and down the main forest service road. You will come to a set of bathrooms and a look out tower that is open to the public! It was a really unique experience!

  • Stacia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Trailer Village RV Park — Grand Canyon National Park

    Super nice staff!

    We came in without a reservation— the lady was very helpful and let us know that she would call us with any cancellations. They were able to fit us in, unfortunately we had already left the area but it was nice to know she followed through with her word!

  • Stacia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Fire Road 310 Dispersed Camping

    THE WATCH TOWER IS SO COOL!!

    We loved staying here! Very peaceful and beautiful! We stayed right next to the watch tower and bathrooms!

  • Stacia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Coconino Rim Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful beautiful BEA-U-TIFUL!!

    We loved this place. We ended up stating further to the back but all of the spots are very easy to access!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Desert View Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    Quiet, near east side entrance to south rim

    Not far from east entrance to south rim of canyon. Quiet, shorter spaces, so not too many bigger rigs, no hookups. Juniper and pinon trees offer some shade, temps were moderate, no bugs so no screens needed. Gas station nearby with visitor center and store. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets, water centrally located. Busy with tourists but not crowded. AND, no fees to enter during gov't shutdown. Level sites.

  • e
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    Great spot for exploring the grand canyon

    Very spacious campground. Clear instructions from the rangers re parking, facilities etc. easy access to shuttle buses which can take you around the whole south rim and all the trails. Near well-stoked grocery store. On the pricer side for a campground ($30 for a tent + park entry) but probably the cheapest way to stay near the Grand Canyon! Flush toilets which are heated. Showers and laundry available unless wild fire restrictions (check website before for info!).


Guide to Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon camping options extend beyond established campgrounds, with numerous dispersed sites available in Kaibab National Forest. Ranging from 6,900 to 8,200 feet in elevation, the areas surrounding both rims offer distinct camping experiences with temperature variations of 20-30°F between rim and inner canyon locations. Many free camping sites require high-clearance vehicles and can't accommodate large RVs.

What to do

Explore lesser-known viewpoints: At Desert View Campground, campers can access unique canyon perspectives away from crowds. "There is an unmarked trail accessible directly from the campground with unbelievable views and no crowds," notes one visitor. The eastern rim location provides different terrain than the Village area.

Wade in Bright Angel Creek: Bright Angel Campground offers a rare opportunity to cool off during hot canyon hikes. "The creek runs right through the campground and adds a meditative quality to the experience," explains one camper. "Ice cold creek to soak your feet in" makes this bottom-of-canyon location worth the difficult hike down.

Wildlife watching: Many campsites offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Forest Service Road 328, visitors often encounter large mammals. "We had a huge bull elk with his cows walk right past our camp," reports one camper. Early morning and evening provide the best viewing opportunities when temperatures are cooler and animals more active.

What campers like

Proximity to South Rim entrance: Long Jim Loop gets high marks for its location just minutes from the park. "About 10 minutes driving from Grand Canyon south rim entrance. Very close to the grocery store and coffee shop and other stores," notes one camper. Another adds it's "only 1 mile out from the South Rim entrance of Grand Canyon and was not crowded whatsoever."

Privacy despite crowds: Ten-X Campground provides more seclusion than in-park options. One camper describes it as having "lots of shade and space between sites" while another notes you are "far away from your fellow campers." The campground fills quickly during peak seasons despite being outside the park.

Clean facilities: Campground bathrooms receive consistent praise from visitors. "Toilets are clean and flush. Not long drops," reports one Mather Campground visitor. Another notes that Ten-X has "pit toilets are clean" though they recommend bringing "your own hand sanitizer" as dispensers aren't always available.

What you should know

Seasonal road closures: The North Rim area, including its campground, typically closes from November through mid-May due to snow accumulation. One visitor found that "the North Rim area, including its campground, generally closes from mid-October through mid-May due to snow."

Dispersed camping regulations: Free camping sites have specific rules. "14-day stay limits apply to most dispersed camping locations," notes one ranger. Sites on Forest Service roads require self-containment with no toilets or trash facilities available.

Weather extremes: Trailer Village RV Park visitors note significant temperature fluctuations. "We camped during Thanksgiving. It got below freezing so packed for colder weather," advises one camper. Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F at lower elevations while rim areas remain more moderate around 80-85°F.

Reservation requirements: Competition for established campground spaces is fierce. "Plan early and reserve a campsite," advises a Bright Angel camper. Many first-come sites fill by mid-morning during summer and holiday periods.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with amenities: For family camping, Grand Canyon Camper Village offers essentials that make trips easier. "Bathrooms were always clean. Make sure to take your hammock down when you're not using it," advises one family. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables.

Plan for extreme temperatures: Families should prepare for rapid temperature changes. "It was warm during the day and SUPER cold at night so be prepared with a heavy sleeping bag," notes a camper. Layered clothing and extra blankets are essential even during summer months.

Wildlife safety protocols: Teach children proper food storage procedures. "Keep your packs UNZIPPED so that the squirrels don't chew holes into them," advises a Bright Angel visitor. Animal encounters require distance and respect, particularly with elk that frequently wander through campgrounds.

Water availability planning: Not all sites have drinking water. "You can be at the Rim in 15 minutes by car," notes a Camper Village visitor, making supply runs manageable. Many dispersed camping areas require bringing all water needed for your stay.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Many Grand Canyon camping areas have strict length limits. "The max length of RV that can fit in the pull thru sites is 30," warns a Desert View camper. North Rim sites accommodate larger RVs but require advance reservations.

Hookup availability: Full-hookup options are limited to specific locations. "This is the only full hookup campground in the Grand Canyon NP. Spots are good size and pull through," notes a Trailer Village visitor. Most in-park campgrounds offer no hookups.

Road conditions to dispersed sites: RVers should check Forest Service road conditions before attempting access. "Road was a little bumpy and not suggested for passenger cars," warns one Forest Service Road 328 visitor. Many free camping areas require high-clearance vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Grand Canyon, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Grand Canyon, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 122 campgrounds and RV parks near Grand Canyon, AZ and 66 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Grand Canyon, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grand Canyon, AZ is Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 205 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grand Canyon, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 66 free dispersed camping spots near Grand Canyon, AZ.

What parks are near Grand Canyon, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Grand Canyon, AZ that allow camping, notably Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest.