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.
