Best Dispersed Camping near Grand Canyon National Park

Dispersed camping near Grand Canyon National Park gives you several free options on Forest Service and BLM land surrounding the park. Most sites are on rough dirt roads that become impassable when wet, so vehicles with good clearance work best. You'll need to bring everything with you - there's no water, no trash service, and no toilets at these sites. The rules are straightforward: camp at least 200 feet from any water source, stay no more than 14 days, and follow all fire restrictions (which change seasonally). During summer, temperatures can hit triple digits, making spring and fall much better times to visit. Winter camping is possible but gets very cold at night. The nearest supplies are in Tusayan or Jacob Lake, depending on which side of the canyon you're camping on. Many dispersed sites are located in the Kaibab National Forest, both north and south of the canyon rim. Wildlife encounters are common, so storing food properly is important. Most campers use these sites as a base for day trips into the national park, as they're typically 15-45 minutes from the park entrances.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Grand Canyon National Park (63)

    1. Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed

    119 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    15 miles

    "* Great boondocking campground 5 miles from the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park!"

    "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."

    2. Clear Creek Area Dispersed — Grand Canyon National Park

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

    "I can't even begin to convey how beautiful Coconino National Forest is! Make sure you go swimming and tubing and even cliff diving!"

    "This campground has a clear crisp creek that you can access at the campground ( small stream) or a short hike to a beach like pond. You can hike along the stream, in blissful shade."

    3. Long Jim Loop Campground

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

    "The dirt entrance road is well maintained. We are in a 40-foot motorhome, pulling a 24-foot trailer and found multiple spots big enough for us. Online reviews of this area say it's rarely used."

    "It's a long road with several places to pull out for either motorized dispersed camping or other camping farther from the road."

    4. Saddle Mountain (Kaibab NF)

    25 Reviews
    North Rim, AZ
    19 miles
    Website

    "Long drive over some rough gravel road, but what a view at the end. Big enough site for shorter off-road trailer. No toilets. Pack-in, pack-out.

    Trailhead at the end of the road."

    "Awesome little dispersed campsites. Takes a while once you drive off the main road to get to the sites and the road is a little rough, but not bad if you have high clearance."

    5. Forest Service Road 302 Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    17 miles
    Website

    "You are just 1 mile from town and 3 miles from the South Rim entrance. There are at least 50 sites to pick from, just turn down a little dirt road and you’ll find them all!"

    "If you are looking for a safe area that isn’t too far out of the way this spot is pretty nice. The spots go back pretty far and there is a lot of shade."

    6. Grand Canyon North Dispersed camping

    14 Reviews
    North Rim, AZ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 635-8200

    "There is no dispersed camping inside the park but the park is bordered by the Kaibab National Forest and you can dispersed camp on several of the surrounding forest service roads between the park and the"

    "Instead I was able to find dispersed camping right near the Evans for the north rim of the grand canyon."

    7. FS328 Dispersed Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    15 miles

    "Youll find no picnic tables nor amenities of any kind. Just a quiet forested area to camp for the night, or several. Cheers."

    "Close dispersed to Grand Canyon. Running paved trail right by the camp sites. No garbage, no water. Pack in, pack out. Lots of sites around"

    8. Tusayan Dispersed Camping FS Road 302

    7 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 635-8200

    "Nice dispersed area close to town, easy bike ride or walk to stores but seems remote. It is close to airport so GC tour helicopters come in low and often, cool but gets old."

    "Just minutes from the south entrance of grand canyon. We stayed here in late February and only saw one other group camping here."

    9. Saddle Canyon Outlook North Rim Dispersed

    1 Review
    North Rim, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 635-8200

    "I damn near got stuck all night there and just made it back because there are no turnaround points, especially for anything over 22 ft. Not for the faint of heart or low riding rigs."

    10. Coconino Rim Road Dispersed Camping

    19 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-2443

    "Dispersed camping along the Coconino Road has plenty of locations to choose from. Be advised that the first mile or so of the road is very rough (ruts, large holes), but it does improve after that."

    "The access road was fairly well maintained, enough for even 2wd cars. The sites were large and clean. Very peaceful."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Grand Canyon National Park

314 Reviews of 63 Grand Canyon National Park Campgrounds


  • Megan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2025

    Fire Rd 688 - Dispersed

    Quiet wooded camp site

    Easy to navigate even towing a vehicle behind our RV. Quiet, wooded site away from road noise. Our site had a fire pit and wood provided when we pulled in. Approx 11 miles from the town Grand canyon village/ South rim of the grand canyon. 14 days consecutive stay limit. Dry camping. Leave no trace.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 25, 2024

    Grand Canyon North Dispersed camping

    Multiple Dispersed Camping Sites at North Rim

    As a former GCNP employee, I wanted to add a few tips for dispersed camping at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There is no dispersed camping inside the park but the park is bordered by the Kaibab National Forest and you can dispersed camp on several of the surrounding forest service roads between the park and the Jacob Lake area. 

    The most popular roads for dispersed camping are FS633 on the East side of 67 north of DeMotte Campground and a cluster of FS roads off FS22 on the west side of 67 south of DeMotte Campground.  

    As of Summer 2022, dispersed camping was also allowed along FS610, 611, and 219 which are closer to the National Park. This is where the park rangers and staff at the Visitor Center would direct campers when the campgrounds were full. However, these roads are not designated as dispersed camping areas on the new MVUM (motor vehicle use map) that was printed Feb 2023, so you may want to call ahead or stop by the USFS office and doublecheck before dispersed camping there as illegal camping is subject to a $5000 fine and/or up to 18 months in jail. 

    If it is still allowed, some of the sites on FS611 are right on the rim overlooking the Saddleback Mountain Wilderness. If you head south on FS610 (towards the park boundary) there are only a couple of dispersed sites which could accomodate small to mid-sized travel trailers/RVs. I would not advise going down this road with a Class A unless you scout ahead first as there are limited places to turn around. 

    If you continue down FS610 south, you will have the national forest on your left and the National Park on your right. The road starts to narrow here and you will eventually come to Saddle Mountain which is a popular spot for tents, truck campers, and small travel trailers (GoPro sized or smaller) and also serves as a parking area for the Nankoweap Trailhead. 

    If you have a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle, you can continue past the Saddle Mountain area on 610 or 219 which both dead end at a bluff, but these roads are very narrow with large ruts and jutting rocks at the end. We parked our vehicle near the bottom of the incline and walked up to the bluff where there is nice flat open area with a view of the Saddleback Mountain Wilderness. There are also a few smaller dispersed camping areas along the road leading up to the bluff that would be perfect for tent camping. 

    If you don't mind a longer drive to the park, there are a lot more dispersed camping otpions for larger rigs around Jacob Lake. Our favorite spot is off FS257 on the north side of 89A. We boondocked here for 10 days in May before the park opened. There are only a handful of sites here but if you are lucky enough to get one, they are great!

    Just be aware that as of Summer 2022, much of the dispersed area on the south side of 89A around Jacob Lake was closed due to damage from a recent forest fire. Again, it's always a good idea to call or stop in the USFS to get the most up to date information. Their office is located at the intersection of 67 and 89A at Jacob lake. The number is (928) 643-7298. They're super helpful!

    Here is a link to the Motor Vehicle Use Map for the area.

  • Megan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2025

    Fire Road 688

    Quiet wooded camp spot

    Very quiet wooded camp spot off of the highway, away from road noise. Shades by all the large trees. A fire pit with fire wood was already here when we pulled up. Lots of extra spots along the dirt road. Depending on your length of rig could fit several rigs within a mile stretch of dirt road. There were other campers along the road. Be respectful and leave no trace!!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2024

    Coconino Rim Road, Fire Road 310 Kaibab Forest

    Great location

    You turn off for this site in the Grand Canyon national park. The road then takes you just off the national park onto national forest land - make sure you go through the gates and see the forest signs. Room in the trees for a few vehicles, it was just us for the night and silently quiet.

  • Sandra W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Forest Road 611

    Awesome camping spot

    First time camping in area and was very pleased with options. Spots were along road, some on the rim others in the forest. There were various sizes and most could accommodate travel trailers. The area near the end of the road requires high clearance 4x4 to access and that area was the busiest. We chose the spot at the Y. It had a great view and plenty of room. No facilities. There was a vault toilet at trailhead a mile or two back down road. Plenty of fallen limbs and trees for firewood. AT&T cell service was spotty.

  • Kevin S.
    Nov. 1, 2021

    Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful, spacious area right off the 89A

    We decided to disperse camp for the weekend of Halloween. Weather was beautiful, but cold during the evening due to the moisture in the air. The location is literally a few minutes off the 89A, not too hard to miss the service road turn off. We checked out the other sites about a mile in and everything was a little wet/muddy, so we decided to set camp at this location. According to Kaibab NF MVUM, dispersed camping is allowed along open FS roads (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027)..)

    Space is very open with trees surrounding the area. This spot has a trail nearby, so we had seen a few hikers throughout the weekend. Previous campers created a firepit, but make sure to check with the North Kaibab rangers on fire restrictions (https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kaibab/alerts-notices)..). Surprisingly decent cell service(Tmobile/AT&T).

    About an hour and half to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Along our trip there, we also went to Vermillion Cliffs/Marble Canyon. Very beautiful, must see places.

  • Kevin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2023

    Coconino Rim Road, Fire Road 310 Kaibab Forest

    Awesome forest land Just drive slowly

    Drive down road. No camping in Grand Canyon National Park, but about half a mile down the road you cross a cattle grid. You’re now in Kaibab Forest and can camp here. We drive 2WD F250 with 30ft fifth wheel

    Two ways in. We came thru Grand Canyon Village, so only 0.7 mile on dirt road - but you need to pay for GCNP access ( or use America the Beautiful)

    T-Mobile, Verizon and Visible and Cricket all excellent in this area-so good that I don’t see the need to unpack Starlink. But between here and the village we had no cell coverage

    Filled water bladder at Mather campground. Looks like I can use their dump station also

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2019

    Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed

    Right outside the gates of Grand Canyon National Park!

    • Great boondocking campground 5 miles from the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park! First come first serve.
    • Super convenient to the town of Tasayan for supplies and food.
    • A great alternative if you couldn't get reservations for campgrounds in the area. It's hard to believe this place is FREE!
    • North of the Tusayan Ranger District and under a mile from the South Entrance Ranger Station. Walking distance from lots of things
    • You can see the campgrounds from the main highway so it can get a little noisy and headlights can be a little distracting in the evenings
    • It's a dirt road getting in and can be super muddy during wetter seasons. A lot of people have gotten stuck in the mud. 4 wheel drive is highly recommended.
    • Because it was so muddy when we were here, it was a little difficult finding a flat/dry/level spot to pitch a tent. This place is ideal for RV/trailer camping
    • Warning: Lots of generators running throughout the evening. Bring earbuds
    • Fires are allowed and some sites have firepits. Lots of found wood lying around that can be used as well.
    • There are plenty of areas to camp (definitely can accommodate at least 20 different groups) and you'll even have space to spread your legs. 
    • There are lots of trees in the area so I'd imagine there'd be nice shade during hotter weather.
    • Not as secluded as other boondock sites we've been to, but you can't beat the close proximity to the Park.
    • No showers, toilets, running water.
    • Practice LNT and pack in pack out. This place had some trash lying around and you can definitely tell it's heavily used. Help pick up trash if you see any and leave the place better than you found it.
    • Great cell service with AT&T

    We absolutely LOVED camping here. We were able to enter Grand Canyon National Park super early before the crowds and enjoy the views uninterrrupted. This is such a great spot to camp for anyone on a budget who is just looking for a place to rest their head. We couldn't believe how close this was to the Park and that it was completely free. It's also quite beautiful if you can get past the mud and loud humming of generators. If you're in an RV, this place is the dream. We woke up the next morning to the entire campground covered in snow. It was absolutely stunning! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

  • Tiffany S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Coconino Rim Road, Fire Road 310 Kaibab Forest

    Peaceful spot

    On our way around the west from Louisiana our first major stop was the Grand Canyon. After a long day of driving and exploring we needed a spot to set up for the evening. I came across this spot on here and it did not disappoint.

    This spot was just off of our route out of the park. Off 64/desert view dr. Turn onto coconino rim road / fire rd 310 and go down the dirt road until you cross over the cattle guard. We found a lovely spot right by the Kaibab national forest sign.

    The spots are not clearly marked but one had a picnic table. Some had fire rings, although there was a burn ban due to the Dragon Bravo Fire at the north rim.

    We set up and had a very peaceful sleep. It got a lot cooler in the evening into morning. The morning was slow, which never happens. We sat around listening to nature come alive for the day while we made breakfast and charged our battery packs.

    All in all, highly recommend this spot. My Honda odyssey did great getting back there. There are no facilities and no hook ups.


Guide to Grand Canyon National Park

Dispersed camping near Grand Canyon National Park offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the stunning landscapes of Arizona. With numerous options available, campers can find secluded spots that provide both tranquility and adventure.

Dispersed campers should check out Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed

  • This area is known for its quiet spots tucked away from the highway, making it a perfect retreat for those looking to escape the crowds.
  • Campers can enjoy the freedom of fires allowed and the convenience of being pet-friendly, ensuring a comfortable stay for everyone.
  • With no permits required and free access, Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed is an excellent choice for spontaneous trips.

Scenic views for dispersed campers at Saddle Mountain

  • Located in the Kaibab National Forest, this spot offers breathtaking views and the chance to pitch your tent just a short distance from the canyon's edge.
  • The area is well-reviewed for its wildlife sightings, including elk, which adds to the natural experience of camping.
  • Access to Saddle Mountain (Kaibab NF) is via a drive-in route, making it convenient for both tents and RVs.

Top activities while free camping near Grand Canyon National Park

  • Campers can explore the nearby trails and enjoy hiking opportunities that lead to stunning overlooks and unique geological features.
  • The Clear Creek Area Dispersed — Grand Canyon National Park provides access to drinking water and picnic tables, making it a great spot for day trips and outdoor activities.
  • With the option for boat-in and hike-in access, this area caters to various camping styles, allowing for a diverse range of experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is dispersed camping allowed near Grand Canyon National Park?

Dispersed camping is not permitted inside Grand Canyon National Park itself, but is allowed in the surrounding Kaibab National Forest. Popular areas include Coconino Rim Road, Fire Road 310 Kaibab Forest just outside the park boundary where you'll cross a cattle grid to enter Forest Service land. Near the North Rim, Grand Canyon North Dispersed camping offers sites along several forest service roads. Additional options include Forest Roads 302, 328, 611, and 688, all located on National Forest land surrounding the park. Most sites have a 14-day stay limit and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Is free camping available near Grand Canyon South Rim?

Yes, free camping is available near Grand Canyon South Rim in the Kaibab National Forest. Fire Road 688 offers quiet, wooded sites approximately 11 miles from Grand Canyon Village with a 14-day stay limit. These sites sometimes have existing fire pits. Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed provides free camping just 5 miles from the park entrance and is conveniently close to Tusayan for supplies. Other free options include Long Jim Loop and Forest Road 302. All are dry camping with no hookups or facilities, requiring you to pack in water and pack out all waste following Leave No Trace principles.

What are the rules for BLM camping near the Grand Canyon?

Most dispersed camping near Grand Canyon is on National Forest land rather than BLM land. Standard rules for Forest Road 611 and other forest service areas include a 14-day maximum stay within any 30-day period. Campers must practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out all trash, properly dispose of human waste, and minimize site impacts. Campfires are permitted in existing fire rings when fire restrictions aren't in place. Camping is only allowed in previously disturbed areas, typically within 30 feet of designated forest roads. Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping and similar areas require self-sufficiency as there are no facilities, water sources, or trash services available.

What is boondocking like at the Grand Canyon?

Boondocking near Grand Canyon offers a peaceful, economical alternative to developed campgrounds. At Long Jim Loop Campground, you'll find well-maintained dirt roads accessible for large rigs—even 40-foot motorhomes towing trailers. Sites at Tusayan Dispersed Camping FS Road 302 provide wooded privacy while remaining surprisingly uncrowded despite proximity to the park. Most locations offer beautiful, quiet settings with existing fire rings, though amenities are non-existent—no water, electricity, toilets, or dump stations. Nights can get cold due to the elevation. Cell service varies by location but is generally available. Be prepared with ample water, a way to manage waste, and sufficient battery power or solar capacity for your stay.