Grand Canyon National Park, AZ is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Grand Canyon National Park is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Grand Canyon National Park camping trip.
"* Great boondocking campground 5 miles from the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park!"
"Great secluded spots with privacy that are just outside the Grand Canyon National Park. Took a 28’ trailer in with no problems at all. Everything was great."
"No showers, no electricity, no cell phone service... Why would anyone do this? But he was serious!"
"It gets hot quickly during the day; shade is valuable and limited depending on site and season."
$10 - $40 / night
"There were picnic tables and neat hangers to hold your backpack so the pesty squirrels couldn't get into them. The views are amazing, and we set up a tent although it would be great for hammocks."
"There is plenty of shade, good drinking water, and modern out house bathrooms. It can get a little noisy. When the first camp wakes up in the morning, everyone wakes up."
$52 - $253 / night
"We hiked from the south rim down Kaibab and were really lucky to have amazing weather."
"Campground requires a permit from NPS, and typically needs to be reserved about 6 months in advance. There are fees required for permit. A permit can be difficult to obtain."
"At the second-most visited national park, getting away from the hustle and bustle takes a little more work."
"It followed a river along on the canyon floor with mostly shade and level ground."
$140 / night
"The hike in and out are long and strenuous so be prepared. There is little to no shade so you’ll want to hike early morning or late afternoon/early evening."
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
"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."
"There are only two ways to get to the Hermit Rapids Primitive Campsite - hike a trail or ride a raft. This campsite may be reserved through the National Park System (NPS)."
"There are only two ways to get to the Granite Rapids Primitive Campsite- ride a raft or hike a trail."
"To get to this backcountry campsite one must hike along the Tonto Plateau to reach this primitive site. The site is nestled within a riparian zone."
GuideJust a short distance from the overlook there are five campsites. Primitive. No tables. Fires are not allowed. Requires permit from Grand Canyon National Park to camp. Long dirt roads to access may be impassable during rainy weather. Also watch for flash flooding. Also known as Tuweep.
GuideRemote, quiet, free. Three campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. One vault toilet. 1/2 mile from Thunder River trailhead which takes you to rim of Grand Canyon. Note: overnight in Grand Canyon National Park requires a permit!
GuideJust outside of the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park, Ten-X is tops. This place is undergoing significant expansion with new infrastructure. It looks like by 2022, there will be electric and water at the new sites (I counted at least 120 more). Right now, there is only one fill point for water and it is only for toting away water not filling RVs. I was concerned because the USFS website did not accurately describe this campground. There is indeed room for a 43 foot rig in maybe 8 spots. The expansion will include more as well. The sites are nicely spaced for privacy. I hate vault toilets but these are brand new and very clean. No dump site here but I saw indications there may be one with the expansion. This was an extraordinarily clean campground and well laid out. There are some walking trails and that was a nice touch. Big elk walking through camp! Update September 2022: expansion occurred, decent sites, no water expansion to new loops, still same set up, no hookups. Still very well maintained although they could maintain the walking trails better. Yes, yellowjackets.
LegendThis is a common area for rafters to run the river and take a break. It's also a good place to witness the power of the Colorado River. There are only two ways to get to the Granite Rapids Primitive Campsite- ride a raft or hike a trail. We hiked from the Grand Canyon South Rim starting at the Hermit Trail trailhead, down the Hermit Trail, to the Granite Rapids campsite. The descent down the Hermit Trail requires hiking down a rocky trail with some rough dirt or stone steps. There are segments of the trail with exposure and steep drops.
Along the way, you'll see dramatic views of the Grand Canyon and a variety of rock formations and geological features. In the spring there were some beautiful flowers budding on the cacti. There are no real facilities at this site, the beauty of this site is that it is rustic with great views and there will likely be no one else around. There is no water available along the trail until you reach the bottom of the canyon and the Colorado River. It is possible to take a detour to collect water near the Monument Creek campsite.
The NPS recommends that people do not try to day hike (in one day) to this location from the South Rim trailhead. The hike down is simple enough, but the hike up is steep, rocky, has no water and is not often traveled by other hikers or the rangers. The water and rapids are fast, so exercise caution if you enter the river.The site is a primitive campsite so you simply find a clear area and pitch your tent. Leave No Trace principles should be applied.
GuideThis campground is very close to the south rim of the Grand Canyon which is great! Camping here is dry, no hook ups at all, which was disappointing. There is potable water to fill your tank and a dump at exit. Our site was unlevel on asphalt and tight to squeeze into. There was a fire ring and picnic table provided as well as vault toilets.
TravelerPerfect little spot right outside of the Grand Canyon National Park. Picnic tables, fire rings, charcoal grill, and bathrooms. Everything you need right here.
TravelerEasy 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.
LegendTo get to this backcountry campsite one must hike along the Tonto Plateau to reach this primitive site. The site is nestled within a riparian zone. The site is a primitive campsite so you find a clear area and pitch your tent. There were some hard packed areas to pitch a tent on top of the flat rock and near the cottonwood tree. Leave No Trace principles should be applied. There is no water source at this site, so you must carry in your own water.
We hiked from the Grand Canyon South Rim starting at the Hermit Trail trailhead, down the Hermit Trail, across the Tonto Plateau to this campsite. The hike from Monument Creek is mostly at the same elevation with some ups and downs. Be sure to load up on water when you leave Monument Creek.
Along the way, you'll see dramatic views of the Grand Canyon and a variety of geological features such as copper shale and rock formations. In the spring there was some beautiful prairie grass along the plateau. There are no real facilities at this site, the beauty of this site is that it is rustic with great views and there will likely be no one else around.
RangerDispersed camping is allowed in the nearby Kaibab National Forest. Some existing sites are present but you can pretty much pull off and camp anywhere (following Leave No Trace principles, of course). Cooler temperatures because of the elevation made this a fantastic place to camp.
Tent camping near Grand Canyon National Park offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning landscapes and enjoy the great outdoors. With various campgrounds to choose from, each providing its own set of amenities and activities, you'll find the perfect spot for your adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Grand Canyon National Park tent campgrounds?
Amenities vary widely across Grand Canyon tent campgrounds. Backcountry sites like Indian Hollow Campground offer basic facilities with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. For dispersed camping, FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping provides flat, forested areas but no facilities. Remote locations like primitive campsites offer minimal to no amenities - many don't allow fires and require complete self-sufficiency. Some inner canyon campgrounds have potable water seasonally, but most primitive sites require carrying all water. Cell service is typically unavailable in the canyon, and electricity is non-existent at most tent sites.
What are the best tent camping areas in Grand Canyon National Park?
Grand Canyon offers diverse tent camping experiences from rim to canyon floor. Bright Angel Campground is a coveted location at the bottom of the canyon, accessible by hiking down from either rim. For a less crowded experience, Cottonwood Campground sits halfway between the North Rim and the canyon floor, offering a tranquil setting along a river with mostly shaded, level ground. Both require backcountry permits. For those seeking solitude, numerous primitive backcountry sites are available throughout the park, though they require hiking in and permits.
How much does tent camping at Grand Canyon National Park cost?
Tent camping costs vary throughout Grand Canyon National Park. Backcountry permits for sites like Granite Rapids Area Campsites and Horn Creek Campsites typically cost $10 per permit plus $8 per person per night. For budget-conscious campers, dispersed camping is available just outside the park boundaries. Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed offers free camping about 5 miles from the park entrance, providing a convenient alternative if park campgrounds are full.
When is the best time of year for tent camping at Grand Canyon National Park?
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer ideal conditions for tent camping in Grand Canyon National Park with moderate temperatures. Summer months bring extreme heat, especially at lower elevations like Hermit Rapids, where daytime temperatures can soar to dangerous levels. Winter camping at rim campgrounds brings cold temperatures and possible snow, while Tuweep Campground becomes challenging to access during wet weather as dirt roads may become impassable. Always check weather forecasts and be prepared for significant temperature variations between rim and canyon floor.
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