Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed camping sites provide primitive outdoor accommodations just 6 miles from the South entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. Located at 6,500-7,000 feet elevation in Kaibab National Forest, these dispersed camping areas require self-sufficiency with no facilities. Most spots feature established fire rings and can accommodate both tent and smaller RV camping without reservation requirements.
What to do
Morning wildlife viewing: Quiet mornings at Long Jim Loop campground offer excellent elk encounters. "We got there 4:30 and it rapidly filled up," notes a camper, adding that "there were all these elk running around" toward the end of the road.
Explore rim trails: From North Rim Campground, access trails along the canyon's edge. "There is a nice trail that you can take from the campground along the rim to the visitors center (about 1.5 miles)," mentions one visitor who appreciated this relatively uncrowded area.
Stargazing at night: Clear, dark skies at dispersed sites provide exceptional star viewing. A camper at Coconino Rim Road notes, "Beautiful trees, nice dark sky with a million stars and a stones throw to the south rim. Would highly recommend."
What campers like
Less crowded camping options: Ten-X Campground offers more solitude than park sites. "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," writes one reviewer.
Close proximity to park entrance: Free dispersed sites near the park save on accommodation costs. "Great spots. Long road with lots of pull offs. I doubt you would have any issues ever finding a spot here no matter how busy it gets. Closest free camping to the entrance of the grand canyon," reports a camper at Forest Service Road 328.
Wildlife encounters: Elk sightings occur regularly throughout forest camping areas. At Forest Service Road 302, a camper reports, "Saw some cows and heard an elk bugle," highlighting the natural wildlife presence throughout the area.
What you should know
Weather fluctuations: High elevation causes significant temperature drops after sunset. "It was warm during the day and SUPER cold at night so be prepared with a heavy sleeping bag!" advises a visitor at Grand Canyon Camper Village.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping locations have no water, toilets or trash service. "It's completely dry camping so please pack out your trash," reminds a visitor to Forest Service Road 302.
Reservation requirements: During peak season (May-September), reserved campgrounds fill quickly. "Just be sure to make reservations well in advance. They fill up quick," warns a North Rim Campground visitor who planned ahead.
Road conditions: Forest service roads vary in quality with washboarding and potholes. "The N Long Jim Loop road has a TON of potholes so you have to go like 5mph," notes one camper who otherwise enjoyed the convenient location.
Tips for camping with families
Pick established campgrounds for amenities: Desert View Campground provides basic services for easier family camping. "Host is friendly. $6.00 a night with Senior pass. No soap so take some with you. Somewhat quiet but people (including us) wake up early to see the sunrise along the rim within walking distance."
Choose sites close to park activities: Locations near shuttle stops save travel time with children. "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," explains a camper at Grand Canyon Camper Village.
Pet rotation plans: When visiting viewpoints with pets, develop a rotation schedule among adults. While pets can stay at most campgrounds, shuttle restrictions and trail limitations require planning for pet supervision.
Pack for temperature ranges: Bring layers for children as temperatures can swing 30+ degrees in a day. "We went during spring break and it wasn't as busy as expected. It was warm during the day and SUPER cold at night so be prepared with a heavy sleeping bag!" cautions a Grand Canyon Village camper.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions matter: Many campground roads and sites limit RV length. "My trailer is 20 plus the truck. It hardly fit. Beautiful for tent camping and van sites," explains a Desert View camper, noting the 30-foot maximum vehicle length.
Solar considerations: Tree cover affects solar panel efficiency at forest sites. "The tree cover is pretty good so you have a lot of shade but did cause some issues with keeping a good solar charge," reports an RV camper at Forest Service Road 302.
Dump station access: Locate dump stations before arrival as many sites lack facilities. Ten-X Campground and Mather Campground provide sanitary dump access even if staying elsewhere.
Level sites vary: Scout for level parking areas, especially at dispersed sites. "Site entry was level and the site itself was level," notes an RVer who found a good spot at Forest Service Road 302, though not all sites share this quality.
