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Best Campgrounds near Jacob Lake, AZ

1,462 Reviews

Camping near Jacob Lake, Arizona features a mix of established campgrounds and free dispersed sites within the pine forests of Kaibab National Forest. The area sits at approximately 7,900 feet elevation, providing a cool forest retreat that contrasts with Arizona's desert regions. Jacob Lake Campground offers developed sites with basic amenities, while numerous Forest Service roads around the area provide free dispersed camping options. The location serves as a strategic base for exploring the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, approximately 45 minutes south via Highway 67. Campers note the area's spacious sites and well-maintained facilities, with one visitor describing Jacob Lake Campground as having "immaculate" vault toilets and helpful camp hosts.

Most camping options in the area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, closing during winter months when snow is common at this elevation. Forest Service roads used for dispersed camping include FS roads #225, #247, #205, and #257, with varying conditions from well-graded gravel to rougher two-track spurs. Cell service is available but spotty, depending on line-of-sight to towers near Jacob Lake. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, and campers should check current regulations with the Kaibab National Forest office. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer, and October visitors should be prepared for potential snow and freezing conditions.

The camping experience varies between established and dispersed sites. Jacob Lake Campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while Kaibab Camper Village offers full hookups for RVs, including electric, water, sewer, and shower facilities. Dispersed camping follows Forest Service regulations requiring sites to be at least one mile from developed recreation areas and along designated open roads per the Motor Vehicle Use Map. The Jacob Lake Inn, located near the main intersection, provides amenities including a restaurant, bakery, general store, and fuel station, making it a convenient resource for both developed and dispersed campers. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors reporting deer, coyotes, and owls in the area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Jacob Lake, Arizona (160)

    1. Jacob Lake Campground - Kaibab National Forest

    42 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (928) 643-7770

    $8 - $225 / night

    "We stayed here with our travel trailer in a FF first come/first serve site for 2 nights to explore North Rim area (visitor center and lodge are about 45 miles or, a one hour drive, south)."

    "While Jacob Lake Campground is pretty basic - you get a tent/Rv site, fire pit with a grill, and a cement picnic table, it is also very scenic. The campsites are nestled into the pine trees."

    2. Kaibab Camper Village

    21 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (928) 643-7804

    "This private RV campground is a short distance away from the GS campground. 1/4 mile gravel road to access. Nice shady spots in the pine trees."

    "The campground we were hoping for was full but they mentioned this one was nearby and luckily they had openings! Long dirt road in and the staff was super friendly!"

    3. Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    2 miles

    "Cell signal was surprising ok due to close proximity to the towers just north of Jacob Lake."

    "But cell signal works great, quiet (even if it was close to the highway), no one bothered me."

    4. Forest Service #225 Road Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    3 miles
    Website

    "This is FS road #225 and from hwy 89a jct on way to Jacob lake about 2-3 miles away."

    "Convenient for any adventures in Arizona/Utah border area!"

    5. Jacob Lake 89A Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    0 miles
    Website

    "Within walking distance of the Jacob Lake Inn (have to walk on the side of the highway but traffic is not bad). It is a beautiful spot, lots of flat level room under the trees."

    6. Jacob Lake Group Campground and Picnic Area

    3 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 643-7395

    $5 - $103 / night

    "This site has a day use picnic in front and then two group areas with a closed gate behind. Group A and Group B."

    "A great location with good amenities. Don’t get gas across the street."

    7. Forest Service Road #205 Lower Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    2 miles
    Website

    "FS Road #205 at Hwy 89ais also a trailhead for the Arizona Trail. There is a kiosk and a vault toilet of at the trailhead area. The dispersed sites are along FS road #205 as you head west."

    "I only saw one other person turn off the highway and travel down the road while I was there."

    8. Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    6 miles
    Website

    "This is FS road #205/225 and is the access to an Arizona Trailhead. The FS road is very good graded gravely and runs along a wide flat forested ridge."

    "This site offers dispersed camping along forest road with drive up sites."

    9. Dark Sky RV Park & Campground

    37 Reviews
    Kanab, UT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 819-0992

    $62 - $80 / night

    "Right off the highway so a little highway noise but not much. I normally don’t give a perfect rating without concrete pads but this is an exception."

    "Quite location off the highway with extremely friendly owners and plentitude of services."

    10. Forest Road 248 Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Jacob Lake, AZ
    2 miles

    "We loved the forest feel and the trail riding as we typically come with ATVs. There is a gas station 5 minutes from the site"

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Recent Camping Photos near Jacob Lake, AZ

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Recent Reviews near Jacob Lake, AZ

1462 Reviews of 160 Jacob Lake Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2026

    Saddle Canyon Outlook North Rim Dispersed

    Saddle Canyon overlook

    Saddle Canyon

    Saddle Canyon offers expansive, uninterrupted views deep into the Grand Canyon, with massive layered cliffs dropping toward the Colorado River far below. The vantage points feel open and dramatic, with long sightlines across multiple canyon walls that really show off the scale and geology of the South Rim.

    The area feels quieter and less developed, letting the landscape do all the talking. Sparse trees frame the views without blocking them, and the light plays beautifully across the rock layers, especially when the sun is lower. It’s an excellent stop for photography, contemplation, or simply taking in the immensity without heavy crowds.

    A strong choice if you want classic Grand Canyon depth, color, and perspective in a more peaceful setting.

  • R
    Jan. 5, 2026

    Stateline Campground

    This Wave Basecamp Spot is Bussin

    So my friend from io Game suggested this spot before hitting the Wave and ngl it was lowkey perfect! Stayed two nights and the vibes were immaculate. Dirt road was chill in our car but def sketch if it rains—4x4 would go hard. Only 8 sites and it's first come first serve so get there early fr. They say no rigs over 21 feet but we saw some bigger ones squeeze in no cap. Super quiet when we rolled through and the pit toilets were surprisingly clean?? Like actually didn't want to die using them lol. Would 100% come back, this place hits different. Thanks for the rec @io Game fam!

  • Stephanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2026

    Vermillion Cliffs AZ 89A

    A site with panoramic views, solitude and great memories

    The entrance is gated, easy to spot, We forked left, starts off as dirt, then a rocky section, go slow if you’re on normal tires and low clearance. It isn’t bad but it is a tad bumpy, even for us in our lifted F150 with suspension and Off road tires! The rest of the road is dirt again, easy - we drove about 10 mins off road to our spot by the cliff edge. We had a couple of neighbours but they’re soooo far away you don’t notice the spec that they are. It’s nice and quiet. We were lucky there was no wind, there is a primitive fire ring though we didn’t use it. It did rain but we were ready for it, we had our tent stove. Pretty cold at night. Highly recommend driving near the end of the dirt road to explore the views of the canyon and river below. (Which is at the next larger site - which in my opinion we should’ve camped there instead ha!) Sunrise was beautiful on the red rocks. Views were panoramic! It’s about a 10min drive to the nearest gas station and a 45min drive to Horseshoe Bend and nearest Walmart, Mcds etc. not to mention we had TMobile cell service at camp for contact if need be.

  • Bill T.
    Jan. 2, 2026

    Trailer Village RV Park — Grand Canyon National Park

    Grand Canyon Village Camping

    We wanted the ability to stay in Grand Canyon Village so this campground was the perfect choice. We were within a short hike to so many attractions, restaurants and sights! Plus the elk walk freely within the campground which we thought was very cool! Sites were close together but we were away from camp exploring most of the time. There’s a free shuttle that takes you from the campground to places all along the South Rim. Highly recommended!!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2026

    Stateline Campground

    Great spot for The Wave

    If you're lucky enough to win a permit to hike the Wave, this is a great spot to camp before or after. We stayed two nights and loved it. Dirt road is very manageable in any vehicle in dry conditions, however if wet/muddy it could be rough going without 4x4. There's only 8 sites, all first come first serve. Signage says no rigs over 21 feet. We had our 21' sprinter and had no issues fitting at any of the spots. It was quiet when we were there and the pit bathrooms were some of the cleanest I've seen. We'd go back again!

  • Julie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Campground

    Cool sand dunes, not too much to do

    Super unique park! Nice sites that some shade and some privacy. There is some WiFi at the restroom that gets a little bit to some sites. Otherwise, NO cell service. The sand dunes are super cool but there is no much to do here unless you are doing some Off road - side by siding. Dump station and potable water.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2025

    Stateline Campground

    Good place to stay to do the wave

    We have wave permits and wanted to be close to trailhead.

    Road in was a hit washboard but nothing a high clearance and 4x4 can’t handle.

    Manicured camping area with picnic tables, awning, and dumpsters.

    Quiet campground with amazing night views. Good trails nearby.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 2, 2025

    Soap Creek - Dispersed Camping

    Great Off-Grid Spot

    We came in through the gate and turned right. Passed through the first rougher spots (easy with high clearance, probably still ok with a careful 2-wheel drive). Beautiful, highly dispersed, flat sites available. The scenery is expansive and great. We had “neighbors,” but could barely see them, and the night view was as amazing as others have described, even with a waxing first quarter moon. We had a perfect view of a dramatic ISS flyover.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2025

    Dark Sky RV Park & Campground

    Just perfect!

    We stayed in luxury campground H. It’s an electric only spot which is all we needed. Each space has a covered shelter and deck area ours had 2 chairs, 2 lounge chairs and a picnic table. We had a propane fire pit and you can rent a propane tank for $6 for the evening. It was so perfect! The bath house and showers are private and beautifully done. There is an outdoor area to wash your dishes a huge Weber grill for guest use and community fire pit and seating area! The main area has microwave grill and two large fire pits and community seating with a little shop for t shirts granola bars drinks etc! Hosts are outstanding at communicating with you we arrived at dusk they sent us a code to get in and you can text them with any questions! Rick was so friendly and helpful! We will definitely return!

Guide to Jacob Lake

Dispersed camping near Jacob Lake, Arizona provides alternatives to established campgrounds with numerous free sites along Forest Service roads throughout Kaibab National Forest. Located at elevations near 8,000 feet, these areas remain considerably cooler than lower Arizona elevations, with nighttime temperatures often dropping below 50°F even in summer months. Road conditions on forest roads vary significantly depending on recent weather and maintenance schedules.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest surrounding Jacob Lake houses diverse wildlife including Kaibab squirrels with distinctive ear tufts. At Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping, campers report significant wildlife activity: "Deer and turkeys nearby. No fire due to restrictions," notes Momo H., who stayed in a 27-foot RV.

Hiking the Arizona Trail: Access points to this long-distance trail exist near several dispersed camping areas. The Forest Service Road #205 Lower Dispersed Camping area connects directly to a trailhead. Staci W. mentions, "This area was exceptionally clean, even for dispersed camping... This forest road should be suitable for any vehicle, and eventually 'loops' around to another forest road."

North Rim exploration: Multiple camping options position visitors for day trips to the less-visited North Rim. A camper at Forest Service #225 Road Dispersed Camping notes, "Good dispersed camping... This area is about 7 miles south on hwy 67 from Jacob lake on way to the GC north rim."

What campers like

Cool forest climate: The higher elevation provides relief from summer heat. At Forest Road 248 Campsite, mark F. appreciated that "80F summer temps are wonderful with the breeze and shade. Peaceful."

Cellular connectivity: Despite remote locations, many campsites maintain surprisingly good connectivity. Kevin S. found at Forest Service #247 Road, "Surprisingly decent cell service (Tmobile/AT&T)," while Laura M. noted, "Good cell service for att and Verizon."

Spacious sites: Dispersed areas typically offer more room than established campgrounds. Kevin S. described his Forest Service #247 Road site as having "Space is very open with trees surrounding the area," and Paige M. found Forest Service #225 Road camping offered "really nice big wide open area with an established fire pit."

What you should know

Seasonal access limitations: Winter conditions typically close most forest roads from mid-October through mid-May. Staci W. warns about Forest Service Road #205: "It was COLD... be prepared if you choose to enjoy this area in the 'off season.' You can definitely expect snow at these elevations in October!"

Road condition variables: Forest Service roads range from well-maintained to challenging. Greg L. notes regarding Jacob Lake Campground, "FS road 225 is gravel but a bit lumpy in spots," while Momo H. observed at Forest Service #247 Road that "Road is rough but drove a 27' rv just fine, we just went slow."

Site selection timing: During peak season, arriving early improves site options. Jeremy H. reports, "Was able to find a spot after getting in around noon (midweek)," though weekends typically fill faster.

Tips for camping with families

Resort amenities nearby: The Jacob Lake Inn provides backup resources for family camping needs. Walther D. states that from Jacob Lake 89A Dispersed, it's "within walking distance of the Jacob Lake Inn (have to walk on the side of the highway but traffic is not bad)."

Clean vault toilets: Several dispersed camping areas have access to maintained restrooms. Taylor found at Forest Service Rd #205/225, "The site had a fire ring and was near a trail that offered about a 15 minute walk (or 3 minute drive from the road we came in on) to a vault toliet bathroom."

Privacy considerations: Dispersed sites typically offer more separation than established campgrounds. Taylor appreciated that at Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper, "There were a few other campers in RV's and camper shells but we never heard or saw them from our site since the sites were so widely spaced."

Tips from RVers

Size-appropriate site selection: Different forest roads accommodate varying RV sizes. Kevin S. found Forest Service #247 Road suitable, noting, "We also went to Vermillion Cliffs, which is very close."

Hookup alternatives: While dispersed camping lacks services, established options exist for those needing amenities. At DeMotte National Forest Campground, Todd S. notes it's "just outside the main entrance...16 miles. Nature lovers will love this dry camp. No hookups but there are well kept vault toilets and access to water."

Level site considerations: Many forest roads have uneven terrain. Laura M. found at Forest Service #247 Road that her site was "flat enough and we managed to scoot around enough and find a flat spot without getting out our levels."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Jacob Lake Campground located in Arizona?

Jacob Lake Campground - Kaibab National Forest is located in northern Arizona, approximately 45 miles or a one-hour drive north of the Grand Canyon North Rim visitor center and lodge. The campground is nestled among pine trees in the Kaibab National Forest, providing a scenic base for exploring the North Rim area. It's situated just off Highway 89A near the junction with Highway 67, which leads to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

What amenities are available at Jacob Lake Campground?

Jacob Lake Campground - Kaibab National Forest offers basic but well-maintained amenities. Each site includes a fire pit with a grill and a cement picnic table. The campground has clean facilities with on-site camp hosts who sell firewood. There's a short hiking path in the woods behind the campground, perfect for morning or evening walks, plus an amphitheater for programs. While not in the campground itself, Jacob Lake Inn is within walking distance and is famous for its delicious cookies that campers highly recommend.

Are there alternative camping options near Jacob Lake, AZ?

Several dispersed camping options exist near Jacob Lake. Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper Dispersed Camping offers sites scattered along a well-graded gravel road that runs along a forested ridge. FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping provides good access on graded gravel with multiple flat, forested sites. For those wanting hookups, Kaibab Camper Village offers full RV services. Additionally, numerous Forest Service roads around the Kaibab National Forest border the Grand Canyon North Rim area, providing free dispersed camping options with varying access conditions.

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