Jacob Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Jacob Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Arizona camping adventure.
"The location is literally a few minutes off the 89A, not too hard to miss the service road turn off."
"FS road #247 is a nice gravel road in for about a mile, after that it narrows just past an open area with gravel piles...would not go much past with a TT without a recon first. 3-4 nice sites on the flats"
"This is FS road #225 and from hwy 89a jct on way to Jacob lake about 2-3 miles away."
"Nice dispersed campsite in the ponderosa pines. Easy to access off the main road. Convenient for any adventures in Arizona/Utah border area!"
"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."
"Some road noise but easily accessible and great cell service."
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This area was exceptionally clean, even for dispersed camping. I only saw one other person turn off the highway and travel down the road while I was there."
"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."
"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."
"Great dispersed sites if you get about 1/2 -1 mi from 89a. The pines offer shade. Great cell service for some weird reason (verizon 4 bars?!)"
"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"
"Forest Service #200 road is about 4 miles south of Jacob Lake on Hwy 67. This is a nice flat ridge that is forested and has dispersed sites with good shade and good cell signal on Verizon."
"Spots were fairly easy to find and there were other folks around but not too close. Nice shaded area. You could still hear traffic on the main road but it didn’t bother us."
"FS road #257 is on the Kaibab NF motor vehicle use map (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027) as open to public."
"Free dispersed camping in the pines along forest road 248. Several good sites 1/2 to 1 mi from road"
TravelerAs 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.
LegendThis 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. Dispersed camp sites are scattered along this main road and down open FS spur roads. Nite that FS rules note that dispersed camping needs to be 1 mile away from developed recreation sites on open FS roads per the MVUM (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027) but not sure if the Arizona Trailhead counts...there are several great camps within first mile on this FS road. Cell signal is mixed and dependent on your provider and line of sight to Jacob lake area. Verizon and Tmobile worked for me, but my att phone did not. This area is about 7 miles south on hwy 67 from Jacob lake on way to the GC north rim. The nonmotorized Arizona Trail is adjacent to the FS road and runs close to many of the dispersed sites, so this area is great if you want to hike or mt bike the trail.
TravelerGreat camping spot and so easy to get to. Nice dirt road. Don’t pay attention to the 4WD warning sign. You can get to many spots right off the road without it. We went maybe 1/4 mile off the highway and found a wide open field. Camper vans and RVs and 2 WD would be able to camp this
GuidePerfect primitive overnight spot! It's literally a very large turn out off the highway right on the side of the canyon. So no facilities at all. The town of Page is 3 mins away if you need anything. Lots of room for cars, vans, trucks, SUVs, RVs, even big rigs! I parked here around noon and stayed overnight. There was a couple RVs already there. As the day and evening progressed, several more RVs, Vans, and 2 Big rigs showed up for the night. Even with so many of us, it was surprisingly quiet. Even the big rigs weren't loud. The area is clean too. Everyone follows the "Leave No Trace" principles. You can't pitch a tent but you can sleep in pretty much any vehicle. Enjoy and check out "Brew It" for coffee in the morning. Great coffee, food, and an amazing view from an elevated patio!
TravelerWe loved this free camping area!
There aren't tons of spots(most of it is an open area), but we never had an issue getting one, even during spring break.
It's close to Kanab and the east entrance of Zion.
Please Leave No Trace! Take care of this place so it can be enjoyed by many for as long as possible!
GuideWe 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.
TravelerFirst 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.
LegendForest Service #200 road is about 4 miles south of Jacob Lake on Hwy 67. This is a nice flat ridge that is forested and has dispersed sites with good shade and good cell signal on Verizon. No toilets, water, designated sites, tables, metal fire rings or dumpsters. This area is a good choice if staging to go to the north rim of GC due to cell signal. Road is good condition gravel, but side spurs can be two track dirt.
GuideStayed to the right due to driving a Solis. The ground was manageable to get through with 2 wheel drive. The spot is absolutely sick. Amazing sunset and rise, stars, and a really cool hike to the rim. The site was very clean and in mid November there were only 3 other camper vans pretty far off. We pulled in to the 4th camp spot, had to put the van on blocks to level it. The next site up on the right (only spot on the right) was level and large. There were some dips that we wouldn't have been able to drive over passed that spot. If you have a higher clearance vehicle, you will be able to make it to the cul-de-sac like end. That's where you'll find the trail head. Make sure when you come and go you close the gate. You'll have to give it a lift and pull to get it to actually shut. The ground is clearly shifting around the gate. Just be mindful. Remember, it's public land. Don't be a degenerate, clean up after yourself.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Jacob Lake, Arizona, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning views and a variety of options, this area is perfect for those seeking a peaceful outdoor experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best dispersed camping spots near Jacob Lake?
Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Jacob Lake. Forest Service Road #200 Dispersed Camping is located about 4 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67, offering flat, forested sites with good shade and Verizon cell signal. Another popular option is Forest Road 611, which has spots along the road - some on the rim and others in the forest. The area accommodates various camper sizes, though sections near the end require high clearance 4x4 vehicles. Additional quality spots can be found on Forest Service roads #205, #225, #247, and #257, all featuring graded gravel roads with scattered camping opportunities in the Kaibab National Forest.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Jacob Lake?
Dispersed camping in the Jacob Lake area follows standard Forest Service regulations. At Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper Dispersed Camping, camping must be at least 1 mile from designated campgrounds and 200 feet from water sources. FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping is open to public use per Kaibab National Forest motor vehicle use maps. The standard 14-day stay limit applies throughout the area. Campfires are permitted when fire restrictions aren't in place, but use existing fire rings when possible. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash. No permits are required, but camping is only allowed in previously used sites. Stay on designated roads and don't create new driving paths.
Is there access to water or other amenities when dispersed camping at Jacob Lake?
Dispersed camping areas near Jacob Lake typically don't provide amenities. Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping and other nearby dispersed sites lack toilets, water, tables, designated sites, metal fire rings, or dumpsters. At Soap Creek - Dispersed Camping, you'll enjoy beautiful views but no facilities. Plan to bring all necessary water for your stay, as natural water sources are limited and unreliable. The Jacob Lake Inn (not a campground) is the closest location for purchasing basic supplies. Cell service varies by location - Verizon works well in some areas like Forest Service Road #200, but coverage can be spotty elsewhere. For any amenities, you'll need to be self-sufficient or visit nearby towns.
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