Saddle Mountain, near the Kaibab National Forest in Arizona, is a fantastic location for those seeking a rugged and scenic camping experience. This area offers a unique chance to pitch your tent or park your RV with stunning views right at the edge of the canyon.

Visitors rave about the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, with one camper noting, “The beautiful sunrises and sunsets are truly amazing!” The drive to the site can be a bit of an adventure, with some rough gravel roads, but the payoff is worth it for the incredible scenery and wildlife, including elk and various birds. 

This location is perfect for those who enjoy a more primitive camping experience, as it lacks amenities like toilets and drinking water. Campers appreciate the freedom to set up in a peaceful environment, with plenty of space to spread out. As one reviewer mentioned, “It’s very quiet and peaceful here,” making it an ideal spot for relaxation and enjoying nature.

For those looking to explore, the nearby trails offer great opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. Just remember to pack in what you need and take out what you bring, as this area emphasizes a leave-no-trace philosophy. Saddle Mountain is a great choice for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Kaibab National Forest.

Elevations range from 6,000 feet to over 8,000 feet. The name originates from the profile of a prominent ridge that appears from the distance as a "saddle", horn and all. Vegetation is diverse. It ranges from pinyon pine - Utah juniper in the lower areas to mixed conifers in the highlands. The lower elevations provide valuable mule deer winter range, whereas the higher elevations of the southern portion provide summer habitat for deer and blue grouse. In the upper portion of House Rock Valley a herd of buffalo roam.

Saddle Mountain (Kaibab NF)

North Rim is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Arizona camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your North Rim camping trip.

North Rim

The Best Camping Near North Rim, Arizona

Free sites, t mobile and Verizon service, amazing views and sunrises. Hikes all around.  2 mile hike into the actual national park. Road is rough, very rough, but 2wd and moderate clearance is fine. 

Several sites, feet from the edge of the Grand Canyon. 

One of the most unforgettable campsites ever. Stunning views of the Grand Canyon as you camp just feet away from the edge. Dirt road was easy (2W will have zero issues), fires were not allowed for us but there are fire pits, and tons of space between campsites. Gets a little windy at night but no bugs. If you are staying near the North Rim, you would be a fool not to camp here. Big love

Can you give 10 stars?!

We have been traveling and paying for camp sites as well as using free dispersed camping. THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST IN 3 WEEKS ACROSS THE USA.  We went back to this site a week after staying here and got married here! It’s a special spot with spectacular views!

BEST SITE IN 3weeks! 

Well worth the time it takes to get there. About a 45 minute drive on a gravel road, nothing too crazy. Once you get to the dispersed sites you will be amazed. The views are amazing and my spot was right on the edge of the north rim. Absolutely breathtaking 


Phenomenal 

A beautiful place to get way out of the way to. The sights of the canyon were impeccable, though, as stated in previous reviews, there are only a handful of sites on the canyon wall. Though you pass a multitude of free sites less than a quarter mile prior to the canyon on the dirt road. Which are equally as gorgeous and peaceful.

Stellar Views

Others said the same - this campsite is on the North Rim and has dispersed camping right on the edge of the canyon for incredible views (not so close that you worry about your safety). We arrived Wednesday afternoon, and there were only two sites left, so recommend staking your claim early. In early-October, the sun rose around 6:15am, and highly recommend you take advantage of the views this campsite provides by waking up early. Got very cold in the evenings, so pack warm!

Absurdly beautiful site

Absolutely amazing. Cannot recommended this enough. About 12 miles up a dirt road and you are there. The road is a little bumpy but you do not need a 4 wheel drive to make it. About 1/2 way down this dirt road there is a trial head with a bathroom. There are about 6 spots to park at the end of the road. The views are SPECTACULAR! Seriously cannot recommend this spot enough. There is a trail right super close that leads down into the canyon as well. 

Amazing 

This place was absolutely insane! So so beautiful and such an amazing way to see the Grand Canyon. We were just a few feet from the canyon and were able to see it from our truck. Felt very safe though. It’s 14 miles in on a forest road but the road is very well maintained. The road was also lined with spruce trees and was a very beautiful drive. There were quite a few spots still when we got there. We were there on 10/17/20 and there were a ton of bugs during the day so a net would’ve been nice but it was easy to deal with. I’ll definitely be back!

Absolutely incredible 

Most amazing experience we’ve ever had tent camping. Right on the edge of the Canyon, watching the Arizona sunrises every morning. It was truly heaven on earth. 

HEAVEN ON EARTH

Well all the other reviews have said the same thing. This is an awesome place to camp. I had never been to the Grand Canyon before and wanted to do something other than just follow the crowd. Found the Saddle Mountain site on this app and it was well worth it.

The view is incredible. There aren’t many places you can pitch a tent that are cooler than this!

Obviously there are limited spots so whenever you go, go early. I was there in the middle of the week in early November and it pretty much filled up.

The road to get to the site is well maintained. You shouldn’t have any problems at all.

Go to this site!!! I promise you won’t regret it.



Simply Amazing

It was late November when I drove out here.  If google maps wants you to go anyway besides the main road 67 to the turn off DON’T do it.  The road seasonal can close and even though it was open Google put my 4WD to the test.  3 hours and 30 miles of horse trails and snow banks still did not reduce the beauty of this site.  It started snowing soon after I arrived so I didn’t stay long though hikers I met said there was good camping from a trail that goes down into the Grand Canyon from here.

Worth it.

This site is truly amazing. Breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon and some excellent hiking.

One of the best dispersed campsites on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

A little tricky / time consuming to get to, but we’ll worth the trek! There aren’t a ton of spots / spaces on the top, but if you get there early enough it is worth it to try and find a spot! Crazy beautiful views / a great sunrise hiking trail right next to the sites.

Worth the Trek

We ventured up the mountain for a single night of camping on son's Senior road trip. We made it up pretty easily in a 2019 Ford Expedition.   The road was pretty bumpy in areas. I can def see where in rain or snow you'd need 4WD and a little offroading capability.   We arrived around 4 pm and all but the spots along the rim were gone.  We got the last spot on opposite side of road which was fine for our needs. So if you want the step out tent/van view, get there early.  We camped there in mid June and it was still 39 that night with a nice breeze.  Stunning sunset and sunrise. Super friendly fellow campers. Everyone just mingled and chatted and then all settled in for the evening.  Few people came in close to sunset but peak was full.  There are many disperse spots down the mountain so dont freak out if get to top and full...wont have to drive ALL the way back down.  One way trip up took us about 45 mins.

Excellent Views

Love view

I went here in December and it was super quiet. I saw one other couple camping here. Cell signal on VZ is poor but manageable if that's a concern. A vehicle with ground clearance is definitely needed since you will drive here via forest roads. Awesome views and away from the tourists.

Remote and worth the treck

It's very quiet and peaceful here. I have AT&amp;T and get 5 bars. It's a bit of a drive for supplies and gasoline but not too bad. The dirt roads here are decent. 

Pretty Amazing! 

The drive in from the main road took around an hour but was well worth the drive. The view was incredible and the weather this time of year is wonderful. 

Great view

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. Such an amazing view though!

Beautiful sunrise view

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. Great for tent camping, car camping, campervans, short trailer.

30 degree difference in temperatures hi-lo. 

Wonderful sunset. 

Dispersed, Primitive and beautiful

Far enough off the paved road that not too many people go there, and a great view. Only a few spots at the top, and some are quite small. Overall, this was one of my favorite spots so far.

Excellent views.

This place is truly amazing, you can pitch your tent 5 feet away from the start of the canyon, not to mention the beautiful sunrises and sunsets! It is a long gravel road on the way here 4WD definitely recommended

Wow!

every summer I go on a road trip thru national forest all over the us and Kaibab is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen , so much wildlife and elk and obviously the Grand Canyon , such a great camping spot and the sunrise there is like nothing you have ever seen + the crows that live in the Grand Canyon 

stunning.

The month of March is awesome here if you like cold snowy sticky mud

Photos of Saddle Mountain (Kaibab NF)

Real photos from real campers