Camping in Grand Canyon National Park

 
Grand Canyon National Park Campground snapshots showing RV and tent sites on the South Rim and North Rim.
 

This page has information about developed campgrounds — where vehicles are permitted.

If you would like to backpack and camp inside Grand Canyon, you will need a backcountry permit. Details >

National Park Service Campgrounds

  • All campgrounds within the park are booked well in advance.
  • Campground reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.
  • or call Recreation.gov at (877) 444-6777.

Note: National Park Service campgrounds in the park do not have RV hook-ups.

 

South Rim Campgrounds - Open All Year

 
Mather Campground - South Rim Village
two tents in a campsite beneath tall pine trees, There is also a picnic table.
Large campground without hookups. Open all year. Free shuttle bus service.
Trailer Village - South Rim Village
a row of 6 recreational vehicles each parked on a pull-through pad in a campground.
CLOSED due to water shortage. RV Campground with full hookups. Open All Year. Centrally located.
 

South Rim Campgrounds - Seasonal

 
South Rim: Desert View
In a paved campsite, a white SUV with a gray and white tent attached at the rear.
Open April 11 through October 18, 2026. No hookups. 23 miles (37 km) east of Grand Canyon Village. Reservations are Required.
South Rim: Tusayan - Montane
A blue tent, a picnic table and a metal cooking grill in a campsite surrounded by pine trees,
National Forest Campground. Open May 15, through Oct. 10, 2026. No hookups. 9 miles (14 km) south of Village. Reservations Recommended.
 

North Rim Campgrounds

 
North Rim Campground
a blue and white dome tent and a picnic table in a campsite surrounded by golden aspen trees.
North Rim Campground is open through October 15. Water and RV hookups are not available.
DeMotte Campground
a trailer parked within a campsite with towering pine trees in the background.
Nat. Forest Campground. - No Hookups. 7 miles (11 km) north of park boundary. Reservations May 15 - Sep 17. Walk‑ins only: Sept 18 - Oct 31.
 

How Do I Decide Which Rim to Visit ?

 
Map showing the Colorado River creating a barrier that splits the park into North and South Rims.
The mile-deep Colorado River creates a barrier that splits the park into north and south Rims. In this illustration, the North Rim is shown in yellow and the South Rim is shown in blue.

Why South and North Rims?

A 277 mile long (446 km) canyon separates the park into South and North Rims. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is a mile-deep, (1.6 km) and creates a barrier that bisects the park. Even though the average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles/ 16 km, be aware that it is a five-hour drive of 215 miles/ 346 km between the park's South Rim Village and the North Rim Village.

Scenery, climate and vegetation are noticably different between north and south rims because of differences in elevation. It is almost like having two parks in one and it takes time, planning and effort to be able to visit both sides of the Canyon in one trip.

 
Sunset from Mather Point on the South Rim.
Sunset from Mather Point

Most People Visit Grand Canyon's South Rim

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open all year and is located on the "Arizona" side of the Canyon. The South Rim is close to Interstate 40 and the transportation centers of Williams, Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona. The South Rim also has a local airport and rail service. 90% of travelers visit the South Rim.

Since it is easier to get to, the South Rim is very busy, and during the summer season, campgrounds hustle and bustle and are often filled to capacity. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Detailed information about camping on the South Rim (including Desert View)
Along with the closest campgrounds that are outside of the park.

 
on the left a pine tree on a foreground ledge. on the right a cliff within the canyon landscape
Angels Window on the North Rim

NPS/M. Forrest

The North Rim is Harder to Get to, and is More Wild and Secluded

  • North Rim - Current Status and Closures
    -

  • Limited fall day-use operations will be in place on the North Rim, between October 15, and November 30, 2026 - unless the North Rim is closed by a major snow storm before November 30. Visit the link above for more detailed information on North Rim status and conditions - along with trail and location closures due to the Dragon Bravo fire and recent flash flooding.

Because of its 8,000 ft/ 2,438 m elevation and likelihood of early snowfall, most visitor services on the North Rim were only available during a short season. Before the Dragon Bravo fire, the lodge and the campground had been open for the season May 15 through October 15. Only 10% of park visitors experience the North Rim.

The North Rim is located on the "Utah" side of the Canyon. The nearest towns to the park's North Rim village are Fredonia, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah. There is no airport or rail service to the park; it may only be reached by road.

 
 
a view looking out across Grand Canyon on a sunny day with clouds in the distance.
View from Maricopa Point on the South Rim, along scenic Hermit Road.

Quick Links

Lodging Maps
Campgrounds Food
Visitor Centers Permits
Sunrise/ Sunset Things To Do
Ranger Programs Shuttle Buses
Guided Tours
Park Newspapers River Trips
Backcountry Hiking Mule Trips

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

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