Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon Campgrounds
ON THE RIM
Mather Campground
Located one mile southwest of Canyon View Information Plaza, the most popular of the South Rim campgrounds, Mather requires reservations from March 1 through mid-November. It is first-come, first-served the rest of the year. Please call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov to reserve a campsite. There are no hookups, but toilets, showers, laundry and phones are located nearby. Mather is open year-round with 320 campsites, and a seven-day limit. The cost of the campsite varies by season, $15 to $18. -
Desert View Campground
Open May to October and located 23 miles east of the visitor center, Desert View has 50 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no hookups. The cost is $12 per day and there is a seven-day limit. -
Trailer Village
Adjacent to Mather Campground, Trailer Village has 84 RV pull-through sites with hookups. Showers and laundry facilities are available nearby. Trailer Village is open year-round, but maintains a seven-day limit. Reserve by calling (303) 29-PARKS (297-2757) or toll-free (888) 29-PARKS (297-2757). -
BACKCOUNTRY
A permit ($10 plus $5 per person per night) is required for all overnight backcountry use with the exception of a stay at the Phantom Ranch dorms or cabins. Ask about a discount annual permit. For fee information and permits by mail (as available), write to: Backcountry Information Center, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023; or call (928) 638-7875, 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or fax (928) 638-2125. If you arrive without a permit, go directly to the Backcountry Information Center (open 8 a.m. to noon; 1 to 5 p.m.).
Indian Garden
This backcountry campground is located 4.6 miles from the South Rim Bright Angel trailhead and lies 3,100 feet below the rim. Toilets, water and a ranger station are available. Its 15 campsites are open all year.
Cottonwood Campground
The Cottonwood Campground is located 16.6 miles from the South Rim Bright Angel trailhead on the North Kaibab Trail. This is the last canyon camp before you ascend to the North Rim. Although the campground is open all year, the ranger station is closed from November to April. Toilets and 11 campsites are available. Water is available seasonally.
Bright Angel Campground
Bright Angel is located just 9.3 miles beyond the Bright Angel trailhead and just south of Phantom Ranch. It is open year-round and provides a ranger station, water, toilets and 31 campsites.
OUTSIDE THE PARK
Camper Village
This privately run campground is located seven miles south of Grand Canyon Village in Tusayan. Hookups, toilets and showers are available. Rates may vary. Please call (928) 638-2887 or toll-free (877) 638-2887 for more information.
Ten-X Campground
Ten-X is a first-come, first-served U.S. Forest Service campground, which is located two miles south of Tusayan. There are no hookups. Group sites for up to 100 people can be reserved at the number below. It is open from May 1 to September 30 and costs $10 per site. Please call (928) 638-2443 for more information.
Note: Advance reservations for group sites can be made at (877) 444-6777. For additional RV information, visit www.GoRVing.com.
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
High Mountain Meadows at Rainier Melt Away
October 6, 2008 - 4:07pm
Nothing lures visitors to Paradise like the transitory displays of wildflowers that populate Mount Rainier’s high mountain meadows. But summer sojourns could fade into memory and panoramic vistas vanish as alpine asters, rosy pussytoes and purple lupines are crowded out by trees.
October 6, 2008 - 4:07pm
Nothing lures visitors to Paradise like the transitory displays of wildflowers that populate Mount Rainier’s high mountain meadows. But summer sojourns could fade into memory and panoramic vistas vanish as alpine asters, rosy pussytoes and purple lupines are crowded out by trees.
Yellowstone Justifies Tag as World's Most Famous National Park
October 6, 2008 - 4:04pm
About four million people visit Yellowstone, the world's oldest and most famous national park, every year. It's a measure of the pulling power of this corner of northwest Wyoming - home to more than half of the world's geysers, famed for its rainbow-hued hot springs and populated by an array of wildlife that includes buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, bears and coyotes.
October 6, 2008 - 4:04pm
About four million people visit Yellowstone, the world's oldest and most famous national park, every year. It's a measure of the pulling power of this corner of northwest Wyoming - home to more than half of the world's geysers, famed for its rainbow-hued hot springs and populated by an array of wildlife that includes buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, bears and coyotes.
The Best National Parks You’re Not Visiting #2: Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
October 6, 2008 - 4:02pm
You’re not the first person to say, “Thaddeus who?” This tiny national park site in Philadelphia, PA (in fact, it’s the smallest park in the system) brings attention to the achievements of this brilliant engineer whose work had much to do with the Continental Army’s success over the British at key points in the American Revolution. Despite having a national memorial created in his honor, however, Kosciuszko’s story remains obscure: Only about 4,600 people visit this site each year.
October 6, 2008 - 4:02pm
You’re not the first person to say, “Thaddeus who?” This tiny national park site in Philadelphia, PA (in fact, it’s the smallest park in the system) brings attention to the achievements of this brilliant engineer whose work had much to do with the Continental Army’s success over the British at key points in the American Revolution. Despite having a national memorial created in his honor, however, Kosciuszko’s story remains obscure: Only about 4,600 people visit this site each year.
Park budget Is Continued
October 6, 2008 - 3:59pm
As of Tuesday, both the U.S. House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal government agencies from Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, through March 5. A continuing resolution allows government agencies to operate at the same levels as in the previous year. For the resolution to be effective, it must be signed by the president.
October 6, 2008 - 3:59pm
As of Tuesday, both the U.S. House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal government agencies from Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, through March 5. A continuing resolution allows government agencies to operate at the same levels as in the previous year. For the resolution to be effective, it must be signed by the president.
Be Green and Stand Out this Halloween
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
