Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon Camping
Campers have their choice of two campgrounds and one RV campground on the South Rim. There are numerous primitive backcountry campgrounds, as well as two campgrounds located just outside the park.
Park Regulations
Store your food and any attractive-smelling items (such as shampoo, toothpaste and soap) safely out of reach of animals, either in your car or by placing items in a backpack and hanging it from a provided rack or from a tree. If you are in an established backcountry campground, store your food and food utensils in the provided ammo cans, if available.
Camping outside designated camping areas is prohibited and may result in a substantial fine. The canyon eco-system is very fragile; therefore hikers are urged to follow "Leave No Trace" principles.
Fires are allowed in grills in rim campgrounds, but wood gathering is not allowed. Fires may be prohibited during the driest early summer weeks. Purchase wood or charcoal for the grills at Canyon Village Marketplace. Open fires are strictly prohibited inside the canyon because of the danger of wildfires and the shortage of wood. (Charcoal and ash also take hundreds of years to disintegrate in the arid environment.) Please pack out your trash and any you might find.
Backcountry Permits
All overnight visitors to backcountry areas or below the rim (except for those with reservations at Phantom Ranch) must first obtain a backcountry permit from the Backcountry Information Center, located east of Maswik Lodge. Each permit costs $10 plus an additional $5 per person per night. Reservations are usually necessary for the more popular camping sites on Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails. For your own safety, let someone at the rim know your itinerary.
Day hikes or an overnight stay in the cabins or backpacker dorm at Phantom Ranch do not require a permit. The Backcountry Information Center can also provide detailed trail information. You may make reservations by mail, by fax to (928) 638-2125, or in person at the office, because telephone reservations are not accepted. To obtain a Backcountry Trip Planner and more information, write to the Backcountry Information Center, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, or visit www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry.
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
