Best For
Campers who want solitude, cool high-elevation air, and a fundamentally different canyon perspective than the South Rim crowds. It rewards those who plan 6+ months in advance — this is not a spontaneous destination.
87
Sites
No
Hookups
Perched at 8,200 feet in a ponderosa pine and aspen forest, North Rim Campground offers 87 sites with only 12 designated tent-only and 72 standard sites — no electric anywhere. The 40-foot vehicle length limit sounds generous, but the park's own description warns that heavily forested terrain makes large or high-profile RVs genuinely problematic. With a seasonal window of roughly May through October (the North Rim facility closes in winter), every open month carries 'Very High' daily demand and 0 available site-nights right now. September is statistically the hardest month to land here: 23.5% of its 2,180 reservations are booked 6 or more months out — the highest 6-month share of any campground in the park. Even the 'easiest' month, October, sees only 21.2% last-minute bookings. If you're targeting this campground, treat the 6-month release date as mandatory and set alerts for any cancellations.
Content from Grand Canyon National Park park guide
May through September is peak season with 8,000–9,400+ reservations per month and last-minute availability dropping as low as 18.1% in May — don't attempt these months without 6-month-advance planning. October is the sweet spot: 28.5% last-minute share, cooler temperatures, and thinning crowds make it the best balance of good weather and bookability. November through February offers genuine spontaneity (50–56% last-minute at Mather) but the North Rim is closed and winter conditions on the South Rim require preparation.
The South Rim's free shuttle system runs March through November and connects Mather Campground, the Visitor Center, all major overlooks, and Hermits Rest — private vehicles are prohibited on Hermit Road during those months. Desert View is 23 miles east of the Village and not served by the main shuttle loops, so a car is required. The North Rim has no shuttle service; once you're there, a vehicle is necessary for any movement beyond the immediate campground area, and the access road (AZ-67) typically closes mid-October through mid-May due to snow.
Total reservations in May — 2023: 749 · 2024: 1,399 · 2025: 1,290
Address
North Rim, Arizona
Coordinates
36.2103, -112.0606
Very high demand - sites typically fill up immediately when the booking window opens. Plan to book the moment reservations open.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Kaibab National Forest
Grand Canyon National Park
Kaibab National Forest
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Park entrance is $35 per vehicle and is valid for 7 days; an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers the entrance fee at all NPS sites and pays for itself in two Grand Canyon visits. Campsite nightly rates vary — Mather and Desert View are in the $18–$25 range for standard non-electric sites; Trailer Village charges higher rates for full-hookup sites and is booked separately through Delaware North. No additional wilderness permit is required for campground camping, but permits are required for below-rim backcountry camping.
All four campgrounds enforce a 14-day maximum stay. Pets are generally allowed in campgrounds but are prohibited on most inner-canyon trails below the rim. Generator hours are typically restricted to specific daytime windows — check posted rules at your campground upon arrival. Cell service is limited and unreliable throughout the park, so download offline maps and your reservation confirmation before you arrive. The nearest full-service town for supplies is Flagstaff, approximately 80 miles south of the South Rim entrance.