Grand Canyon National Park: RV Camping and Travel Guide
Before the Grand Canyon became a national park, President Theodore Rosevelt visited and uttered words that still capture its essence.
“I hope you will not have a building of any kind, not a summer cottage, a hotel, or anything else to mar the wonderful grandeur, the sublimity, the loneliness and beauty of the canyon. Leave it as it is. Man cannot improve on it; not a bit. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children and your children’s children and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.”
While Teddy’s vision might have been a bit more austere than what the park service eventually built near the canyon, it still guides our conversation about public land. Indeed, the canyon has survived the last 127 years of development as a national park from interests both public and private.
But even today, you can be certain that the attraction is real, and the RV road trip is worth it. But if you’re going, you need to get oriented with the how to navigate this colossal wonder. That starts with understanding the two rims.
Scenic Drives
The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River provides a mile-deep barrier between the South Rim (around 7,000 feet in elevation) and the North Rim (at around 8,000 feet). Visiting both of these special sides of this iconic park requires either a five -hour drive (215 miles) or a challenging hike down to the water from either side, and back up again on the other. (The classic Rim to Rim path.)
A visit to both rims requires planning and time, but because of the different opening seasons, climate, elevation and vegetation, it’s like visiting two parks for the price of one!
*Note: The traditional Rim to Rim will be closed between October 15, 2026 and February 2027 as work on the North Kaibab Trail progresses.
South Rim
The South Rim receives 90 percent of all park visitations, and is open year-round. Visitors arrive by plane, railroad, automobile, bicycle or on their own two feet. Subsequently, this side of the park can be very busy. This is especially true during the popular summer months regardless of extreme temperatures. Reservations are necessary for anything longer than a drive in day-trip.
Desert View Drive is the only scenic road on the South Rim open to private vehicles all year. Visitors can enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View. During the busiest times of the year, the wait time can be shorter through this entry point. Of note, to get around on the south side, shuttle buses run four different routes from late May through mid-September. (And they typically have the capacity to carry three bikes.)
- Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route. Travels to S. Kaibab Trailhead with outstanding scenic views at Yaki Point, and Yavapai Geology Museum.
- Village (Blue) Route. Connects Visitor Center with lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (general store and post office).
- Hermit Road (Red) Route. Travels a seven-mile scenic road with spectacular overlooks. (March 1 to November 30 only.)
- Tusayan (Purple) Route. Serves the gateway town.
North Rim
Alternatively, the North Rim is a quieter place. It only attracts a trickle of visitors when compared to its southern sister. Because of its higher elevation, the season on this rim also runs much shorter. (Typically from mid-May to mid-October.) In 2026, the North Rim opened for visitors on May 15, but the damage from Dragon Bravo Fire in 2025 has left a lasting legacy, including the total loss of the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge, one of the classic old National Park Lodges.
Since theDragon Bravo Fire, all paved roadways within the park have reopened. These include Highway 67, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial Roads. These winding scenic drives offer access to many of the North Rim’s iconic viewpoints, including: the two end points mentioned above, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook, and Angels Window. (Note: RVs over 22 feet long, and vehicle-trailer combinations with a total length over 22 feet, are not permitted on the Scenic Drive due to narrow, windy roads with blind corners.)
Simply driving from anywhere to the Grand Canyon National Park is a scenic experience with your RV. So, take it slow. Take it easy. And take it all in!
Must-Hike Trails
Because of the high elevations on either rim, summertime temperatures can be moderate. However descending into the inner canyon will increase daytime highs well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit … in the shade! Park employees respond to hundreds of medical emergencies each year, so check out their key hiking messages before setting out on any hike! Also, see the seasonal advice section below for notes on hiking during times of extreme heat.
South Rim Trails
Easy Trail
The Trail of Time lies between Yavapai Museum of Geology and Verkamps Visitor Center – a half hour’s walk from the Visitor Center/Mather Point. Distance: 2.8 miles, one way
Easy to Moderate Trail
The Canyon Rim Trail has multiple access points near the Visitor Center/Mather Point. (Or from any other viewpoint in the village with Shuttle bus access along the way.) Extending from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest, this mostly paved walking path lets you sample canyon hiking at your own speed and duration. Distance: Up to 13 miles
Strenuous Trails
The NPS site warns that all trails leading into the canyon are strenuous, with little shade or water available. Check at the Visitor Center or Backcountry Information Center for water status along the route. Watch for ice in winter or early spring.
- The Bright Angel Trail starts next to the Bright Angel Lodge and offers day hikes into the canyon with some shade available along this steep, popular route . Distance: Up to 12 miles, round trip
- South Kaibab Trail begins south of Yaki Point, and can only be accessed by shuttle bus (Orange Route). This trail offers the best views for a relatively short hike, but there is little shade. Distance: Up to 6 miles, roundtrip
- The Hermit Trail is for experienced desert hikers only. Trail conditions are tougher than either the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trails. Trailhead is 500 feet west of Hermits Rest, which can be reached by shuttle bus (Red Route). Water from springs must be treated before drinking. Distance: Up to 7 miles, roundtrip
North Rim Trails
While the area was impacted significantly, many trails and the North Rim Campground are now open and taking reservations. However, as a result of the Dragon Bravo Fire, potable water is not available on the North Rim during the 2026 season. So, all visitors should bring plenty of food and water. Bottled water is available in gallon jugs at the Camp Grocery Store. For the most up to date information, see the North Rim Status Page.
Easy Trails
- The Bridle Trail follows the road between the former Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Kaibab Trailhead. Pets on leashes and bicycles are permitted on this hard-packed trail. Distance: 1.2 miles, one way
- The Cape Royal Trail is an easy walk on a flat, paved surface providing views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. Interpretive markers along the trail give walkers insight into the area’s natural history. Distance: 0.6 miles, roundtrip
Easy to Moderate Trail
The Point Imperial Trail passes through areas burned by the 2000 Outlet Fire, taking you to the north park boundary and back. Distance: 4 miles, roundtrip
Strenuous Trail
The North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim to the Colorado River (28 miles, round trip). Short hikes to Coconino Overlook or Supai Tunnel give an appreciation for the canyon’s rich natural beauty and immensity. It is not advised to day-hike beyond Roaring Springs, because of the increased risk of heat related injury or death. Distance 1.5 and 9.4 miles, roundtrip
RV Parks & Campgrounds
With six campgrounds throughout or close to the park, this is one of the best ways to experience this amazing place for more than a day. Reservations are required or recommended at each, and several of the campgrounds on the South Rim have shuttle service to popular destinations along the rim.
South Rim
Open All Year
- Mather Campground located in Grand Canyon Village, has 327 sites with no electrical or water hookups. Flush toilets and drinking water are available throughout the campground, and most RV spaces are pull-through.
- Trailer Village RV Park located in Grand Canyon Village, is a full-service RV campground with full hookups.
Seasonal
- Desert View Campground offers a peaceful setting with 49 campsites. Total length of 30 feet is the maximum for any RV — including motorhomes and vehicle/trailer combinations.
- Tusayan-Montane Campground is located just four miles south of the park entrance in the beautiful Kaibab National Forest. Quiet and peaceful, this campground generally has open camping sites.
North Rim (Seasonal)
North Rim Campground is located on the remote and rustic North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, approximately 210 miles from Grand Canyon Village, Arizona on the South Rim. It is nestled in a thick ponderosa and aspen forest just on the canyon’s edge at an elevation of 8,200 feet.
This facility is perfect for smaller RVs due to being heavily forested, many obstacles such as tight curves and narrow passages through trees, and some sites cannot accommodate RV slide-outs or awnings.
The maximum vehicle length permitted on the Cape Royal Scenic Road, Widforss Trailhead, and North Kaibab Trailhead is 22 feet, so plan accordingly if renting an RV if you wish to explore these other areas of the park.
DeMotte Campground is located within the North Kaibab National Forest District, just 7 miles north of the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim. This is about 25 miles south of the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center on Arizona’s Highway 67.
Between the Rims
Much of the Grand Canyon National Park is surrounded by National Forest or National Recreation Areas, providing both developed, inexpensive campgrounds, and boondocking opportunities. Check out Lee’s Ferry Campground for great views of the canyon, Navajo Bridge, and the put-in for all river trips on the Colorado.
Seasonal Advice
The Grand Canyon National Park is stunning in every season, and every kind of weather. However, visitors need to understand the demands of each season and prepare accordingly. (See current conditions.)
The heat in the inner canyon must be taken as seriously as the views. On a personal summer rafting trip, we learned how the heat changes everything, in your body, in your brain, and in your judgment. All it took to reset everything was a jump into the frigid waters of the Colorado River. But, while hiking in the interior of the park, water for cooling or drinking is scarce.
Summer is the season most visitors come to see this wonder of the world. It’s also the time when the most heat-related injuries and visitor deaths occur. Just in June 2026, four hikers have perished during the incredibly high temperatures.
Tips from a Ranger on Staying Cool in the Summer Heat
The seasoned NPS River Ranger who checked us in on day one of our rafting trip had these tips for any hikes during the day:
- Carry water for yourself. This is both to drink and for your clothes. Fully dousing your clothes is one of the most effective ways to keep your body cool, though temporary.
- Don’t hike between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. If caught out at those times, try to find shade and stay calm.
- Consume salty foods. Rangers often hike with a water bottle full of cold chicken broth.
- Don’t go alone. Also, always let others know where you have gone.
Summer
Summer temperatures on the South Rim are relatively pleasant (50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit), but inner canyon temperatures are extreme. Daytime highs at the river (5,000 feet below the rim) often exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The North Rim is higher in elevation (1,000 feet higher), so summer temperatures are cooler than those on the South Rim.
Winter
Winter conditions at the South Rim can be extreme. Expect snow, icy roads, and possible road closures. Temperatures are low and the wind-chill factor can drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Canyon views may be temporarily obscured during winter storms. In such cases, entrance fees are not refundable. The North Rim is closed during the winter with no access to the park road.
Spring and Fall
Spring and fall weather is extremely unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather during these seasons.
*****
With the Four Ps (patience, preparation, planning, and persistence), you can make your dream Grand Canyon National Park trip a reality! We suggest spending at least a week in Grand Canyon National Park in order to make the most of your visit to this spectacular park.
Unique Programs & Opportunities
Mule Trips
Yes, mule trips are a thing! Might be aging ourselves a bit here, but if you remember watching the Brady Bunch on their vacation, then you might remember this classic Grand Canyon experience offered year-round from the South Rim.
Raft Trips on the Colorado River
Fewer than one percent of all visitors to the park actually travel on the river. Options include half-day and all-day smooth water kayaking trips from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. There are also whitewater rafting trips, which can last from three to 21 days with commercial outfitters or through a personal permit obtained through the annual weighted lottery.
Cycling
Four multiuse trails and all roads allow bikes. Hermit Road on the South Rim offers great views and is closed to private vehicles from March 1 to November 30 to allow greater safety for cyclists and walkers. Shuttle service (Red Route) is available to Hermit point. Concessionaires on the South Rim offer bicycle rentals and guided bicycle tours.
Guided Tours
Guided tours ranging from rafting to hiking to boat and bus tours to horseback riding are offered by licensed concessionaires who work with the park. These are great options for visitors with less outdoor experience to get into the heart of the park!
Fishing
A valid Arizona State fishing license is required for all anglers. See regulations on season and catch limits.
Winter Sports
Try a winter visit to the park and enjoy abundant opportunities for both snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Ride the Grand Canyon Railway
Take this alternative transportation from Williams, Arizona(60 miles south of the park) and avoid the busy summer traffic. With daily round-trip routes, passengers can enjoy a quick trip or longer stay.
The Desert View Watchtower
The Desert View Watchtower is an incredible architectural structure that attracts visitors to the east side of the South Rim, offering stunning views of a lesser visited part of the canyon. Services there include: Market/deli, seasonal campground, and a pay-at-the-pump gas.
Freedom in a Can
You might also like
