When the park fills up, your best bet is to head for one of several National Forest campgrounds within a short drive of the park. These first-come, first-served campgrounds cost slightly less than the ones in the park and tend to have more generously spaced sites. Although they lack showers, they do have running water and pit toilets, and most are pleasingly quiet. When these sites are full, some visitors opt to camp for free in the National Forest. Before doing so, check at a Forest Service office for the latest rules on acceptable campsites, waste disposal, and campfires.

South Rim

Mather Campground
This sprawling South Rim campground is surprisingly pleasant, given its immense size (323 sites) and proximity to the business district of Grand Canyon Village. Its pinyon pine trees are bushy enough to afford a measure of privacy and tall enough for partial shade. All but a handful of sites far enough from busy park roads to feel serene. Open year-round, Mather frequently fills up in summer, but cancellations are common.

Desert View
Located on the South Rim near the park's east entrance gate, this small campground sits on a breezy perch a short walk from the busy Desert View overlook. Even with the overlook nearby, the sites feel remote, especially when the coyotes howl nearby. A few groceries are available at Desert View, but the nearest showers are 26 miles away in Grand Canyon Village. Open from mid-May through mid-October, sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most become available when people leave in mid-morning.

Trailer Village
This RV park near Mather Campground calls to mind a drive-in movie without the screen. Most sites have little vegetation, and they're close enough together to make the camping seem quite public. However, a few sites have shade trees and grassy spots for camping.

North Rim

North Rim Campground
Unlike the other two major park campgrounds, this 83-site campground under ponderosa pines has at least a few sites with canyon views. Near showers and a store, and with a rim-side trail beginning nearby, it's a great place to pass a few days. Open mid-May through mid-October, this campground often fills up.

Tuweep
Located on the North Rim on the western Grand Canyon, this primitive (waterless) campground can be reached only by driving an hour or more across remote, bumpy roads that are impassable when wet. The trip is worth it: A few yards from the campsites is a view nearly straight down to the Colorado River. A challenging route from rim to river begins nearby. The first-come, first-served campground often fills up, but in a pinch you can camp on nearby Bureau of Land Management land.

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Grand Canyon Vacations Raft the Mighty Colorado - The pinnacle of river trips: You can't beat it for hard-driving whitewater and stunning scenery Hiking Canyon Trails - The most intimate experience you can have with the canyon is on the trail. Horseback Riding - High on a sure-footed steed, you'll have the best views of anybody

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