The North Rim Campground at Grand Canyon National Park, a Traveler favorite/Kurt Repanshek
While it can be fairly easy to name a poor campground in the National Park System, pointing to some of the best can be a challenge. But the North Rim Campground at Grand Canyon National Park is one of the best in our opinion.
Why?
The campground is set within a towering forest of Ponderosa pines; sites are spread decently apart; three restrooms, while somewhat small for all the campers that 90 sites can hold, are generally clean; coin-operated showers (six minutes for $1.50) and laundry facilities are a short walk away; there's a general store there for anything you forgot; and you're within reach of some great hikes as well as the Grand Canyon Lodge, where you can splurge on a meal in one of the most picturesque settings in the park system.
There are a dozen "tent only" sites, five handicapped sites, and 78 RV/tent sites (though no hook-ups). Water spigots are well-positioned so you never need to walk too far to quench your thirst or fill the kettle for dinner. Each site offers a picnic table and fire ring.
The campground is at an elevation of 8,200 feet, which explains both the relatively short season (May 15-Oct 31) and the enjoyable summer temperatures. During a recent stay, while the South Rim thermometers were reading around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, we were enjoying highs in the low-to-mid 80s.
The Grand Canyon Lodge complex, which includes the North Rim Visitor Center, a saloon, and gift shop, is a mile down the road. You can, of course, hike the Transept Canyon Trail from the campground to reach the lodge (3 miles roundtrip).
Rates for 2015 ranged from $18-$25 per night. As with anything else, location means everything. "Sites 11, 14, 15, 16 and 18 provide a prime view of the canyon and are considered premium sites," notes recreation.gov, where you can make a campsite reservation.
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Comments
Sadly it's next to impossable to get a campsite.
You HAVE to book a year in advance to have a chance.
Also the showers are only open 7am to 7pm - very inconvenient for hikers
our RV is 31 feet. will that be allowed in a max site of 27 ft
Vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and trailers must remain on the pavement. Do not park in the road. Maximum vehicle length: 40 feet (12 m)
i don't plan on parking in the road! If the site says that max vehicle length is 27 feet... then an RV OF 31 FEET WILL NOT BE ALLOWED...CORRECT?
Becky, the park's website says campsites at the North Rim Campground can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet. So a 31-foot RV would fit with room to spare.