Here are my top finds for Grand Canyon National Park:
🏨Hotels: El Tovar, Yavapai Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins
📍Tours: 45-Minute Helicopter Flight over the Grand Canyon
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Park Alert: Several Park Locations closed from a Flash Flood That Occured on 8/31/26
- All Overnight Lodging inside the South Rim including: El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Yavapai Lodge (Ongoing Water infrastructure impacts).
- Limited Lodging might be available in Tusayan (Just outside the Parks South Entrance Gate) at the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites.
- The NPS hopes to have water running again on November 16, 2026 and overnight loddging might begin a phased reopening around Tanksgiving (November 26, 2026) pending successful water system restoration.
- Trailer Village RV Park
- Phantom Ranch, Cabins, canteen, and facilities closed.
- Cottonwood Campground and Bright Angel Campground (inside the canyon)
- North Kaibab Trail is entirely closed from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch
- River Crossings: The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge spanning the Colorago River are closed
- Inner-Canyon Areas: Supai Tunnel, Manzanita Day Use Area, and Phantom Delta Areas remain Restreicted.
Desert View Campground
Desert View Campground is located near the east entrance of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The campground is near the Desert View Watchtower and offers easy access to the scenic rim drive.
Desert View Campground Map
Campground Reservations
Are campground Reservations Available? Yes, Reservations can be made from Mid-April through Mid-October.
Phone Number? 1-877-444-6777
Online? Camp Site reservations are available at recreation.gov
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Individual Sites at Desert View Campground operate on a 6-month rolling basis.
Campground Information
Number of Sites: 49
Location in the park: East Entrance to the park
Campsite Cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees
Latitude/Longitude: 36.0389° N, 111.8222° W
Accessible Sites: 2 sites within Desert View Campground, that are closest to the restrooms, are identified as ADA campsites.
Campground Amenities
Dump Station: No
Bear Boxes: No
Flush Toilets: Yes - seasonal
Firewood: It is a short walk or drive from the Desert View General Store which sells wood
Is wifi available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? Cell phone connectivity can be intermittent and is not reliable.
Is camp host available on site? Yes, seasonal
Is firewood available for purchase? wood may be purchased at the general store
Amenities at each campsite: Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a cooking grill.
Fire pit in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Food Storage Locker/Bear Box available? No
Potable Water? Water spigots are available between sites 8 & 10 and 34 & 35. These spigots cannot be used to fill RV tanks.
RV Camping at Desert View Campground
RV Length: Maximum vehicle length is 30 feet; front bumper to rear bumper
Generators: 7-9 am and 6-8 pm ONLY. Generators may not be used in Pine Loop.
Hook-Ups: There are no RV hook-ups at Desert View Campground.
How to get to Desert View Campground
Desert View Campground is located within the Desert View Settlement at the East Entrance.
The entrance road to the campground is the first right past the gas station. Desert View is located 23 miles/ 37 km east of Grand Canyon Village, on SR 64/Desert View Drive, on the South Rim of the park.
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6 people
The number of cars per campsite: 2
Check-in time: 12 pm
Checkout time: 11 am
Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am
Pets Allowed: Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times.
Stays are limited to 7 consecutive days and 30 days per calendar year.
Lodging Options in Grand Canyon National Park
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - The El Tovar - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A National Historic Landmark and member of Historic Hotels of America, sitting just 20 feet from the rim of the Grand Canyon and widely regarded as the finest hotel inside any national park in America since opening its doors in 1905!
Designed as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian villa and built from local limestone and Oregon pine, the El Tovar has hosted Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. All 78 individually designed rooms and suites feature air conditioning, mini-fridges, Keurig coffee makers, satellite TVs, and private bathrooms, with select canyon-view suites featuring private balconies perched directly above the rim. The El Tovar Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with canyon views, the lounge bar is perfect for post-hike cocktails, and a gift shop, curio shop, newsstand, and concierge round out the amenities. Free area shuttle, free parking, and room service available. No elevator, no pets, open year-round.
⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - Yavapai Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
Tucked in a beautiful ponderosa pine forest just a 10-minute walk from Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Rim Trail!
Split between two sections, Yavapai East offers air-conditioned rooms with ADA accessible options and family rooms with bunk beds sleeping up to 6, while Yavapai West features cozy ceiling fan rooms in single-story buildings with pet-friendly options and a Pets in the Park welcome package. Two restaurants serve breakfast through dinner, the Yavapai Tavern pours drinks from noon to 9 PM, and a Starbucks opens at 6 AM for early-rising hikers. Additional amenities include a lobby fireplace, gift shop, EV and Tesla charging stations, free area shuttle, free WiFi, and free parking. One of the most family and pet-friendly in-park lodges in the entire national park system!
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Bright Angel Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
A National Historic Landmark designed by the legendary Mary Colter in 1935, sitting directly on the South Rim at the top of the famous Bright Angel Trailhead with the most affordable rim-side lodging inside Grand Canyon!
The 90 rooms and cabins range from budget-friendly lodge rooms with shared baths to charming private rim cabins featuring gas fireplaces and partial canyon views, making this the best value for money of any in-park lodge at the Grand Canyon. Three on-site dining options include the Harvey House Cafe serving diner classics all day in the Fred Harvey tradition, the Arizona Room with Southwestern cuisine, and the Canyon Coffee House for shade-grown organic espresso and cappuccino before hitting the trail. Evening drinks and seasonal live entertainment at the Bright Angel Bar round out the experience perfectly. Also on site: a small history museum, gift shop, ice cream fountain, tour and mule ride booking desk, free WiFi in public areas, and free parking. No elevator, no pets, no air conditioning in standard rooms, open year-round!
⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - Kachina Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Thunderbird Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
Two sister lodges built in 1968 as part of the National Park Service's Mission 66 program, sitting directly on the South Rim in the heart of Grand Canyon Village's Historic District, steps from the Bright Angel Trailhead and Rim Trail!
Their distinctive stair-stepped concrete facades were intentionally designed to mirror the layered rock formations of the canyon walls below, blending beautifully into the rim rather than competing with it. Both offer the same clean, comfortable modern rooms with Keurig coffee makers, mini-fridges, flat-screen satellite TVs, in-room safes, hair dryers, air conditioning, and free WiFi, with select canyon-side rooms at Kachina featuring partial Grand Canyon views. Free area shuttle and free parking included.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars -Maswik Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
Tucked among several acres of ponderosa pine forest just a quarter mile from the South Rim with a free Village shuttle stop right at the lobby door!
Named after the Hopi Kachina spirit said to guard the Grand Canyon, Maswik features 280 rooms split between two sections. The newly renovated Maswik South, completed in 2022, features interior corridors, full elevator access, private patios and balconies, and spacious kitchenettes with a cooktop, microwave, apartment-sized fridge, coffee maker, and utensils, making it a great pick for families and extended stays. All rooms include air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, and free WiFi. The Maswik Food Court serves breakfast through dinner with vegetarian and gluten-free options, and the Pizza Pub pours cold beer and wood-fired pies. Also on site: gift shop, ATM, EV charging, RV parking, free area shuttle, and free self-parking.
Lodging in Tusayan, Arizona (Just outside Grand Canyon's south entrance)
⭐️ 3.9 of 5 Stars - Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel - Click Here for Rates and Availability
Take advantage of a terrace, a garden, and a bar at Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Be sure to enjoy a meal at JJKs, the onsite family restaurant. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center are available to all guests.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - The Grand Hotel - Click Here for Rates and Availabity
At The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, you can look forward to shopping on site, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. The onsite restaurant, Canyon Star Steakhouse, features American cuisine and happy hour. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center.
Click on this link or the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park Guided Tours
45-Minute Helicopter Flight over the Grand Canyon from Tusayan, Arizona
⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars (2,024+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 45 Minutes | 🚁 Check Rates and Availability
No ground-level view prepares you for the scale of the Grand Canyon from the air. This 45-minute flight with Maverick Helicopters departs from Tusayan, crosses the Kaibab National Forest, follows the Colorado River upstream past the Painted Desert and Desert View Watchtower, and flies through the Dragon Corridor, the canyon's widest and deepest section, before returning south. More than 2,000 reviewers call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Multiple departure times available. Likely to sell out, especially in peak season.
3-Hour Off-Road Sunset Safari to the Grand Canyon
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (1,000+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🚙🌅 Check Rates and Availability
The most popular guided tour at the South Rim. A 4WD safari vehicle takes small groups through the back roads of the Kaibab National Forest, bypassing the crowded south entrance gate on permits held since 1993, with stops at Yavapai Point, Pipe Creek Vista, and Grandview Point for the sunset. Guides earn extraordinary reviews for their knowledge of the park's geology, wildlife, and history. Blankets provided. Maximum 12 guests. Departs two hours before sunset. Booked an average of 44 days in advance.
Grand Canyon South Rim Sunset Tour with Dinner
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (100+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🍽️🌅 Check Rates and Availability
Unleash your inner explorer with veteran local Eric Albanese. Immerse yourself in the Grand Canyon's majestic beauty, rich history, and fascinating geology. You will embark on a scenic 20-mile tour tracing the South Rim of the canyon, stopping at 4-5 locations.
You can relax in luxury with WI-FI, snacks, and hot or cold drinks while listening to the great detail that your guide has learned during the 10 years of living in the Grand Canyon area. Get up close to the canyon's stunning views with high-powered Celestron binoculars. You will also get to enjoy a delicious dinner at We Cook Pizza and Pasta.
Click Here for a complete list of tours offered at Grand Canyon National Park!
Grand Canyon National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Grand Canyon National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
$8.00 per person for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$8.00 per person for vehicles with a capacity of 1-25
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Grand Canyon National Park Resources
- Complete Guide to exploring Grand Canyon National Park
- Things To Do in Grand Canyon National Park
- Grand Canyon Winter Guide
- Grand Canyon Restaurants
- Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus Guide
- Grand Canyon Lodging Guide
- Grand Canyon Camping Guide
Parks near National Park
- Wupatki National Monument
- Navajo National Monument
- Pipe Springs National Monument
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Hubbel Trading Post National Historic Site
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Tuzigoot National Monument
Check out all of the Arizona National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Utah, National Parks in New Mexico, California National Parks, Colorado National Parks, and Nevada National Parks
Check out this list of US National Parks to count how many you have visited!
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Additional Photos of Desert View Campground
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