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: North Rim Grand Canyon Closures
- On July 13, 2025, The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge, along with 50 to 80 other structures on the North Rim.
- At this time there is no offical reopening date or active construction timeline to rebuild the Historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Lodging is available in Kanab and Page Arizona.
- There are also several trail closures due to the Flash Flood that occured on 8/31/26. Area closures include:
- The North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Bright Angel Campground, The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge, River Trail between River Resthouse and Black Bridge, South Kaibab Trail below the tipoff, Bright Angel Point Trail, Widforss Trail, Transept Trail, Arizona Trail between North Kaibab Trailhead and the W1-A (Old Entrance Road), Ken Patrick Trail west between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Cape Royal Road, and Uncle Jim Trail.
North Rim Campground - Grand Canyon National Park
The North Rim Campground is the only campground on the Grand Canyon's North Rim and is much different than the South Rim Campgrounds filled with pinyon pine and juniper. Here you will find dense forest including ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, and aspen.
The higher elevation brings cooler temperatures, more precipitation, and a remarkable diversity of wildlife and plant life that gives the North Rim a distinctly different character from its more visited counterpart across the canyon.
The campground also offers access to some of the most dramatic and least crowded canyon viewpoints in the entire national park.
Campground Map
Campground Reservations
Are campground Reservations Available? Yes, from June 1 through Mid-October
Phone Number? 877-444-6777
Online? Individual campsites can be reserved at Recreation.gov
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Individual sites at this campground operate on a 6-month rolling basis
Campground Information
Number of Sites: 87
Location in the park: located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona
Campsite Cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees
Senior/Access Camping Fee: Golden Age or Access passport holders pay only ½ price year-round (passport number is needed when making reservation and passport holder must be camping at the site).
Campground Address: Just down from the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center
Latitude/Longitude: 36°12'38"N - 112°03'36"W
Accessible Sites: 3 ADA accessible family campsites. These sites have larger parking areas, are located closer to restrooms. and have raised fire rings.
Campground Amenities
Coin-operated laundry and showers are located at the entrance to the campground.
Dump Station: Yes
Food Storage Lockers/ Bear Boxes available: No
Flush Toilets: Yes, seasonal
Is wifi available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is camp host available on site? Yes
Is firewood available for purchase? wood may be purchased at the general store.
Fire pit in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Potable Water? Yes, drinking water is readily available.
RV Camping at North Rim Campground
RV Length: Maximum vehicle length: 40 feet (12 m).
Generators: 7-9 am and 6-8 pm
Generators may not be used in the Tent Only
area.
How to get to North Rim Campground
North Rim Campground is 210 driving miles (4.5 hours) north of Mather Campground on the South Rim. This facility is located at the end of State Highway 67, about 41 miles south of Jacob Lake, Arizona, 87 miles south of Kanab, Utah and 120 miles southwest of Page, Arizona. Highway 67 is the only road into and out of the North Rim.
There is no access by road across the canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim. From State Highway 89A, take Highway 67 south for 30 miles to the park entrance.
The campground is located about 11.5 miles from the entrance station. The turn for the campground is the second right after the North Kaibab Trailhead parking area, and ¼ mile past the turn for the North Rim Unit (Administration) and Backcountry Offices.
Contact ADOT by dialing 511 from any landline or mobile phone or (888) 411-7623 to check road conditions before traveling to the park
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6
The number of cars per campsite: 2
Check-in Time: 12 pm
Checkout time: 11 am
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
Stays limited to 7 consecutive days and 30 days per calendar year.
Pets Allowed: Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times, and may not be left unattended. Pets are permitted on the Bridle Path only, not below rim or in buildings.
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, and trailers must remain on the pavement.
No more than one vehicle with a trailer is allowed per family campsite; no more than one tent in addition to a motor home or trailer is permitted.
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!
Things to do When Camping at North Rim Campground
🌅 Walk to Bright Angel Point, the North Rim's primary overlook, a short paved path from the campground with a dramatic narrow promontory extending into the canyon for views in multiple directions
🌄 Drive to Cape Royal, the finest viewpoint on the North Rim, about 23 miles from the campground on the Cape Royal Road, with sweeping views of the canyon including the Colorado River and Angels Window natural arch
🥾 Hike the North Kaibab Trail, the only maintained rim-to-river trail on the North Rim, beginning near the campground and descending through multiple geological and ecological zones to the Colorado River
🌿 Walk the Transept Trail from the campground to the Grand Canyon Lodge for easy rim-side walking through the ponderosa forest with canyon glimpses along the way
🦌 Watch for mule deer, Kaibab squirrels found only on the North Rim plateau, wild turkeys, and California condors throughout the forested rim area
🌲 Drive the Cape Royal Road through the Point Imperial area for the highest viewpoint on either rim at 8,803 feet with views extending into Utah and across the Painted Desert
🌌 Stargaze at 8,297 feet under some of the darkest and finest night skies in the American Southwest, a certified International Dark Sky Park with extraordinary Milky Way visibility on clear nights
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 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!
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply