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The first glimpse of the Grand Canyon is truly breathtaking. This iconic destination is a must-see for anyone planning their next RV trip.
This magnificent national park spans 277 river miles and reaches widths of up to 18 miles, offering incredible views, diverse wildlife, and fantastic adventure opportunities. The park’s stunning landscapes and vibrant wildlife are undeniably awe-inspiring.
Plan Your Grand Canyon RV Adventure
Advance planning is essential for your trip. It’s advisable to make reservations approximately six months to a year in advance. The South Rim is the most visited area of the Grand Canyon, known for its popularity and heavy foot traffic. The optimal times to visit are between March and May or September and November, when temperatures are milder and crowds are lighter. In 2023, the park welcomed roughly 5 million visitors.
If you’re looking for a quieter experience, consider exploring the North Rim. Here, you can hike 14 miles down the North Kaibab Trail into the canyon. Please note that RV camping at the North Rim Campground does not offer hookups, but you can stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge, which features a fine dining restaurant and an expansive indoor veranda. Many regard it as an excellent lodging choice within the park.
Online Planning Tools
Make sure to take advantage of the RV LIFE app for maps and campground details.
RV LIFE Trip Wizard is a useful tool that assists in planning your journey, mapping out routes, and identifying stops such as campgrounds, restaurants, and gas stations. By entering your RV specifications and trip details, the app helps you plot a course that avoids low bridges, dirt roads, tolls, and other potential obstacles. It also estimates your trip expenses based on the information you input.
With RV LIFE Campgrounds, you can explore various campgrounds, check pricing, and read reviews from fellow RVers who have visited those sites. It provides photos of the parks, details about available amenities, and contact information to help you choose the best accommodations for your RV and family.
The Cost of Your Grand Canyon RV Adventure
Entry to Grand Canyon National Park requires a fee, which can be paid upon arrival or purchased online. Be mindful that cell service might be limited, so ensure your pass is accessible offline on your phone. The fee for a 7-day private vehicle pass is $35. For further details and to buy your pass beforehand, visit nps.gov.
A cost-effective option is the National Park Pass, available for around $80. This America the Beautiful Pass grants access to all National Parks across the United States, including the Grand Canyon. With this pass, you and your passengers can enter the Grand Canyon without additional fees. Free entry is also available for holders of Interagency Passes, Golden Passports, National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, Grand Canyon passes, or anyone aged 16 years or younger.
Where to Stay in Grand Canyon NP
Only one campground within the park can accommodate larger RVs and provides full hookups. Trailer Village at the South Rim is the exclusive RV campground with full hookups inside Grand Canyon National Park, open year-round. It features pull-through sites for RVs up to 50 feet in length.
Mather Campground is also open throughout the year, accommodating RVs up to 30 feet. During peak summer months, reservations through recreation.gov are recommended at least six months in advance. In winter, sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and Mather Campground lacks electric, sewer, or water hookups. A nearby dump and water fill station is available.
If you don’t have reservations, consider the South Rim’s Desert View Campground, which offers 50 first-come, first-served sites with no hookups for RVs up to 30 feet. Located 26 miles from Grand Canyon Village, this campground boasts stunning views of the Colorado River and features its own visitor center and ranger programs.
Where to Stay Outside Grand Canyon NP
For those looking for accommodations outside the National Park, there are various RV parks available, or you can boondock at the Indian Hollow Campground in the Kaibab National Forest for up to 14 days.
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider the Tuweep Campground, which requires a high-clearance vehicle less than 22 feet long. This campground is situated in one of the park’s most remote areas and provides access to some of the canyon’s most breathtaking views, although the access road can be challenging to navigate.
Located 3,000 vertical feet above the Colorado River, Toroweap Overlook features extraordinary volcanic cinder cones and lava flows in what is recognized as the ancestral land of the Southern Paiute people.
Top 10 Park Attractions
1. Hike Bright Angel Trail
Starting at Grand Canyon Village, the Bright Angel Trail leads 8 miles down into the canyon, connecting with the Tonto Trail, the Plateau Point Trail, and the River Trail. Given the strenuous nature of this trail, consider joining a mule train for a more accessible descent. Don’t miss the chance to see the natural arch located near the trailhead.
2. Check out the Overlooks
Upon entering the Grand Canyon, visit Mather Point, conveniently located next to the visitor center, which offers sweeping views of the canyon. Capture stunning photographs of the Coconino Sandstone and Kaibab Limestone rock formations, and gaze a mile down into the canyon at this two-point lookout named after Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service. Mather Point is also a prime spot for sunset viewing. From there, take the free shuttle to Yaki Point for another popular sunrise and sunset vantage point, where you can observe the winding South Kaibab Trail leading to the Colorado River and enjoy fantastic eastern views.
3. Take a Scenic Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive along the East Rim, which provides breathtaking panoramas of the canyon and the Colorado River. Make sure to stop at Grandview and the Desert View Watchtower along this 26-mile stretch.
On the North Rim, Cape Royal Drive offers different perspectives from the short trails at the North Rim Lodge, while Point Imperial Drive showcases jagged peaks and expansive plateaus. Hermit Road Drive provides breathtaking views, featuring a dramatic 270-degree outlook of the canyon at Hopi Point.
The Mt. Trumbull Scenic Loop Drive requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle and runs from St. George, Utah, to Mt. Trumbull, Toroweap, and ending at Pipe Spring National Monument. Be cautious, as this road could become impassable in winter due to snow, ice, and mud.
4. Walk the Rim
The Rim Trail stretches from Mather Point to Yavapai Point and the Geology Museum, an easy distance of 0.7 miles. For more of a challenge, hike from Yavapai Point to Verkamp’s Visitor Center, which is about 1.4 miles. Alternatively, the North Kaibab Trail to the South Kaibab Trail offers a strenuous 20.4-mile point-to-point hike popular among backpackers.
5. Enjoy a free daily Park Ranger program
From the visitor center, take the blue shuttle to the Shrine of the Ages, a versatile venue that hosts daily free park ranger programs.
6. Drive to Desert View Watchtower
The Desert View Watchtower is a 22-mile drive from the visitor center along the canyon’s rim. Consider packing a picnic and stopping at locations such as the Grandview Trailhead, Moran Point, the Tusayan Museum and Ruin, Lipan Point, and Navajo Point. The Desert View Watchtower includes informative displays, Hopi murals, cultural events, and a passport stamping station, plus visitors can climb the tower’s stairs for an elevated view.
7. Visit Hermit’s Rest
Constructed in 1914 at the end of Hermit Road, Hermit’s Rest serves as an access point to backcountry trails stemming from the steep Hermit Trail. Designed to resemble an old miner’s cabin, this historic site features native stonework, a large fireplace, and a front porch. Currently, it houses a gift shop, snack bar, and stunning view of the canyon.
8. Enjoy Stargazing
Boasting a remote location, high elevation, and minimal light pollution, the Grand Canyon is an excellent location for stargazing. Since 2019, it has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. Ideal spots for nighttime views include Mather Point, Desert View Watchtower, Moran Point, Lipan Point, Hermit’s Rest, and the Rim Trail. Additionally, visitors can participate in ranger-led activities that include constellation talks and night hikes.
9. Fly over the canyon on a helicopter tour
For a unique perspective of the Grand Canyon, consider taking a helicopter tour. Though it typically costs around $350, this experience allows you to see areas inaccessible from the ground.
10. Visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk
This horseshoe-shaped walkway extends nearly 70 feet over the canyon at Hualapai-owned Grand Canyon West, which is not part of the National Park Service or Grand Canyon National Park. Gaze downward at the breathtaking vertical drop of 4,000 feet. For more details, visit the website. A basic ticket starts at $68 per person.
Tips
Plan Ahead
Begin planning your Grand Canyon RV adventure at least six months in advance. If you intend to camp in the backcountry, be sure to secure permits ahead of time.
Avoid Long Lines at the Entrance
- Try to visit outside of the summer peak season, specifically Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Plan your entrance on a weekday.
- Aim to arrive at the entrance before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m.
Take Advantage of the Park’s Free Shuttle System
Parking at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon can be difficult. Utilize the Park & Ride service, which is complimentary with your park admission. You can park outside the park in Tusayan and catch the shuttle into the park, where it will drop you off at the Visitor’s Center. Designated parking areas for RVs are available at Park & Ride, RP’s Stage Stop, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, and the IMAX theater.
After being dropped off at the Visitor’s Center, you can transfer to the free in-park shuttle, which will take you to various trailheads, viewpoints, and attractions.
Never Hike Unprepared
During warm-weather hikes, avoid scheduling outings between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the heat can be dangerous. Always remember to bring sufficient water and sunscreen.
Know Pet Policies
Dogs are prohibited below the canyon rim and must be leashed at all times. The South Rim provides a pet kennel and pet-friendly hotel rooms. You can take your dog on the 12-mile paved Rim Trail.
Pets are allowed at Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and in developed areas. Ensure your pet stays safe from the heat, as hot pavement can burn their paws. Never leave your dog in a parked car due to the rapid increase in temperature.
Your Grand Canyon RV Adventure Awaits!
Get ready for an exciting RV adventure at the Grand Canyon National Park. From history and adventure to hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the tranquility of a dark sky, you are poised to create lasting memories with your friends and family.
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