Camping around the Grand Canyon?

rc_gromit

I'm looking to go camping this summer in/around the Grand Canyon. Does anyone have any advice/input on campgrounds? Specifically I'm looking for what to avoid, where to go, and general advice on time, location, and any other pertinent information.

Answer
Camping is closely controlled inside the National Park and is limited to specific designated camping areas.

Both the North Rim and South Rim have campgrounds with numbered drive-up spaces that have a picnic table and bathroom facilities nearby. They are nice, but you will be sharing the area with quite a few other campers, especially during the peak seasions. The South Rim also has an RV park area with full hookups. The South Rim actually has two drive-up camping areas: Mather Campground near the main lodges and Desert View near the Desert View Watchtower. I would recommend Mather as being closer to the main attractions and more shade. Reservations are recommended for both (see links below).

There is also camping inside the canyon itself that can be reached by backpacking. The large and popular backpacking campgrounds at Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens have drinking water, picnic tables and nice bathroom facilities. There are also plenty of other backcountry camp spots which generally have no facilities beyond a very rustic pit toilet. All of the inner canyon backpacking campsites require a permit through the Backcountry office (which can be hard to get during peak seasons).

As far as camping (car camping) nearby outside of the National Park...

The North Rim of the park is surrounded by the Kaibab National Forest which is a nice pine forest. Just about anywhere beyond the park boundary, you can take old dirt roads off the main road and camp anywhere you want in the forest. You can generally even find completely undeveloped and undesignated spots along or near the rim to the west of the North Rim lodges.

The South Rim is a bit more limited. There is not as many dirt roads or options in the smaller stretch of Kaibab Forest bordering the park on the South Rim. There are a variety of nice 'camping at large' locations in the Coconino National Forest when you get close to Flagstaff, but that is a ways from the canyon. There is also the little family-run 'Flintstone Village' campground about 10 miles south of the Park boundary, but it is in a pretty desolate and uninteresting area.

As for time... the North Rim is closed during winter (mid-Oct to mid-May) but is great in summer. It is at a higher elevation than the South Rim and so it is cooler and because it is further away and less developed, it tends to be less crowded and more peaceful.

The South Rim is a crowded zoo from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You may have a hard time getting a spot and if you do, you will certainly be sharing the area with plenty of others. While I would not call the South Rim 'hot' during the summer (it is at 7000 feet), it does get a bit warm and muggy with highs in the upper 90s. Rim-side camping at the South Rim would probably be best mid-April through May and mid-Sept through October.

If you are roaming around the North Rim / Utah area, than you should check out nearby Zion National Park, which has a great campground (lots of trees, running stream) and Bryce National Park which also has a nice campground.

camping??!?

ana

i kno nuthin about it ! lol any tips on what to take i kno u need to bring a tent ! but what else!? like what do i need to look out for and what games can me and ma cuzins play!!! and is it fun? lol any suggestions??? xcuse the typing grammer i dont like to spell out the words! ;]

Answer
Shelter
Bedding

__Tent __Sleeping bag
__Ground cloth/tarp __Sheets/blankets
__Extra stakes __Pillow
__Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes __Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
__Axe or hammer __Air pump
__Mat for tent entrance __Repair kit for air mattress
__Dust pan/brush __Utility bags for storage




Cooking

__Large water jug & water bucket __Potholders/oven mitts
__Coolers/ice __Pots and frying pans with lids
__Thermos __Soap for outside of pots and pans
__Stove with fuel/propane __Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Matches/lighter __Tongs
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner __Skewers/grill forks
__Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc __Can opener/bottle opener
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill __Folding table
__Fire starters/newspaper __Dutch oven
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips __Pie irons
__Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls __Mugs/paper cups
__Silverware/plastic silverware __Mixing bowl
__Measuring cups __Cutting board
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil __Ziplock bags
__Paper towels __Napkins
__Trash bags __Dish pan
__Dish soap __Dish rags/towels
__Clothes pins __Scrub pad/brillo
__Cooking oil/Pam spray __Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Containers for food storage __Potato peeler




Clothes Personal
__Shoes/boots __Shower shoes/flip flops
__Jeans/pant/belt __Towels/washcloth
__Shorts __Soap in plastic case/shampoo
__T-shirts __Tooth brush/tooth paste
__Socks/extra socks __ Deodorant
__Hat __Comb/brush
__Bandana __Razor
__Sweatshirt/jacket __Feminine products
__Underwear __Toilet paper
__Sleep clothes __Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
__Rain gear __Camping shower/shower pump
__Swim suit/towel __Other personal items
__Laundry bag __Personal medications--take extra




Miscellaneous
__Sunscreen/chapstick __Flashlight/batteries
__Lantern with fuel/mantles __Pocket knife
__Extra batteries/bulbs __Plastic grocery bags
__Compass __Binoculars
__Bug repellant/candles __Rope/clothes line
__Whistle __Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
__Water filters/purification/treatment __Bungi cords/straps
__Camera/battery/film/video (see photo jigsaw puzzles) __Cards/games/toys/golf
__Books/magazines (a Kindle would be better) __Duct tape/electrical tape
__Candles __Notepad/pen
__Maps/directions __Reservations info./confirmation
__Misc. tools __Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
__Backpack/fanny pack __Small shovel
__Fishing gear/license/bait __Safety pins
__Radio __Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Musical instruments/song books __Bikes/helmets
__Camp chairs __Travel alarm clock
__Sunglasses __Work gloves
__Hammock __Umbrella
__First aid kit __Hand wipes
__Tissues __Drinks/snacks
__Saw/axe __Small sewing kit
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps __Fire extinguisher
__Lantern pole or hanger __Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
__Collapsible drying rack __Scissors
__Popcorn __Watch
__Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
__Tell someone of your plans - give details of where you are going and when
you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative roads that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in.

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What kind of Volunteer work should we do at the lake?

camping table image

Katie

One of my Key Club members mentioned us going out and doing a one day, you know, a few hours on a Saturday, service project/ volunteer work at a local lake. It has like a playground and camping and picnic tables, that kind of thing. The ranger and I have been missing each other's calls, but he wants to know what we want to do. What kind of volunteer work could/should we do??

Answer
clean up the litter near the lake, help do the routine yard work kinda stuff- raking the leaves and seasonal things, set up an activity thing for little kids and babysit them at the playground and ask for the ranger to host question and answers etc.

How do I plan a successful camping trip without overstressing so I can enjoy it too?

angel_rae_

I'm supposed to be planning a camping 3day 2night camping trip for about 10-15 people. We want to keep it cheap and this is my first time planning my husband's squadron camp-out and it's still two weeks away and I just can't keep things organized and I'm having a hard time getting people to cooperate. Any suggestions?

Answer
My wife and I used to do this...a LOT!

We cooked breakfast every morning. Lunches were on your own. Dinners were we cooked the meat and the other campers provided the side dishes.

Everyone paid $15 toward the meals we provided. That didn't cover the actual cost, but it came pretty close because I used a lot of things from home that I already had. Salt and pepper shakers, cooking oil, margarine, etc.

Pancakes are cheap. Scrambled eggs with bits of ham and cheese is easy. Potatoes are cheap. I had an electric table top griddle that I used for breakfast. We camped where they had hook-ups.

Everyone is responsible to provide their own sleeping equipment and ice chests, etc.

You either want to get what is called a "group site", or several camping "spaces" together. Ask the park ranger how many vehicles are allowed per space. The more people you can get in a space, the cheaper the space.

Find out if there is someone in the squadron that has access to free firewood.

Distribute lists of what each person is responsible for. They need to bring 2 lunches for themselves and provide a side dish for 2 dinners for the group. Their $15, will provide 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners. They need to bring their own plates. utensils, and drinks.

Have set meal times for breakfast and dinner. Since they are on their own for lunch, you will have all day to enjoy yourself.

You can plan some games, or get someone else who would like to do that. Water-filled balloon toss. Hairy man contest. Whatever you think would work with the group you have.

Sitting around the fire in the evening is a great time to share "The Most Embarrassing Moment" story, or who can tell the biggest lie.

You can do any variations on this you want. Depending on budget, where the money comes from, what if anything you are able to get donated. You may find a store that is willing to donate if "Squadron" indicates your husband and other campers are in the military.

You can find junk in your garage, such as an old fuel pump or something and write "Hairy Man Trophy" on it with a magic marker. Much more fun than the real thing.

You are limited by your imagination much more than you are by lack of helpful participants. You will be finding people willing to help out when you actually get there.

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