One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the canyon's incredible rock formations, color variations, and craggy crevices combine to form a hauntingly beautiful vacation destination.
Grand Canyon hiking trips and RV camping adventures are great ways to see the splendor of one of the nation's most famous national parks for yourself. At Cruise America, we have the information you need to plan a great Grand Canyon RV camping trip. See our picks below for the best places to camp in the Grand Canyon and things to know before you go.
Grand Canyon National Park Facts
Before you arrive at the park, there are tons of interesting things to learn about the Grand Canyon. Learn what makes this park unique by checking out these Grand Canyon National Park facts!
- Overall, the Grand Canyon is 1,904 square miles, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island at 1,212 square miles!
- The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide at its widest point. The average depth of the canyon is around one mile deep.
- The Grand Canyon spans tremendous changes in elevation causing large differences in temperature and climate. The coolest and wettest weather station is at the North Rim, while the driest station is at Phantom Ranch.
- Natural resources found in the Grand Canyon National Park are anywhere from 1,840 to 270 million years old! This includes diverse paleontological resources, volcanic deposits, and more.
- Many wildlife species call the Grand Canyon home, including 450 bird species, 91 mammal species, and 50 reptiles and amphibian species!
Best Grand Canyon National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds
For an amazing RV camping experience in Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll need to find an RV campground! Check out these awesome RV campgrounds in and around Grand Canyon National Park when planning your trip.
Mather Campground
Amenities: Located near Grand Canyon Village, Mather Campground offers great Grand Canyon RV camping close to all the South Rim's conveniences and hiking trails. No hookups are available, but RVs are welcome. Or try the adjacent Trailer Village, an RV campground with full hookups. Campsites fill up quickly at both locations during peak months, so reservations are strongly recommended from April through November. Discounted off-season RV camping is available from December through March without reservation, making this an affordable winter RV camping option.
Capacity: 319 sites
More information: Mather Campground
Desert View Campground
Amenities: Surrounded by piñons and juniper, this secluded Grand Canyon RV camping spot is nestled 25 miles from Grand Canyon Village but within walking distance of breathtaking Desert View Overlook. No hookups are available, but RVs are welcome.
Capacity: 50 sites
More information: Desert View Campground
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park
Amenities: For an old-fashioned family adventure, try staying in historic Williams, Arizona, instead of in the park. Located on Route 66, around 30 miles west of Flagstaff, this small Western town is the home of the Grand Canyon Railway. Spend your Grand Canyon RV camping trip here, and take the 60-mile train ride from Williams north to Grand Canyon Village on a classic steam engine.
Capacity: 124 sites
More information: Grand Canyon Railway RV Park
North Rim Campground
Amenities: For Grand Canyon RV camping with fewer tourists, try the North Rim Campground. Open from mid-May to mid-October; it’s an out-of-the-way alternative to the busy South Rim. However, amenities are limited here—no hookups are available, and after mid-October, the campground may be closed for the winter.
Capacity: 78 sites
More information: North Rim Campground
Kaibab Camper Village
Amenities: Kaibab Camper Village, located just north of the Grand Canyon's North Rim, is the nearest campground to the North Rim that offers full hookups for RVs. Located along Jacob Lake’s shores, Kaibab Camper Village offers secluded Grand Canyon RV camping amid old-growth pines. It's also a short drive from other stunning natural sites, including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
Capacity: 58 sites
More information: Kaibab Camper Village
Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon offers magnificent experiences all year round! Check out this guide to discover what each season has to offer and find the best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park.
Winter
Winter months in the Grand Canyon are gloriously cool without being too cold. Winter temperatures range from lows in the high 30s in December to highs in the low 70s in March! Winter is also one of the less crowded seasons for the park. That makes it a perfect time to explore spots like the Rim Trail or the historic Hermit Road.
Spring
The weather starts to warm up as spring arrives in the Grand Canyon. Spring temperatures range from the low 70s in March to the low 100s in June. Spring is also one of the dryer seasons in the Grand Canyon, with an average of eight days of rainfall. Spring is a fantastic time to try your hand at photography. Because the park is less crowded than summer months, you’re sure to find the perfect view to snap a shot!
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times to visit Grand Canyon National Park. If you’re planning a summer trip to the canyon, prepare for large crowds! Temperatures in summer range from the peak in the low 100s in June, July, and August. A great way to cool down during a summer trip to the Grand Canyon is to explore the park’s various museums and visitor centers! From the Yavapai Museum of Geology to the Tusayan Museum, there’s tons of park history for you to take in.
Fall
As temperatures begin to fall in autumn, so do the number of crowds in Grand Canyon National Park. Temperatures start to cool down, from the high 90s in September to the high 60s in November. Something to check out as fall comes around is the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art! This is an annual event held from September to January in the Grand Canyon and is a long-held tradition of the park.
Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
Looking for ways to have fun on your trip to the Grand Canyon? Check out this list of awesome things to do in Grand Canyon National Park, and have a blast!
- Try out backcountry hiking. A great way to avoid the Grand Canyon’s heat is to try overnight backpacking below the South Rim. Plus, you can see a new side to desert life that you don’t normally see during the day. Don’t forget to get a backcountry permit before you go hiking!
- Bike along the South Rim. There are many places where you can explore with your bike in the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, including Hermit Road. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring your bike because you can rent one at Bright Angel Bicycles.
- Take a trip on a mule. Have you ever ridden a mule before? Now’s your chance! Visit the South Rim and enjoy the Canyon Vistas ride, which lasts for three hours and takes you along the canyon rim.
- Embark on a guided learning adventure. The Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Field Institute offers guided tours that expert instructors lead. These tours can take you backpacking, camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting while you learn about the park’s history, geology, archaeology, and more.
Tips on Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
Read these tips on visiting Grand Canyon National Park to ensure you have an awesome RV camping experience!
- Don’t forget your sunscreen. Even if you aren’t visiting the park during the summer months, it never hurts to bring sunscreen! The Grand Canyon sees plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with nearly 15 hours of sunshine in the summer.
- Avoid waiting in line by parking your car outside of the park’s entrance. This way, you can easily take a shuttle to the park and start your exploration of the park early!
- Keep to the designated trails and walkways! When near the rim, keep a distance of at least six feet from the rim’s edge. It also helps to know where the edge is by watching your foot placement when hiking and walking.
- Respect the park and don’t throw things over the edge of the canyon. An object thrown over the edge or dislodged by walking off trail can end up injuring hikers and wildlife below and may even start a landslide.
RV Rental for Grand Canyon National Park
Now that you’re prepared with tons of fantastic information about RV camping in Grand Canyon National Park, it’s time to find the perfect RV rental!
Cruise America has affordable RV rentals for families of all sizes. Cruise America’s Grand Canyon RV rentals come with a variety of amenities, including gas cooktops, showers, refrigerators, and more!
To get your Grand Canyon RV Rental, visit Cruise America today to find a rental location near you.
