Are you looking for campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon? Look no further because I’ve got all the information to help you choose the right spot for your Grand Canyon North Rim adventure. My name is Scott Talboom, and as a local northern Arizonan, I’ve been camping in these parts for decades.
[The North Rim is closed during winter months and reopens on May 15.]
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Hello fellow National Park travelers!
Did you know that only 10 percent of the people visiting the Grand Canyon come to the North Rim? The visitation ratio is due to the remote nature of the North Rim—a 220-mile /354-km trip from the South Rim by car even though the distance between the North and South Rim is only 18 miles/ 29 km as the crow flies!
It is worth the trip to the campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon because they are known for fewer crowds, wildlife diversity, quaking aspen, old-growth Ponderosa pines, conifers and awe-inspiring views.
RELATED: Your Guide to Finding the Best Campground Grand Canyon Now
The Coconino Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake – at the junction of Highways 89 and 67 (the road to the North Rim), is a great place to start your journey, offering helpful information and maps of the area. Open Spring-Fall.
1.) Campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon | Inside the National Park
There are not a lot of campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon within the park borders. However, one developed campground accessed off a paved roadway, North Rim Campground, offers RV and tent camping. The other campsites within the national park at the North Rim are at remote sites and require permits. Read on to learn more about campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon:
North Rim Campground
Open May 15 – October 15. No hookups.
Of all the campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon, only one developed campground is within the Grand Canyon National Park boundaries. North Rim Campground is open seasonally from May 15 – October 15, with easy access and all the amenities.
With a total of 87 campsites, including three ADA-accessible family campsites, potable water, flushing and composting toilets, hot showers and the convenience of a store nearby.
Spaces are available for tent and RV campers. However, you need to make reservations far in advance.
This National Park Service Campground North Rim Grand Canyon is the perfect home base if you are looking for comfort and convenience while exploring the solitude and grandeur of the North Rim Grand Canyon.
Remote Campgrounds inside North Rim Grand Canyon National Park for the Adventurous
There are two remote spots within the boundaries of the national park that can be reserved for camping if you’re lucky.
Cape Final campsite
Cape Final is one of the ultimate camping experiences at North Rim Grand Canyon. Saying it is one-of-a-kind is true in a literal sense because there is only one camp spot at this remote location.
A backcountry permit is required, so since there is a lot of competition for this and other remote campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon, you must make your reservation at least four months before you visit.
Since it is likely a once of a lifetime opportunity, please come prepared, as you will want to make the best of the experience. High-clearance vehicles can make the trip; however, I would not do it without a 4-wheel drive. Suddenly rainstorms can transform dusty, rocky roads into slick, sloppy messes in minutes.
Point Sublime campsites
Point Sublime is another campground inside Grand Canyon National Park on the North Rim. If you can handle a neighbor, there are only two spaces here! The views are spectacular, and so is the access to solitude.
Once again, roads are treacherous, and a 4-wheel drive vehicle is ideal. Backcountry permits are required for this and the other backcountry campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon. Traffic is sparse, so you should be prepared for self-recovery.
More information on backcountry permits.
Camping North Rim Grand Canyon: Things to Know
Certainly, you can go to places at the North Rim Grand Canyon that offer the safety and convenience of the South Rim, but once you leave the village, the North Rim is much more remote than the South Rim. The North Rim Campground is only open from May 15 (subject to change) through October 15.
Winter camping is available only by obtaining a backcountry permit and is accessed by cross-country skiers or snowshoers willing to trek 45 miles / 72.4 km from Jacob Lake. Access is also possible by hiking from the South Rim.
There is little cell phone reception or internet connectivity, so you must have plenty of food, water and other necessities like headlamps, warm clothing and first aid supplies, just in case.
Even during summertime, temperature swings can be extreme, especially when monsoon storms roll through. When you are in the backcountry, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
For more information about campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon, go to:
North Rim Grand Canyon Back Country Permits
2.) Campgrounds Near North Rim Grand Canyon | Kaibab National Forest
Plenty of campsites are available near the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. You’ll find campgrounds near North Rim Grand Canyon National Park in the adjacent Kaibab National Forest.
Campgrounds Near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon: DeMotte Campground
Open spring-fall. No hookups.
The DeMotte Campground is a short distance from the North Rim and nestled in the beauty of the Kaibab National Forest. Wildlife viewing is abundant in this area, and although it has fewer amenities than the North Rim Campground, it is an excellent alternative.
The DeMotte Campground, one of the campgrounds near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, is within the North Kaibab Ranger District, seven miles / 11 km north of the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim.
DeMotte is 25 miles / 40 km south of the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center on Arizona’s Highway 67.
DeMotte Campground offers 38 single-family campsites with tables and cooking grills. The campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and small motorhomes. However, no utility hookups are available.
Four vault toilets are at the campground, and water for personal use is available.
Half of the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the other half are available with reservations.
Campgrounds Near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon: Jacob Lake Campground
Generally open May – September. No hookups.
Most campers choose the Jacob Lake Campground, one of the campgrounds North Rim Grand Canyon, for its easy access and convenience. At the intersection of Highway 89 and Highway 67, there are 51 sites available and some amenities like vault toilets.
The Jacob Lake store, restaurant and gas station are nearby, so for those growing tired of camp food, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Just need a snack? Grab some soft-serve ice cream or a freshly baked cookie–my favorite? Snickerdoodles!
There is room for tents, trailers and small motorhomes but no hookups.
More information about campgrounds near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
3.) Dispersed Camping Grand Canyon North Rim
The Kaibab National Forest has many options for dispersed camping Grand Canyon on the North Rim–here are just a few:
Dispersed Camping Grand Canyon at Rainbow Rim Trail
Camping around the Rainbow Rim Trail is not within the national park boundaries. However, the trail connects five significant “points” of land that overhang the canyon and the Arizona Strip, one of the least populated areas in the United States. Disbursed camping Grand Canyon is available at all five points.
The five “Points” are Parissawampitts, Fence, Locust, North Timp and Timp. Even though the trail meanders close to the canyon rim, it gives hikers and bikers only occasional glimpses of the vast canyons. About 90 percent of the “traffic” on the trail consists of mountain bikes–e-bikes are not allowed.
Enjoy aspen and ponderosa pine forests, lush green pocket meadows, abundant wildlife and spectacular views of the Arizona Strip.
More information and detailed directions.
Dispersed Camping Grand Canyon at Forest Road 461
Some free dispersed camping Grand Canyon North Rim is just west of Jacob Lake past the Kaibab Camper Village. Look to the right shortly after passing the campground on Forest Road 461. There are no amenities; however, access is easy, and the setting is peaceful.
Free Camping Grand Canyon at Forest Road 611
Another easy-to-access free camping Grand Canyon area is six miles / 9.6 km from the North Rim park entrance.
Forest Road 611 is accessed right off Highway 67. Head toward the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim entrance and look to your left (east) for Forest Road 611. No facilities are available, but you can camp with more privacy than at a campground. Best of all, it is free!
Dispersed Camping North Rim Grand Canyon on Your Own!
As we mentioned, there are many opportunities for free dispersed camping Grand Canyon, and some of the fun of dispersed camping is hunting for your own spot away from the crowds.
Dispersed camping is allowed off many forest service roads in the North Kaibab National Forest. Check out this link to order your North Kaibab map to get an idea of how many dispersed camping places are available.
Remember that disbursed camping in our national forests is a privilege. Follow the rules so that future generations can continue to utilize this resource.
Before going, make sure to click on the links below to see the dispersed camping Grand Canyon and outdoor ethics guidelines.
- See dispersed camping Grand Canyon North Rim guidelines.
- Outdoor ethics – North Rim Grand Canyon Important!
- Stop by Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center for information before you explore.
4.) Grand Canyon North Rim RV Parks
In this section, we cover the Grand Canyon North Rim RV parks and dispersed camping for RVs near the North Rim. Since supply is limited for developed RV campsites, it’s important to make reservations well in advance. Read on for more insider tips…
Grand Canyon North Rim RV Parks: Inside the Park
Open May 15 – October 15. No hookups.
As for Grand Canyon North Rim RV parks, there is only one developed RV campground: North Rim Campground. With a total of 87 campsites, potable water, flushing and composting toilets, hot showers and the convenience of a store nearby. Not all spaces are for RVs.
Spaces are available for tent and RV campers. However, make reservations far in advance.
This National Park Service campground is the perfect home base if you are looking for comfort and convenience while exploring the solitude and grandeur of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon North Rim RV Parks: Outside the National Park
There is only one developed RV campground outside Grand Canyon National Park, but dispersed camping North Rim is nearby.
Kaibab Camper Village
Open Year Round. Hookups available.
Kaibab Camper Village is the second closest RV campground to the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim.
The pet-friendly campground is off Highway 89, west of Jacob Lake, 45 miles / 72.4 km from the park entrance. Kaibab Village can accommodate motorhomes over 40 feet/ 12 m and has full hookups and showers. Tent and group sites are also available.
For more information and directions.
RV Dispersed Camping North Rim
Some dispersed camping North Rim Grand Canyon can accommodate RVs if you are willing to take your rig onto a forest service road. But keep in mind these roads can be rough and dusty, and there are no hookups.
For camping at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, check out
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey was NOT provided with accommodations, meals or other compensation for the purpose of this guide. The Arizona travel writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
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