Great Camping Spots Around Grand Canyon National Park

1. Desert View Campground
Get off the beaten path by nabbing a site at this in-park campground, 26 miles from most visitor services but in close proximity to nature. The forested setting easily beats some of the park's less vegetated campgrounds, and the atmosphere is the perfect antidote to the bustle of the park's villages. Sites are designed for tents and small RVs and travel trailers (there's a 30-foot maximum).

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2. Ten-X Campground
A few miles south of the South Rim and outside park boundaries, Ten-X is a seasonal first-come, first-serve place that makes up for the lack of hookups with roomy sites with plenty of peace and quiet. The nicely forested area feels a world away from nearby Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village. There's a 35-foot maximum for RVs; facilities include fire pits, toilets, water faucets and trails.

3. Trailer Village
For those who absolutely can't live without RV hookups — and easy access to civilization — this is the best in-park option. Besides water, sewer, electricity and cable TV, each site also has a picnic table and grill, and there are coin-operated shower and laundry facilities. The best spots are at the end of the rows, thanks to shade trees and a bit more elbow room.

4.North Rim Campground
This is Grand Canyon camping at its best — and highest. Open seasonally because of a high elevation (8,200 feet), the ponderosa-shaded and secluded North Rim Campground is within walking distance of the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim General Store. The sites lack hookups, but there's a dump station and coin-operated shower and laundry facilities. Don't skimp: The rim sites cost an extra $7, but it's money well spent for an unimpeded view of the canyon.

5. Kaibab Camper Village
Located 40 miles north of the park near Jacob Lake, this nicely forested campground is the most scenic of RV-oriented parks in the Grand Canyon area. It's also the only campground with hookups on the park's north side, and it can accommodate RVs of any size. The facilities include a nicely stocked camper store.

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