How do you camp overnight in the Grand Canyon?

If you wish to camp anywhere in the park, other than in developed campgrounds on the North Rim or the South Rim, you must obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. A backcountry permit is required for: overnight camping outside of Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and North Rim Campground.



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Can You Camp in Your Car in the Grand Canyon? Yes, the National Park Service allows you to sleep in your car inside the park, but you still need to reserve a campsite. You cannot just sleep in your car in a parking lot, for example.

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Nestled at the Bottom of Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch is the only lodging below the canyon rim, and can only be reached by mule, on foot, or by rafting the Colorado River. Have questions about the lottery process? Click here for the lottery schedule, additional information and/or FAQs regarding the Phantom Ranch Lottery.

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To camp overnight anywhere inside Grand Canyon you must first obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. Restaurants and groceries are available on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village and Desert View —and on the North Rim during their season.

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Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, is a popular destination for both hikers and mule riders. Overnight hiker dormitories and cabins can be reserved and meals are available for purchase.

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Overnight lows can still drop near to below freezing occasionally on the North Rim, although typically low temperatures range from the 40s and 50s (4-15°C) at the South Rim to the 60s and 70s (16-26°C) at Phantom Ranch.

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Permits for all overnight backcountry use must be obtained through the Backcountry Information Center at Grand Canyon National Park. Reservations for overnight tent or RV camping in developed use areas on the canyon rims (Mather, Desert View, North Rim) are not obtained through the Backcountry Information Center.

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The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cool and crowds are thin. If you decide to visit during the summer (the park's peak season), be prepared for hordes of tourists and very limited lodging availability.

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Mather Campground is by far the most popular campground in Grand Canyon National Park. While there are no electrical, water, or sewer hook-ups, many of 319 sites are RV-friendly and generator use is allowed during specified hours.

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If you've got your very own rolling resort, you can park it minutes away from the world-famous Skywalk for $22 a night. RV Parking at Grand Canyon West is the perfect place to stay for up to three nights before or after your Grand Canyon West adventure.

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Other domestic animals or pets are prohibited below the rim. Traps and nets are prohibited. A valid fishing license is required for all fishing. Because of their sensitive and sometimes dangerous nature, entry and/or exploration of any caves or mines must be approved in advance through Grand Canyon National Park.

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During the day at the top of the South Rim, the weather at Grand Canyon ranges between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature can drop quickly after the sun sets. Night time temperatures can be chilly, dropping between 20 to 30 degrees and much of this is due to the elevation in Grand Canyon Village being 6,804 ft.

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As air sinks down into a lower elevation, it gets compressed, compressed air releases heat as energy. This caused the air mass to become even warmer. “This is why you can see temperatures in the 90's at the top of the Grand Canyon but temperatures 20-30 degrees hotter at the bottom of the canyon,” Brink says.

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