Grand Canyon campground recommendation?

Hodag · March 30, 2009, 10:16:58 AM

We are planning a spring break trip to the Grand Canyon to remedy the sad fact that we have never seen it. Having never been there, we would appreciate any recommendations for a south rim campground for a 40 footer. 50 amp would be nice but we can easily live with 30 and can go totally off the grid if necessary. We will have our Jeep with us, so need not be at the rim. I don't mind paying a little more for something nicer than a treeless open field. Thanks.
Bryan

Sean · March 30, 2009, 01:46:19 PM

The park service campground has a strict 35' limit (don't ask how I know it is strict). No power there, anyway.

There is a concessionaire-operated campground within the park, right next door. It is called Trailer Village. It will accommodate your rig and has power. More importantly, it is inside the park with ready access to the transit system, so you will not need to fight your way in and out every day with a car and hunt for places to park. In-season, much of the park is off-limits to private cars, and you will need to take the transit system anyway.

There are a few RV parks south of the entrance, in Tusayan. We stayed at Camper Village once; nothing to write home about. You might save a few bucks over being in the park, but it's not worth it, IMO.

Here's our write-up:
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/2005/04/we-are-in-tusayan-map-small-community.html

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

niles500 · March 30, 2009, 06:25:08 PM

As Sean said once your in the park (best option - and surprisingly not as full as you'd expect) transit will take you anywhere - You may want to check out advance reservations for the burro ride to the bottom if it's running then- one other warning - wasn't there in spring (still too cold on the rim) - but bring rain gear with you at all times - It only takes five minutes for the weather to change or rain to fall - HTH

Sean · March 30, 2009, 07:29:44 PM

Quote from: niles500 on March 30, 2009, 06:25:08 PM
... once your in the park (best option - and surprisingly not as full as you'd expect) ...

Notwithstanding Niles' observation, I suggest reservations at the full-hookup campground, "Trailer Village" (operated by park concessionaire Xanterra). It's actually very small, especially in comparison to the nearby Mather Campground operated by the park service, which is strictly enforcing a 30' limit (not 35", as I mistakenly wrote earlier).

See my write-up (which I linked in my earlier post) for our tribulations trying to stay in the park in Odyssey. We ended up cutting our visit short because we could not get in.

BTW, my comments about low trees at Trailer Village had to do with that one spot, not the whole park. But note that they were sold out, and even that spot was only available due to a cancellation.

We had a much better time at the north rim, where the ranger was much more laissez-faire about the length limit:
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/2005/06/bleaky-day-soon-turn-drunk.html

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

TomC · March 30, 2009, 10:58:32 PM

We stayed at Trailer Village also a couple of years ago. While it is not particularly attractive (like Sean said), it is within walking distance of both a market and the central town to grab any of the shuttle buses to anywhere in the park. When touristing, sometimes the not so attractive park turns out to be the best in terms of convenience. Good Luck, TomC

Bob Gil · April 01, 2009, 10:46:54 AM

I have been there twice the first time was in about 97 when the south rim was still not as commiceral.

# years ago we went to the North and South both. I was much disaopinted when we got tot he south side it has changed so much. But the North side is GREAT. The only draw back is getting a resavation. We did nopt have one and were lucky that they had a caneclation and I was standing there when the person called and the person at the desk did not want to stay around to get some one else to fill it and he gave it to us.

The north is well worth the extra drive, don't think I will ever go back to the south side I like the old ways I guess.

Bob

Hodag · April 01, 2009, 12:01:23 PM

Thanks, everybody. I got a reservation in Trailer Village, which seems like the way to go. North Rim is closed until May due to winter weather but I will try that later this summer. Note to others, Trailer Village does fill up. Probably due to spring break, but I was not able to get my first choice of days. I also reserved a night in Williams at Grand Canyon Railway campground. They offer a train ride to the rim, which should be fun for a day when we are just sightseeing and not hiking. Based on Sean's comments, I'm thinking of leaving the toad at home and just bringing bicycles. Good idea, or will we miss having it?

Bryan

TomC · April 02, 2009, 10:32:00 PM

Leave the towed at home-much more fun without it-bicycles are a good idea. Good Luck, TomC

Krashdragon · April 10, 2009, 12:20:04 AM

Quote from: Hodag on April 01, 2009, 12:01:23 PM
Thanks, everybody. I got a reservation in Trailer Village, which seems like the way to go. North Rim is closed until May due to winter weather but I will try that later this summer. Note to others, Trailer Village does fill up. Probably due to spring break, but I was not able to get my first choice of days. I also reserved a night in Williams at Grand Canyon Railway campground. They offer a train ride to the rim, which should be fun for a day when we are just sightseeing and not hiking. Based on Sean's comments, I'm thinking of leaving the toad at home and just bringing bicycles. Good idea, or will we miss having it?

Bryan

the train ride is fun. My son (he's 23) and I were driving form Ohio to Cali... no bus, not even an rv...

...when we saw a sign for the CG Railroad.
Steam up, diesel return. You might want to ride in a closed coach... the steam engine throws cinders and smoke.
very relaxing day.
On yeah, I also ran over a rattlesnake that I thot was debris on the road. (I40) Really thot I missed it, but Chris said he heard a "crunch"
Have fun!
Mary