Hi - My wife and I have been married 30 years in October, and will be celebrating by taking our small older 5th wheel from Michigan to the Grand Canyon, where neither of us has ever been. Thank to much help from this forum we now have 330 watts of solar, so en route we plan to overnight at Walmart, Flying J, etc, then boondock near the Grand Canyon. Looking for ideas on places to boondock that are near your favorite points at the GC. I DO anticipate needing at least a couple of nights at an actual campground for dumping as well as refilling fresh water tanks. We plan to take about 4 days/nights to traveling at each end, and spend about 6 days in the area. Only have 2 weeks vacation. Any help/suggestions for anything about this trip will be greatly appreciated.

Kaibab FR 302 West TusayanWe stayed here for a week. It was very convenient to everything yet secluded, peaceful and quiet.

If you're going in October it won't be busy, should be no problem getting a campsite right at the Nat Park.Everything is in walking distance. Take the shuttle that will drop you off anywhere along the rim trail. It took me all morning to walk back from the furthest drop off point. Best hike I ever had.

Stayed on FR302 late March of 2015. Great spot, many sites to pick from. When we were there, some mud in and around the site entrances. No big problem, just Spring!! Very quiet, low traffic when we were there.

My favorite GC location is the North Rim and I boondock in the Kaibab Natl Forest on the Kaibab Plateau south of Jacobs Lake. Lots of room and myriads of roads and trails to spectacular isolated overlooks.

Boondocking at Grand Grand Canyon - Suggestions please

GaryS1953
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
TenOC wrote:
Since you have been married 30 years you may be old enough to qualify for the National Parks senior discount of 50% off Mather CG that is Dry Camping inside GC NP. Walk to distance to the shutter bus and will not be very busy.

We have the national park senior card. I got that 2 summers ago after I turned 62 for $10. What a deal!!
GaryS1953
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
2gypsies wrote:
Snowman9000 wrote:
Which rim is preferred in late May?

North Rim will be much quieter. The snow is gone already.

South Rim has more to do, many more viewpoints that are easily accessible, the free shuttle and BIG crowds.

For your first visit I'd highly suggest the South Rim. That's where the majority of photos you see in advertising are taken. That's not to say there aren't beautiful views from the North Rim - there are - but there are more places to take in the full canyon views from the South Rim.

We've been to both rims many times and have hundreds of photos. Now we prefer the North Rim just to chill out and relax.

Wow, great to know! Thanks so much!
TenOC
Nomad
Apr 11, 2017
Snowman9000 wrote:
Which rim is preferred in late May?

Unless you like to hike, the South rim has more viewpoints with the shutter bus and thus 1,000's of more people.
Snowman9000
Explorer
May 16, 2017
Heading there this weekend. Midweek would be better, but whatever. Probably will try that 302 boondock area. Is there some place nearby to catch a shuttle? Or should we drive in and park?
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 16, 2017
The shuttle stops in Tusayan near 302. One thing though... the shuttle doesn't go as far as Desert View - the east end - and it's an interesting area. If you want to tour it then drive.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-route-starts-march-1-2017.htm

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm
jplante4
Explorer II
May 16, 2017
Moved from General RVing
wxtoad
Explorer
May 16, 2017
Here are a few possibilities on the North Rim for boondocking:

Saddle Mountain Overlook - at the end of FSR 610
Crazy Jug Point - FSR 292
Fire Point - walk-in tent sites at the end of FSR 233
Indian Hollow

Ted H.
padredw
Nomad
May 16, 2017
avan wrote:
My favorite GC location is the North Rim and I boondock in the Kaibab Natl Forest on the Kaibab Plateau south of Jacobs Lake. Lots of room and myriads of roads and trails to spectacular isolated overlooks.

I am one of those who prefer the North Rim. We found plenty of viewpoints easily accessible with short walks (not hikes.)

One thing I would suggest you think about: our overnight stops are, for us, important parts of the trip. If you can find Forest Service campgrounds, state parks, or even commercial parks where you can "boondock" it would be worth it. WalMart or Flying J would be our last choice. Those are memories that would not add to quality of our trip.

Of course, we all have different preferences and priorities, but over the last twenty years of our fifth-wheel traveling (we are NOT full-timers) over 160,000 miles, the stops along the way are an important part of the pleasure. Just one old fellow's point of view.
mikestock
Explorer
May 17, 2017
We very much enjoyed Ten X USFS campground. You may have a slight problem locating a site that will provide full sun for solar. As I recall, there is a lot of shade in this CG. We hauled a Honda Eu2000i which was almost undetectable when run in the bed of the pickup. You will not want to run a loud generator in this park.
Snowman9000
Explorer
May 21, 2017
We made it to the east end of the park today. The CG there is first come first served, but at 12:30 it was full. Host said if you are there from 8-10 AM, you are almost guaranteed of getting a site. Ten X opens this coming weekend. We are on FR 302. Have 4G and can't beat the price. Rangers station has a map showing the various roads with sites.