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

qtla9111
Nomad
May 21, 2017
Post some pics of your campsite!
Snowman9000
Explorer
May 22, 2017
Here you go. I only have this one from last evening. Well, two, I will include the sunset. GPS 35.96733,-112.108658
During daylight hours, it is right under the tour helicopters' flight path. Like, one flying right overhead every minute. Really.

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Snowman9000
Explorer
May 22, 2017
We got up at sunrise, got ready, and in the park at 6:15 or so. Had our choice of RV parking spots in Lot 1 by the Visitor Center. Took a few pics at the nearby overlook. Ate breakfast, walk to Bike Rental/Cafe for coffee to go. Even at 7:40, the RV spots are 80-90% open. When they fill up, you have to go to Lot D, which is down on one end of the Village complex.

This is the hub. All the shuttles run from here, plus you can bike or walk all over.

Tonight we will again camp in the NF spot. It's super close to the NP entrance. Maybe 5 minutes. Hope this info helps others.
Opie431
Explorer
May 22, 2017
Ten years ago we stayed at the north rim the first few days of October. They closed the day after we left. Make sure that you are not planning on staying too late if going to the north rim.
And we loved it. Hiked to the bottom but we were young then, just seventy.
Hiking up was the hardest part.
PUCampin
Explorer
May 22, 2017
This is great information because I am strongly considering boondocking here this summer. My Expedition and trailer exceed the 30ft total limit for Mather and getting into Trailer village is difficult or impossible during the summer.

My question, for anyone that may have done it, can you leave the trailer at your chosen site off FR 302 and just drive the TV in? Or do you need to take the whole thing with you?

Thanks!
qtla9111
Nomad
May 22, 2017
Cool pics. What a great place to stay while visiting the canyon.
Snowman9000
Explorer
May 22, 2017
PUCampin wrote:
This is great information because I am strongly considering boondocking here this summer. My Expedition and trailer exceed the 30ft total limit for Mather and getting into Trailer village is difficult or impossible during the summer.

My question, for anyone that may have done it, can you leave the trailer at your chosen site off FR 302 and just drive the TV in? Or do you need to take the whole thing with you?

Thanks!

I would always worry, but people do it. I was told FR 328 has more campers, which might feel more secure.
qtla9111
Nomad
May 25, 2017
Snowman9000 wrote:
PUCampin wrote:
This is great information because I am strongly considering boondocking here this summer. My Expedition and trailer exceed the 30ft total limit for Mather and getting into Trailer village is difficult or impossible during the summer.

My question, for anyone that may have done it, can you leave the trailer at your chosen site off FR 302 and just drive the TV in? Or do you need to take the whole thing with you?

Thanks!

I would always worry, but people do it. I was told FR 328 has more campers, which might feel more secure.

We left ours every day for a week. There were about three additional rvers around us. We approached all of them the first day on a walk to introduce ourselves and ask them about security. We all had an agreement to keep an eye on each others rigs.

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