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GaryS1953's avatar
GaryS1953
Nomad
Apr 10, 2017

Boondocking at Grand Grand Canyon - Suggestions please

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.

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  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Apr 10, 2017
    North Rim or South Rim? Or both? It makes a big difference. :)

    I prefer the North Rim. But most of their services shut down around October 15th. The South Rim is really crowded.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 10, 2017
    TUCQUALA wrote:
    Stayed on FR302 late March of 2015.
    I stayed off the 688 some years ago. Discovered my neighbor was a deer head!
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Apr 10, 2017
    Ten X USFS CG four miles south of the entrance and half of the 70 sites are first come. We got in on a Saturday afternoon without reservations in the summer. Nothing fancy but nice enough for $10-$15.
  • avan's avatar
    avan
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2017
    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.

  • TUCQUALA's avatar
    TUCQUALA
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2017
    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.

  • Fizz's avatar
    Fizz
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2017
    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.

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