I working my way down thru Utah to the North Rim of the GC. I think I've read about people boondocking there. Any tips on:a) Good locations?b) USFS, etc. campgrounds?c) Do's and dont'sRainy here in Heber City, UT.Thanks,

There are some roads with dispersed campng south of Jacobs Lake. There are two ??? USFS CG's before you get to the entrance to the N Rim. The CG at the rim is often full. I usually stay at the USFS CG just N of J Lake as the dinner at J Lake is good and not a rip off. It's cheaper to drive the car down and back than the MH. There is a FHU CG at J Lake.If you go to http://www.uscampgrounds.info/ you will find Jacob and DeMotte CG plus N Rim

That was always on my bucket list... Been to the south rim many trips but never to the north side...

Shhhhhhh!!! Don't you dare tell anybody about my secret spot... Take Highway 67 South from Jacob's Lake. About 2/3 of the distance to the National Park, you'll see a sign and road on the right for "DeMotte Campground". The campground should be on FR22. However, don't pull in there. Go approximately another 5/8 of a mile and there is a well maintained dirt road on the right. I can't seem to find the number of this road, but you can't miss it. Take that road about 1/2 mile until you come to the junction of FR 462. On the SW corner of the intersection, there is a very large flat area with easy access for all kinds of RVs. The area is loaded with pine trees, deer and elk. It's easy to maneuver off the road and get set up. Just be careful to give the land a little time to dry out if you get a heavy rainstorm before leaving. From here, it's just a stone's throw to the park.We camped there for a week. The area is so large to camp in, that from time to time, other RVs would pull in for a night, but they were always quite a way from us.GPS coordinates. 36deg, 24min, 38.68sec x 112deg, 08min, 59.46secEnjoy - I'm envious.

Don't bother going to the North Rim -- the gift shops are a lot better on the South Rim, plus it is a lot warmer there. There is nothing to do on the North Rim, except maybe bike riding:And when that gets dull, just hang out with a cold drink and let your boots flap in the breeze:These shots (and many others) were taken way out in the Rainbow Rim area -- semi-rough roads, no water, nobody around. If you want more boredom, here you go:North Rim Blog EntryWow, would I ever love to go back there for the fall color -- the place is overrun with aspens.

I was just there two days ago. Unfortunately we had to have electricity, so stayed at Kaibab Camper Village in Jacob Lake. I prefer the Jacob Lake USFS campground. It's right at the intersection of Hwys 89A and 67 (north side), so you might as well look at it before proceeding down 67. DeMotte CG and other Forest Roads are good too. But, as already stated, be careful about muddy dirt roads after it rains, though the roads are in pretty good shape.It did rain while we were there. But the thunderstorms are on and off. Rained in the morning. But by time we arrived at the North Rim, the rest of the day was beautiful. The Canyon was even more beautiful with the lingering clouds after a storm!

Boondocking at North Rim Grand Canyon? | Good Sam Community

31 Replies

Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Well I had a super boondocking site in the Kaibab Forest, thanks to a tip from a guy in the North Rim parking lot. Unbelievable view! Also stayed at another one that I found near De Motte campground while checking out a tip from someone here. That Forest is loaded with boondocking opportunities!

I made a side trip yesterday to Lees Ferry and spent the night here in the Govt campground. Quite beautiful scenery on the drive from Jacob Lake, thanks to the Vermillion cliffs. Probably boondock tonight around Jacob Lake and then start working my way back to CA.

I've updated my website with plenty of "canyon pics", but here's the super-view site I had near the East Rim Viewpoint in the Forest. Note: Map and GPS coords for all sites available by clicking the small flag in the 3rd column.

Thanks for all the tips in this thread. Will look into the suggested side trip near US50.

Ralph
RamblinRalph.com
spacedoutbob
Explorer
Sep 13, 2013
Ralph, I second pnichols about taking the drive through the Reese River Valley. I did it last year when I went to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. I couldn't get cell reception out there though. But, very nice.

Bob in Oakland, Calif.
RoyB
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2013
profdant139 - That howling wind was the Indian Spirits telling you to get the heck out their play ground...

Roy Ken
Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
Spent last night at Jacob Lake USFS campground. Nice place. Will head down to the Park today to take advantage of today's nice sunny weather (yipee!) and probably stay in Park campground (if not full). After that, check out some of this thread's boondocking spots for a few days.

Thanks,
Ralph
ReneeG
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
Regarding elk, or in my case - deer, one year while visiting, in September, it was hunting season. On the way to the North Rim entrance, there are numerous meadows separated by groves of trees. We saw a group of hunters pulled off the road in one meadow, but all the deer were in a different area several meadows down. It was an amusing sight.
profdant139
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2013
And watch out for rutting season -- believe it or not, those elk can be fierce this time of year.
campersuzid
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
May be a little late but Dog Point and Marble Canyon Viewpoint offer awesome dispersed camping. And, in the past, the host at DeMotte Park cg was a wealth of information for dispersed campsites. Also, keep an eye pealed for elk - not sure what the herd size are but the alpine meadows on the north rim are favorite gathering points this time of year.
69_Avion
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013
Ramblin' Ralph wrote:
Thanks for all the tips.

Currently in Kanab, UT doing my laundry, etc. and will spend the night in an RV park (which only happens about once a year). Will head to the North Rim area tomorrow. Been on and off rainy here in UT for several days and someone mentioned to me about flash flood warnings for S Utah. Hope my North Rim visit isn't a disaster. I might want to stick to the paved roads. :)

FYI, In the Kanab Visitor Center I saw a notice about US89 being closed in the Page, AZ area now due to a washout. Not sure when it happened.

I think I'll try to book 2 nights in the Zion campground next week, before I take "The Loneliest Road in America" (aka US50) across northern NV to return to CA.

Ramblin' on,

Ramblin' Ralph
RamblinRalph.com

That road south of Page has been closed for well over 6 months. Their first estimate was supposed to have it open in July as I remember. We stopped at the North Rim on our way back from MT because that road was still closed. By the way, everyone is correct, the north rim is much better than the south rim and fortunately it is harder to get to.
ReneeG
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
Ralph - I know you asked about boondocking, but there's always the FS CG Demotte on the road to the North Rim entrance.
pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2013
Ramblin' Ralph wrote:
I think I'll try to book 2 nights in the Zion campground next week, before I take "The Loneliest Road in America" (aka US50) across northern NV to return to CA.

When on U.S. 50 you might want to consider taking this detour. I've never taken it, but have read about it and will sure try to work it in the next time we're passing through Nevada on the way to Utah:

http://www.exploringnevada.com/scenic-drives/reese-river-valley-scenic-drive.php

Note the comments on camping in areas along this route.