Boondocking at North Rim Grand Canyon?

You do have to be careful about snow up there. I was there in the last week of September, and it was fine, no snow. But they will not keep clearing the roads, so if you get snow in the forcast, get out.

They get something called "Feet of snow" up there, at 7,500' elevation they get colder than the other places.

Check weather.com

Yes I spent a couple of weeks there once and it was a great time. I don't recall the exact forest road number, there was a lake there. Even a large pile of firewood left over from the last campers.

Check with the forest service, you will need a free fire permit if you plan on a fire or BBQ outside.

Fred.

I'm envious too. We've stayed at Kaibab Camper Village for the hookups. I like it, but don't want to mess with it now due to the size of RV we have. Next time we go back, we'll stay at the Jacob Lake FS CG or DeMotte, at least for a night, then drive over and check out the boondocking areas.

Lots of Stuff, did you experience a howling wind coming up and over the lip of the canyon? We had to park the trailer back a few feet from the edge due to the wind -- it was screaming in the trees overhead most of the time, and yet we were completely sheltered by the rim. This went on for four days!

TucsonJim wrote:
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, 59.46sec

Enjoy - I'm envious.

These are the places we use, too...so yes, I'm afraid the secret is out!....but we were there first! DeMotte is a beautiful campground especially in October with the aspens and right next door are miles of equally beautiful boondocking areas. Jacob Lake is much too far away in our opinion.

Ok time to add my North Rim picture.
Camped all alone and the North Rim paved roads were still two weeks from opening.
If my truck had rolled back just a little you would have heard news reports of a Lance TC falling into the Grand Canyon.

Wow, would I ever love to go back there for the fall color -- the place is overrun with aspens.

Me too! As we were driving down Hwy 67, I was longing for it to be a couple weeks later.

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!

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 Entry

Wow, would I ever love to go back there for the fall color -- the place is overrun with aspens.

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, 59.46sec

Enjoy - I'm envious.

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