Camping at Grand Canyon

Per a reporter at the Chicago Tribune:The typical visitor takes a brief look into the Grand Canyon and departs pumped full of wonder. The typical stay lasts from five to seven hours, according to park surveys, and the average time spent looking at the canyon is 17 minutes.

I would agree that was my initial experiences as I've never hiked over the rim. I may have hiked a 100 yards down one of the trails. Friends that have been said the same thing.. couple hours...snap some shots and head back. I envy anyone's first visit because that's when you realize pictures do not do it justice. I always tell first timers go to the south for the sweeping vistas. I've never camped on the rims even after several visits. I tried to camp at Toroweap Point but broke a leaf spring 5 miles from my destination. :( Now I have been to Phantom Ranch to buy a shirt and mail a post card to my parents but it's a secret on how I got there ;)

Dick B usually says average time spent at Grand Canyon is 3 hours; I keep asking him where he got that info; never has told me.

North Rim is very limited viewing of the Grand Canyon.

Train ride from Williams is mainly train ride and very limited viewing time of South Rim and from one spot.

Stay at Trailer Village if you can.

The SR has many varied viewing areas and so beautiful. We will be there again in Sept.

It depends if you want to say you BEEN to the Grand Canyon or SEEN the Grand Canyon.

We stayed at Circle Pines KOA. Indoor pool and hot tubs. About an hour to the canyon. I could recommend some other nice,closer campgrounds but you want FHU.

We just stayed in Williams at Railside RV Ranch. It's about 50 miles south of the Canyon, I realize that's not what you wanted. Right next to the train station. It's an EXCELLENT place to stay IMO. It's a bit of a drive to get to the Canyon. Great little downtown area. for us it was worth it as we day tripped to Sedona as well.

BarryG20 wrote:
There is Grand Canyon camper village right outside the south entrance in Tusayan. It also has a shuttle stop at least during the busy season. Best campground ever no but it was fine and convenient didn’t go to the Grand Canyon to hang out in the campground and actually found it no worse than trailer village inside the park at least compared to the two previous times we had stayed that trailer village in the park.

+1 on camper village. Very convenient and a nice enough park. Walking distance to shuttle stop, IMAX, and a few restaurants and shops.

I 2nd staying in Williams. About an hour to the canyon.
But there is much to do around Williams. Bearizona animal park, zip line, deer petting zoo, fun route 66 town, fishing etc. We stay at Grand Canyon Railway RV park. It is owned by the GC train and hotel next door.

There is Grand Canyon camper village right outside the south entrance in Tusayan. It also has a shuttle stop at least during the busy season. Best campground ever no but it was fine and convenient didn’t go to the Grand Canyon to hang out in the campground and actually found it no worse than trailer village inside the park at least compared to the two previous times we had stayed that trailer village in the park.

GordonThree wrote:
Yes definitely stay inside the park when possible, trailer village does have water and electric hook-ups, don't recall there being sewer.

As I recall there's a fairly large private CG just outside the south entrance.

Was there last October...it's FHU, including sewer. Interestingly, staff there recommend that you DON'T leave your sewer hose out all the time, only when you need to dump. Reason? The CROWS! They apparently love to peck holes in the sewer hoses. Whenever I put my hose out, they would watch intently. Had to keep an eye on the hose while I dumped the holding tank, then put the hose away.

What did you plan to do for three days? Most people take a few pictures and get on their way; unless you plan to do some hiking.
If no hiking I'd stay in Williams and take the train.