My wife and I are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in mid-September of this year.We were going to make Williams our base and then just drive into the park. It was suggested that we stay inside the park on the South Rim.I would like to know what the more expressed travelers would suggest.If we stay in Williams we are looking at either the ‘Grand Canyon Railway RV Park’ or the ‘Canyon Motel & RV Park’. Any comments on these two RV parks would be appreciated. If we stay inside the park on the South Rim. What campground would you suggest? And is there a shuttle from the campground to the Visitor Center.We have a 37’ Pace Arrow motorhome.Thanks for any and all advice and suggestions,William & Belinda Moore

The only campground we have used at the south rim is Trailer Village inside the Park. Full hookups and the shuttle stops at the campground entrance.

wjmblm wrote:My wife and I are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in mid-September of this year.We were going to make Williams our base and then just drive into the park. It was suggested that we stay inside the park on the South Rim.I would like to know what the more expressed travelers would suggest.If we stay in Williams we are looking at either the ‘Grand Canyon Railway RV Park’ (Highly recommend - Pros, Convenience and walking distance to train, town, grocery store and offers Good Sam Discount. CONS, Require something underneath stabilizer jacks so they do not damage the asphalt, requires a sewer hose support, a bit noisy as the trains pass thru this area, no shade) or the ‘Canyon Motel & RV Park’ (A bit of upgrading is needed, Same cost as GCRRVPARK no shade, train noise and not in walking distance to town, train, etc.). Any comments on these two RV parks would be appreciated. Keep in mind that if you elect to stay in Williams and take the train to the south rim that it limits the amount of time in the park (approx 4 hours) unless you stay at one of the motel within the park for a day or two.If we stay inside the park on the South Rim. What campground would you suggest? Mather Campground And is there a shuttle from the campground to the Visitor Center. Yes and there are numerous free shuttles within the park to the various visitor centers and lookout points.We have a 37’ Pace Arrow motorhome.Thanks for any and all advice and suggestions,William & Belinda Moore

Depends entirely on what you want from your visit to the canyon. Most folks go to see it for a couple of hours, and then they leave. If you're among them, then staying in Williams or Flagstaff is just fine.Other folks want a much more intensive experience at the canyon, spending several days or a week or more to hike the many trails, visit the outlying sites, do the evening and/or remote talks and demonstrations, take early morning or late evening photography, and so forth. For these people, staying in Williams or Flagstaff would be an enormous waste of time (and money). :)Lynn

We tried staying in Williams, but it is a long drive up to the Canyon and back. If you can get in, Trailer Village is the best choice. If youcan't get a reservation, be sure to check by or call the office when you get there and see if there is a cancellation. There are several RV parks right outside the gate which looked good, but we lucked out and got in Trailer Village.

We were there last month, stayed at the Exit 167/Circle Pine KOA. Nice campground,no train noise but some interstate noise. Took the train out of Williams for the day. Also the bus tour. Was enough time for us.

Grand Canyon stay inside/outside of park? | Good Sam Community

K_Charles
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan is only one mile from the park entrance. If you don't stay inside the park that is a lot closer then Williams.
kedanie
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2013
If you want to really see the Grand Canyon, you should plan on being at the rim for at least 1 sunrise and 1 sunset. Absolutely spectacular.

If that is the case, the best place to stay would be Trailer Village inside the park with full hookups and cable TV. The free shuttle has a stop at the entrance that you can easily walk to an go anywhere in the park. They even take you to places that cars cant go, all for free.

Now, if you are one of those who wants to just walk up and look into the canyon for a couple of hours, then perhaps staying outside the park will do. However, staying inside at Trailer Village is still much easier.

Click Here for all the NPS infor on camping inside the park.

Enjoy,
Keith
kalynzoo
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
I really like the Circle of Pines KOA in Williams. Just far enough off the freeway to be quiet, lots of trees, nice pool. Williams is indeed an hour from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. But, it is a nice basecamp, central to Flagstaff, Sedona, Sunset Creator, and you can make it round trip in a day to Monument Valley and Petrified Forest. We camped once (very long ago) at the town just outside the South Rim, it was very noisy, the helicopter tours start at sunrise and continue through sunset with rotorblades pounding continuously.
Since we are not into hiking the canyon, and don't need to be there for an early start, the drive up was fine, spending the day was great, getting back to the campground for dinner was lovely, and one or two days of sightseeing at the Grand Canyon was more than enough for my group. Certainly just my humble opinion.
Happy Trails.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2013
If the reason to stay outside of the park is to save $ on CG fees you are going to quickly burn up those savings doing the commute. Plus, what is your time worth doing that commute?

Can't beat the convenience of being in the park hopping on & off the shuttle even if the trailer village CG is tight & expensive.
kedanie
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2013
$35 = expensive? Really?!!
CT_WANDERER
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
I found staying the park campground great. We got some great photos of the wildlife walking around the campground in the evening. Worth the cost of staying in the park
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2013
Dick_B wrote:
The average length of stay at the South Rim is 3 hours. If that's you I'd take the train out of Williams. Very enjoyable trip.

Just wondering where you got that information....

We would recommend that you stay IN the park at Trailer Village. The free shuttle bus stops at the entrance and you can ride it all day long getting on and off wherever you want. The park is not all about strenuous hiking. The Rim Trail is delightful and goes on for miles along the bus route. You'll see fabulous scenery on a fairly flat trail and you can hop on the bus when you get tired. There are many choices for fine dining or casual. There are ranger presentations to attend and to be there when the crowds have thinned out in early morning or at dusk is quite an experience and to really experience the canyon will take more than 3 hours. Have a great trip!
noe-place
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
We stayed in the GC Rail Road RV Resort which is a large asphalt parking lot with full h'ups. It's right in downtown Williams; in fact you can walk to the grocery store and local restaurants. We rode the train to the canyon which was an uninspired ride up and back but while at the canyon we were impressed. Reserve canyon train ride tickets/rv site at the same time if you decide to stay there. From Williams we drove over to Las Vegas and prowled around for awhile so Williams is a good base.
mosseater
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2013
Can't imagine why Trailer Village isn't the no-brainer choice every time on this question. You're there to see the canyon. Your trailer is right there. What am I missing? Just how important are aesthetics to this discussion? Ammenities? How's this for ammenities: the shuttle pulls right up to a stop within walking distance of your home on wheels. Each to his own, but for me staying next to the canyon was a huge bonus.
wjmblm
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
We thank everyone for there comments and suggestions.
It looks like we will be calling to see if we can get into Trailer Village.
Thanks again,
Willie & Belinda Moore

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