Forum Discussion

Texas_Roadrunn1's avatar
Jul 06, 2015

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

We are traveling tomorrow from Santa Fe to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. This has been a spur of the moment decision, so we've had little time to investigate. First is there a campground that can handle a 36' fiver. We have been past the road where you turn off to go to it, but it has been in winter and always closed so we are unfamiliar with the road. Is it safe to pull our trailer on it in order to access the north rim. Thanks in advance for your help.

Susan
  • There are RV parks in Kanab, Utah and at Jacob Lake, AZ (no lake, by the way).

    The ranger station at Jacob Lake would be a good stop for the Rim information.

    The drive from Jacob Lake to the North Rim is a good 2-lane paved highway. No issues for big rigs. It's almost straight as an arrow and no big climbs. It's about 40-50 miles from Jacob Lake and not much to stop for - just forest.

    DeMotte national forest campground is on the right just before the park entrance. It's very pleasant. No hookups but it'll be cool up there.

    If they don't have a site for you, go to the next forest service road just beyond the campground (F.S.22, I believe). This is a good graded gravel road and you only have to drive in 1/2 mile or so to begin finding some nice boondocking spots. Take you pick and park it. :)

    The national park itself MIGHT have a site but I wouldn't count on it especially if you pull in other than early morning.

    With our 40' motorhome we've stayed at both the DeMotte campground and boondocking sites. Have fun! Be sure to walk the short trail outside the restaurant to the end of the point. Very nice!
  • We have been to the North Rim twice with our 24ft Class C and found the parking to be limited. X2 on the suggestion to leave the RV in a campground and drive the TV to the rim.

    While the views from the North Rim lodge area are nice, we really enjoyed the sights from the pull outs while driving to Cape Royal and Point Imperial. That narrow road is limited to 30 ft vehicles due to sharp curves.
  • Wonderful boondocking on the Rainbow Rim, even with a big rig. Take it slow on those forest roads and you'll be fine.
  • In addition there are plenty of dry camping areas along forest service roads #22 and #462 accessable at DeMott park. Stop as the Ranger station in Jacob Lake to check on any restrictions. Both roads are well maintained gravel.
    The DeMott campground has sites for rigs over 60ft.
  • Heading that way tomorrow, but in a TC hauling a trailer with toys. We camp in the NF. Your best bet is the 2 mentioned CG at Jacob Lake, then drive to the rim. JMO
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    In addition to the private CG at Jacob's lake there is a USFS CG. It's 44 miles to the rim and around 30 miles in there is another USFS CG :(DeMontte... half are first come) just before the entrance to the rim.
  • To answer your questions,
    yes the road to the north rim is fine for your rig but day parking for a rig of your size at the rim will be limited this time of year.
    There is a dry campground at the rim but it will be full already this time of year.
    The closest full hook-up campground is the Jacob Lake Campground in Jacob Lake.
  • Be sure to fill up with gas in Page, if you are going through there. Once between Flagstaff and the turn off towards Zion NP, there are few gas stations, and they must truck in the fuel a long ways, making it more expensive.

    There is only a couple of commercial campgrounds along the north rim. Plenty of space in the National Forest, if you know where to look. I was 'stuck' looking for a forest camping area once, because the north rim park campground is small, and full at the time I was there. If you will only be staying during the day, then it might be best to just take the truck all the way to the park, explore the area, and leave near sunset. If you want to catch sunset over the rim, you might want to get reservations for dinner at the rim restaurant well before noon. They fill up fast, as the people in the bus tours can only eat there, or starve!

    Have fun camping!

    Fred.

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