Truck camping the Grand Canyon in February. Seeking advice

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Just in case you only want personal observation, I think the GCNPis the most fun in winter but, I like winter. I will say that the Canyon is a fairy tale world at any time of year but it is so different in winter it takes on a diferent life. As long as you have the oportunity, it is a don't miss opertunity.

I agree 100%. We've had the privilege of being at South Rim when it was covered in snow. It was a magical paradise!

One item to note - If I recall, their generator hours are opposite to most campgrounds. They can only be run in the evenings (something like 6pm-9pm) and not during the day. It's been a few years, so my facts may be a little off. Worth checking out if it matters to you.

Hemi Joel wrote:
Do they plow the roads when it snows?

when it snows, its so cold and dry that the wind eventually blows the snow off the road... but if you need to keep moving, its not a fun drive if its coming down heavy, as you may encounter a drift or two..

I don't have a photo hosting site at this time but I did get pics of 6 before I left. One snuck away before I got to it. There were 2 Arctic Fox, one long older Lance, one Eagle Cap, One Outfitter, 1 Palomino with a slide and my Sun Valley.

Heated Flush toilets although the one by me did have some graffitee. It was 33 degrees when I left the campground but warmed up quite nice when I got to Desert View tower.

Fuller_Johnson wrote:
I'm at Mather Campground now. Only one loop open. Sites are small but room enough for a TC, matter of fact there are 7 TC here unless another came after dark. 7.50 at the fee machine with a Geezer Pass. As far as I know it's the only camping in the park in the winter.

I was here last year also but it was hard to make out the sites and I had to bust through a 3 foot snowbank to get into one but no snow now.

I got a spot about 1:00 PM and got a pretty good one. Left the ticket on the post and my occupied chair and it was open when I got back at 5:00 PM.

Any pics of campground with all the TCs?

I'm at Mather Campground now. Only one loop open. Sites are small but room enough for a TC, matter of fact there are 7 TC here unless another came after dark. 7.50 at the fee machine with a Geezer Pass. As far as I know it's the only camping in the park in the winter.

I was here last year also but it was hard to make out the sites and I had to bust through a 3 foot snowbank to get into one but no snow now.

I got a spot about 1:00 PM and got a pretty good one. Left the ticket on the post and my occupied chair and it was open when I got back at 5:00 PM.

Thanks for all the wonderful and informative reply's! I am working my way thru the link as time permits, and it is very helpful, thanks. I really appreciate hearing of peoples personal experiences, they provide the kind of insight that a park website can't delve into. From your responses, I pretty much decided I'm doing it. Has anyone hiked the trails into the canyon in winter?

Just in case you only want personal observation, I think the GCNPis the most fun in winter but, I like winter. I will say that the Canyon is a fairy tale world at any time of year but it is so different in winter it takes on a diferent life. As long as you have the oportunity, it is a don't miss opertunity.

Mather is open year around but they cannot physically plow every camp site. They are old and intended for vehicles of the 1930-40s. Reservations may not be imperative but advisable. Trailer Village is open and roads and sites are cleared and full hook ups.

As far as getting snowed in sure it's possible, elevation is 7100 feet. It's not to likely.

Ti reinterate, v
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-sr.htm

Me and DW and the kids was on a "campout in the mountains" years ago for Spring Break (Aprilish?) at Mather on the South Rim. That's your only NP campground choice in February.

Even in April it was cold overnight. We felt bad for the tent campers with the fresh snowfall on their camps, while we sat there in warmth and drank coffee.

As I recall (many years ago) it was no hookups, pretty sites, a dump station at the entrance (for when we left). Your February trip will have more chance of snow and cold than WE had in April/May. But snow makes the canyon pretty!

Check that link someone provided. I'll bet you have.

Hemi Joel wrote:
My arctic fox stays warm at 0 degrees f and below. It's all self contained, so I dry camp when I can. Would the matter campground have electric hookups? Do they plow the roads when it snows?

You might want to know that AZ allows overnight stays in general, but not at national parks.
Last summer at north rim the campground was full, but 10 miles drive put me behind the gate and I had 1/2 acre very nice lot for free, where those paying in the park had neighbors at the end of their sewer hose.

South Rim has variable weather, but No AZ feels warm when the sun is out and there is little wind even in winter I would consider it a good idea. Just watch the weather and don't go if there is a big snow storm.