Forum Discussion

allen8106's avatar
allen8106
Explorer
Oct 24, 2020

Grand Canyon north Rim

Looking to spend a couple nights at/near the Grand Canyon North Rim in early May. North Rim Campground doesn't usually open until May 15th. So we are looking at alternatives. Not even sure it's possible that time of year due to the possibility of snow. We have a 34 foot 5th wheel and a 2018 GMC 3500 Crew Cab DRW 4X4. Any thoughts on ANY place to camp that's open that time of year near the North rim area and I can get my 5th wheel in to?
  • accsys's avatar
    accsys
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2020
    This is a shot of our coach on May 18, 2011 at the Demotte NFS campground about 7 miles north of the North Rim park entrance. The park was open and not very crowded.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2020
    4aSong wrote:
    Do a search for Kaibab Camper Village near Jacobs Lake. We have stayed there some time ago and they had sites for large RV's and also it was the only full hookup campground in the area that I'm aware of.
    Also if you prefer dispersed camping there are numerous NF roads from Jacobs Lake to the Grand Canyon.


    We stayed there last time we went to the park, I think there may be a new cg right outside Jacob's Lake. I think we saw one when we drove thru there in 2019. The other one was OK, but a swamp when we stayed and it is a very long drive to the park entry station. That's true for any cg in that area tho.

    OK that is a USFS CG not commercial.
  • 4aSong's avatar
    4aSong
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2020
    Do a search for Kaibab Camper Village near Jacobs Lake. We have stayed there some time ago and they had sites for large RV's and also it was the only full hookup campground in the area that I'm aware of.
    Also if you prefer dispersed camping there are numerous NF roads from Jacobs Lake to the Grand Canyon.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2020
    May is 4x4 time at and near the North Rim in May...if it’s open.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2020
    The road into the park goes thru the NF and there are many dispersed camping spots in there. But snow could be a big issues, depends on how the winter goes.
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 24, 2020
    The road (state Route 87?) From Jacob Lake to the North rim a drive of about 20 miles is normally closed until the North rim opens. Thus, until the North rim opens you cannot get within 20 miles of the rim.

    There are some outstanding boom docking places by the national forest service once the road opens.
  • IDman's avatar
    IDman
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2020
    No guarantees re access to area as it all depends on the weather at that time. It it isn't covered with snow it could be very muddy!

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