Grand Canyon Camping and Outdoor Activities

Apache Stables
Apache Stables near Tusayan provides horseback rides throughout the Grand Canyon's South Rim and the Kaibab National Forest. It also features campfire trail and campfire wagon rides. Children can participate, but must be accompanied by an adult. Ride times will vary depending on the weather and the season. Guests should call in advance to get ride times.

Bright Angel Campground
Bright Angel Campground is nearly 10 miles from the Bright Angel Trail. The site is open year-round and has 31 campsites. The campground has a limit of two groups or a group of 90 campers. Facilities are located at the southern end of the camping area. Bright Angel also has a ranger station on its grounds and is in Grand Canyon.

Bright Angel Point Trail
This trail begins at the Grand Canyon Lodge and is a half a mile round-trip. Bright Angel Point is a maintained trail, but it does have deep sections. Most people try to hike here during sunrise or sunset.

Canyon Explorations/Expeditions
Canyon Explorations/Expeditions offers white-water rafting trips where guests use only oars and paddles. Guests can decide if they want to participate in various rafting trips that last from six to 16 days in the different rims of the Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors don't need to have any camping or rafting experience to go on the trips and Canyon Explorations/Expeditions provides all the camping equipment. The company also provides all-day hiking trips. This attraction is located in Flagstaff.

Cottonwood Camp
Guests need a backcountry permit to camp overnight at Cottonwood Camp, which is located on the North Kaibab Trail. Only one group of six parties or 40 campers is allowed on the campgrounds during the summer. Only one group or party of eight campers can visit in the winter. Cottonwood defines a party as two to six people and a group of seven to 12 people.

Desert View Campground
Desert View Campground is located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village and is open only from May to October. This is a basic campsite that doesn't have RV hookups. No reservations are needed to camp here.

Grand Canyon Airlines
Grand Canyon Airlines has a Twin Otter aircraft that has large picture windows, allowing visitors to glance at the Grand Canyon from the air. The tours are narrated in several languages for non-English speakers. Grand Canyon Airlines is located on Highway 64 in the Grand Canyon.

 

Grand Canyon Camper Village
This campground is located in Tusayan and is open year-round. Grand Canyon Camper Village is primarily for RVs, but there are tent sites available. Rates at the site are from $18 to $26 per night.

Kenai Helicopters
Kenai Helicopters provides two different Grand Canyon tours. The Grand Canyon Experience tour explores the central area of the park, which is the widest and deepest portion of the canyon. The Majestic Grand Tour covers a larger area of the Grand Canyon, including secret corners and hidden places. Helicopters depart form Kenai's Grand Canyon heliport from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May through September and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through April.

Mather Campground
You must make your reservations at least five months in advance if you plan to stay at the Mather Campground between April 1 and November 30. Reservations aren't accepted the rest of the year at this Grand Canyon Village campground. Mather has 313 campsites than can cost $10 to $15 per night.

River Trail
River Trail is considered to be an easy hike. Parts of the trail are at a higher elevation, allowing hikers to get a better look of the Colorado River. There are also some areas that have sand dunes. The River Trail connects the northern end of the Bright Angel Trail to South Kaibab Trail.

Ten-X Campground
The U.S. Forest Service operates Ten-X Campground and is three miles south of Tusayan. The camp has 70 sites and is open from May to October. Family sites are limited to six people per site. Campsites are available on a first-come first-serve basis, although it is recommended that vacationers make reservations during the tourist season. Ten-X doesn't have hookups, but the campground does provide drinking water. Sites are $10 per night.