Dispersed camping with a vehicle is not allowed anywhere inside Grand Canyon National Park. However, the park does allow “backcountry camping” via foot and tent as long as you have obtained a “backcountry camping permit”. The National Park Service has an article that explains the backcountry permit rules and fees.
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Where Can You Camp for Free in the Grand Canyon With a Vehicle?
The map above depicts the most popular areas where people camp for free with a vehicle near Grand Canyon National Park. The Park is bordered by Kaibab National Forest at the South Rim and North Rim. Dispersed camping is free throughout this forest.
Here is a list of those areas…
South Rim
- Long Jim Loop, (7.0 miles from Grand Canyon Village) – Located inside Tusayan Village, this is a small section of forest road with about a dozen previously-used campsites.
- Forest Road 302, (7.7 miles from Grand Canyon Village) – Located next to Tusayan Village, there are dozens of previously-used campsites running for some 16 miles of this road.
- Forest Road 688, (11.5 miles from Grand Canyon Village) – Located at the mid-part of the Tusayan Ranger District, also offers dozens of previously-used campsites.
- Forest Road 310, (15.9 miles from Grand Canyon Village) – Located close to Grandview Lookout Tower, there are dozens of previously-used campsites along this road.
- Forest Road 305, (16.0 miles from Grand Canyon Village) – Located at the southern part of the Tusayan Ranger District, but offers dozens of previously-used campsites.
- Old AZ 64, (32.0 miles from Grand Canyon Village), Located in the eastern section of the forest, this is better suited for campers wanting to explore the east portion of the park.
- Forest Road 307, (35.7 miles from Grand Canyon Village), Located in the furthest south-east section of the forest, this places you equi-distant from Grand Canyon Village and the town of Cameron.
North Rim
- East Side of Highway 67, (17.6 miles from North Rim Visitor Center), There are dozens of previously-used campsites along the east side of Highway 67.
- West Side of Highway 67, (17.7 miles from North Rim Visitor Center), There are also dozens of previously-used campsites along the west side of Highway 67 along numerous forest roads
- Saddle Mountain Overlook, (30.8 miles from North Rim Visitor Center), Located furthest east in the North Kaibab Ranger District, this has only a few previously-used campsites, but offers amazing views of the North Rim.
Rules For Boondocking Inside Kaibab National Forest
- There is a maximum stay of 14 days in any 30 day period. After exhausting your 14 days, you cannot camp anywhere in Kaibab National Forest until the 30-day period has expired.
- You cannot camp within one (1) mile of a developed campground.
- You cannot camp within 1/4 mile of a body of water, or man-made watering container. This is a statewide law, see “Arizona Revised Statute § 17-308 Unlawful camping“.
