Camping Near Grand Canyon
Campers and RV travelers have some of the best Grand Canyon lodging options of anyone — sites near Williams, in Tusayan, and inside the National Park itself put you anywhere from one hour to five minutes from the South Rim. And Canyon Dave Tours picks up right at your campsite, so you can leave your car behind for the day.
Campgrounds Near Williams
Canyon Dave’s favorite campground in the region is the KOA on Highway 64, just north of Williams on the road to Grand Canyon. It has full hook-ups, clean facilities, and a gas station with excellent ice cream right next door. Kaibab Lake is a short drive away for fishing and wildlife. Canyon Dave picks up here on the way to the canyon — it’s directly on our route.
There is also a KOA off Interstate 40, slightly south of the Highway 64 KOA. This one has a go-cart track and is convenient for I-40 travelers. Note: if you’re booking Canyon Dave from one of the Williams KOAs, please tell us specifically which one — they’re close but different pickup points.
Williams itself — just minutes from these campgrounds — has Bearizona wildlife park, the historic Grand Canyon Railway, Route 66 shops and restaurants, and beautiful Kaibab National Forest trails. See our Williams page for details.
Campgrounds Closer to the Canyon
There is a campground with hook-ups right in Tusayan at the park’s south entrance, 7 miles from the rim. Tusayan puts you very close — Canyon Dave picks up here at 9:30 AM.
Inside Grand Canyon National Park itself, Mather Campground (near the South Rim Visitor Center) and Desert View Campground (on the east end of the South Rim) are both beautiful and very close to the canyon edge. Mather has some hook-up sites; Desert View is tent/small-RV only. Both book up well in advance for peak season.
For something more luxurious, Under Canvas ((888) 240-7824) offers upscale glamping in large canvas tents near Valle (Grand Canyon Junction), about an hour from the rim. Clear Sky Resorts has a similar option nearby.
Free dispersed camping is available in the surrounding Kaibab National Forest along the route from Flagstaff to the canyon. No hook-ups, but beautiful pine forest settings.
Canyon Dave Tours from Campgrounds
Canyon Dave’s Full Day, Senior, and Private Tours can begin and end at any campground or RV park in the area — near Flagstaff, near Williams, in Tusayan, and inside the park. The Half Day and Family Activity Tours are available from campgrounds in Tusayan and the park. Just enter your campground name and site number when you book and we’ll find you.
Pickup times from the Williams area are around 8:30 AM; from Tusayan and park campgrounds, 9:30–9:45 AM. See our Full Day Tour page for what the day looks like once we’re underway.
Camping near the canyon and ready to book a tour?
See Our Tours and BookFrequently Asked Questions
Does Canyon Dave pick up from campgrounds?
Yes — we pick up and drop off at campgrounds and RV parks throughout the area, including Williams, Tusayan, and inside the National Park. Enter your campground name and site number when you book and we’ll find you.
Which campgrounds are closest to Grand Canyon?
Mather Campground and Desert View Campground are right inside the National Park on the South Rim. Just outside the park in Tusayan there are additional sites with hook-ups. Both the KOAs near Williams are about an hour from the rim.
What is the KOA on Highway 64 like?
It’s Canyon Dave’s favorite campground in the area — full hook-ups, clean facilities, easy access to Williams and the Kaibab National Forest, and a gas station with excellent ice cream next door. It’s directly on our pickup route to the canyon, making for a very easy morning.
Do I need to book Grand Canyon campgrounds in advance?
Yes — Mather Campground and Desert View Campground inside the park book up well in advance for summer. The Tusayan campground also fills quickly. The Williams KOAs generally have more availability but summer weekends can be tight. Reserve early at recreation.gov for the national park sites.