Mather Campground is a great place to stay if you want to camp close to the Grand Canyon while…read morestill having access to basic conveniences. The campground is clean, well maintained, easy to navigate, and close enough to Grand Canyon Village, shuttle stops, viewpoints, hiking areas, stores, and other services. The campsites are nicely set up with picnic tables, parking areas, and fire rings, and the sites feel comfortable even though the campground is fairly large. The restrooms were clean and well maintained, and having access to running water, showers, and laundry nearby is a big plus, especially for families or anyone staying more than one night. One of the best parts of staying here is the wildlife. Seeing elk, mule deer, ravens, and other animals around the campground really adds to the Grand Canyon experience. The trees and natural setting make the campground feel peaceful and more secluded than expected, even with other campers nearby. Quiet hours are also appreciated, and the campground had a respectful, relaxed feel. It is a good option for both experienced campers and people who want a simpler camping experience with nearby amenities. Overall, Mather Campground is clean, convenient, scenic, and very well located. It is a great campground for visiting the South Rim, and I would definitely recommend it.

Love this campground. Very clean, easy process to check in, sites are well taken care of and NO…read moreBEARS!. Hahaha. Highly recommend to come during the summer with families. Those who book camp sites please cancel your reservation if you do decide not to come anymore, it's sad to see online that there aren't anymore available sites to reserve but then you see soo many empty sites in person the day of. Give other people a chance to visit if your plans change. I stayed in the Oak Loop site number 229.

I slept here, in the Inner Canyon. The deer walked right through camp and we sat still. The sun set…read morehigh above us against the edge of the canyon and then we were in a strip of stars. The second night was especially quiet, only two or three other campgrounds being used, and we all woke up early to hike out in the dusk to beat the snow. You should go, you should go, you should go. You can do the hike down to the campground, you can get a backcountry permit to camp there. You can carry your food in and use the clean pit toilets. I didn't know it, but I could do those things, and now I'm one of those people that's done those things so I can tell you: you can do it, and you should. Go in the off season when it's not 100 degrees, watch the light in the trees and feel surrounded by the walls of red and copper stone. Think about the people who gardened here in Indian Garden, and read their stories in the lovely tiny little library, and carry them and this place with you everywhere you go forever after. I know I will.

It's magical and wonderful and if you're lucky enough to spend the night here, you'll lay away in…read moreyour bed even years later and think about it. Too much hype? Prove me wrong. I first encountered Indian Garden on a hike up the Bright Angel Trail, at least seven or eight years ago. That's the trail it's on, but I had come down the South Kaibab, stayed at the Bright Angel Campground (also magical and wonderful) and then taken the longer route up to the rim via Bright Angel. I remember popping up out of all those switchbacks from the Colorado, encountering the more gentle slope along the river, and being totally blown away by all the trees at Indian Garden. It's full on riparian corridor! Indeed, this little stretch of the river where the picnic grounds, ranger station, pump station, and campground are located is its own little world. Day hikers often congregate on the trail side of the river -- they recommend you don't descend beyond this point as a day hike -- and as I walked by almost a decade ago, I just knew I needed to come back and stay in the campground. Fast forward to January of 2017 when a wonderful set of circumstances, including a last chance backcountry permit, allowed me to fulfill that dream. This time, I descended the Bright Angel Trail and spent two nights in the canyon. The campground is located about 4.5 miles down (some charts list it at 4.8) from the rim on the Bright Angel Trail. The first three are steep descents, the last mile-ish is more gradual. All told, you descend over 3500 feet, which still puts you around 4.5 miles (4.1, depending on the chart) from Phantom Ranch with another 1300 or so feet to descend. It's actually the perfect setup for backpacking. You haul your full pack only 4.5 down and 4.5 up. Take two nights. On that full day in between, make the hike down to Phantom and the Colorado River with only a daypack. On your half-day, march out to Plateau Point with daypack. You get to see it all, but only have 9 miles of trek under full weight, and the uphill portion will be when your pack is the lightest. The campground itself is incredible, and I can only imagine how it looks when the trees are leaved out. I've only been in January, but it must be a shaded dream in the summer. There's one group site, and the rest are just first-come, first-served sites that probably accommodate up to 2 small backpacking tents. They also each have a rain/shade structure over a picnic table, and a small concrete pad where you should do your cooking. You'll get two small ammo cans to hold your food or garbage, which should be sealed when not in use. Save those critters! You'll also post your backcountry permit in the new permit box affixed to each structure. You must have a permit to sleep here. Besides the permit, there are a few other rules you should be aware of: There are quiet hours, no cooking allowed on the tables, all food must be stored in the ammo cans, no fires allowed, and all other park rules apply. It's also worth mentioning that you shouldn't approach wildlife, and definitely not feed them. The deer in the Grand Canyon are too accustomed to humans, and there are problems. We had a herd come right through camp which was very special, but a good reminder that we need to respect them for their own good. As for amenities, there are nice pit toilets (the fan noises are a little distracting), several water stations, and even a small hiker hut with art on display, and a lending library. Grab a book and read, then put it back when you're done. As I sit here typing this, my mind has wandered back to Indian Garden. I almost ache for that feeling of being in that special place, on an adventure I'll remember for the rest of my life. I didn't so much enter that place, as that place has entered into me and my soul. To spend a few nights there only makes me appreciate how rare and special it really is.

One of the prettiest camp grounds you'll ever see, you'll fall asleep listening to the Bright Angel…read moreCreek running practically next to you and the stars shooting overhead. In the morning, the views from your sleeping bag are of the canyon walls ablaze with the morning sun. This week, the canyon was bursting with color from all the flowers and vegetation blooming after the heavy winter snow. The campground is simple, but has plenty of drinking water spigots throughout camp, and even restrooms with flushing toilets and sinks. A half mile from the black bridge crossing the Colorado River and another short walk to Phantom Ranch Village, which had a few services and amenities, this is ideally located for a loop hike down N. Kaibab and up Bright Angel trails. Rangers who checked our permits had a sense of humor and seemed stoked to work in such a stunning place.

A thought came to me recently as I've been thinking about trips to national parks, and thinking…read moreabout crowds, getting out of them, and seeing parts of the park that are quiet, thoughtful, and less-traveled. That thought was pretty simple. I want to come back here. There are so many parks and so many places in each park that I don't always want to re-visit old stops. But lately that's changed and I want to go back to a lot of them. Sometimes it's just because the first trip was special. Sometimes it's because enough time has passed that you now wonder how you would be changed by a place, now that you're a new person and that place remains unchanged. And sometimes you just want to take someone new and see it through their eyes. I've been in this campground a couple of times, but I've only stayed there once. It sits on the north side of the river, adjacent to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. My stay was in the winter and it was lesser-traveled, though I'm sure it's booked up and busy most of the year as this park is the most popular in the whole parks system. The campground itself is pretty simple, there are a couple dozen sites and each one has a picnic table, a hanger for your gear, and an ammo can where you need to store all of your food to keep it away from pests. The animals here are alarmingly accustomed to humans, and I've had run-ins with deer who are more like entitled hikers as they hog the trail and just roll their eyes at you. The campground is clean (no one drives up in their car and unloads a bunch of trash) but do make sure you show the utmost respect to this area. The whole canyon is special and a sacred place. The campground has water and toilets. Getting here is no small task. As they say, "Going down is optional, coming up is not." You descend several thousand feet from either rim, as this is accessible by the Bright Angel Trail (via the short River Trail that connects to the bridge), South Kaibab, and North Kaibab Trails. Downhill is brutal on knees and ankles, and you have to be in shape. Going up is brutal on everything. If you're staying at Bright Angel Campground, you're probably backpacking and you need to pack light, and know your limits. Give yourself time. You can break up the trip and also stop and Indian Garden and the campground there if you don't want to do it all in one day. There's plenty to do here. It's so odd that you have Phantom Ranch right here, and you can go over and get a drink or snack. If you book ahead of time, you can buy your meals here and have a nice meal. It's spendy, but for crying out loud, they have to pack it in by mule every time! I've taken the hike north to Ribbon Falls which is a nice day activity if you're spending a few nights here. Or you can just lounge at the campground and let your body recover. Shade is a premium in the scorching summer, and winter is bone chilling cold. The shoulder season is nice but crowded, so you really just pick your poison. As I sit here right now in my house in the city, I close my eyes tightly and I can hear the roar of the Colorado River in my mind. I'm back at the campground at the bottom of the canyon. We've left the madness of the village and wandered down through the magic canyon, crossed the bridge, and we're in the tent living our very best life. The moon is glowing and I can *just* imagine it. It's a special place. I'm feeling it -- I do want to go back.

We loved this campground! We got off to a rocky start, trying to get set up in the pouring rain and…read morethe site was wildly unlevel and we had to use every block to get set up! But once settled, it was great!! Our site was O-107. This place is split into the newer, paved section and the older, unpaved section. We actually prefer the older section because the sites are more spacious. You are within walking distance of the south rim visitors center, but the shuttle systems is great and there is a stop at the entrance of the campground. The village itself has everything you need except gas. We enjoyed all the hikes with our two labs and could even take them to the lodge for a cocktail on the patio! Elk frequent the park, so be aware! We will definitely be back!

Stayed here several nights. Surprised me how many travels showed up each night. Super nice and…read moreclose to south rim on bikes. Walking is an easy track as well. Seen wild Elk and many Raven. Was here the nights of the Sturgeon Moon. Stayed in B6 which offered a fantastic view of the rising full moon and stars. We had wonderful weather. The village is close enough on (bikes) had great pizza and adult drinks. The location offered a great gift shop and other food accommodations as well. I will come back here and stay with the motorhome... Note: it's INSIDE the park as well...

It's the Grand Canyon! It's a GRAND CANYON! I've always…read morewanted to go, and it did not disappoint! The sheer majesty of size is breathtaking, and the peacefulness of the precipice, as well as the echoing spaciousness is so perfect to experience! Personally, I loved coming in Williams and staying around that little town. Then again there aren't much options! That being said, I thought I would just catch it for at least a day on a trip across the country. Because of the fact, you have to drive 50 miles in and out each way, if you just want to even view the park, in addition to not knowing the traffic or wait time situation entering, you might wanna take another day or two by getting a room in town or if you're camping you know what to do. I just do not do that. Anyway, go! It's one of the most impressive vistas on earth, and notable for its draw. Ended up hiking down to the Colorado river. When in Rome.

Wow what a beauty! Came here to stargaze and left running from the stormfront but loved the views…read moreand closeups of all the different animals. Definitely saw more wildlife up close here than almost any other national park and it may be a result of the unique landscape. The morning drive out was paused by a stunning view of an antlered beauty licking his chops and rainbathing-- the stuff of legends. Grand Canyon is a certified dark sky and worth the view even from the camp site grounds. They have a ginormous store fitting for the popularity of the national park and the shuttle bus system is solid!

If you really want to understand the Grand Canyon, you don't stand at the rim. You step off it…read more South Kaibab Trail is not subtle about what it is. There's no easing into it, no gentle introduction. Within minutes, you're descending through tight switchbacks, the rim already pulling away behind you, and that comfortable "overlook" perspective is gone. You're in it now. What makes this trail different is the exposure. It rides out along a ridge, not tucked away or hidden, so the views are constant. There's no point where it closes in or gives you a break. Every step opens something new. Layers of rock stacked like pages, colors shifting depending on where the sun hits, distances that feel close until you realize they're anything but. Early on, you hit that first real vantage point where everything just drops away in front of you. It's the kind of moment that interrupts whatever you were thinking about. You stop, not because you planned to, but because you don't really have a choice. And then you keep going. The trail pulls you downward at a steady, unapologetic grade. It's not technical, but it demands attention. Your footing matters. Your pacing matters. Knees start to take notice on the way down, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you're already aware that every step you're taking is one you'll have to reverse later. There's almost no shade. That's not an exaggeration. Once the sun is up, it owns this trail. That's why going early isn't just a good idea, it's the difference between a great hike and a brutal one. In the early hours, the light cuts across the canyon at an angle, pulling out depth and contrast you just don't get later. Shadows stretch, colors deepen, and the entire landscape feels more alive. By midday, it flattens out and the heat starts pressing down in a way that changes the tone completely. As you descend, the canyon shifts around you. The rock underfoot changes color and texture, walls rise and fall, and the sense of scale keeps slipping just out of reach. You try to make sense of distance, but it doesn't behave the way you expect. What looks like a short stretch can take far longer than it should. Landmarks move. Perspectives lie. There's a point where the noise fades out. Fewer people, more space, just the sound of your own steps and the occasional wind moving through the canyon. It's quiet in a way that feels earned. Not empty, just stripped down to what matters. And then there's the reality check. Going down is the easy part. It always is. The climb back up is where this trail makes its case. The grade doesn't soften. The exposure doesn't change. It's you, the incline, and however well you managed your energy on the way down. It's not impossible, not even close, but it demands respect. You feel it in your legs, your lungs, your pace slowing whether you like it or not. But that's also where something shifts. You're not just looking at the canyon anymore. You're moving through it, working against it, understanding it in a physical way that no overlook can give you. The scale stops being abstract. It becomes something you measure in effort, in time, in breath. By the time you reach the top again, you've earned a completely different perspective than the one you started with. This trail doesn't offer comfort. It offers clarity. It strips things down to effort, environment, and awareness. And in return, it gives you one of the most direct, honest ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Five stars, no hesitation.

I have done Bright Angle Trial a couple of times in the past to the bottom of the Grand Canyon…read more South Kaibab is the other big trail into the Canyon. Over the summer, we camped at the rim and decided to hike South Kaibab a little ways early in the morning before it got too hot. We ended up hiking all the way to Skeleton Point and back. As it approached afternoon, it started to get a little warm. I ended drinking all the water in my CamelBak just before I got to the top. The temperature was climbing fast and I had to use my cooling towel to stay cool. I got to say that I really gained a lot of respect for this Canyon during this short summer hike that I did. The South Kaibab Trail is a 7 mile hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park that leads to the Colorado River. I like this trail because you get 360-degree views of the canyon after you pass Skeleton Point. The trail is mostly shaded until you reach Ooh Aah Point. Then you are out in the open. Up next is Cedar Ridge at 1.5 miles and then Skeleton Point at 3 miles. After that is the Tipoff and Black Suspension Bridge as you are descending into the Canyon. There is no water on the trail until you get to the bottom of the canyon at Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. So bring plenty of it along with snacks, sunscreen, etc. The hike is 15 miles (24 km) roundtrip to Phantom Ranch and will take at least 2 days to complete. If you get to the beginning of the trail early enough, you can probably find parking in the parking lot or on the side of the road. But it fills up quick. Another option is to take the free shuttle to the trailhead from the South Rim Visitor's Center. Both water and restrooms are located at the beginning of the trail. The hike is usually a little busy with people to start off with, but many turn around after reaching Ooh Aah Point. It is also fairly steep with lots of switchbacks, so bring poles if you need them for assistance. Be prepared for a climb on the way back to the parking lot during that last mile. Also keep an eye out for Mules as they use this trail regularly. My recent hike was in June and I saw many people with little or no water. I also saw people with footwear that should not be worn on this trail. It blew me away how uneducated and naive people are about doing these hikes into the canyon. I understand lots of tourists come here, but people need to be a little more careful when hiking the Grand Canyon. Many of the deaths that occur every year in this Canyon can be avoided. On the day that I visited and hiked this trail, they reported several heat related incidents that evening and one death. South Kaibab Trail is a great hike. Enjoy, make a plan and be responsible.

I been to the Skywalk at Grand Canyon. My visit was AWESOME, and I would do it AGAIN.read more

Perfect spot for those wanting the full Grand Canyon experience in the south rim. The area features…read morehistoric stays like El Tovar, Bright Angel and cabins, plus dining and gift shops. The highlight was walking a few miles of the Rim Trail with our dog, it's such a pet-friendly way to soak in those stunning canyon views. It gets a bit chilly up here so I was glad to have my jacket during our early March trip. There's clean restrooms near the bus drop off area, but not on the actual trail. There is no fee for parking, but finding an open space can be difficult during peak hours. A truly lovely time spent here!

The North Rim was my first ever introduction to the Grand Canyon, and the North Kaibab Trail was…read morethe first hike I did when I got there. This was a while ago, but having been back recently, and having hiked the North Kaibab Trail again, it's given me some perspective on how amazing this trail truly is. Leaving not far from the campground, it takes you in the same direction as any other Grand Canyon Trail: down. They say that going down is optional but coming up is not, so you really need to assess your hiking skills and your physical condition before heading down. You might think to yourself, hey, I will just pop down to the springs and then pop back up. You might look at that mileage and say hey, I have all day, I can do 10 miles (some places say Roaring Springs is an 11-mile trip... my tracking calls it 10 but always overestimate). That's a big day no matter what, but remember that you're headed straight down and you have to come straight back up. That's like 3500' in elevation. And that's just to Roaring Springs. It never lets up, so just know before you go. If you're out here to flex for your Rim-To-Rim patch, good on you and you obvs should have done a lot to prepare. This is where you'll launch of you're SOBO, and this is where you'll weep with relief if you went NOBO. Despite multiple trips, I've only hiked two separate sections. I've hiked the aforementioned trip to Roaring Springs which is absolutely mindblowing. It's dry, it's steep, and after you pass that last water spigot, you buckle up. Then, out of seemingly nowhere you're at this huge waterfall and there's green everywhere. Our July trip had dragonflies landing all around; it was a wild and unexpected find, even though it's written about and on the map. You don't really expect it to be what it is, even though you know you're going to a spring. On the other end, I've hiked up the trail from Phantom to Ribbon Falls. this portion is still uphill, but less steep. The elevation is lower, so it's warmer there. Remember that the trailhead is above 8K and the bottom is in the 2400' range, so weather will vary drastically. Rim-to-rimmers have to plan for two climates, and that multiplies when you factor in day versus night. This bottom section is really lovely though, and Ribbon Falls is a wispy dream. The trail is very well maintained, and though it's highly trafficked, it's not nearly as packed as the South Kaibab Trail or the Bright Angel Trail. Indeed, the North Rim really has my heart. It was my first visit to see the big ol' hole in the earth and I really love the rustic cabins, the big windows on the lodge, and the huge pine trees and more laid back feel.

We hiked this trail Rim-to-Rim in mid July. It's HOT down in the canyon (20 degrees hotter!). In…read moreother seasons, this trail is open, but the lodge is closed. There is water right at the trailhead, so no excuse to start out without water! We started at the North Kaibab Trail from the North Canyon at 4:10am. We took the shuttle from the lodge-- if you're staying there, it's complimentary, but you have to request at the front desk to be put on a list. For decent hikers, this is the best time to start if you're headed to Phantom Ranch for the night. If you're attempting all 24 miles in one day, begin earlier! The first mile or so were in the dark for us, but I won't forget the awful sand we walked through-- got all in my hiking boots. It's from the constant trudging of the mules taking people up and down to the Supai Tunnel (which is the most beautiful lookout, by the way!). Luckily, the sun was giving us enough visibility at this point and it was awesome. You don't need mules to at least go this far. It's just so beautiful!! WALK IT. Even if you don't intend to do the whole trail, get to the Supai tunnel. You won't regret it. We were just so amazed with the first few miles of this. It was majestic and so unique because of the elevation and plant life. You should be fine with the water on the trail and the bathrooms provided. We never had to collect from the streams or use the bathroom on the ground. There was plentiful if you plan right. I highly recommend visiting the Ribbon Falls. I cannot express just how beautiful this is. I soaked my shoes because when we went, the bridge was broken, but I recommend going further than the bridge and pass on the "Creek" side. I think the creek is less deep (no wet feet!). The Ribbon Falls were just SO beautiful. Most beautiful waterfall ever. We took the time to soak all our clothes before heading into the "box" before hitting Phantom Ranch. You don't want to get stuck in that during the day heat. We got to Phantom at 10:30 and didn't experience full sun in the box or any heat exhaustion. Very well marked and beat the crap out of our feet from all the DOWN DOWN DOWN in elevation. Didn't raise the heart rate much going down, but those feet sure were ready for a soak when we got to Phantom Ranch!

The visitor center is closed during the pandemic and so is the backcountry permit center BUT:…read more They are still issuing some last minute permits. We arrived on a Monday, looking too add an extra day to a permit we had already obtained. It doesn't exactly work that way but the awesome rangers worked with us & made it happen. Here are a couple of tips: You have to be in or near the canyon. They have a very specific way they are handling the "walk-in" process. You have to have Verizon. Can you hear me now? It's the only cell service that works in the canyon and if you don't answer the rangers call letting you know where you are on the list, you get moved to the back of the line. We were originally looking for a Bright Angel spot but the ranger offered a 2nd night at Indian Garden & that turned out to be better than we had even planned. We were able to do the initial descent with our heavy packs & then had 2 full days to play & explore the canyon. I am so grateful for the help, kindness, and assistance of the rangers here. We were able to pick up our new permit after a couple of days. They even printed it out for us & left it in a secure spot. They also included a map. The water status at various rest stops is posted in the window, along with the week's forecast. Keep in mind the lower elevations of the canyon are usually much warmer than on the rim. We had the time of our lives on our adventures. Finding the ice cold lemonade at the bottom of the canyon was as magical as the stars were at night. Be patient, it's worth it.

This is the Backcountry Information Center on the South Rim. There's also a Backcountry Information…read moreCenter that's located on the North Rim, but that one is only open seasonally. With that clarification out of the way, I have to first say that if you're here, you're my kind of people. I mean, if you're in the Grand Canyon at all then there's a chance that you're my kind of people. But if you're at the BIC then you're definitely my kind. You see, this is where you go if you're headed for an overnight trip anywhere in the Grand Canyon (above or below rim) and so you're probs my kind of people if that's your idea of a good time. The Grand Canyon is visited by millions of people every year, so the backcountry use is pretty highly monitored and regulated. That's a good thing, IMO, but you do have to know before you go. Permits are required for overnight hikes (though not day hikes) as well as any kind of camping besides the main park campgrounds. This is the building where you can grab them, and though they do offer day-of permits, but it would be heartbreaking to drive all this way and not get one; to that end, they've adopted permit reservations that are often done months in advance. The first time I came here must have been circa 2005 for a long distance hike down to the river, and a multiple night hike up and out on another trail. We had arranged our permit months in advance, so we came, parked in their lot, and grabbed our permit. They had a hanging scale near the entrance to weigh your pack and I am ashamed to report what my pack weight was back then. It has, in the years since my youthful exuberance, lightened considerably. I was here a couple of months ago and my knees hurt just thinking about it. They can answer questions about safety, and will help you understand the importance of your permit and carrying it always, and staying in your designated camping areas. I've always found the rangers here, in ever other backpacking trip I've taken, to be very helpful and direct. You'll thank them, as you are almost certain to run into enforcement rangers on your hike. I hope you visit here. Not because the building itself is so magnificent (though it's kind of cool in its cabin-ness) but because it means you're about to have one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

We didn't actually stay at the El Tovar Hotel overnight, but spent the whole day there when we…read morevisited the Grand Canyon Village. Our tour guide took us to El Tovar Hotel to the restaurant where we had lunch after the tour. This hotel is a bit older, but on a great location, right on the Grand Canyon South Rim, in Grand Canyon Village. We walked back and forth to use the restroom when needed. It located in the lower level in the hotel. The gift shop is beautiful! They have plenty of merchandise, including amazing, handmade jewelry from the local tribes. This hotel has a huge parking lot! Easy access to the Rim to enjoy the views. Nearby is another gift shop, called the Hopi House, and also another building right across from the hotel, the Verkamp's Visitor Center. Definitely a great place to visit and stay if you decide to spend the night or two!

A top notch, amazing hotel, nestled on the edge of the south rim of the Grand Canyon located within…read morethe Indian village! Make sure you visit this beautiful place even if you're not planning to spend a night here. That's what I did. This is where President Theodore Roosevelt used to come and stay when visiting the Grand Canyon. When you walk inside, it's simply majestic! If I were to stay here, I could see myself spending the afternoon sitting on a porch, reading a book looking out at the Grand Canyon! The restaurant in here is fantastic, all of the gift shops are fun to shop also. Make sure you don't miss this little gem when visiting the Indian village at the Grand Canyon.