I'm kind of rooting for this park. I understand the negative reviews due to the age of the park,…read morebut hey, I'm old too so grace all around! Please try to keep an open mind...Not a 5 star campground by appearance but we had a great experience here. Pros: Nicest staff ever Wide and long drive through site -(intentional and thoughtful of mgmt) Not too crowded Quiet Only 1 mile from Grand Canyon entrance Walking distance: Market, Starbucks, McDonald's and other village shops and restaurants Good cell service w/ ATT and no issues with Starlink connectivity or solar Excellent communication during county mandated planned fire related power outage. Made sure everyone had ice, could run generators, offered glow sticks, etc. Offered to discount or free us from our reservation if we wanted to leave over this unexpected issue but we were good with portable power. Cons: It is old but if you just need a base camp you can't beat the location so it's worth the price savings and proximity to the Grand Canyon If you want kid entertainment like a playground or pool you will not find that here Older bathrooms but didn't need them

Great staff and walking distance to a Starbucks and other goods. Close to the highway, but road…read morenoise was minimal. The campground was clean, well maintained. Had solid service with the Verizon network. Showers were paid for use with tokens purchased at the front desk. The tokens were refundable. You also see elk walking around in the morning which is a bonus.

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.

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...

Very well organized and laid out. I love that all spots are pull through so not more backing in…read morenightmares and arguments. All services were well maintained except cable. Could figure that out but didn't really need it anyways. This park is within a good hike 2 miles maybe to the southern rim center for the Grand Canyon. Priced well and staff was super friendly. Will return again

This spot is perfect for camping near the Grand Canyon. It's only 4 miles, and was a quick drive…read morethere. The camping area included a grill and a fire pit that also had a grill to cook on with it. The camping areas were spacious, and you didn't have neighbors right on top of you, which for me is the point of camping. The campground was set in a beautiful forest. There are elk all around the campground, and waking up to that was quite the treat for sure. Be mindful of leaving any kind of food out, as you'll be waking up at 4am to ravens cawing as they eat your things. We found this out the hard way. The campground does allow dogs, but they have to be leashes at all times or else you will be removed from the campground. There is a nice hiking trail on the campground you can take them to. The issues I had was the bathroom not being clean. The toilet was not flushable and it didn't seem like anyone hosed it down or emptied it the time we were there. There was a spout for water, which was away from the bathroom. It would have been nice for it to be near the bathrooms, or just some way to wash your hands after going in there. The drinking water did taste good though. All in all, it's a beautiful campsite for not much money. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back here and recommend it.

This is a great find - if you are looking for lodging close to the Grand Canyon stay here. It is…read morefirst come/first served and has several dozen sites just minutes from the entrance of the Grand Canyon Park. We arrived around 6:30 on a Sunday and got a spot. It was self serve - drive around, find a spot, put your marker there and go back and deposit $. Camping sites have fire pits with a grill attachment. There were elk hoof prints on our site but we didn't see any elk that night. We did here a pack of coyotes on the distance which was amazing. Clean pit bathrooms are around the campground We got up at 6am and drove to the canyon. We weren't sure they'd let us in that early but no problem. Hardly anyone was about in the village and we hiked down the Angel Trail. By time we got back Up the villlage was so crowded with people And it was obvious how many stayed there. If you are interested in camping and hiking but don't have time or supplies to rough camp at the bottom of the canyon, it is a great option. We drove to most the overlooks heading out down 64 and they were not nearly as crowded as the village overlooks

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.

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!

Beautiful park with plenty of rangers to answer questions. Easy to walk around to gift shops,…read morerestaurants and the hotel which is a must see!

So great...I'm doing it again (4th time). The challenge, the…read moreorganization, the food...a great experience!

Still glowing from the experience, what a ride, what a ride ! 8 day moto raft trip was fantastic…read more Like many folks, I had looked down on the Grand Canyon from the rim, but this trip is full immersion! ... ha ha, sometimes literally ! GCW does a great job, providing camping gear, food, and the cool rafts. It is not "glamping", you gotta help unload the rafts, set up your camp etc, but all part of the experience. The trip leader (Rachel was super!) and guides are pretty great, working hard to make sure everyone is safe, well fed, and having a good time. Having a nice quiet Honda motor moves the rafts along, the 8 days was just right. We passed various oar trips that take longer and maybe have more cache, but looking at their faces, I think we were having a lot more fun! Going solo was interesting, met some nice folks, some goofballs, but all Good! Definitely recommend, gotta be a bit adventurous, but what a way to experience one of the natural wonders of the planet!

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!

I visited the South Rim as the North Rim was still closed. The sheer scale of the Grand Canyon was…read moremind-boggling. I walked around the village, checking out the art shop and the hotels (and grabbing brunch at El Tovar Hotel). The Geology Museum has more information about the formation of the area, as well as a small gift shop. I made it a bit down Bright Angel Trail, marveling at the views. I also did the 25 mile scenic drive towards the east on Desert View Drive - definitely stop at some pull outs since the views are different as you go along the rim. Things I have to do in the future: -Take the shuttle to Hermit's rest (be sure to sit on the right side since you get all the views that way) since it was wayyy too crowded when I looked at the bus stop -Get a ticket to climb up Desert View's tower. I wish there was more information about the Indigenous peoples and their cultures who lived in this area. There wasn't a lot of information provided, but a lot about the architect who designed a lot of the buildings. It seemed unbalanced. Also, I wish that Desert View went into more history of the building - apparently it was controversial when it was built.

I can't believe this was our first time here, and I most certainly hope it won't be our last! What…read morea truly GRAND Canyon! The park is great! There are so many turnouts available to view the Canyon from different locations. I think I was annoying my daughters because I wanted to stop at each one, lol! I was just simply in awe. Several of the turnouts have restrooms, but most of them, from what I saw, don't, so keep that in mind when traveling. It was very cold while we were here with temperatures in the 40s, but the wind chill made it feel like the 20s. We encountered some sleet and hail as well. Highly recommend visiting here! Also highly recommend getting an America the Beautiful National Park pass.