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Hello everyone. Long time since I have been here, and I hate to begin my return by asking for help. But here goes:

I'm planning on taking my friend Carol on a trip to Florida, where she is going to live with/near her daughter. She has never seen the Grand Canyon. Here is the part where I need help. I have visited the north rim by car, but never the south rim -- especially not in a 35-foot MH. So, where does one camp? Are all the RV parks in Williams? I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive place to stay.

Thanks for your help. I'll be stopping in here again as we plan our itinerary to Florida.

I am no help but wanted to say welcome back! I have never been to any of the sites out west...
Take care and enjoy your planning... drop by often to fill us in on what is happening in your
little corner of the world!

Yes, welcome back. We camped at the Grand Canyon probably 25 years ago so don't know how much my information is still true. The campground was near the big old hotel and near where the trail that goes down into the canyon is. I don't remember now but it was probably a National Park. We went the first week of June as soon as school was out. That's the only place I made reservations and I didn't need to because there weren't very many campers. I want to say there were 7 lookout places along the rim. There was a shuttle bus that ran between the lookouts. You could get off and catch the next shuttle. Some were close enough together that we walked. I don't think they let cars drive along there but I'm not sure. I think the night before we had stayed at a park near Flagstaff. It was in an area of an ancient volcano and there was a lot of lava. It was interesting but no hookups.

Martha

A friend and I camped at the Mather campground in April 2007 on the south rim. I don't remember much about it except that it was half-price with senior pass, but you can Google it. My focus was on the canyon and getting pictures
Marda

Mather is very nice. No hookups, but in any case you cannot stay there because they have a 30' limit.

The full hookup campground,Trailer Village, is a tad expensive but there is a shuttle right there. If you stay outside of the park you will have to drive in every day. Being close and having all the shuttles and fantastic bike trails makes it worth it. You can just park and enjoy. It is run by a commercial company and units are close for a national park but the elk come in every night and it is extremely convenient to everything.

Oh and do come in with empty fresh water tanks and fill them at the campground. Grand Canyon gets its water from Roaring Springs at the bottom of the canyon. Best water anywhere so drink it!!!

I saw that in Williams there is a train that takes you to the park. In fact, there is an RV park right there. Anyone know of this?

Hi Janice don't know anything about that area only time I was at the Grand Canyon was as a teen and with parents we stayed somewhere
for sure a motel.... but have missed you and when are you going? Leaving here around the 15 th of April unless the 15 is a problem at
that one area will be coming through had hopes of spending a night or two in the area let me know ok?
sheila

Here's some of the sites - Let us know how your trip goes!! I would like to take the RV to the Grand Canyon one day.

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park
http://www.thetrain.com/lodging/rv-park ... -location/

Trailer Village
http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/trailer-village.aspx

I think your best bet would be to bite the bullet and stay at Trailer Village. That train is expensive...just saw an ad in the AAA magazine...I forget the exact price, but I gasped at it. Seeing the Grand Canyon, especially for the first time is a fantastic experience! lyn

Didn't Anita take the train last year? I seem to remember she was NOT impressed.
Sandi

I visited the Grand Canyon this past October. I opted to stay inside the park at the Trailer Village. It was $37 per night. The sites have full hookup and are paved pull-throughs with a 50 ft limit. The shuttle system is wonderful and there is a stop right at the entrance to the campground. I spent 3 nights and should have booked 5 or 6. The only time I used the truck was when I went to the east entrance to see the sights that the shuttle system did not cover. I will be returning in the next few years. It was well worth staying in the park, it allowed me to tour in the morning, return to the camper and the dog in the early afternoon, and go out again for sunset. From what I understand the train only allows you a few hours at the canyon in the middle of the day unless of course you stay overnight at one of the hotels which then would make the trip extremely pricey!!
Brenda

I have stayed at the railroad campground mentioned above, and it is very nice, but it is not any cheaper than the Trailer Village inside the national park. In addition, the cost of the train trip is $$$$ and you will get to spend only about 3 hours at the canyon.

As Brenda just pointed out, it is not that expensive and the convenience and woodsy feel are well worth it. There is so much to see inside Grand Canyon. In addition, Grand Canyon has some of the best paved bike trails in the country. The shuttles will carry your bikes on the front and you can ride through the woods, and one section of the bike trails go along the canyon rim.

It is really hard to see all of Grand Canyon in one day. You really need to stay at least two or three days. Staying in Flagstaff or Williams is just not practical because of the long drives you will have getting to the canyon from your campsite, even if you could find a really cheap one there. And they do not have elk grazing on the trees and shrubs in the late afternoon!

Note that Trailer Village is now managed by another company. http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/trailer-village.aspx

There is only one campground at the North Rim. It is $18-25 per night and there are no hookups - half price with Senior Nat Park Pass. There are two Forest service campgrounds with no hookups $18 outside the park. There is one commercial campground (Kaibab Camper Village) located south of Jacob Lake on Arizona Highway 67. Don't see a website but Tel. Is 1-800-525-0924.

And there is boondocking outside both entrances for free.

That said, if you want to get the real experience of the South Rim, I think what JudyJB has said makes a lot of sense. Sometimes you have to spend the money. I've been there so many times, when I go now I just do a run through lol ... Other places I prefer. But everyone needs to experience the GC at least once. And, as far as I'm concerned, from both rims!

Evening Janice!

Liz and I went to the GC last year. You did not say when you are going. We stayed at a National Forest campground just south of the entry, Ten X. It opens May 1 and we were the first ones in the gate. We did have reservations through Recreation.gov. Are you towing? Need a toad down there. With the "old folks card" it was $10 a night, I think, check their site for the correct price. Sorry, I didn do a campground review. Remember National Forest has no services. This is a great campground, as it does have pull-thrus.

The campground at Williams is a great stop and Passport America makes it quite affordable, I think. We stayed there twice, going to GC and coming back out. We did get propane at the KOA east of Williams. I read a report that the KOA had a van that took their folks up and all around so you might check that out. It is quite a way to drive from KOA.