backpack camping san diego image
John B
I will be headed to the grand canyon in about a month (i will be driving). However, as I have never been there before, I have no idea where to stay and what sights I should see? I would prefer to camp in a tent so suggestions on good camping places will be appreciated. I will only be staying for a few days. Thanks!
Answer
If you are camping on the South Rim of the National Park, than really your only option is Mather or Desert View campgrounds. These are both large car-camping type campgrounds with designated spots, drinking water, bathrooms, etc. They are both pretty nice. Desert View is at Desert View point near the East Entrance and Mather is on the edge of Grand Canyon Village near the lodges. Desert View is going to be less crowded and be within walking distance of the rim, but you will have to drive a way to see anything else. Mather is closer to the lodges, main facilities and other attractions around the south entrance although it is about a mile back from the rim (the free village shuttle stops there).
You can make reservations online (see link below) and since you will be there at a popular time, you should make them well in advance.
You can also backpack into the canyon itself and camp at any one of several designated backcountry camp sites, but this would be true backpacking with a fair amount of hiking, needing to pack in food and camp stoves (no fires in the canyon), etc. You also need permits for camping inside the canyon and since reservations can be made 4 months in advance, they would be tough to get for May now.
Lastly, the Kaibab National Forest borders the park to the south and you can just wander down any dirt road there and camp 'at large' where ever you chose. Not as scenic or convenient as being at the park, but it is free.
As for things to do there... well, check out the canyon obviously. There are more than a dozen major overlooks each with a somewhat different view. The free shuttle running from the lodges out to Hermit Rest and back is a good way to see a lot of them. Also check out the many historic buildings including the grand 1905 El Tovar lodge and nearby 1905 Hopi House curio shop (built to look like a Hopi pueblo). I would also recommend doing at least a short hike down one of the trails (Bright Angel, Hermit or Kaibab) to get a sense of being in the canyon. Wear comfortable shoes, carry plenty of water and don't go down any further than you want to hike back out (remember it takes twice as long and twice as much energy going up).
In the wider surrounding area, Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments (along 89A NE of Flagstaff and near the park's east entrance) and very interesting and often overlooked (Sunset Crater is an old volcanic field and Wupatki is a prehistoric pueblo ruin). Flagstaff and Williams are both neat old historic towns with shops and cafes. The Museum of Northern Arizona and Lowell Observatory (both in Flag) are well worth a visit.
Lastly, remember that Flagstaff and the South Rim are at an elevation of 7,000 feet and so much cooler than the rest of Arizona. It is quite possible to sometimes still get snow flurries in early May and it will definitely get cold after the sun goes down. Prepare accordingly.
Have fun!
If you are camping on the South Rim of the National Park, than really your only option is Mather or Desert View campgrounds. These are both large car-camping type campgrounds with designated spots, drinking water, bathrooms, etc. They are both pretty nice. Desert View is at Desert View point near the East Entrance and Mather is on the edge of Grand Canyon Village near the lodges. Desert View is going to be less crowded and be within walking distance of the rim, but you will have to drive a way to see anything else. Mather is closer to the lodges, main facilities and other attractions around the south entrance although it is about a mile back from the rim (the free village shuttle stops there).
You can make reservations online (see link below) and since you will be there at a popular time, you should make them well in advance.
You can also backpack into the canyon itself and camp at any one of several designated backcountry camp sites, but this would be true backpacking with a fair amount of hiking, needing to pack in food and camp stoves (no fires in the canyon), etc. You also need permits for camping inside the canyon and since reservations can be made 4 months in advance, they would be tough to get for May now.
Lastly, the Kaibab National Forest borders the park to the south and you can just wander down any dirt road there and camp 'at large' where ever you chose. Not as scenic or convenient as being at the park, but it is free.
As for things to do there... well, check out the canyon obviously. There are more than a dozen major overlooks each with a somewhat different view. The free shuttle running from the lodges out to Hermit Rest and back is a good way to see a lot of them. Also check out the many historic buildings including the grand 1905 El Tovar lodge and nearby 1905 Hopi House curio shop (built to look like a Hopi pueblo). I would also recommend doing at least a short hike down one of the trails (Bright Angel, Hermit or Kaibab) to get a sense of being in the canyon. Wear comfortable shoes, carry plenty of water and don't go down any further than you want to hike back out (remember it takes twice as long and twice as much energy going up).
In the wider surrounding area, Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments (along 89A NE of Flagstaff and near the park's east entrance) and very interesting and often overlooked (Sunset Crater is an old volcanic field and Wupatki is a prehistoric pueblo ruin). Flagstaff and Williams are both neat old historic towns with shops and cafes. The Museum of Northern Arizona and Lowell Observatory (both in Flag) are well worth a visit.
Lastly, remember that Flagstaff and the South Rim are at an elevation of 7,000 feet and so much cooler than the rest of Arizona. It is quite possible to sometimes still get snow flurries in early May and it will definitely get cold after the sun goes down. Prepare accordingly.
Have fun!
Good places to go camping in Southern California?
drtoucan
Can someone recommend some places for camping in southern California (preferably San Diego county, but doesn't have to be) for camping.
Especially a place that is good for backpacking (you know, carrying your tent and all supplies in a backpack, then setting up camp wherever)
I will give out best answer
Thanks :)
Answer
My favorite place in Socal to camp is Joshua Tree National Park, it ROCKS! Literally. Fantastic landscape and fun but don't go in the summer. It's best in spring but good in Fall and not bad in the winter as long as the winds not howling.
My favorite place in Socal to camp is Joshua Tree National Park, it ROCKS! Literally. Fantastic landscape and fun but don't go in the summer. It's best in spring but good in Fall and not bad in the winter as long as the winds not howling.
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Title Post: Where should stay in the Grand Canyon if I will be driving from San Diego?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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