alfred929
My friend and I are going camping in Grand Canyon (south rim). We don't want to haul our own camping gears as we will be flying into Arizona. Are camping gears (such as tent) available for rent?
Thanks!
Answer
I have heard that the Canyon Village Marketplace (the general store at Grand Canyon Village in the park) rents some camping equipment, but I am not positive and don't know the prices. I would definitely call first and verify (see number below).
If you are flying into Phoenix, than the REI store in Tempe (not far from the airport) rents camping equipment including tents, backpacks and sleeping bags.
Also, in the town of Flagstaff (halfway between Phoenix and the canyon) is a great outdoors equipment store called Peace Surplus (the name is because it started as a military surplus store long ago, but it is now a fairly high-end outdoors and sporting goods shop).
I have had friends rent gear from REI and it was fine (although obviously not new or high-end). I have never rented from Peace Surplus, but they have been there for a long time and I have purchased things from them on many occasions.
When selecting your clothing and gear, remember that the rim of the canyon is at 7,000 feet elevation and is starting to get quite cool (especially in the evenings) - the bottom of the canyon will still be warm more Phoenix-like temps.
Have fun!
I have heard that the Canyon Village Marketplace (the general store at Grand Canyon Village in the park) rents some camping equipment, but I am not positive and don't know the prices. I would definitely call first and verify (see number below).
If you are flying into Phoenix, than the REI store in Tempe (not far from the airport) rents camping equipment including tents, backpacks and sleeping bags.
Also, in the town of Flagstaff (halfway between Phoenix and the canyon) is a great outdoors equipment store called Peace Surplus (the name is because it started as a military surplus store long ago, but it is now a fairly high-end outdoors and sporting goods shop).
I have had friends rent gear from REI and it was fine (although obviously not new or high-end). I have never rented from Peace Surplus, but they have been there for a long time and I have purchased things from them on many occasions.
When selecting your clothing and gear, remember that the rim of the canyon is at 7,000 feet elevation and is starting to get quite cool (especially in the evenings) - the bottom of the canyon will still be warm more Phoenix-like temps.
Have fun!
I am backpacking (3 days) in the grand canyon in mid-july. Any suggestions on what to bring/weather/etc?
NASAjack
Camping at Indian Gardens (half-way down the grand canyon).
Answer
Even though the South Rim is at 7000 feet elevation, Indian Gardens is down around 3800 feet elevation and quite a bit warmer. Indian Gardens is located on the Tonto Plateau where daytime July high temps often pass 90F while the nightly low rarely goes below the 60sF.
I generally prefer backpacking the canyon in the cooler months, but when I have gone in summer, the one big advantage is that you don't have to carry as much clothing/gear. I don't even take a sleeping bag that time of year, just a very light weight fleece liner (throw in a light cheap, solar blanket to be safe).
Weatherwise, July is when the monsoon season starts in northern Arizona where afternoon thundershowers are not uncommon. Having a light waterproof jacket is a good idea, but frankly you will probably enjoy the rain and certainly the clouds (if you are lucky enough to get them).
Other gear to bring: broad-brimmed hat, lots of sunblock, LED headlamp, and a camera. Those light synthetic hiking pants where you can zip off the bottoms to make shorts are ideal. Remember that campfires are not allowed anywhere in the canyon, so if you are going to cook any food, you must bring a little backpackers stove. Another strong recommendation for backpacking in the canyon is trekking poles (like collapsable ski poles) - they take a large amount of stress off your joints and legs.
If you are going to hang out around camp a bit than a deck of cards can be fun or (if you don't mind the weight) a small book (I would recommend the excellent and appropriate "How the Canyon became Grand" by Stephen Pyne).
Avoid hiking in or out during the heat of the day (10AM to 4PM), carry lots of water on the trail (2-3 liters min between rim and IG) and have salty snacks and electrolytes (like Gookinade) with you to replenish the minerals you will be sweating out.
Indian Gardens is probably the best inner canyon camp in summer (Bright Angel camp at the bottom is nothing short of brutal in summer). Indian Gardens has lots of shade, decent composting outhouses (with toilet paper), a running stream and drinking water. Each campsite has a covered ramada with picnic table (a big plus for both shade and rain protection), poles to hang your packs on and ammo cans to keep the critters out of your food.
I would NOT recommend trying to go down to the river and back (or Phantom Ranch and back) during your free day. The inner gorge has little shade and the rocks heat up like a solar oven. Temps well over 120 degrees F along the river are not uncommon.
However, following the stream through the little canyon in the Tapeats Sandstone below IG (before it hits the Inner Gorge switchbacks) would be a nice place to hang out and explore during the day (running water and quite a few shade trees). If it a relatively cool, cloudy day, taking the Tonto Trail east toward the South Kaibab trail to Pipe Spring would be a neat little day hike along a very pretty and less visited stretch of trail. Would not do it if it was clear and hot though - not much shade.
And of course, you must spend sunset out at Plateau Point, the classic inner gorge overlook near Indian Gardens. One of the best views in the whole canyon and a favorite hangout spot for condors.
Even though the South Rim is at 7000 feet elevation, Indian Gardens is down around 3800 feet elevation and quite a bit warmer. Indian Gardens is located on the Tonto Plateau where daytime July high temps often pass 90F while the nightly low rarely goes below the 60sF.
I generally prefer backpacking the canyon in the cooler months, but when I have gone in summer, the one big advantage is that you don't have to carry as much clothing/gear. I don't even take a sleeping bag that time of year, just a very light weight fleece liner (throw in a light cheap, solar blanket to be safe).
Weatherwise, July is when the monsoon season starts in northern Arizona where afternoon thundershowers are not uncommon. Having a light waterproof jacket is a good idea, but frankly you will probably enjoy the rain and certainly the clouds (if you are lucky enough to get them).
Other gear to bring: broad-brimmed hat, lots of sunblock, LED headlamp, and a camera. Those light synthetic hiking pants where you can zip off the bottoms to make shorts are ideal. Remember that campfires are not allowed anywhere in the canyon, so if you are going to cook any food, you must bring a little backpackers stove. Another strong recommendation for backpacking in the canyon is trekking poles (like collapsable ski poles) - they take a large amount of stress off your joints and legs.
If you are going to hang out around camp a bit than a deck of cards can be fun or (if you don't mind the weight) a small book (I would recommend the excellent and appropriate "How the Canyon became Grand" by Stephen Pyne).
Avoid hiking in or out during the heat of the day (10AM to 4PM), carry lots of water on the trail (2-3 liters min between rim and IG) and have salty snacks and electrolytes (like Gookinade) with you to replenish the minerals you will be sweating out.
Indian Gardens is probably the best inner canyon camp in summer (Bright Angel camp at the bottom is nothing short of brutal in summer). Indian Gardens has lots of shade, decent composting outhouses (with toilet paper), a running stream and drinking water. Each campsite has a covered ramada with picnic table (a big plus for both shade and rain protection), poles to hang your packs on and ammo cans to keep the critters out of your food.
I would NOT recommend trying to go down to the river and back (or Phantom Ranch and back) during your free day. The inner gorge has little shade and the rocks heat up like a solar oven. Temps well over 120 degrees F along the river are not uncommon.
However, following the stream through the little canyon in the Tapeats Sandstone below IG (before it hits the Inner Gorge switchbacks) would be a nice place to hang out and explore during the day (running water and quite a few shade trees). If it a relatively cool, cloudy day, taking the Tonto Trail east toward the South Kaibab trail to Pipe Spring would be a neat little day hike along a very pretty and less visited stretch of trail. Would not do it if it was clear and hot though - not much shade.
And of course, you must spend sunset out at Plateau Point, the classic inner gorge overlook near Indian Gardens. One of the best views in the whole canyon and a favorite hangout spot for condors.
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Title Post: Camping gear rental around Grand Canyon?
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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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