Desert View Campground
25 Miles east of Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
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About
#10 of 14 Specialty lodging in Grand Canyon National Park
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.3
Value
4.9
Offers 50 campsites with bathroom facilities.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Location
Full view
Contact
25 Miles east of Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $35/day
61Reviews9Q+A12Room tips
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If you want to visit the GC and would like some solitude, look no further. The campsite is 25 miles (40 mins) from the GC village and so peaceful. The main selling point, however, is the fact that the GC rim, together with some of the best views we saw on our whole trip, is less than a minute’s walk from the back of the campsite. You can have the canyon to yourself morning and evening. Facilities are good and clean, and the host is on hand to help if you need anything. A magical place and we would return to the GC just to stay here.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Get a pitch in the high 40s for easy access to the rim.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I'm not a seasoned rv camper and I'm not much of a camper at all. Also the weather turned pretty bad when we were at this campground and because of the facilities and my lack of experience, I had a panic attack and we had to leave early. First, the bathrooms suck - the stalls have toilet paper rolls on both sides which make it very difficult to fit into the bathroom if you are larger than a supermodel. They did have a separate handicap bathroom which was much larger. They also didn't have on site laundry and showeres but you could use the ones in the GC village from 6am to 1 pm which I thought was weirdly inconvenient because that campsite is like 23 miles away. On the second night we were there, the weather turned pretty bad - in the 20s and it was freezing rain and snowing but we could only run the generator for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening which made it hard to stay warm. I loved the fact that we could get to the tower easily and see the sunset and also get to another point easily and see the sunrise. The campground did have a lot of trees and was pretty and the campground host was very nice. However, I chose a campground site online that said it was for an RV; but when I got there the host said it wasn't. But she told me to try it. It worked but she also said she would come by our site and put a cone next to our rv to let people know not to drive too close; but she never did.…
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Date of stay: October 2021
Rooms
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We were first-timers to the Grand Canyon with only a couple weeks to plan our one-day / one-night mid-May visit, and we knew that anyplace there had to be booked far in advance. We just wanted one night to tent-camp, but Mather campground was fully booked, so I searched other campsites... and one site was available at Desert View, and I impulsively booked it. But what a great happenstance... so much to see on the drive there from the village, and the views on the east end of the canyon are phenomenal. I found the trail within the campgrounds to the rim, and had that to myself, as well as as hiking along the rim from the tower just after sunset. I never expected to be alone at the Grand Canyon, yet there I was, and my favorite photos from our visit are from that area, especially of the the glow on the palisades at dusk. Campground was quiet, dark, and beautiful. We brought our own firewood from Texas, knowing that the concessions there might be closed due to Covid. So we did not visit the stores. SO glad we found Desert View, as it brought us to a part of the canyon we otherwise would have missed.…
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Date of stay: May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
You always know when someone loves their job! The host at Desert View campground was happy to be there and take care of the campers. We enjoyed her bubbly personality. We camped for two nights at Desert View ( surprisingly there are no real views unless you leave the campground!) It was beautiful, clean, and well-kept! We loved waking up early and finding the path out to the rim for the sunrise and then again in the evening for the most gorgeous sunsets. We got ice cream at the Desert View store ( before you enter the campground) on a very hot afternoon. Just perfect! America the Beautiful!!
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
This is a walk up only campground, since we didn't want to be disappointed driving 4 hours we booked a site just outside GC. We checked it out the next morning and found a great spot. Running water, flush toilets (altho one back up and flooded the mens room), and walking distance to Desert View lookout. A (very expensive) store is close by. Using a National Parks senior pass and sites are half price (as they are at most national park campgrounds). Lots of stars, deer, elk and coyotes baying in the night. The campgrounds are small (less than 60 sites) but provided some degree of privacy. Drive thru sites are also available for RV camping. It's located very close to the east entrance to the Grand Canyon so you avoid all the lines getting in.
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Date of stay: August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
We were skeptical about this campground. It seemed a pretty big leap of faith to head to the Grand Canyon in a 30’ RV with no reservation, but we are optimists, so off we went. We got to Desert View around 9 am and had our pick of sites. We stayed in #42. Here’s what was wonderful: The price! Campfires! Solitude! Coyotes! Cool foreign neighbors! The temperature! Here’s what wasn’t wonderful: We dry camped. We were too tired from walking the Grand Canyon and drinking lots of beer to make a complex dinner. Marshmallows and steak in a stick had to do!
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
The campground opened for the season on April 14th. We arrived before noon on April 17th and there were plenty of spots available. As the sign says, pick your spot and then go pay. It was $12 a night. We had campsite 41 which had lots of sunshine. There is a fire pit and picnic table at each site. Within a short walking distance we found incredible views of the South Rim. There is a path between campsites 46 and 48. Bathrooms were nice. No showers but access to water to fill water bowls. Place to wash dishes by bathrooms.
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Great campground with some good and quite large sites. As others mentioned it's a 'first come, first serve' campground, so make sure you arrive pretty early. Anytime before 10 AM should be fine. Easy self check-in, pretty clean flush toilets and very close to desert view tower (worth visiting at sunrise!). There's a gas station around the corner where you can also buy firewood and such (it's not cheap, though). It's a bit of a drive — with beautiful views — to Grand Canyon village but we actually enjoyed that. Spotted lots of moose on the way and took a gazillion photos ;) I've stayed at both campgrounds (also Mather campground in the village) and I actually think I prefer Desert View.
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Date of stay: August 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We were very pleased with our experience at this campground. Campground host very helpful. Beautiful sites with nothing but nature around you. 25 mile drive to a shower but what views along the way! Would stay there again, and again, and again!!
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
Arrive early- we arrived at 10:45am on a Friday and luckily got the last spot! Site 40 which was excellent. Love the fire pits with a grate so you can have a charcoal BBQ. There's also a petrol station and a separate marketplace about 10 mins walk away where you can buy firewood for $7 (and also giant marshmallows). Make sure you do the hike from between site 46 and 48- has spectacular views of the Grand Canyon without crowds. We took a picnic there and had lunch with an amazing view. You can also do the Tower walk from the campsite. There's no showers but clean bathrooms. There's also free natural spring water to drink. The campsite host was very informative and friendly. Best camping experience in the US!
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Date of stay: October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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ALSO KNOWN AS
desert view campground hotel grand canyon national park
LOCATION
United StatesArizonaGrand Canyon National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Desert View Campground
Which popular attractions are close to Desert View Campground?
Nearby attractions include East Rim Drive (0.4 miles), Navajo Point (0.3 miles), and Tusayan Ruins and Museum (3.0 miles).
Is parking available at Desert View Campground?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are pets allowed at Desert View Campground?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.