North Rim Campground (AZ)

We love the North Rim. I hope you can recover quickly from the devastating fires.

This is a fantastic campground and campsite! The sites, at least around the outer edge, are nicely spaced, and site 18 has tons of room. Plus, you can walk 50 feet and you’re at the edge of the canyon. I had no problem getting in with our 25 foot trailer, but I definitely recommend that you back in. If you rely on solar, this site has good sun exposure.

There’s a trail that takes you over to the area with the lodge and visitor center; it’s about a mile there, and the trail can be accessed by walking down from the campsite. There’s also a small general store with basic food and supplies at the campground.

I’ve wanted to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon since 4th grade, when my teacher read Marguerite Henry’s Brighty of the Grand Canyon to my class. We loved the little wild donkey and were drawn to Henry’s descriptions of this rugged and secluded spot. Pulling into Jacob Lake in the early afternoon on Wednesday, July 9, we made our final pit stop (and grabbed some Jacob Lake Inn cookies). The local park ranger happened to mention a wildfire caused by a lightning strike that could affect some of the places we might try to hike; she was told this fire, named Dragon Bravo, was being managed. Other than the imposing name, I didn’t think much about it. At dusk on July 10, just as we left a Cape Royal sunset, two park rangers stepped into the road wildly waving for us to stop. “You’ve got to evacuate the park immediately.” She informed us about a second out-of-control wildfire near Jacob Lake that threatened to cut off the only exit out of the park. “Drive toward Page.” There was no time for further conversation. As we hurried the 45 minute drive back to the North Rim Campground we could also see for the first time the smoke from the other, smaller Dragon Bravo fire to the west in the fading light. When we finally turned into the North Rim Village in the dark we could see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles at every major intersection. Ominously, an ambulance was parked at the Kaibab Trailhead, with a person inside that we could hear loudly vomiting. At the entrance to the campground we were stopped again, but let through to pack our tent. There was no one else in the campground. We were the last ones out. We drove through the darkness to Jacob Lake an hour away, where the glow from the growing White Sage wildfire lit up the northern sky, then further into the night to Page. It took 45 years for me to reach the North Rim—on the very last day possible before it all burned down.

We left one day early due to concerns over the encroaching fire and its a good thing we did. Otherwise we had a lovely stay at the North Rim campground. We felt a little silly at first setting up our own shower/bathrooom tent until we found out that the showers were closed as were the flush toilets at the main lodge due reportedly to water rationing. Suddenly we were the only tent campers with a shower. Some folks probably cut their stays short because of that. The hosts were friendly and helpful. The facilities were clean and well maintained. Late arriving vehicle headlight and folks walking to the toilet at midnight with very bright head torches shined directly into the campsites woke us up more than once.

We had a great first day with very helpful camp host. Very informative. Sadly our stay was canceled because of the White Sage fire incident. As we had to evacuate because of only one way out. We were gone when the Dragon Bravo fire exploded from the high winds. We will come back next year if the North Rim can recover and open by then.

Beautiful location. Very helpful and friendly hosts (Sheryl and Ken), quiet and clean area. Loved to stay there!

We camped there two days before the fire. So sad. Our experience at the Rim cannot be fully described.

We had two prime spots and those around us were kind, welcoming and full of information(an added plus since we had questions). The shuttle ran every 15 minutes and the walk to the Lodge was only a mile or so. There are no words to describe what we witnessed in nature. Still in awe of the greatness. The sunrise and the sunsets are exquisite. The mule ride was the icing on the cake- we faced our fear as a family and had the best time with Kyle the guide,Weaver, the group we were with and the mules.

This was a really nice campground close to the rim views. We saw the lodge down the street several days before it burned down. It was all so beautiful, what a shame. This campground did not survive either. Heartbreaking.

The North Rim campground has long been one of our most favorite places in the world. Its quiet, peaceful, spacious sites are a balm for the soul. We are so heartbroken at hearing that the Lodge has been lost. Family dinners there and stargazing from its veranda hold a special place in our hearts. We are hoping to see it rise from the ashes <3