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Boondocker · 10-21-2008, 05:54 PM

I know the north rim has great boondocking, but does anyone know of good spots on the south rim?

eubank · 10-21-2008, 06:04 PM

Rodney, you've revealed yourself: I know what you're thinking! (Alas, I'm on the same wavelength. Looked longingly at pictures of Oatman just an hour or so ago.)

Anyway, there's a pretty large stretch of the Kaibab National Forest adjacent to the park boundary on the south side. The forest includes both primitive areas as well as developed campgrounds.

Lynn

**azflycaster** · 10-21-2008, 06:05 PM

There are a couple of spots listed here, but I can not verify them. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f386...ona-21558.html

Mike Leary · 10-21-2008, 06:20 PM

Desert View is the best you can do on the south rim. It's getting a little chilly right now.

PeeWee · 10-24-2008, 03:12 PM

Sue and I took a side trip to the North Rim of the GC. A nice view, but normally out of the mainstream for travelers.

dogpound · 10-24-2008, 03:41 PM

Rodney;
Are you planning on coming up to the Canyon rim sometime this winter? Since it is primarily high desert you could run into some nasty weather in winter time. It might not be a bad site for some boondocking in the spring or fall.
Bob
FCU
WBCCI # 10105
AIR # 28748

PeeWee · 10-24-2008, 08:00 PM

Carrots for the improvished?

eubank · 10-25-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

There are a couple of spots listed here, but I can not verify them. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f386...ona-21558.html

Yep, the places listed in the Cheap or Free post (text below) are just south of the main entrance. The "primitive parking" area is pretty much what it says: Dirt road parking area, well used.

The developed FS campground is Ten-X. We didn't get a chance to visit it. Dispersed camping in the national forest is out there. Since we stuck pretty much within the boundaries of the park (easy to do; the park is huge), we also didn't explore NF opportunities.

One other place you might consider is Mather. It's the developed campground within the park. The sites are small and hookups are sparce, but would probably fit your rig (but not ours). It has a somewhat more woodsey feel to it than Trailer Village, and the showers and dump station are located there, too. The big plus, though, is that the entrances to Mather/Trailer Village are located right on the bus line, so you can hop on and do the canyon and store-amenities from close by; otherwise, you're pretty much stuck with driving the truck every time you need to poop.

Lynn

GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM: Unlimited primitive parking at FS overflow area 5 mi S of south entrance (Hwy-180) between mile markers 232 & 233 (just S of Ten-X cg), on Road-688 on East side of hwy, and Road-686 on West side of Hwy. Dirt roads, and only small signs identify them as you turn onto them.
Also,Dispersed Camping: permitted in the NF outside the park. Camping must be at least 0.25mile/0.4 km away from Highway 64. Other restrictions may apply. Contact Tusayan Ranger District, Kaibab NF (928) 638-2443 for info.

Charlie M · 10-25-2008, 10:58 AM

Mather CG has a limit that includes the TV & trailer. I think the average truck is about 20' then add the trailer. Checkout the Web site for the park and it will list the max length.

Davydd · 10-25-2008, 02:14 PM

Mather CG does have flush toilets and running water sink restrooms spread about. I saw some Airstreams in Mather even though the trailer campground next to it that had hookups. Mather is close to the marketplace and has accessible trails to walk over to the rim walk as well as a free-ride bus stop near the entry to get you around the park. The showers and laundry are near the entry as well. You would probably want to drive to them to use them.

Boondocker · 10-26-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogpound

Rodney;
Are you planning on coming up to the Canyon rim sometime this winter?
Bob
FCU
WBCCI # 10105
AIR # 28748

Not this winter. I am looking a position in Henderson NV and want to get a feel for potential long weekend trips. I love the north rim, but that is a pretty long haul around from LV for a weekend.

eubank · 10-26-2008, 11:08 AM

Henderson, eh? It could be a worse place. From the Las Vegas area, it's not that far to the area around Zion, which has some wonderful places. 'Course, there are various preserves around, and there's also Lake Mead and what it has to offer, if you're into that kind of stuff.

Lynn

Boondocker · 10-26-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

Henderson, eh? It could be a worse place....

Lynn

Yes, it could. Believe me.........

**azflycaster** · 10-26-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I love the north rim, but that is a pretty long haul around from LV for a weekend.

From Las Vegas to the South Rim is 276 miles.
From Las Vegas to the North Rim is 263 miles.

To get from Las Vegas to the South Rim you have to go down to I-40 in Kingman, drive to Williams and then North to the Rim.

To get from rim to rim it's a 213 mile drive.

Boondocker · 10-26-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

From Las Vegas to the South Rim is 276 miles.
From Las Vegas to the North Rim is 263 miles.

To get from Las Vegas to the South Rim you have to go down to I-40 in Kingman, drive to Williams and then North to the Rim.

To get from rim to rim it's a 213 mile drive.

I was hoping there were some spots west of the south rim visitor area for boondocking. Doesnt sound like there is though

**azflycaster** · 10-26-2008, 11:45 AM

The area West of the NP is on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. I do not know what thier policy is on boondocking.

PeeWee · 10-26-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

From Las Vegas to the South Rim is 276 miles.
From Las Vegas to the North Rim is 263 miles.

To get from Las Vegas to the South Rim you have to go down to I-40 in Kingman, drive to Williams and then North to the Rim.

To get from rim to rim it's a 213 mile drive.

I believe they close the North Rim in the middle of October for the Winter and then open in May. Check it out. But the North Rim recieves some really severe weather. When Sue and I were there we made a few inquiries. The nice part of the North Rim, is there are fewer people.

PeeWee · 10-26-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

From Las Vegas to the South Rim is 276 miles.
From Las Vegas to the North Rim is 263 miles.

To get from Las Vegas to the South Rim you have to go down to I-40 in Kingman, drive to Williams and then North to the Rim.

To get from rim to rim it's a 213 mile drive.

The North Rim closes in October and I believe opens in May. It suffers from severe Winters.