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JGB · 01-07-2011, 06:58 PM

The reservation system for the NPS North Rim Grand Canyon indicates that the largest sites are 40ft with most sites in the 20 to 27 ft range, with some as short as 15 ft. These lengths seem very short. My 23 ft International and pickup are about 43 ft. Does anyone on this forum have first hand experiece with this campground, if so are these lengths correct. The North Rim campground is closed until mid may and there is no one to contact about this inquiry.

rluhr · 01-07-2011, 08:21 PM

When the NPS quotes a permissible length in a campsite, they usually mean the length of either a trailer or a motorhome, such as in this case. They don't mean the length of a truck-trailer combination, since in smallish spaces the truck can often be parked off to the side of the trailer, sideways in front of the trailer, or in a nearby "overflow parking" space.

We camped on the North Rim with our 30 foot Airstream and truck (total length 53 feet) with no problem and there were plenty of spaces that could have accommodated us.

Airstream25 · 01-07-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGB

The reservation system for the NPS North Rim Grand Canyon indicates that the largest sites are 40ft with most sites in the 20 to 27 ft range, with some as short as 15 ft. These lengths seem very short. My 23 ft International and pickup are about 43 ft. Does anyone on this forum have first hand experiece with this campground, if so are these lengths correct. The North Rim campground is closed until mid may and there is no one to contact about this inquiry.

Its closed because it is full of snow!
I cannot remember the lengths. We were there in June 2005. Here is a picture of the campground.
North Rim Campground
Be sure to also make reservations at the Lodge for dinner.

vinstream · 01-08-2011, 12:05 AM

The North Rim camp ground is one of my most favorite National Park camp grounds for many reasons. Only 3% of the people that visit the Grand Canyon visit the North Rim! Very little traffic! The morning sunrise is best seen from the North Rim. The drive into the north rim goes through an amazing forest, that ends right on the rims edge, so cool. The camping sites are not over used, very clean, and not stacked on top of each other!!! Most of the sites are double wide so you park your TT next to your trailer. I have been lucky to stay on the rim side of the loop witch is feet from the lip of the rim! The Grand Canyon Lodge is a great place visit. A must, is dinner at the Lodge, the most amazing dinning view, your dinning inches from the rims edge, no other dinning experience like it in the entire National Park System! Take the time to hike the trail(s) along the rims edge, it you are daring you can hike to the bottom of the canyon and walk across the Colorado river!

Happy Camping

Todd

JBinKC · 01-08-2011, 06:28 AM

Here's an Associated Press story that ran recently on hiking the trails, which is encouraging for seniors who might be intimidated. I'm on the tread mill trying to get in shape for the hike. Best wishes, John Hiking the Grand Canyon: Views you can’t get from the rim - KansasCity.com

mojo · 01-08-2011, 08:13 AM

The camp sites on the outer perimeter of the loop drive are the best because they are most private and mostly pull throughs. You can fit your unit and truck in to these. Site 11 & 14 are the closest to the edge and actually have a partial canyon view.

JRHarris · 10-20-2011, 05:03 AM

We camped there in the middle of May and I remember the sites being rather large. No problems with our camper. Lots of rentals and big rigs. Beware we went to dinner and came back and it was snowing! We looking and looked for hats and gloves and could not find them anywhere.....go prepared!!

Happy Camping!

Bill M. · 10-20-2011, 07:00 AM

Some of the sites are a bit dicey for a trailer. 60-63, I think, are just about impossible. Some are fine. I think you have to tell them the trailer is 25' or under to get a site. we were on an ouside site, can not remember the number, and it was just fine. there were sites that held motorhomes fine. the problem can be the trees, and they do not show them on the layout.

Alumaholic · 10-20-2011, 08:46 AM

The sizes quoted in the reservation system are for RV length; trailer or motor home.
This does not include length of tow vehicle or tag along.
Most sites will accomodate a 25'-27' trailer generously.
A few sites will accomodate a 34' with room to spare.
Because of its design, the dump station cannot accomodate a trailer longer than a 27' and its tow vehicle unless you are a very adept driver.
We had a big rally with Airstreams of every length and everyone did fine, except for the longer rigs that could not negotiate the dump station at the end of the rally.
Mojo is correct, some perimeter sites have nice views.
Longest sites are right in the middle.
Because of Ponderosa pines, don't count on solar panels to get much sun.
Hope this helps!

aftermath · 10-20-2011, 08:55 AM

JGB, I noticed you posted way back in January so, no doubt, you have already been. We were just there a couple of weeks ago and there were many sites that would accommodate by 25 footer.

I was in #11 and we did have a view of the canyon. I would advise that most of the outer sited needed some leveling even though they were paved.

RTurnConn · 10-20-2011, 11:31 AM

We camped it in a34 ft Avion, tri axle with no problems. You should not have a problem. Beautiful place.

JGB · 10-21-2011, 08:35 AM

We made our trip the end of may and had an outer loop site, with tons of privacy and views of the canyon. The pull through sites with views do require some leveling, but not bad. I think our site was indicated on the NPS reservation system as 27ft maximun length. The pull through was at least 60 feet long. Very misleading information on the web site

We were there at the same time as the large airstram group. The weather was cool and very windy the entire three days. Great campground. If your not used to being at higher elevations the 9000 ft campground elevation will take your breath away! The next time we go back it will be a little later into the season.

riverone · 03-19-2012, 07:19 PM

Thanks for posting!

JBinKC · 03-20-2012, 04:33 AM

Here's a typical inner ring site on the North Rim that'd be impossible for a high-profile SOB or motorhome but perfect for any Airstream. Back it up, back it up, WHOA!

riverone · 03-22-2012, 05:04 PM

Anyone else have photos of the camping sites and or view from.

Steamy1 · 03-22-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverone

Anyone else have photos of the camping sites and or view from.

From September 2011

Steamy1 · 03-22-2012, 05:12 PM

Sorry; here they are.

Alumaholic · 03-22-2012, 05:51 PM

This was our spot:

riverone · 03-22-2012, 06:34 PM

Those are wonderful! Thanks everyone.

TBRich · 03-22-2012, 09:00 PM

Yes, those outer sites are nice and big...we were there in August last year in the outer loop nearest the canyon...be prepared to do some serious leveling, though, especially in the outer ones that slope toward the canyon... While they are great sites, some of them are not very level. (But don't worry about falling into it...there are lots of tree's to stop you!

) Have fun...it's a great place to camp.