Can you camp in the Grand Canyon?

puddle jumper · 10-15-2010, 11:55 PM

My kids were watching of all things, The Brady Bunch. It was the episode where they travel to the Grand Canyon, ride mules down the canyon and camp out at the bottom. I was just wonder if this is still possible and if anyone here has ever done it?

faye · 10-16-2010, 02:34 AM

No I have never camped in the Grand Canyon. There's nothing wrong with camping there as long as you camp in the designated camping area and obey park regulations.

woodsman · 10-16-2010, 11:49 AM

Never done it, but it's on the list and to the best of my knowledge yes you can camp there, it's considered a national park if I'm not mistaken so that means you have to obey the house rules.

Ms. Nibbles · 11-11-2010, 08:45 AM

I'm not sure if you can camp at the bottom of the Grand Canyon or not. You can ride down on the mules, though, and I know they have a lodge and restaurant at the bottom. There are several camping areas on top that you can use.

le Metis · 11-11-2010, 12:20 PM

Yes, I've backed packed and camped the Canyon. You won't need a permit for a mule ride, but , if you elect to use your feet, then you will. One of my favorite places to camp in the Canyon is at Bright Angel Falls, a wonderful place to rest up before pushing on for the climb out.
If you have sons who are Scouts, the Grand Canyon Council in Phoenix has trail awards...I wear the Rim to Rim, Rim to Rim to Rim, and the Havasupi to River segments....

caveman · 11-12-2010, 06:02 AM

I would think that you still can . I did it about 30 years ago . It was FANTASTIC . If your afraid of heights its not something you want to do . The trails are very narrow with shear cliffs . Hiking on foot was a full day in a full day out . Not for someone who is not in good shape . But it is one of the best trips of my life .

Refrigerator · 11-12-2010, 07:50 PM

The Developed Trails The Grand Canyon, including the Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails!

Grand Canyon National Park Hiking Guide

rainey · 11-13-2010, 08:54 AM

We camped on the rim and had coyotes wake us up several times during the night with their howling and snuffling outside of our tent. It was awesome!

ssimps03 · 11-13-2010, 09:22 AM

You certainly can camp in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I have done it twice. If you ride the mules, you have to reserve about 1 yr in advance and you stay at Phantom Ranch. For backpacking, there is a process to go through about 3 months in advance, or you may be able to show up first thing in a.m. at backpaker's office and get a permit if there are any left. THe first time, we stayed at campground near Phantom Ranch, next day hiked 2/3 way out of canyon to Indian Gardens campground and on the next day, the last 1/3 way out on the Bright Angel trail. There is an awesome hike from Indian Gardens to Plateau Point. We watched the sunset there. It was awesome! The 2nd time, I was 5 months pregnant and I found about about a duffle service. For $52, a mule will pack out 30 lbs of your gear (that is what it cost 10 years ago). Best money I ever spent and I will definitely take advantage of that again!

Reflex · 11-13-2010, 05:09 PM

We wanted to do a rim-to-rim hike this year which means camping two or three nights "in the bottom". A back country permit is required which means faxing in your request 6 months before your planned trip. MANY more people apply for the permits than the number of permits available. We applied June 1st for an October permit since we didn't get one for May, which we'd applied for on January 1. We didn't get the October permit either so we're just gonna do the 4 day hike up to Machu Picchu next year and try the Grand Canyon again in 2012.