Mather Campground
Due to high demand, Mather Campground recommends reservations during peak season: March 1- November 30. You may book reservations up to 6 months in advance. Mather Campground is on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Grand Canyon is one of the most inspiring landscapes on Earth and draws over five million visitors per year to its spectacular scenery. Mather Campground is large and can accommodate a variety of needs and comfort levels. It is the only campground within Grand Canyon Village. Scenic overlooks, the park's free shuttle bus system, the Visitor Center, the general store and hiking and biking trails are all within a few miles of the campground.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona · dark sky in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 143 |
| RV, no hookups | 76 |
| Standard, no hookups | 60 |
| Group tent areas | 7 |
| Equestrian | 2 |
| Host/management | 69 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
288 sites in 11 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A023 | Aspen Loop | RV | Pull-through | 27 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| A051 | Aspen Loop | RV | Pull-through | 25 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| A053 | Aspen Loop | RV | Pull-through | 25 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 001 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 002 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | Standard | Pull-through | 21 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | Standard | Pull-through | 21 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | RV | Pull-through | 27 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | Standard | Pull-through | 21 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | Standard | Pull-through | 21 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-59) | Standard | Pull-through | 21 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Please Note: The $6 campsites are for campers who arrive on foot or bicycle only. Please refer to the Need to Know section for more information. |
| Dark sky | Inside Grand Canyon National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites A017, A020, A023, A051 and 12 more are listed accessible |
Visitors are responsible for verifying that their vehicle(s) will fit within the size restrictions listed for the site they are reserving. Visitors are also responsible for reviewing the site map and site information to ensure that the doors of their vehicle(s) will open on the desired side. Vehicles must be parked on the pavement and facing the one-way direction of the campground loop. The NPS strongly recommends advanced reservations for Mather Campground during peak season, March 1- November 30. Mather Campground is the largest campground in the NPS system, with 327 campsites, including 7 large group sites and 2 equine sites. Each standard site (1-6 people) includes a campfire ring with a cooking grate, picnic table, parking space, room for up to three tents, and up to two standard vehicles. Group sites accommodate groups of 7-50 people, and three standard vehicles. Visitors without camping reservations may NOT take unoccupied sites.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Address: 1 Mather Campground Road, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Mather Campground is located within the park in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. From the south entrance station: proceed for about three miles (5 km) and turn left on Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile (.4 km) and turn right onto Market Plaza Road.
| Nearest town | Grand Canyon, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 36.0497° N, 112.1205° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov six months in advance.
- Sites must be purchased in advance on Recreation.gov, or in-person with NPS Rangers at the campground kiosk.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Nkrd- Misc Piles Rx
21 mi from the campground · 95 acres
- PrescribedKendrick Park Piles Rx
49 mi from the campground · 17 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
MATHER CAMPGROUND | Everything You Need to Know in Under 4 Minutes | CACTUS ATLAS
Worth a stop
Numerous visitor centers, restaurants, museums and shops are within a shuttle bus ride from the campground. Beyond the village, Desert View provides one of the widest views of Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. The Desert View Watchtower displays the talent of architect Mary Jane Colter. Tusayan Pueblo Museum provides glimpses into the life of a small Ancestral Puebloan village 800 years ago. Both are within 25 miles (40 km) from the campground.
- 1 miVerkamp's Visitor Center (South Rim) ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 4.5 miTusayan Mtn Bike ↗18.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miTusayan Mtn Bike Loop ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which overlaps Kaibab National Forest.
- inBaaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 960,963 acres
- inKaibab National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,581,388 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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Natural features
Mather Campground lies beneath a tall canopy of Ponderosa pine, Pinyon, and Juniper trees that provide most campsites with ample shade. The campground is one mile (1.6 km) from the rim of the canyon. A visit to the canyon during sunrise or sunset yields spectacular views of yellow, orange, red and violet hues on the canyon walls. Layers of rock display billions of years of geology. Campers can take a short shuttle bus ride from the campground to the Visitor Center. Visitors can also visit Yavapai Geology Museum, where they learn about the forces that formed the canyon. Below, visitors can see the mighty Colorado River, which flows 277 miles (446 km) through the bottom of the canyon. Wildlife abounds on the South Rim, including elk, mule deer, coyotes, lizards, songbirds and the endangered California condor. Although condors nest below the rim, they can be seen soaring several thousand feet above the canyon in search for carrion.
Recreation
From the campground, campers can access the Greenway, a paved walking and biking trail that leads to scenic overlooks and the Visitor Center. The Rim Trail, a paved walking trail, is one mile away and follows the edge of the canyon for 14 miles (23 km). Leashed pets are allowed on both trails, but are not permitted below the rim. Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails descend into the canyon from the South Rim (trailheads are a short shuttle bus ride from the campground) and other Day Hiking trails are available. The park's concessionaire also offers day and overnight mule trips into the canyon and along the rim.
Guidebooks for Grand Canyon National Park
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Mather Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mather Campground?
Please Note: The $6 campsites are for campers who arrive on foot or bicycle only. Please refer to the Need to Know section for more information.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mather Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Mather Campground have?
357 sites, including 143 tent-only sites, 76 RV sites without hookups, 60 standard sites without power, and 7 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Mather Campground?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Mather Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mather Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mather Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-15, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Mather Campground?
Sites A017, A020, A023, and A051 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 16 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Mather Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Mather Campground sits inside Grand Canyon National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Mather Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Mather Campground?
From the campground, campers can access the Greenway, a paved walking and biking trail that leads to scenic overlooks and the Visitor Center. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Mather Campground?
Grand Canyon, Arizona. Numerous visitor centers, restaurants, museums and shops are within a shuttle bus ride from the campground.
Source: Getting there