Grand Canyon Is Hiking Campsite Fees from $18 to $30 a Night – It Starts on May 1, 2025

Upcoming 65% Camping Fee Increase

Want to camp at the Grand Canyon this year? You’ll want to adjust your budget. Here’s the scoop on what’s happening, from the fee increase to affected camp sites.

Grand Canyon Draws Millions of Campers Each Year

Camping at Grand Canyon National Park is practically a national pastime. Over 4.9 million folks visited in 2024, making it the third busiest national park behind only Great Smoky Mountains and Zion.

Summer spots vanish within minutes when reservations open. Planning six months ahead is barely enough for South Rim spots. Holiday weekends? Forget about it unless you’re planning a year ahead.

Camping Was $18 a Night Since 2005

Camping at the Grand Canyon has been a steal until now.

Tent and RV spots at Desert View, North Rim, and Mather Campgrounds have only cost $18 a night—a price that’s barely budged since 2005. That rate was among the cheapest in any major national park.

Fees Are Jumping to $30 Per Night

Starting May 1, 2025, you’ll pay $30 instead of $18 for tent and RV spots at Desert View, North Rim, and Mather Campgrounds.

That’s over 65% more than before.

The increase hits all standard sites, regardless of location or amenities. This is the biggest percentage camping fee hike the park has seen in recent memory.

Grand Canyon Let the Public Decide

This change didn’t come out of the blue. Park officials collected public feedback in November and December 2024 before finalizing the increase. The comment period drew over 3,000 responses from regular visitors. Several public meetings also happened both online and in person.

Interestingly, they initially proposed $35 per night but settled on $30. Park leadership emphasized this was the first major price adjustment in nearly two decades. The extra money will fund campground repairs, accessibility improvements, and maintenance projects.

Mather Campground Has 327 Sites on the South Rim

Mather Campground is the beating heart of Grand Canyon camping. Located right on the South Rim, it operates year-round with showers, laundry, and free shuttles, though you won’t find RV hookups here.

With 327 individual sites arranged in spacious loops, it’s the park’s largest campground. Each spot includes a fire ring, picnic table, and parking. Need supplies? The Village Market is a short walk away. Wildlife fans love the elk and mule deer that regularly wander through.

The rim trail connects directly to the campground, putting breathtaking canyon views just steps from your tent.

Desert View Campground Has Beautiful Sunrises

This intimate 50-site campground runs mid-May through mid-October, sitting 25 miles east of the main tourist hub. The nearby Desert View Watchtower offers jaw-dropping vistas of the Painted Desert and Navajo lands.

Unlike other campgrounds, Desert View works on a first-come, first-served basis. Absolutely no reservations. Most sites handle tents or smaller RVs up to 30 feet, making it perfect for more spontaneous travelers.

It’s Quieter at the North Rim Campground

This laid-back area sees just a fraction of South Rim visitors but will also hit the $30 nightly rate come May. You’ll still find food options and guided tours available.

Sitting 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, temperatures run 10-15 degrees cooler here. Lush pine forests surround the 90 campsites, providing welcome shade.

The campground only opens mid-May to mid-October due to heavy winter snow. Wildlife spotting is top-notch—wild turkeys, deer, and occasionally mountain lions make appearances. The Transept Trail links directly from camp to the North Rim Lodge.

Senior and Disability Pass Holders Still Pay Half Price

Some campers catch a serious break on these new rates. With a Senior or Access pass, you’ll pay just $15 per night, which is half price. Group sites, horse sites, and walk-up sites stay at $55 per night through 2025.

Senior Passes cost $80 lifetime or $20 annually for U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62+. The Access Pass is free for those with permanent disabilities.

Military veterans and Gold Star Families also get free annual passes. Fourth graders score free passes through “Every Kid Outdoors.” Large groups of 7-12 people can now save money with the unchanged $55 group site rate versus paying for multiple standard sites.

Backcountry Permits Also Getting More Expensive

Venturing into the canyon depths? Your wallet takes another hit. The Park Service plans to raise backcountry permit fees from $15 to $24 per person per night below the rim, and from $4 to $6 per person above the rim starting May 2025.

You must request permits four months ahead, with popular spots like Bright Angel Campground having under 10% success rates. Each area strictly limits camper numbers, and Bright Angel, Indian Garden, and Cottonwood are the most developed backcountry campgrounds.

Park Entrance Fees Cost Extra

Getting into the park costs extra, on top of camping fees. Currently, you’ll pay $35 per car, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person on foot or bike. These seven-day passes cover both North and South Rims.

Frequent visitors should consider the $70 Grand Canyon-specific annual pass. The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers all national parks for a year.

Mark your calendar for six free entrance days annually, including MLK Day and Veterans Day. Digital passes purchased online let you skip entrance lines. Credit cards work at all gates now, but they no longer accept cash payments.

Nearby Hotels Range from $89 to $400 Per Night

The camping price hike got you down? Consider other options. Both rims offer lodges from basic cabins to upscale rooms, though they book up incredibly fast for summer.

One of our favorites is the El Tovar Hotel with its historic luxury starting at $269 nightly. Bright Angel Lodge offers more affordable $119 rooms without private bathrooms.

Phantom Ranch at the canyon bottom has $65 dorm beds and $172 cabins, but requires winning a reservation lottery. Tusayan, just 7 miles from the entrance, has hotels from $89-$249.

Williams, an hour south, offers cheaper options plus the Grand Canyon Railway package combining lodging with a scenic train ride.

Try Mule Rides and River Rafting, Too

Camping’s great, but don’t miss everything else the canyon offers. Hike the iconic Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails, join ranger programs, watch for wildlife, or ride a mule into the canyon depths.

The free shuttle system makes viewpoint-hopping a breeze. Catch unforgettable sunsets at Hopi Point and Mohave Point along Hermit Road.

Rangers lead fascinating geology talks, rim walks, and stargazing programs, and we highly recommend joining one or two. For more thrills, try the Grand Canyon Skywalk’s glass floor 4,000 feet above the canyon. You can also book Colorado River rafting trips ranging from single-day floats to epic 21-day journeys through the entire canyon.