Grand Canyon Camping?

[adventureduo]

Thinking of taking Yosh over to the Grand Canyon Christmas weekend. She's never seen it and i think she needs too. I was wondering if you guys knew of any good camping spots that won't be full of tourists (probably not this time of year). It can be a campground off the highway or primitive off the beaten path. We'll have the Sportsmobile so we can't do any crazy trails..

Any suggestions? It's been 15 years since i've been there and i don't remember what campground we stayed in.

[j.whitbread]

A lot of folks don't know that with my Disabled Parking Permit I can go to areas in the GC that are closed to regular traffic.

Since the buses there are SOOO old they hadn't even invented wheelchair lifts, they let us go in our own vehicles. Makes for a quiet time among the masses. The only time I saw anyone was when a tour bus was around.

[NRL]

Originally Posted by adventureduo

Thinking of taking Yosh over to the Grand Canyon Christmas weekend. She's never seen it and i think she needs too. I was wondering if you guys knew of any good camping spots that won't be full of tourists (probably not this time of year). It can be a campground off the highway or primitive off the beaten path. We'll have the Sportsmobile so we can't do any crazy trails..

Any suggestions? It's been 15 years since i've been there and i don't remember what campground we stayed in.

Which route are you thinking of taking? I suggest the Zion, to Bryce to Northern Grand Canyon route which we did.

The other route we did was to Sedona, Az to Southern Grand Canyon..

You might find a few spots on the way that is better then Grand Canyon area camping for Sportsmobile Camping..

[adventureduo]

Route was to camp somewhere night 1 south of Grand Canyon, maybe prescott area, then hit grand canyon camp somewhere and head home the next morning. Don't really have time to do a real road trip this go around. South entrance would be only one open this time of year.

[charlie56]

AD
If you did want to keep the North side in play and want primitive without crowds consider Tuweep.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm

Its on the North side, but I don't think they close the roads into this particular area.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by charlie56

AD
If you did want to keep the North side in play and want primitive without crowds consider Tuweep.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm

Its on the North side, but I don't think they close the roads into this particular area.

You can get snow over Mt. Trumbull. And no matter how you come in, watch for big holes in the road that get covered with dust. Some of the holes are the width of the road and 15-20' long and a foot or more deep! I've only recognized them because the dust is so fine that is settles in flat, like water. The rest of the road has texture, but the really nasty holes look absolutely flat.

In any rate, Toroweap (Tuweep) is one of our favorite places. The absolute best views - 3000' straight down to the Colorado River. Yes, a 3000' vertical cliff face! And you can hear the rapids from up there. About 12 campsites - free. Composting toilets and no water. Well worth a visit, but not in the summertime.

Mike

[adventureduo]

Tuweep isn't closed for Winter?

[charlie56]

Originally Posted by adventureduo

Tuweep isn't closed for Winter?

Nope
We were there last year before the North Rim opened up.

I agree with Mike, watch out for those dust holes. When we were going in, a 4x4 was pulling a 2wd van out of one.

And yes, the drop off is straight down.

[mbachani]

Adventureduo,

Tuweep is a trully amazing destination. we were there over Memorial Day weekwed and it was awesome. But keep in mind that it is virtually impossible to get any info on current conditions. The Ranger station is only manned periodically and I doubt if there is anyone there now.
Right now northern AZ. is getting dumped on. Lots of snow and freezing temps. Keep in mind you have to drive at least 50 miles of dirt rd. to get in there and i'm not sure it is maintained this time of year. No cell service. I know you and your vehicle are capable but if the unforseen happens the calvary won't be coming.
I would try calling Pipe Springs National Monument which is about 65 miles north to get some local info.
just my $0.02 worth.

Bob in Tucson

[Ford_6L_E350]

You can get fairly accurate road info from the BLM office in St. George:

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/fo/arizona_strip_field.html

And they have a great map of the Arizona Strip (the part of Arizona north of the Colorado River and only accessible through Nev or Utah).

Mike