Desert View vs. Mather Campground: Which Grand Canyon Campground Is Better?

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most iconic and magical landscapes in the United States.

It’s not an overrated hole in the ground, despite what the naysayers would have you believe.

And if you’re tired of hearing the word ‘breathtaking’ in conjunction with the natural landscape, you obviously haven’t been to the Grand Canyon.

Breathtaking is certainly an apt way to describe the Grand Canyon landscape; heart-stopping works if you’re afraid of heights.

You can eyeball the Grand Canyon from numerous viewpoints along the South Rim in an afternoon, but what’s the fun in that?

If you’re planning to camp on the South Rim, you’ve got two main options: Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village or Desert View Campground near the east entrance.

They offer very different experiences.

Here’s how to choose the right one for your trip.

Grand Canyon Camping Basics (South Rim Overview)

If you’re planning a camping trip to the Grand Canyon, the South Rim is where most people start. It’s open year-round, easy to access, and packed with iconic viewpoints, trailheads, and services.

There are three front-country campgrounds on the South Rim:

• Mather Campground (run by the National Park Service)
• Desert View Campground (also NPS, but smaller and more remote)
• Trailer Village (a private RV park with full hookups)

For most travelers, it comes down to Mather vs. Desert View, and the choice really depends on what kind of experience you’re after.

Mather Campground is located right in Grand Canyon Village, which means you’re within walking distance (or a quick shuttle ride) to the visitor center, restaurants, general store, and some of the most popular viewpoints along the rim. It’s convenient, accessible, and busy, especially in peak season.

Desert View Campground, on the other hand, is about 25 miles east of the village near the park’s east entrance. It’s smaller, quieter, and feels a lot more removed from the crowds. You won’t find showers or laundry here, but you will find a more peaceful atmosphere and easy access to some of the best viewpoints on the South Rim.

Both campgrounds accommodate tents and smaller RVs (up to 30 feet), and neither offers hookups. Reservations are strongly recommended for both, especially from spring through fall when campsites fill quickly.

One thing to keep in mind: camping inside the park means you’ll pay the nightly campsite fee (currently $30) plus the park entrance fee, which is $35 per vehicle and good for seven days.

If you’re deciding between Mather and Desert View, you’re really choosing between convenience and solitude, and there’s no wrong answer, just the one that fits your style of travel.

Desert View vs. Mather Campground

As I mentioned above, there are three front-country camping options on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Two, Mather Campground and Desert View Campground, are run by the National Park Service and open year-round. Trailer Village is a privately run RV park in Grand Canyon Village.

Mather Campground: Located in Grand Canyon Village, Mather Campground is close to amenities like shops and restaurants, as well as numerous trails into the canyon. From Mather Campground, you can easily hop on a shuttle, check out the visitor center, or embark on a train ride.

For access to conveniences, Mather Campground is hard to beat.

The trade-off is that it gets incredibly crowded, especially during the summer — there are 327 campsites at Mather Campground! Tents and RV camping are both available (30-foot maximum), but there are no hookups. Laundry and showers are available at the campground entrance, and pets are permitted.

Reservations at Mather Campground are strongly recommended from March through November. Sites are $30 per night for standard sites, and $6 per night for walk-in/bike-in sites.

Trailer Village: If having full hook-ups is essential, book your stay at the privately run Trailer Village in Grand Canyon Village. Paved pull-through sites are available for RVs up to 50 feet long. Pets are permitted on leash, and wood fires are prohibited (charcoal only).

RV sites start at $77 per night. Note that sites within Trailer Village are very close together and don’t offer much privacy.

Desert View Campground: Desert View Campground is located 25 miles from the hustle and bustle of Grand Canyon Village. Reservations are required.

The season usually runs from mid-April to mid-October. The 49 sites at Desert View Campground can accommodate tents or RVs (maximum 30 feet), and the cost is $30 per night. There are no hookups, showers, or laundry. Pets are permitted as long as they are kept on a leash.

Where Should You Camp on the South Rim: Desert View or Mather?

Feature	Mather Campground	Desert View Campground

Location

Grand Canyon Village

East Entrance (25 miles away)

Campsites

327

49

Reservations

Recommended

Required

Amenities

Showers, laundry

Basic only

Crowds

High

Moderate

Best For

Convenience

Peace + scenery

Our Review of Mather Campground near Grand Canyon Village

If you want easy access to everything the South Rim has to offer, Mather Campground is hard to beat.

Located in Grand Canyon Village, this is one of the largest campgrounds in the National Park Service system, with more than 300 sites spread across multiple loops. It’s busy, especially in peak season, and you should expect close neighbors. If your ideal campsite involves total solitude, this probably isn’t it.

That said, Mather Campground makes up for its crowds with convenience.

You’re within walking distance (or a quick shuttle ride) to the visitor center, Bright Angel Trail, restaurants, a full grocery store, and some of the most popular viewpoints along the rim. The shuttle system is especially helpful; it runs frequently and makes it easy to get around without moving your car.

The campsites themselves are paved and can accommodate tents and RVs up to 30 feet, with both pull-through and back-in options depending on the loop. There are also bike-in/hike-in sites scattered in the trees for $6 a night.

Sites are fairly open, but scattered pines provide some shade and just enough privacy to feel comfortable. You won’t feel tucked away in the wilderness, but it’s still a pleasant place to spend a few nights.

Facilities here are some of the best you’ll find in a national park campground. There are flush toilets, potable water, a dump station, and even showers and laundry at the campground entrance (coin-operated). Cell service is also surprisingly reliable, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on how much you’re trying to unplug.

Like most popular campgrounds, the vibe depends a lot on timing. Weekends and summer months can be crowded and a little noisy, with a mix of experienced campers and first-timers figuring things out as they go. If you visit midweek or in the shoulder seasons, it feels much more relaxed.

Wildlife is part of the experience here, too. Keep an eye out for elk wandering through camp, especially in the early morning and evening.

Pros of Mather Campground:

• Unbeatable location in Grand Canyon Village
• Easy access to the shuttle system, trails, and viewpoints
• Showers, laundry, and full services nearby
• Spacious sites (for a large campground)
• Reliable cell service

Cons of Mather Campground:

• Crowded, especially in peak season
• Less privacy than smaller campgrounds
• Can be noisy on weekends
• Doesn’t feel particularly remote

Best for: First-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants convenience and easy access to the South Rim’s highlights.

Make your reservation at Mather Campground

Desert View Campground Review (South Rim East Entrance)

If you’re looking for a quieter, more immersive Grand Canyon experience, Desert View Campground is where things start to feel a little more magical.

Located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village near the park’s east entrance, this small campground feels worlds away from the crowds. With just 49 sites tucked among pinyon pines, it’s quieter, more spacious, and a lot closer to the kind of camping experience many of us are craving.

The sites are level, well-spaced, and offer a surprising amount of privacy compared to Mather. It’s certainly not backcountry camping, but it feels a lot less busy and a lot more connected to the landscape.

There are fewer amenities here: no showers, no laundry, and no hookups, but you’re not completely off the grid. The Desert View General Store is an easy walk from the campground, and you can grab everything from snacks and ice cream to local beer and wine.

One of the best parts of staying at Desert View is how easy it is to step into the scenery. There’s an unmarked trail between sites 46 and 48 that winds along the rim, with incredible views of the Colorado River below. We spent hours out there without seeing another person, which is not something you can say about most places on the South Rim.

Wildlife is part of the experience here, too. We saw javelina wandering through camp, along with plenty of elk, and the ravens are bold enough to keep things interesting. Don’t leave food unattended unless you’re willing to share.

Because it’s smaller and more remote, Desert View Campground requires a bit more planning. Reservations are required, and the season typically runs from mid-April through mid-October.

Pros of Desert View Campground:

• Quiet, peaceful atmosphere
• Fewer crowds and more privacy
• Easy access to rim views and nearby viewpoints
• Walkable access to Desert View Watchtower and the general store
• Feels more immersive and less developed
• Decent cell service

Cons of Desert View Campground:

• No showers, laundry, or hookups
• Smaller campground (harder to get reservations)
• Farther from the main South Rim attractions and services

Best for: Travelers who want a quieter, more scenic camping experience and don’t mind giving up a few conveniences.

Make Your Reservation at Desert View Campground

Exploring Grand Canyon After Dark

In 2016, Grand Canyon National Park was awarded Provisional International Dark Sky Park status as it worked to replace more than 5,000 light fixtures to comply with International Dark Sky (IDA) requirements. In 2019, they were awarded official Dark Sky Park status!

Stargazing at Grand Canyon National Park is nothing short of extraordinary, and for the past few years, the dark-sky experience has been available to more than 6 million visitors.

The National Park Service conducts guided stargazing programs throughout the year, but you can also just look up to experience the magic of a billion stars over your head.

No matter where you go near the Grand Canyon, you are bound to have a fabulous night-sky experience, but here are a few extra special spots for stargazing on the South Rim.

Desert View Watchtower: Just a short walk from Desert View Campground, this is a great spot to see all kinds of stars and constellations, not to mention the full moon if you plan accordingly. Nighttime ranger-led programs are very common on the weekends.

Lipan Point: After Desert View, Lipan Point is one of the closest viewpoints from Desert View Campground. It is half a mile north of the main scenic drive, reached by a spur road that climbs 80 feet to the parking area. A small summit would provide a 360-degree view were it not for the pine woodland on the east side.

Moran Point: Moran Point provides far-reaching views into the Grand Canyon. As the crow flies, the North Rim is just eight miles away from this spot. At Moran Point, three main rock groups are visible, creating a stunning backdrop for the night sky.

Best Places to Watch the Sunset on the South Rim

No matter where you travel on the South Rim, you’re bound to find a unique and beautiful sunset, but some spots give you a better vantage point.

Our number one choice for a Grand Canyon sunset is Lipan Point, followed by Yavapai Point. Desert View is nice, too, if you simply want to walk over from the campground.

Watching the sunset is a jovial affair, and all of the viewpoints will be crowded. There is something about sharing a sunset with dozens of other travelers that makes the stunning event even more memorable.

Best Places to Watch the Sunrise on the South Rim

Head to Mather Point!

You may want to hit snooze in your tent, but do yourself a favor and get up early for an amazing Grand Canyon sunrise!

On our most recent trip in April, the alarm sounded at 4:30 am. I was grumbly for a bit, but after I made the coffee and drove out to Mather Point, I was so happy that I resisted the snooze.

Sunrise on the South Rim has a different feel from sunset. Each vantage point usually has a handful of people, unlike the huge crowds that gather for the sunset.

There’s almost a reverence to the sunrise, and strangers share the moment in silence and awe – gloved hands holding hot drinks, the warmth of the new sun warming every face. It really is magical!

Camping with Dogs at the Grand Canyon

As much as I love traveling with dogs, I don’t usually bring them to national parks. Overall, I have not found the parks to be very dog-friendly, and there are so many other beautiful destinations (national forests) that are. Grand Canyon National Park is an exception.

Perhaps it’s because there is less emphasis on wildlife at the Grand Canyon, but we saw dogs just about everywhere.

They are allowed in all campgrounds within Grand Canyon Village and on the Rim Trail. They are not allowed on the trails into the canyon, but there is an on-site kennel in Grand Canyon Village if you feel the need to explore without your dog.

Prefer sleeping in a real bed? Read our guide to the best glamping spots near the Grand Canyon

Final Thoughts: Which Campground Should You Choose?

Both Mather Campground and Desert View Campground offer easy access to the South Rim and a chance to experience the Grand Canyon in a way that day-trippers never will.

That said, the right choice depends on what kind of trip you’re planning.

If this is your first visit to the Grand Canyon, or you want easy access to trails, shuttle stops, food, and amenities, go with Mather Campground. It’s the most convenient option by far, and it makes exploring the South Rim simple, especially if you don’t want to deal with a lot of driving.

If you’re craving something quieter, fewer people, darker skies, and a more peaceful campsite, choose Desert View Campground. It feels more removed from the bustle of Grand Canyon Village and offers a more relaxed, immersive experience.

Traveling with kids or easing into camping? Mather is probably the better fit.

Looking for a slower pace and a little breathing room? Desert View wins.

And if you can swing it, there’s no rule that says you have to choose just one. Spending a night or two at each gives you the best of both worlds, convenience and solitude, and a much fuller experience of the South Rim.

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Final Thoughts on Visiting Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is a magical but busy place. If you like your wilderness experience to be wild, consider visiting in the off-season, between October and April.

Leave your car behind and hop on a shuttle bus to any number of spectacular trailheads.

The South Kaibab Trail offers stunning views and relative solitude with minimal effort, but be sure to pack sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water for your journey into the Canyon.

Even meandering along the South Rim Trail from Grand Canyon Village will allow you to escape the throngs of visitors who never leave their cars or parking lots.

As with any national park, an incredible visit to the Grand Canyon takes some advance planning, but as you hike along the rim, scout the skies for incredible birds, stand in awe of golden sunsets, and sleep under a billion twinkling stars, the canyon’s magic will reveal itself to you.

And then, of course, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the trip sooner.

Read Next: The Best Camping Near Phoenix: Lost Dutchman State Park

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