Desert View Campground

Desert View Campground in Grand Canyon National Park is the more rustic and smaller of South Rim's two developed tent campgrounds. Unlike Mather Campground, the other South Rim campground, Desert View is a self-registration, first-come, first-served campground with no option for reservations. This is a pro for last-minute planners, but it is also a con because you may arrive to find all the sites occupied. The campground usually fills up by early afternoon each day. It is only open from mid-April to mid-October.

The major convenience of this campground is its proximity to the less-crowded East Entrance and the amazing panoramas from the Desert View Watchtower and other nearby viewpoints. Grand Canyon Village and other major attractions are a bit of a drive, but luckily there is a gas station and general store here so you don't have to travel for the essentials.

The sites at Desert View are relatively small and not designed for large vehicles. The limits are six people, two tents, two vehicles or one RV (max 30 feet), and a seven-day stay. Pets are allowed but must be attended and on a leash at all times. There are restrooms with running water but no showers, and there are two potable water spigots in the campground. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. There are no hookups or dump stations. Some sites are shadier and more secluded than others, but high demand may not leave you with much choice on the site you get.