Updated for 2024
A complete guide to FREE camping in north Kaibab National Forest near Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. There are free camping opportunities near the North and South rims – this guide focuses on the North Rim of the Park.
To learn more about FREE camping near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, please read my article – Free Camping Near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
In this guide, you will find maps with directions, updates on road conditions, locations of most campsites, and availability of amenities such as cell coverage, water, and toilets.
About Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest
Kaibab National Forest surrounding the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is managed by the North Kaibab Ranger District, while the South Rim Forest Land is managed by the Tusayan Ranger District.
The North Kaibab Ranger Station is at 430 South Main Street, Fredonia, Arizona. Phone: (928) 638-3913.
There is also a convenient information office (visitor center) at the corner of Hwy 89/AZ 67 at Jacob Lake on the way to the North Rim.
Kaibab National Forest Dispersed Camping Rules
Maps and Directions
I highly recommend the Avenza Maps App!
Download the Motor Vehicle Use Maps for North Kaibab Ranger District.
Camping inside or near Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park has one campground at the North Rim – North Rim Campground. It is a very popular campground with pay showers, a dump station, etc. Verizon cell service is poor except for a few sites on the southwest part of the campground. Visit the official site for more info.
The U.S. Forest Service operates three campgrounds near the North Rim.
- DeMotte Campground – Easiest access to the North Rim Entrance only 7 miles away. No Verizon service.
- Indian Hollow Campground – free, only 3 sites, long drive!
- Jacob Lake Campground
No hookups or showers at the FS campgrounds. Go here for information.
Recommended FREE Camping Areas in North Kaibab National Forest nearest to Grand Canyon NP
Dispersed camping is allowed on Kaibab Forest land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 30 consecutive day period. The 30-day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location in the forest. The 14-day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 30-day period.
After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must leave Kaibab National Forest until the new cycle begins on day 31.
As shown on the map below, there are three preferred FREE camping areas within an easy drive from Grand Canyon NP North Entrance:
- Along Forest Road (FR) 22 – many sites but with no (or very limited) cell service
- Along FR611 – Most popular area but with no cell service for the first 6 miles or so. Stunning views and good cell service near the end of the road.
- Along FR610 – Limited camping with no cell service until you reach the Nonkoweap Trailhead. Magnificent views from a couple of campsites near the Trailhead. Good cell service.
- Other Forest Roads – Camping opportunities are unlimited along the very many Forest Roads. In this article, I focus on the camping areas near the North Entrance of the Grand Canyon.
Free Camping along FR22
If you plan to spend a lot of time in Grand Canyon National Park and want to camp FREE as close as you can, then you should consider this area. But you most probably won’t have any cell service.
In the map above, you see the entrance of FR22 to the west of SR67 just south of the Demotte Campground. This is a dirt road in good condition for any type of vehicle.
The first free sites appear on both sides of SR22 after about 0.5 miles. Perhaps 2 sites to the left and 2 or 3 to the right depending on conditions and how folks park. Large rigs will be OK.
2.2 miles up the hill is another popular area with room for several RVs of any size. There are many more sites along the many roads in this area but those are outside the scope of this article.
Regarding potable water and toilets – there are free water stations and toilets at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. DeMotte Campground has drinking water and toilets for its campers.
Verizon has no service at these campsites.
Free Camping along FR611
The most popular dispersed camping area with fabulous views after about 5.75 miles. Enter to the left just south of the Demotte Campground. Somewhat bumpy in places but suitable for any rig.
Avoid camping for 0.5 miles on either side of the trailhead bathrooms! There are signs posted.
You will see side roads along FR611 – not shown on my map. Try those too when the area looks packed with campers.
The fun starts at about 5.75 miles – beautiful large sites on the rim overlooking the Colorado River to the East (and US 89). You cannot see the river, however.
The sites appear to be numbered – the rim sites start with 611X, then 611W, then 611U, then 611V, and so on. But the signs are often knocked down, so do not be concerned if you don’t see any!
Towards the end, 611 splits at 611P. Keep to the right for a few more sites – 611PD and 611PC are easy to reach but you need a 4WD (my suggestion) to reach sites 611PB and 611PA. These last two sites are epic!
Regarding potable water and toilets – there are free water stations and toilets at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. DeMotte Campground has drinking water and toilets for its campers. I prefer the toilets at the trailhead along FR611.
Verizon has good LTE service after 5.75 miles but zero before then!
Free Camping along FR610
FR610 is long and rough – almost 13 miles from SR67 – but one campsite at the end is legendary! There are 6 other sites near the Nankoweap Trailhead but they are not as epic!
Enter FR610 from FR611 a short distance from SR67. There is one site immediately after the turn and perhaps a few others further along FR610 but the focus is to get to the end for those epic views. I suggest a 4WD but in dry conditions, any vehicle can make it. 2 of the sites can handle rigs of any size.
Regarding potable water and toilets – there are free water stations and toilets at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. DeMotte Campground has drinking water and toilets for its campers. I prefer the toilets at another trailhead along FR610 (about halfway to the campsites).
Verizon has good LTE service at these campsites.
