Mather Campground

Recreation

From the campground, campers can access the Greenway, a paved walking and biking trail that leads to scenic overlooks and the Visitor Center. The Rim Trail, a paved walking trail, is one mile away and follows the edge of the canyon for 14 miles (23 km). Leashed pets are allowed on both trails, but are not permitted below the rim.

Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails descend into the canyon from the South Rim (trailheads are a short shuttle bus ride from the campground) and other Day Hiking trails are available. The park's concessionaire also offers day and overnight mule trips into the canyon and along the rim.

Facilities

**Visitors are responsible for verifying that their vehicle(s) will fit within the size restrictions listed for the site they are reserving. Visitors are also responsible for reviewing the site map and site information to ensure that the doors of their vehicle(s) will open on the desired side. Vehicles must be parked on the pavement and facing the one-way direction of the campground loop. **

The NPS strongly recommends advanced reservations for Mather Campground during peak season, March 1- November 30. Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov six months in advance.

Mather Campground is the largest campground in the NPS system, with 327 campsites, including 7 large group sites and 2 equine sites. Each standard site (1-6 people) includes a campfire ring with a cooking grate, picnic table, parking space, room for up to three tents, and up to two standard vehicles. Group sites accommodate groups of 7-50 people, and three standard vehicles.

Visitors without camping reservations may NOT take unoccupied sites. Sites must be purchased in advance on Recreation.gov, or in-person with NPS Rangers at the campground kiosk. Unoccupied sites may not be first-come, first-served, nor otherwise available. These sites may have reservations, but the campers may not have arrived yet.

All visitors must check-in at the kiosk upon arrival. If arriving after-hours, you can check-in with volunteer hosts, or follow the instructions posted on the kiosk window. If arriving after 8:30pm, please check-in at the kiosk the next morning.

During peak season, Mather Campground has approximately 20 first-come first-served campsites available for purchase day-of, in-person, for one night at a time. Check availability in person with NPS Rangers during kiosk open hours. During peak season, these sites usually sell out by 11:00am.

There are flush toilets and drinking water spigots throughout the campground. Mather Campground does NOT have hookups available but there is a free dump station nearby at Camper Services.

During peak season, generators are NOT permitted in Pine Loop (sites 265-319). Throughout the rest of the campground, generator-use is ONLY allowed from 7:00am to 9:00am, and from 6:00pm to 8:00pm . Generators may be used in Pine Loop during winter operations, only during generator hours. Noise violations should be reported to on-duty NPS Rangers, volunteer campground hosts, or (after-hours) to GRCA non-emergency dispatch.

All visitors are responsible for knowing the campground rules and regulations , which are listed on the Mather Campground Bulletin (emailed to you at time of reservation, available on the NPS GRCA website, available on Recreation.gov (see Additional Info Links tab), and available at the campground kiosk on the back of the site map handout). Failure to follow the rules and regulations may constitute a violation of your permit.

Natural Features

Mather Campground lies beneath a tall canopy of Ponderosa pine, Pinyon, and Juniper trees that provide most campsites with ample shade. The campground is one mile (1.6 km) from the rim of the canyon. A visit to the canyon during sunrise or sunset yields spectacular views of yellow, orange, red and violet hues on the canyon walls. Layers of rock display billions of years of geology.

Campers can take a short shuttle bus ride from the campground to the Visitor Center. Visitors can also visit Yavapai Geology Museum, where they learn about the forces that formed the canyon. Below, visitors can see the mighty Colorado River, which flows 277 miles (446 km) through the bottom of the canyon.

Wildlife abounds on the South Rim, including elk, mule deer, coyotes, lizards, songbirds and the endangered California condor. Although condors nest below the rim, they can be seen soaring several thousand feet above the canyon in search for carrion.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous visitor centers, restaurants, museums and shops are within a shuttle bus ride from the campground. Beyond the village, Desert View provides one of the widest views of Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. The Desert View Watchtower displays the talent of architect Mary Jane Colter. Tusayan Pueblo Museum provides glimpses into the life of a small Ancestral Puebloan village 800 years ago. Both are within 25 miles (40 km) from the campground.