For the first time since last year’s Dragon Bravo Fire, RVers are once again able to camp on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
The North Rim Campground reopened June 1, giving visitors their first opportunity to spend the night inside the park since the fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and damaged large portions of the North Rim.
That’s the good news.
The other news is that this won’t be the same North Rim experience many visitors remember.
RVers heading there this summer should plan for dry camping, bring plenty of water and expect to see a landscape still recovering from one of the most destructive fires in Grand Canyon history.
North Rim visitors will need to bring their own water
“Perhaps the biggest surprise for many campers is that potable water won’t be available on the North Rim this season.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise for many campers is that potable water won’t be available on the North Rim this season.
The Park Service says visitors should bring all the drinking water they’ll need for camping, hiking and daily use. Water will not be available at trailheads, visitor areas or elsewhere on the North Rim.
That’s an important detail for RVers. Many travelers are used to filling fresh water tanks after arriving at a campground. This year, you’ll need to arrive prepared.
The campground is reopening without hookups, so expect a self-contained experience.
What’s open and what’s not
The reopening campground is one of several signs that the North Rim is slowly returning.
Highway 67 is open. So are Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road. The North Kaibab Trail reopened in mid-May, although trail crews continue repair work and temporary closures remain possible.
The North Rim General Store is also open. Visitors can purchase limited supplies, bottled water and grab-and-go food.
Fuel is available, as well. The North Rim gas station is operating, including diesel pumps.
The biggest missing piece remains the Grand Canyon Lodge.
The lodge was destroyed in the fire and has not been rebuilt. Overnight lodging on the North Rim remains unavailable.
Camping reservations are returning
Campers arriving during the first few days of reopening should expect a slightly different reservation process.
The campground is on a first-come, first-served basis from June 1 through June 5. After that, reservations are expected to return through Recreation.gov.
Anyone planning a summer trip may want to check reservation availability before heading north. The North Rim has always been popular with RVers looking for cooler temperatures and smaller crowds than the South Rim.
Fire restrictions remain in place
The National Park Service has implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions on the North Rim.
Campfires and charcoal fires are prohibited. Smoking outdoors is also restricted.
Propane-fueled stoves and similar devices may still be used in approved areas, but visitors should expect strict fire-safety rules throughout the season.
A different North Rim, but a welcome return
Only a small percentage of Grand Canyon visitors ever make it to the North Rim. Those who do, often return again and again.
They come for the cooler temperatures, quieter campgrounds and a side of the Grand Canyon that feels far removed from the crowds on the South Rim.
RVers won’t find exactly the same North Rim they visited before the Dragon Bravo Fire. Recovery work continues, and some familiar services are still missing.
But the beginning of June once again allows being able to park rigs on the rim, watch the sun come up over the canyon and spend a night in one of the most beloved camping areas in the National Park System.
The reopening follows months of recovery work after the Dragon Bravo Fire burned about 150,000 acres and destroyed more than 100 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
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RVT1264b
Thank you for the news and the warning of no available water, Russ and Tina. Seems an opportunity for some primitive camping in a wonderful setting. Have a great week and safe travels!