This particular forum doesn't seem to see a lot of traffic, but, I'm planning on going to the North rim of hte Grand Canyon in July While I'd like to get in the canyon itself (of course), overnight options don't look good for planning, this late in the game; at least options inside the park. I rather *detest* cramped campgrounds, preferring to entirely rough it, instead. So I am wondering if there are any good places one is allowed to disperse camp w/o facilities (and rowds) legally, that are not that far from the canyon? Any suggestions?
Probably the easiest thing to do it pick up a Kaibab National Forest Map, one can be obtained locally at Summit Hut on Oracle (saw them there yesterday) or Speedway and use that to find places to car camp. I do not think any parks allow dispersed car camping, just backpacking.
Kanab Creek Wilderness?? A few years back I car camped near Sowats Point, which is outside of the park. Don't know what the status is now. And you can back pack in on the Jumpup Nail trail of which there has been a recent report in that area. Again, you are not in the park unless you go as far as Shower Bath Spring. That's all I know about that. For dispersed camping can't beat Grand Canyon Parashant area. Even Death Valley has rules and regs unless you get into Saline, Eureka or south more toward Ibex. Yes you can but you have to be so many miles up a road, yada, yada , yada.
I'm assuming you want to be near the main North Rim area located at the end of Highway 67. About 5 miles north of the North Rim Entrance Station, turn west off Highway 67 onto FR22, which is a major access road to trailheads for North Bass trail, Thunder River, Deer Creek, etc. There are miles of dirt roads branching off from FR22, with abundant places for dispersed camping on National Forest land. The best map I've found of the area is the USFS Kaibab National Forest, North Kaibab Ranger District.
Almost but not quite car camping -
You might have to walk 100 to 200 meters. Get a North Rim Backcountry Map. The Boundaries are crazy. I probably shouldn't give away my secrets but at my advanced age I won't get to use them much. I walked into the North Rim Backcountry office at the last minute before they closed. I was willing to drive back to Jacob Lake and stay at the campground. The Ranger showed me the map. I pulled a permit for the Area just north of Point Imperial. I parked at Point Imperial, backpacked about 150 meters north and camped for the night. I was up before sunrise. Used the Facilities at the Point Imperial parking lot and was out on Point Imperial for sunrise. There are areas about 100 meters north of the North Rim that no one ever pulls permits for some of these areas If worse comes to worse you can drive about 20 miles north and camp in dispersed camping in North Kaibab like Toddak says.
I had easy parking. Running water and Toilets just 150 meters from my campsite and just 10 meters from my truck. Yeah it wasn't quite car camping but it was about as close as it gets.
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
Not really a secret. I figured this out when visiting N. Rim a couple years ago. Hoping to have time to hike some of those rim trails. I already did Powell Plateau, which took quite a bit of effort. Anyway, a great way to do summer backpacking in Grand Canyon without the 110-120 degree heat...
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
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While I'd like to get in the canyon itself (of course), overnight options don't look good for planning, this late in the game; at least options inside the park. I rather *detest* cramped campgrounds, preferring to entirely rough it, instead. So I am wondering if there are any good places one is allowed to disperse camp w/o facilities (and rowds) legally, that are not that far from the canyon? Any suggestions?
