Heading to Grand Canyon

[Michael Oliver2]

We are in the planning stages of a July/Aug/Sept circle route from southern Michigan through North Dakota, down to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, back up to Denver for a visit with my sister, back through South Dakota to see the kids in Minnesota, and finally back to southern Michigan. I have read and thank everyone for the input about Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, but I need some feedback about the canyon and LV. Which campgrounds do you recommend, as well as any other advice you might hand out. Thank you so much.

 

[livinthelife]

We are in the planning stages of a July/Aug/Sept circle route from southern Michigan through North Dakota, down to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, back up to Denver for a visit with my sister, back through South Dakota to see the kids in Minnesota, and finally back to southern Michigan. I have read and thank everyone for the input about Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, but I need some feedback about the canyon and LV. Which campgrounds do you recommend, as well as any other advice you might hand out. Thank you so much.

We always stay at Oasis RV Resort when in Vegas. We stayed at Sam's Town (now a KOA) one time. Both are very convenient to highways.

EDIT: In Williams, we stay at Kaibab Lake Campground. It's dry camping. But with restrooms, and water (not for filling water tanks in RVs, though).

 

[traveldawg]

In Williams, AZ, I'd recommend Grand Canyon Railway RV Park; and I'd like to not at all recommend Railside RV Ranch.

 

[triplethreat]

In Williams, AZ, I'd recommend Grand Canyon Railway RV Park; and I'd like to not at all recommend Railside RV Ranch.

We stayed at Railside RV Ranch in Sept, 2021 and found it to be a good campground. I'm curious what your reason(s) are for not recommending it.

 

[traveldawg]

We stayed at Railside RV Ranch in Sept, 2021 and found it to be a good campground. I'm curious what your reason(s) are for not recommending it.

We stayed at Railside RV Ranch in Sept, 2021 and found it to be a good campground. I'm curious what your reason(s) are for not recommending it.

Years ago (like in 2013 or 14 or 15) we stayed there a few times. And we enjoyed it. We even took a cavern group there (when we conducted caravans) It seemed roomy, we liked watching the train come and go and it was a convenient location.

We returned sometime around 2020, I think that was the year, it was as Covid was winding down. We found they hadn't done much to keep the place up. Trees were not trimmed high nor very clear side to side in the campsites. So much so that I had to go hunt them down as the site they tried to fit me in had tress so short it would have not allowed me to even pull into the site. They moved me and put me in a site I found to be very narrow with an obstacle (I think a lamp post) at the extreme end of the site making exiting the pull thru very hard. I also remember that site being narrow, without any real patio area and not enjoyable. So that was it for me given that other campgrounds are in Williams that seem to care more.

 

[triplethreat]

Years ago (like in 2013 or 14 or 15) we stayed there a few times. And we enjoyed it. We even took a cavern group there (when we conducted caravans) It seemed roomy, we liked watching the train come and go and it was a convenient location.

We returned sometime around 2020, I think that was the year, it was as Covid was winding down. We found they hadn't done much to keep the place up. Trees were not trimmed high nor very clear side to side in the campsites. So much so that I had to go hunt them down as the site they tried to fit me in had tress so short it would have not allowed me to even pull into the site. They moved me and put me in a site I found to be very narrow with an obstacle (I think a lamp post) at the extreme end of the site making exiting the pull thru very hard. I also remember that site being narrow, without any real patio area and not enjoyable. So that was it for me given that other campgrounds are in Williams that seem to care more.

Thanks for that input, and it would certainly be something to be aware of. As I stated, we were there in Sept of 2021 and didn't experience any of those issues, so either we got lucky, or maybe they corrected some of the stuff.

 

[MtnGuy]

We stayed at the Grand Canyon RV Park in Williams AZ and took the train to visit the south rim.

In Las Vegas, we stayed at the Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort.

Both are OK campgrounds.

 

[jjbbrewer]

I'll throw a couple of ideas out ..

If you're heading to Las Vegas on I-15, St. George UT has a really nice and fairly new RV Park called Desert Canyons ..

Desert Canyons RV Park - St. George, Utah

Desert Canyons RV Park in St. George, Utah: 62 reviews, 120 photos, & 27 tips from fellow RVers. Desert Canyons RV Park in St. George is rated 9.5 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews.

campgrounds.rvlife.com

More on the way to Las Vegas, we've stayed at the Valley of Fire State Park that has some nice RV spots at the Atlatl campground ..

Atlatl Rock Campground - Overton, Nevada

Atlatl Rock Campground in Overton, Nevada: 34 reviews, 61 photos, & 17 tips from fellow RVers. Atlatl Rock Campground in Overton is rated 9.6 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews.

campgrounds.rvlife.com

Finally, we boondocked in the USFS forest south of Tusayan. There are lots of easy access roads with great spots to get into the woods.

 

[Boomer58]

We stayed at Grand Canyon RV park in Williams last fall and it was perfect for what we wanted. Brewery across the street with good food. Walking distance to a grocery store, I think it was a Safeway. The train ride to the canyon was awesome. Williams is a nice little town that you can walk around. Enjoy, boomer.

 

[Dan and Deb]

We are in the planning stages of a July/Aug/Sept circle route from southern Michigan through North Dakota, down to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, back up to Denver for a visit with my sister, back through South Dakota to see the kids in Minnesota, and finally back to southern Michigan. I have read and thank everyone for the input about Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, but I need some feedback about the canyon and LV. Which campgrounds do you recommend, as well as any other advice you might hand out. Thank you so much.

We were there in 24 and stayed at Railside rv in Williams AZ. Campground is nice but the people running it are awesome. Great service and full of advice. Shuttle takes you to the train station and picks you up at night ( highly recommend the train ride to the canyon) The train runs right along the side of the property so if you like trains it's a bonus. We were lucky enough to ride the steam train when we were there. Lots of 5ers there , didn't seem like there were issues with setting up.

 

[Bkrhoda]

We stayed at Trailer Park Village in Grand Canyon NP in Oct. 2023. Little on the rustic side, but our 42' 5th wheel fit fine. Prices to camp are ok, prices of other supplies in the park can be a wee bit high. There is also no propane tank refill, only swaps of 20lb tanks. But - you are walking distance to Mather Point, Yavapai Lodge and all that Grand Canyon Village has to offer. I highly recommend the helicopter tour of the canyon. Also? Enjoy the elk parades through the camp ground. You may never be so close to an elk ever again.

 

[north channel novels]

We are in the planning stages of a July/Aug/Sept circle route from southern Michigan through North Dakota, down to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, back up to Denver for a visit with my sister, back through South Dakota to see the kids in Minnesota, and finally back to southern Michigan. I have read and thank everyone for the input about Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, but I need some feedback about the canyon and LV. Which campgrounds do you recommend, as well as any other advice you might hand out. Thank you so much.

We've stayed at Grand Canyon Camper Village both times we went (2014 and 2022). Not fancy, but has the essentials and is located just south of the park's main gate.

 

[Lindabf]

Happily Ever Hanks (YouTube channel) just put out an episode on their visit to Las Vegas. They were given a tour of the Clark County Shotgun Center which has 80 pull thru sites with 30 and 50 amp full service hookups. Says it has the best views in the valley, especially on July 4th. It was fairly priced. The skeet shooting looks like a lot of fun.

We boondocked on Forest Road 688 just outside of Grand Canyon when we were there in 2023 (ie free). Quiet area with lots of options to choose from and a quick, easy drive into the park. I believe we went to the campground in the park to dump for free.

 

[LKilwy]

We are in the planning stages of a July/Aug/Sept circle route from southern Michigan through North Dakota, down to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, back up to Denver for a visit with my sister, back through South Dakota to see the kids in Minnesota, and finally back to southern Michigan. I have read and thank everyone for the input about Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, but I need some feedback about the canyon and LV. Which campgrounds do you recommend, as well as any other advice you might hand out. Thank you so much.

We just left there a few days ago. We stayed at the Grand Canyon Railroad RV Park. Purchase tickets for the train ride. Well worth it. They have a shuttle from park to train station. We really enjoyed the trip.

 

[Kjeve]

If you go to Black Hills, consider a drive north to the Teddy Roosevelt Park near Medora, ND. The North Unit has some incredible views of "Badlands" along the Little Yellowstone River.

 

[Kurt and Deb]

We just stayed at the Trailer Village RV Park inside the NP. As @Bkrhoda already mentioned, you're within walking distance from stores, restaurants, and some of the lookout points. And a short drive to many of the other interesting locations. Sunsets along the rim are a MUST!

The elk are just wondering around the campground, amazing.

We skipped on Camper Village campground outside the park because of the bad reviews.

 

[jhoelscher]

The year prior to COVID we took the train, not on a camping trip then. We felt the train was not worth the effort. The only time you see the canyon is about 7 seconds as you pull into the village station. Other than that it was all desert although they did provide a little entertainment.

 

[MtnGuy]

The year prior to COVID we took the train, not on a camping trip then. We felt the train was not worth the effort. The only time you see the canyon is about 7 seconds as you pull into the village station. Other than that it was all desert although they did provide a little entertainment.

The train we took dropped us off for several hours at the south rim.