1. Book early
Reservations for the park’s campgrounds fill up early. Campsites that require reservations can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
For those first-come-first serve sites, make sure to arrive in the morning during the summer months to claim a site.
2. Bring wood
Make sure to bring your own wood for campfires, as gathering wood from the forest floor is prohibited
3. Watch the weather in winter
Access to the North Rim is very limited in the wintertime.
In fact, the road usually closes down sometime in November until late spring.
4. Be prepared
The North Rim is remote, making access to services and assistance very difficult. The closest town to the North Rim is Jacob’s Lake, which is more than 40 miles away.
With that in mind, make sure you are prepared to handle any situation that might arise without immediate help.
5. Layer for the cold
With elevations above 8,000 feet, the weather is notably cooler on the North Rim.
Temperatures typically reach highs in the 70s in August with lows in the 40s.
Make sure to pack accordingly with plenty of layers, jackets, and rain gear.
6. Bring an off-road vehicle
Some of the campgrounds in the North Rim are located in very remote rugged areas that require four-wheel vehicles.
Make sure to come prepared with tools for fixing flat tires to avoid getting stuck.
Also plan on bringing plenty of extra water, food, and a first aid kit in case of emergency.
7. Get your permit early
Make sure to get the proper permits for backwoods camping.
Permits are required by the park and ensure that the site is available when you get there.
Gaby Pilson
Gaby is a professional mountain guide with a master’s degree in outdoor education. She works primarily in the polar regions as an expedition guide, though she can be found hiking, climbing, skiing, sailing, or paddling in some of the world’s most amazing places when not at work.