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Mather Campground is located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. Grand Canyon is one of the most inspiring landscapes on Earth and draws over five million visitors per year to its spectacular scenery. Mather campground Grand Canyon is large and can accommodate a variety of needs and comfort levels. It is the only campground within Grand Canyon Village. Scenic overlooks, the park's free shuttle bus system, the Visitor Center, the general store and hiking and biking trails are all within a few miles from the facility. The campground is at an elevation of approximately 7,000 ft. Summers are sunny with high temperatures generally in the 80s. Thunderstorms frequently occur in July, August, and early September. Fall and spring are mostly sunny and cool with the occasional snow. Weather is variable; visitors should come prepared. 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 runs for 14 miles along the edge of the canyon. Leashed pets are allowed on both trails, but are not permitted below the rim. Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails descend into the canyon. Their trailheads are a short shuttle bus ride from the campground. The park's concessionaire also offers day and overnight mule riding trips into the canyon and along the rim. Facilities Mather Campground is a large facility with 327 campsites. Each site includes a campfire ring with a cooking grate, picnic table, parking space and room for up to three tents. There are flush toilets and drinking water spigots throughout the campground. There are no hookups available but there is a free dump station near by at Camper Services. Trailer Village, located next to Mather Campground, has hookups and can accommodate larger RVs. Almost all of the RV spaces are pull-through. Generators are NOT permitted in Pine Loop (sites 265-319). Natural Features Mather Campground lies beneath a mixture of a tall canopy of Ponderosa pine, Pinyon, and Juniper trees, providing most campsites with ample shade. The campground is one mile from the rim of the canyon. A visit to the canyon during sunrise and sunset yields spectacular views of yellow, orange, red and violet hues in the canyon walls. Layers of rock display billions of years of geologic history. Campers can take a short shuttle bus ride from the campground to the Visitors 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 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 Ruin and Museum provide glimpses into the life of a small Ancestral Puebloan village 800 years ago. Both are within 25 miles from the campground. ADA Access: N
Mather Campground is located within the park in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. From the south entrance station, proceed for about three miles and turn left on Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn right onto Market Plaza Road. The campground is about one mile down Market Plaza Road on the right. From the east entrance station, follow the road 25 miles and turn left at the "t" intersection onto South Entrance Road. Travel about 1/2 mile and turn right at the intersection onto Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn right onto market plaza road. The campground is about one mile down market plaza road on the right.
Please Note: The $6 campsites are for campers who arrive on foot or bicycle only. Please refer to the Need to Know section for more information.
Amazing place, Grand Canyon walking distance away, elk peacefully walking around. Coyotes hauling in the night. It could be more expensive to keep the bathrooms in better shape, but overall they are good. Sleeping areas are US style, spacious with a parking lot fire pit and wonderful concrete table. I really love how the USA NP are managed.
The sites at this campround are beautiful, the night skies are amazing, and the wildlife that wanders through is fun to watch. The price is reasonable and the location cannot be beat.
The only things that would make it better would be electricity (trailer village has hookups but Mather has much nicer sites) and some hooks and/or shelves in the restrooms near the sinks to hold stuff while shaving, tooth brushing, etc.
I love this campground, it is truly my favorite place I've camped in the southwest. Have stayed in July and October. The sites are pristine and not too close together, so even with neighbors you feel some privacy. Bathrooms with flush toilet are serviced regularly and very clean. In July, the shower I took was life-changing after a long, hot hike in the canyon. Stayed with my puppy this weekend and had a few unexpected (but very welcome!) visitors wander though camp a few times!
Stayed at 177, we had a lot of space between neighbors and no one behind us. Within 30 minutes of being there we were greeted by more than a dozen elk grazing through our spot. We stayed still and they never approached us. They were majestic. The campground was wonderful, compared to other campgrounds it felt luxurious with flushing toilets, running sinks and electric hand dryers. Everyone adhered to the quiet hours sometimes it was already silent by 8pm. Do not leave any food or water outside. We had a plastic water jug outside that a crow was pecking open at 6am. Absolutely loved this campground.
Beautiful and quiet campground! The rangers here are super friendly and helped us to get the campsite which can accommodate our RV length. Great experience, can not really ask more. Love it! Flush toilet and even has heater inside toilet. Very clean bathroom, has shower and lundry(we didn't use). Winter only open a few sites and it's first come first serve on winter.