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Tuweep Campground is an extremely primitive campground located 3,000 feet below the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. As with all backcountry areas in Grand Canyon National Park, advance reservations are required. You must obtain a backcountry permit through Recreation.gov to camp overnight. Access is limited to seasonal 4x4 trails which require high clearance and can be adversely affected by wet weather. Be sure to bring full spares and repair equipment as a tow from this area can cost over $1000.
The attraction of Tuweep is its proximity to the unique and stunning Toroweap Canyon. Visitors to this area will appreciate views unlike those of any other overlook in the park. Volcanic activity has left this deep side canyon full of black lava flows and scattered cinder cone formations. Tuckup Trail and Saddlehorse Loop Trail both leave from the campground. These are short (less than 5k) trails that offer even more expansive vistas, overlooking both the canyon and the largest rapids on the Colorado River. Neither trail has shade or water. The trails were first established through this inhospitable area by prospectors, and an antique road grader, Adam’s Leaning Wheel Grader is visible along the approach, abandoned in 1921.
There are nine sites in Tuweep Campground with picnic tables and composting toilets. No fires or charcoal grills are allowed, but fossil fuels stoves can be used. There is no water at the campground, so bring at least 1 gallon/person/day if you plan to stay here. Be sure to pack out all trash and store food in your vehicle. No pets or stock animals are allowed due to the sensitive nature of the desert terrain. Please stay on paths and avoid walking through the dark cryptobiotic crust which is an essential part of the ecosystem.
Nice backcountry campground. Pretty spot, nice volunteers, and helpful ranger. The great reviews are right on, but let me add a few notes. Be aware you need a permit *ahead of time* and you need a street-licensed but high clearance 4x4 to get the last 2-3 miles to the area. The 9 campsites are basically right on slickrock, or an inch of sand on rock. Great for self-standing tents, not so great for our springbar tent that needs to be deeply staked to stand. A popup camper on a 4x4 would be good, or a *high-clear* 4x4 van. OTOH a nice guy with a small overlanding (jeeping) trailer found the approach and campground roads too tight and steep to bring his trailer out to the camp. So choose your tools wisely.
A long 3+ hr trip in from the highway but the reward is the overlook at trails end
This place is so beautiful! The 3 hr drive to get up here was worth it especially seeing the stars and sunrise!
This campground was easy to book, had beautiful views, and the compost toilets weren't terrible. Campers were considerate and did a good job cleaning up after themselves. The recommendation of having a high clearance vehicle should be taken seriously. You can bring your dog to the campground, but technically not on the trails. Also, of you get altitude sickness, be aware that this is at a high elevation and you may want to give yourself a day to acclimate before going 50 miles off-road.
This is worth the drive. All the staff including the Ranger, and I only remember the name Bob the volunteer, were fantastic. The amenities were clean and surprisingly odor free.
Most of the camp spots have a spectacular view. The second night, we were one of two vehicles there so you won't feel crowded.
I'll be back again for the views. The Parashant has it all geologically, if you're into that. If not, and you love seclusion, and this is one of the best way to see the Canyon without rafting it.
