The Grand Canyon might be raising campground prices for the first time in 20 years

Grand Canyon National Park proposes campground fee hikes

By Sarah Joseph Published November 15, 2024

A view of the grand canyon during the day — Quinn Nietfeld / Unsplash

In a recent proposal, Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) announced plans to raise the overnight camping fees at its three main front-country campgrounds: Mather, Desert View, and North Rim. The National Park Service hasn’t raised fees for over 20 years, but as the Grand Canyon has increased in popularity, so have the operational costs.

With over five million visitors annually, the Grand Canyon faces the ongoing challenge of balancing conservation efforts with providing a world-class visitor experience. This fee change may be necessary to keep current maintenance standards and build necessary upgrades to support a growing amount of annual visitors. This could potentially mean updating old amenities, expanding facilities, and increasing safety measures. While it could enhance the camping experience, it may also create barriers for some visitors.

Recommended Videos

Currently, visitors at Mather, Desert View, and North Rim campgrounds pay $18 per night for standard tent and RV sites. Under the new proposal, this fee would increase to $30 per night, while Senior and Access pass holders, who see a 50% discount, would see their rate rise from $9 to $15 per night. Rates that will remain unchanged for the 2025 season include those for equestrian, group, and walk-up sites.

The National Park Service is officially inviting the public to provide feedback on this proposal through its online platform. Stakeholders, including concerned citizens, frequent campers, local residents, and advocacy groups are encouraged to submit their comments by December 15, 2024. All comments are public record.

For more updates about this proposal for the Grand Canyon National Park, check out the National Park Service website.

Contributor

With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…

Topics

Outdoors

Essential camping tips for an unforgettable Everglades adventure

How to enjoy Everglades National Park at its finest.

Alligator relaxing on a log at Everglades National Park

The Everglades is a subtropical wetland in southern Florida, covering about 1.5 million acres. According to the National Park Service, it's the largest tropical wilderness in the U.S. and one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the world. Known as the “River of Grass,” the Everglades are ultimately a slow-moving sheet of freshwater. Swamp-like in nature, the Everglades are home to reptiles and amphibians like the American alligator or the American crocodile.

When I lived in Florida, we learned that any body of water deeper than an inch probably has a gator in it. Not everything in the Everglades is dangerous, though. On your journey, you may spot the great blue heron, osprey, or even a bald eagle. The park is full of plant life, from sawgrass marshes to cypress swamps and mangrove forests. If you’re planning an outdoor adventure, these camping in the Everglades tips will help you navigate the unique challenges of this area.
Top camping at the Everglades tips

Outdoors

Death Valley camping: A guide to camping in the hottest, driest national park

Here's your ultimate guide to Death Valley

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states, covering 3.4 million acres. It's also well-known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the United States. Here, you'll find a variety of sand dunes, mountains, salt flats, and canyons to explore, and Death Valley also has some of the best stargazing in the whole world. There are so many reasons to head to Death Valley this year, but since there's so much to see and do, you might want to consider camping. Here's our ultimate guide to Death Valley camping.
Know before you go Death Valley camping

If you don't want to roast or freeze, the best time to visit Death Valley would be in the fall or the spring. Come in the spring for the best stargazing, but either timeframe offers some great adventures. Once you've decided when to go, book your campsite. Options will fill up quickly during the spring and fall, so try to get your reservations early.

Outdoors

Embrace the cold: The best places to camp in the winter

For the best winter camping adventure, try one of these national parks

Yosemite National Park in winter

Winter camping isn't for the faint of heart, but there's no better way to test your adventuring skills. Really, I've found that the only thing you need to do to have an awesome trip is to stay warm. If you can manage that, then winter camping is actually an enjoyable experience. There's nothing better than being a short walk away from some of the best winter sports around. If you're looking for the best places to camp in the winter, there's nowhere better than our beloved national parks.
Yosemite National Park

In my opinion, Yosemite National park is one of the best places for winter camping. If visiting Yosemite during the crowded summer season is not your cup of coffee, you might just enjoy winter camping here instead. There are four campground options that remain open during the winter season. Upper Pines and Camp 4 are both in the Yosemite Valley, so if you're a beginner, these might be decent options due to the slightly milder temperatures. Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona are just forty-five minutes away from the Yosemite Valley, so they are also excellent options.