Grand Canyon Camping

[Civil_War_Buff]

Hey All,

I am considering a vacation to the Grand Canyon this year, and I saw on the GC website that there is a new campground in Williams http://tinyurl.com/37j2ju  My question is, has anyone stayed here?  What were your thoughts? I see that it is still a ways from the GC, and I suppose that train would be a great alternative to driving.  

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Larry

[Dee4j]

Hey All,

I am considering a vacation to the Grand Canyon this year, and I saw on the GC website that there is a new campground in Williams http://tinyurl.com/37j2ju  My question is, has anyone stayed here?  What were your thoughts? I see that it is still a ways from the GC, and I suppose that train would be a great alternative to driving.  

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Larry

Hi Larry. I haven't been to that Rv park, but I want to say it was probably about 45 min -hour to get to the grand canyon from Williams. Williams is a small quaint town that technology hasn't touched. the gas pumps are the old spinning tumbler type, no digital displays. I wish we could have looked around.

We went to the GC to tape an episode of RV roadtrips for the DIY Network
it will be aired again on Feb 26 at 2:30 am EST

we stayed at the Mather campground. it was nice but no hook-ups. they also have another campground with full hook-ups. I would classify it as OK but they were making improvements on it so it may be nicer now

Both campgrounds were shown on the show.

you can see a glimps of it (mather)on their wesite here:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,2829,DIY_24936_46968,00.html

if that link doesn't work go to diynetwork.com search rv roadstrips and follow the links. on the main Rv roadtrips page click on the PU trailer. We are the white Expedition towing the HTT. when he talks about "don't get yourself stuck in a tight spot" that is us pulling into our campsite.

[Civil_War_Buff]

Thanks so much Dee, and I did see your episode on the show, that was part of the reason for wanting to visit the Grand Canyon.

I will look at the Mather CG as well, but I prefer hook ups, so I would need to opt for the one that has them.

Thanks again for the input.

Larry

[tjy355]

Personally, I like staying right in the park that we are visiting. Mather is a nice campground, but we are self contained and have no need for hookups.

Williams is approx 55 mi from the S. entrance to the park.

Here are some pics from our recent visit to get you in the mood:
Grand Canyon August '06

Enjoy your visit!

[wavemaker]

You gotta check out the skywalk

http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/activities.html

its going to be an awsome sight....

oh its on t.v right now hang on a few.. oh well there gonna have it at 8am its only 7am right now..

when i get more ill let ya know...

[austinado16]

Just getting back from a 3 dayer at the south rim.  Left the PU set up in Mather, camped there one night, hiked to the bottom and camped down at Bright Angel the second night, hiked back out and camped in the PU the 3rd night.

Really a nice campground and there are laundry and showers about 1/4mi away.  Flush toilet restrooms in the campground are extremely clean, as were the show and laundry (didn't do laundry, but did take showers).  Also, a huge supermarket/deli/gear supply/giftshop complex is 1/4mi in the other direction, with free bus service all over the rim area.

About the only complaint I have is that they should consider making one of the camping "loops" an area for large groups or for people who like to be noisey/rowdy when they camp at a national park.  Either that, or start patrolling the camp grounds.

Since the info on the campground talks so much about it being mostly tent campers, I assumed it would be quiet and people would be of the more respectful type.  Wrong......     We were right across the road from a group of about 10 with barking dogs, a generator supplying their video gaming gear, loud drinking/partying, horseshoe playing, and on and on.  

At the risk of sounding like a real stick in the mud, it sort of ruined the stay at the top.  On the final night, about 3:30am, some "slavic" speaking 'gentlemen' arrived and decided it would be a great time to bang around setting up their tent, and then sit at the picnic table and yuck it up for a while.  I finally had to unzip a curtain and yell at them to get it stopped.

Geez....if I wanted to camp with that crowd, I'd go to the lake.

But, a nice campground despite the people who think the world revolves around them.