There are two developed campground options at the popular Grand Canyon South Rim: the Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Campground.
Mather is open year-round. and you can make reservations up to six months in advance. This campground is popular, so the park service strongly recommends reservations from March 1 through mid-November.
Desert View is a first-come, first-served campground open May through mid-October. Plan to arrive early, as the park service says Desert View's spots are usually occupied by early afternoon in peak season summer months.
The Grand Canyon's North Rim Campground is open from mid-May to mid-October. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. After this time, until snow closes Highway 67, camping at the North Rim Campground is allowed with a backcountry permit, weather permitting.
Tuweep is accessible year-round and doesn't charge for camping. The nine primitive sites here are first-come, first-served and fill up quickly in the spring as well as holidays and weekends, according to the park service.
There is one group campsite here that can be reserved in advance for seven to 11 people at no charge. You can do so by emailing the Backcountry Information Center up to four months in advance.
You can also secure backcountry permits for camping outside the developed campgrounds in Grand Canyon National Park. You can get one from the Backcountry Information Center. You can request a permit on the first day of the month, four months before your proposed camping trip.
There are no developed campgrounds at the Petrified Forest National Park. But backpack camping is allowed with a free permit for the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area. The camping there requires a minimum 1-mile hike from your vehicle.
Made up of two separate areas, 30 miles apart with the city of Tucson in the middle, is Saguaro National Park. Camping is only allowed in the Rincon Mountain District, which is the eastern part of Saguaro. There are 21 backcountry sites in six separate camping areas. All camping areas are only accessible by foot or livestock and all water must be treated.
