Desert View Campground
The quiet side of the Grand Canyon — East Rim, Watchtower, half the crowds of Mather
Sitting at the far eastern edge of the South Rim at 7,463 feet, Desert View draws campers who want the Grand Canyon experience without the Mather crush. Sites are shaded by pinyon and juniper, the Desert View Watchtower is a short walk, and on a clear night you can see the Painted Desert from your sleeping bag. No hookups, no showers, no dump station — but the tradeoff is fewer crowds and one of the widest views of the canyon and Colorado River on the entire South Rim. Open mid-April to mid-October and fully reservable on Recreation.gov.
Things to do nearby
Best For
Site Types
Amenities
12:00 PM
11:00 AM
Mid-April to mid-October
6 people
Known Issues
No showers or dump station (use Mather, 23 mi west). Max rig 30 ft. Open mid-April to mid-October only. Fills fast on summer weekends.
Cancellation Policy
Recreation.gov standard: full refund if cancelled 4+ days before arrival. Within 4 days: no refund.
Why campers love Desert View Campground
The quieter East Rim experience — steps from the historic Desert View Watchtower, half the crowds of Mather Campground, and some of the widest views of the Colorado River and Painted Desert on the entire South Rim.
What's new in 2026
Desert View Watchtower renewed interpretation program 2023. New Indigenous cultural programming on weekends.
What campers say about Desert View Campground
"We walked to the Watchtower at 7am before it opened and watched the sunrise over the Painted Desert from the base. No other people for an hour."
— Recreation.gov reviewer
"Half the price, half the crowds, and actually a better canyon view than the Mather area."
— Recreation.gov reviewer
Not the right fit if…
- ✕You need hookups or showers — no electric, no showers
- ✕You want walking distance to the main South Rim Village — 25 miles west
Frequently asked questions
How much does Desert View Campground cost per night?+
What season is Desert View Campground open?+
Does Desert View Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Desert View Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Desert View Campground?+
Are pets allowed at Desert View Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Desert View Campground?+
How far is Desert View Campground from the nearest town?+
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.