Boondocking

Places I Like to Stay

Here I’m going to start putting information about places I like to stay.

Grand Canyon

My friend Matthew and I first visited the Grand Canyon in the spring of 2025. We stayed almost three weeks. I liked it so much I came back in the fall and as of this writing in the spring of 2026 I’m here again. I’m ready to share my info on it and it’s easier to write it up once than texting it to people!

One thing to know about me is I do not do heights. Matthew did take me to the rim and we went maybe 1/4m along and I asked him to turn around. A friend wanted to do the IMax theatre so we did that and I spent a fair amount of time with my eyes closed. Still love it up here!

Information about the area and where to boondock:

  • Overview of town: The town south of the Grand Canyon’s south rim is Tusayan. There’s one gas station, a McDonalds, a Starbucks, a few hotels and a few restaurants. I’ve eaten at most of them and other than the Yippee-ei-o which was way overpriced, they work. Remember it’s a tourist town and there’s nothing around for about 40 miles.
  • Gas: I would absolutely recommend you get gas at the Love’s in Williams (50 m south) before coming up here. I paid about $1.50 less by filling up below.
  • My favorite road to park on is Forest Service (FS) road 302 which is accessed as you come into Tusayan, go right just after the roundabout. Most of the spots are on the left, although there are a few on the right. This road goes out like 30 miles to the east edge of the Canyon. Matthew and I drove it last spring and there are spots all along the road so it depends on how far out you want to be. The spot I like is marked with 8047 and it’s a mile in from the entrance. It has a steep entrance but once you get up the mild hill it’s just trees as far as you can see. It’s above the road so quiet. Other people have come by and set up for a day or two, mostly it’s just me. I have not stayed on other FS roads though I’ve heard from others there are all kinds of spots to stay.
  • I’ve stayed in the GCNP (Grand Canyon National Park) one night. It was fine. I got 1/2 off with the Senior America the Beautiful pass so I paid $9. It might be $12 during high season. It was FINE. Far too many people for me, so I doubt I’d do it again unless someone insisted. I stayed with no services, in the Mather Campground. There is another one with hookups which is probably harder to get into as people tend to want to be plugged in.
  • The America pass gets you into the park for free, otherwise it’s $35 per car. The America pass can be purchased for $80 a year and once you hit 63 (?) you can buy one for your lifetime. When I bought mine they were firm “If you lost it there’s no replacement.” but since then they have added registration so they are starting to keep track.
  • Mail: If you need something delivered you can have it sent to the GCNP Post Office. I’ve done it several times. They will hold your General Delivery for 14 days so you need to pick it up or it will get sent back. And make sure it’s coming USPS as last year I was told they do not accept FedEx or UPS. Check because I have found that can change depending upon the postmaster.
  • Water/Dump/Shower/Laundry: You can do all 3 at the campground that is in town, outside the park, but you pay for each. I go into the park and dump and water is free, showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes and laundry is $2.50 a load, $1.25 to dry.
  • The grocery store in the park is slightly less expensive than the one in town. I tend to bring my food and things with me, but it’s nice if you absolutely need something you can find it here.