Mather Campground

By some random streak of luck (as of 11/4/2025), Mather Campground is WIDE OPEN. Normally you need to book 6 months in advance but due to the government shutdown (sorry park rangers) the ground was closed and then reopened. We went 10/31-11/2 and the bathrooms were stocked, water was still running, and there was no park entrance fee. These are flushable bathrooms with lights, sinks, and soap. Big... By some random streak of luck (as of 11/4/2025), Mather Campground is WIDE OPEN. Normally you need to book 6 months in advance but due to the government shutdown (sorry park rangers) the ground was closed and then reopened. We went 10/31-11/2 and the bathrooms were stocked, water was still running, and there was no park entrance fee. These are flushable bathrooms with lights, sinks, and soap. Big trash dumpsters are nearby for safely throwing away trash. This campground is also right next to the south rim trail! We stayed at 170, a short walk to the bathrooms but still private and beautiful. I recommended doing the Trail of Time for an easy walk around the rim. It’ll be very cold at night (around 30 degrees) but warm in the sun during the day. Grandview Point is fabulous for sunrise + sunset views. You can go to mather point at night for some awesome stargazing!

By some random streak of luck (as of 11/4/2025), Mather Campground is WIDE OPEN. Normally you need to book 6 months in advance but due to the government shutdown (sorry park rangers) the ground was closed and then reopened. We went 10/31-11/2 and the bathrooms were stocked, water was still running, and there was no park entrance fee. These are flushable bathrooms with lights, sinks, and soap. Big... By some random streak of luck (as of 11/4/2025), Mather Campground is WIDE OPEN. Normally you need to book 6 months in advance but due to the government shutdown (sorry park rangers) the ground was closed and then reopened. We went 10/31-11/2 and the bathrooms were stocked, water was still running, and there was no park entrance fee. These are flushable bathrooms with lights, sinks, and soap. Big trash dumpsters are nearby for safely throwing away trash. This campground is also right next to the south rim trail! We stayed at 170, a short walk to the bathrooms but still private and beautiful. I recommended doing the Trail of Time for an easy walk around the rim. It’ll be very cold at night (around 30 degrees) but warm in the sun during the day. Grandview Point is fabulous for sunrise + sunset views. You can go to mather point at night for some awesome stargazing!

I have camped at many national parks but this was the worst. There’s RV and tent camping mixed in same lot. So there’s always someone with RV arriving at middle of night. Additionally this site is next to a main road. So there’s always vehicle movement noise. On top of these, my lot was close to the campground main access road. So there was always vehicle movements and it felt like sleeping on... I have camped at many national parks but this was the worst. There’s RV and tent camping mixed in same lot. So there’s always someone with RV arriving at middle of night. Additionally this site is next to a main road. So there’s always vehicle movement noise. On top of these, my lot was close to the campground main access road. So there was always vehicle movements and it felt like sleeping on a busy road in terms of noise. Plus $30 per night for an empty flat ground is a massive ripoff.

I have camped at many national parks but this was the worst. There’s RV and tent camping mixed in same lot. So there’s always someone with RV arriving at middle of night. Additionally this site is next to a main road. So there’s always vehicle movement noise. On top of these, my lot was close to the campground main access road. So there was always vehicle movements and it felt like sleeping on... I have camped at many national parks but this was the worst. There’s RV and tent camping mixed in same lot. So there’s always someone with RV arriving at middle of night. Additionally this site is next to a main road. So there’s always vehicle movement noise. On top of these, my lot was close to the campground main access road. So there was always vehicle movements and it felt like sleeping on a busy road in terms of noise. Plus $30 per night for an empty flat ground is a massive ripoff.

I have camped at many national parks but this was the worst. There’s RV and tent camping mixed in same lot. So there’s always someone with RV arriving at middle of night. Additionally this site is next to a main road. So there’s always vehicle movement noise. On top of these, my lot was close to the campground main access road. So there was always vehicle movements and it felt like sleeping on... I have camped at many national parks but this was the worst. There’s RV and tent camping mixed in same lot. So there’s always someone with RV arriving at middle of night. Additionally this site is next to a main road. So there’s always vehicle movement noise. On top of these, my lot was close to the campground main access road. So there was always vehicle movements and it felt like sleeping on a busy road in terms of noise. Plus $30 per night for an empty flat ground is a massive ripoff.