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We are looking at a overnighter on the Bright Angel trail in the spring, and we would like info on camping, like if it is only allowed at the BA campground or if there's dispersed camping or what.thx

Other than the developed campgrounds at each rim, any camping in Grand Canyon Nat. Park requires a backcountry permit. The permit is also needed for BA and the other campgrounds below the rim. It isn't required for the cabins and dorms at Phantom Ranch. You'll need to apply for the permit on the first of the month 4 months in advance of when you wish to go. Check out these links for more information:

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You can fill out a printable form at the following link, but note that it still needs to be mailed or faxed:
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so does that mean dispersed?

If you are going along the Bright Angel trail you'll be in one of the corridor zones. That means you may only camp in an established campground. To camp anywhere below the rim requires a backcountry permit. Your request for a permit details your agenda to the rangers. I'm currently waiting a reply for my request to camp in the canyon in April. The permits are pretty cheap, $10 plus $5 per person per night. The wild and primitive zones allow camping at large but once again you need the permit. There's also camping at large in some of the threshold zones.
Check out the Grand Canyon links in Mike's reply. There is an option other than reserving a permit months in advance but it's very hit or miss. You can check at the South rim backcountry office in the morning. If any spots are not taken you can sign up for them on a first come/ first served basis. I met a gal a year ago hiking out who had driven there from Utah and lucked into a bed at Phantom ranch that way. Good luck!

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In my opinion this is by far the best website on the web for Grand Canyon info.

I was going to reply but its the wrong rim.

Your options hiking in from South Rim on Bright Angel - Indian gardens 4.5 miles in and bright Angel Camp ground. Both these are designated campgrounds - Rangers actually check your permits..

You can also try your luck for Phantom Ranch - I have stayed there and it is experience! If you are planning on picking up food there ( even if you are camping at Bright Angel Campground) make sure you reserve your meals!

Hey, this post and a buck fifty will get you a pretty decent cup of coffee!

One option not mentioned so far is the Tanner Trail. You can get into some pretty wild country pretty quickly there. Not too many people go there. With reason.

But if you're looking for a "quick fix" and "don't want no people" well....

look no farther.

J&S

PS--The disclaimer: The Tanner Trail is very unforgiving for beginning Canyon hikers.

montezumawell wrote: One option not mentioned so far is the Tanner Trail. You can get into some pretty wild country pretty quickly there. Not too many people go there. With reason.

But if you're looking for a "quick fix" and "don't want no people" well....

look no farther.

J&S

PS--The disclaimer: The Tanner Trail is very unforgiving for beginning Canyon hikers.

Tanner is great since you can get to dispersed camping at the Saddle ~ 4.5 miles down & at Tanner Rapids area ( this is somewhat more restricted though). If you are really into it - you can take the Beamer Trail to Little Colorado Confluence! (More dispersed camping - Make sure you research this trail well since dispersed is possible only upto ~4 miles on Beamer and its a long day hike and back to the Little colorado Confluence)

I would also recommend Hermit Trail except that the 1st campsite (Hermit Creek - Beautiful camp)is 7 miles in and its ~ 9 miles to Hermit Rapids (Camp)

PS--The disclaimer: The Tanner Trail and Hermit Trail is very unforgiving :twisted: for beginning Canyon hikers.

I have started to look at Tanner(it is also has one of the best wilderness poopers according to backpacker mag.) but maybe we should wait til we are a little more experienced at the Grand Canyon. Maybe next time

youngboy wrote: one of the best wilderness poopers according to backpacker mag

Please forgive us for our obvious ignorance. What constitues "one of the best wilderness poopers"? And, help us here, who needs a "wilderness pooper?"

J&S

Added Later: It is something like "Gray Poupon," only different?
As in, "Pass the Poupon?"

I have done the Tanner, Beamer to Little Colorado, then Escalante Route and out Grandview. It was a magnificent week long trip.

Be forwarned the Tanner is steep and crueling if you go all the way to Tanner Rapids in a day, especially if you do it when the tempertures are half way warm.

If you stay at the saddle, be prepared to carry large quanities of water to sustain you through the night. There is no water available until you hit the river. The distance from the trailhead to the river is highly debated.

Also clip your toenails short as the top portion of the Tanner is very very steep and you may end up loosing your toenails months down the road.

As far as the pooper it is a solar powered self composting , without any walls surrounding it. It is a pooper where you can watch the world go by around you. I have a pic somewhere.

they(backpacker mag) did a review of the top ten wilderness toilets in america, with other places like the basecamp of mount mckinley and the continental divide. it ranked tenth, along with two other ones in the Grand Canyon.

Yeah, that's what I wanna see!!! People pooping... /sarcasm I dont care if it is a supermodle, I would be happy to miss that view!!! Besides, what is so difficult with digging a hole?

maybe its the view that counts( i wouldnt know)

Besides, what is so difficult with digging a hole?

Sometimes a place gets so used, there not much room for holes left. Humans will naturally tend to congregate to the same places to take care of business. In cases where there is limited room it's like digging up buried treasure.

GTG

GTG wrote:

Besides, what is so difficult with digging a hole?

In cases where there is limited room it's like digging up buried treasure.

GTG

Are you sure that is how you wanted to phrase that? Egad.

GTG wrote:

Besides, what is so difficult with digging a hole?

Sometimes a place gets so used, there not much room for holes left. Humans will naturally tend to congregate to the same places to take care of business. In cases where there is limited room it's like digging up buried treasure.

GTG

I think that GTG means Got to Go!!!!

I swear this is the kinkiest site I've ever been on!

Wiz wrote:I swear this is the kinkiest site I've ever been on!

Wiz, I think you could find kinky in Popular Mechanics!