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Havasupai Gardens Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

Hikers breaking up the challenging ascent from the Colorado River find Havasupai Gardens Campground positioned 4.5 miles below the South Rim along the Bright Angel Trail. This established National Park Service campground functions as a strategic overnight stop for multi-day canyon adventures, with covered picnic tables and tent sites arranged in close proximity to one another.

The campground sits within a grove of cottonwoods and other vegetation that creates notable shade relief from the canyon's heat. Running water flows through the area, and campers consistently report deer sightings from their sites. Each site includes covered picnic tables suitable for hanging hammocks, plus metal ammo boxes for securing food from persistent squirrels. Modern pit toilets and potable water stations serve the camping area.

Sites cluster together with minimal spacing between them, creating an atmosphere where early morning activity from one camp tends to wake neighboring campers. "Fill up your water here before you continue," advises Leah W., noting the campground's role as a resupply point. A short side trail leads to an overlook of the Colorado River below.

The campground works best for hikers using it as a waypoint rather than a final destination, particularly those ascending from Bright Angel Campground or preparing for the final push to the rim. For additional overnight options in the region, campers can explore campgrounds near Grand Canyon National Park.

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Location

Public Campground

Havasupai Gardens Campground — Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona

Coordinates

36.077541910426184 N
112.12878649230029 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Toilets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

1 hr 28 min from Flagstaff, AZ
2 hrs 13 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
3 hrs 35 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
4 hrs 35 min from St. George, UT

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5 Stars

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5.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many campers appreciated this oasis-like stopover for its excellent facilities, abundant shade, and helpful rangers. Some visitors expressed concerns about noise levels and closely spaced sites. Most found it ideal for breaking up canyon hikes.

kcki M.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 19, 2021

A beautiful place to be!

Great place to rest after a long canyon hike. I prefer remote camping in the Canyon, but if you are in this area it is a nice respite. Camp spots are a bit close, but they are covered which is a nice relief from the sun.

Month of VisitFebruary

(5) View All

Shelagh R.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 3, 2021

Comfortable stop along the canyon, a little cramped

We chose to make the ascent from the river over two days, stopping at Indian Garden halfway up so that we could take some side hikes. This campground is very convenient for that purpose, but I don't know if there's any other reason to stay here. The area is absolutely gorgeous and frequented by lots of deer. It's a quick trek out to a stunning view of the colorado river and to get a unique perspective of the canyon. However, the campsites are very close together and you don't really feel like you're in nature.

If you're using this as a jumping-off point for other hikes, I couldn't recommend it enough, but if you're imagining this as your final destination I would advise you to hike down to Bright Angel Campground or somewhere in the backcountry instead.

Month of VisitDecember

Rachel A.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 6, 2020

Beautiful views

An excellent stay—highly recommend!

(11) View All

Mara F.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2018

Oasis on our hike

We stayed here on our way back out of the canyon as an overnight between Bright Angel and the rim. I'm glad we broke the hike out up into 2 days. It gave us the opportunity and energy to check out more things and see the overlook that is nearby.

The campsites each have tent spots and covered picnic tables. There are pit toilets and running water available. The ranger was friendly and chatted with us for a bit. The sites also provide ammo cases to store your food from critters.

The garden has many beautiful plants and we saw deer from our site. It's worth the stop over.

Month of VisitFebruary

(10) View All

Elyse T.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2018

Oasis

Indian Gardens is really an oasis as described lots of greenery with a small river running through. Temperatures were a bit cooler here which was a nice escape. Squirrels were the worst here so make sure to stow your food properly!

Leah W.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 24, 2016

First backpacking site

This was our first stop on our way from Rim to Rim. There were picnic tables and neat hangers to hold your backpack so the pesty squirrels couldn't get into them. The views are amazing, and we set up a tent although it would be great for hammocks. There is also a little ampitheater area where they have a big thermometer in case you're curious about the temps! Fill up your water here before you continue!

(5) View All

Michelle S.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2016

A lovely spot to hang your Hammock

We usually choose this camp the last night of a canyon hiking trip. It's a good place to stop to break up a longer hike. Just 4.5 miles from the top, It makes an easier last day. There is plenty of shade, good drinking water, and modern out house bathrooms. It can get a little noisy. When the first camp wakes up in the morning, everyone wakes up. This can be a good thing since everyone usually want's to get an early start to beat the heat. There are shelters over the picnic tables, a good place to hang the hammock.

Benjamin S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2015

GOOD

Very good stopping place on the hike to or from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Small hike nearby. Lots of trees. Good bathrooms/water available.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Havasupai Gardens Campground?

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant conditions for camping at Havasupai Gardens. Summer months bring extreme heat in the canyon, though the campground's shade and water access provide some relief compared to exposed trail sections. Winter visits are possible but can bring cold temperatures and potentially icy conditions on the upper portions of the Bright Angel Trail. The campground's location at a middle elevation in the canyon means it typically experiences milder temperatures than both the rim and the canyon bottom. For the best experience, aim for April-May or September-October when temperatures are moderate and crowds may be slightly reduced.

How do I get to Havasupai Gardens Campground in the Grand Canyon?

Havasupai Gardens Campground is located along the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, approximately 4.5 miles from the South Rim. To reach the campground, you'll need to hike down from the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail. The hike is strenuous with significant elevation change. Many hikers use this campground as a stopping point during Rim-to-Rim hikes or as a halfway point when hiking to or from the canyon bottom. The campground's strategic location makes it perfect for breaking up longer canyon hikes into more manageable segments.

What amenities are available at Havasupai Gardens Campground?

Havasupai Gardens Campground offers several amenities that make it an oasis within the canyon. The campground provides potable drinking water, modern outhouse-style bathrooms, covered picnic tables, and specialized backpack hangers to protect food from wildlife (particularly squirrels). Each campsite has designated tent spots with some offering shade coverage. There's also a small amphitheater area for gatherings. The area features beautiful greenery with a small stream running through it, providing a cooler microclimate compared to other parts of the canyon.

Do I need a permit to camp at Havasupai Gardens Campground?

Yes, a backcountry permit is required to camp at Havasupai Gardens Campground. Permits must be obtained from Grand Canyon National Park in advance, and they can be difficult to secure due to high demand. The National Park Service manages the permit system, which typically opens for reservations several months ahead of time. It's advisable to plan well ahead and apply for permits as early as possible, especially during peak seasons. Contact the Grand Canyon Backcountry Information Center for the most current permit application procedures and availability.

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