Road noise from Highway 89A provides a constant soundtrack at this forested campground, where 90% of sites accommodate RVs and trailers rather than tents. The facility sits directly across from Jacob Lake Inn, putting gas, food, and convenience items within walking distance for campers who need supplies.
Pine trees shade most of the 51 sites, though Kiri notes "there really isn't much separation or privacy with the sites." The campground divides into two loops: sites 1-23 operate as first-come, first-served, while sites 24-51 require reservations. Water hookups serve RVs up to 100 feet, and the level gravel roads accommodate large rigs without creating dust clouds. Fire rings lack grates, so campers need to bring their own cooking equipment.
Vault toilets earn consistent praise for cleanliness, with maintenance logs showing cleaning four times daily and hand sanitizer available outside each facility. A short trail winds through the campground for evening walks, and firewood sells for $7 per bundle delivered to sites. Wildlife sightings include deer crossing campsites at dusk and coyotes calling through the night.
The campground serves as a practical base for exploring Grand Canyon's North Rim, located 45 minutes south via Highway 67. Michael A. describes the drive as offering views of "random deer, elk and a roaming herd of buffalo." Cell service varies by carrier, with Verizon and T-Mobile providing better coverage than AT&T. Campers seeking additional options can explore campgrounds near Jacob Lake or check the private Kaibab Camper Village nearby for shower and laundry facilities.
The season runs May 15 through October 15, with elevation bringing cool nights that require warm layers even in summer.
Description
Overview
Jacob Lake Recreation Area is conveniently located in Jacob Lake, Arizona, the gateway to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The campground is nestled among the towering Ponderosa Pine trees of the North Kaibab National Forest, where ample opportunities to enjoy nature abound, from hiking and mountain biking to birding. Summer temperatures are pleasant during the day and nights are cool, while several feet of snow cover the landscape in winter. The campground is open on a seasonal basis, though the national forest remains open year 'round.
Recreation
Grand Canyon National Park is a popular destination for campers staying at Jacob Lake Recreation Area. But from the campground itself, visitors can walk a pleasant one-mile loop trail, or take a 10 minute drive to the Kaibab Plateau Trail a section of the Arizona Trail, which runs north-to-south across the entire length of the state. The national forest also has a variety of mountain biking trails ranging from beginner to advanced levels. There is no fishing at Jacob Lake. Reservations for horseback riding and chuck wagon rides, as well as bike rentals, are available at Jacob Lake Inn across the street.
Facilities
The group campground is adjacent to Jacob Lake Campground and features two group sites that can accommodate up to 100 people each. While perfect for weddings, family reunions and other large group events, this campground is not intended for traditional camping with small groups of people. The facility offers ramadas, grills, tables, toilets and water. Jacob Lake Recreation Area is very accessible. It is located on 89A, a paved U.S. highway, yet set far enough back from the road to provide privacy. The roads within the campground are gravel. The facility is across the street from Jacob Lake Inn, which has a restaurant, gas station, gift shop and limited groceries, and the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center. The nearest full facilities are 30 to 40 miles away in Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab, Utah.
Natural Features
Jacob Lake is at an elevation of 7,920 feet. The Kaibab Plateau is an area uplifted by geologic processes, making it higher in elevation than the surrounding deserts (the closest town of Fredonia, Arizona is 28 miles away and nearly 4,700 feet). Many species of wildlife call the Kaibab home, including the tassel-eared Kaibab squirrel, found nowhere else in the world, and numerous species of birds. The nearby lake only fills up with water occasionally, but marsh areas along the edges of the lake are great bird habitats.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is 44 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park's rustic and less populated North Rim - home to abundant wildlife, hiking trails, spruce-fir and Ponderosa pine forests and unparalleled views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Enjoy a visit to the North Rim from mid-May through mid-October; the road is closed during winter. Grand Canyon National Park>
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundJacob Lake Campground - Kaibab National Forest is located in Arizona
Directions
The facility is 30 miles southeast of Fredonia, Arizona on U.S. Route 89A. It is 0.1 miles from the intersection of U.S. Route 89A and State Route 67.
Address
HC 64, BOX 65
Fredonia, AZ 86022
Coordinates
36.7 N
112.2097222 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 1 hr 39 min from St. George, UT
- 2 hrs 31 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 18 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 43 min from Prescott Valley, AZ





















































