Campground · Grand Canyon National Park
Earn a creekside night in the canyon's cottonwood shade.
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Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Grand Canyon Tour Guide
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Guide
Bright Angel Campground is a tent-oriented backcountry camp on Bright Angel Creek, half a mile north of the Colorado River and less than half a mile from Phantom Ranch. The creek, cottonwood shade and the chance to sleep deep in the canyon make this a rewarding overnight. It takes a backcountry permit and a serious hike to reach; this is not a casual stop.
From the South Rim, the campground is 9.5 miles away; the Bright Angel Trail crosses the Silver Bridge, while the South Kaibab Trail crosses the Black Bridge. From the North Rim, it is 14 miles down the North Kaibab Trail. Plan the overnight and the climb back out as one trip. Permits allow up to two nights at a campground per hike, or four nights from November 15 through February 28.
Every campsite has a picnic table, pack pole and metal food-storage can. Store food, toiletries and plastics in the can to keep wildlife out of camp. Toilets and a ranger station are listed at the campground, but there are no showers. Potable water is normally listed here; check current service before hiking in and carry what you need for the approach.
Bright Angel Creek flows through cottonwoods to its meeting with the Colorado River. Campers come to rest, wade, stargaze, fish with an Arizona license, or take day walks toward River Trail and Phantom Overlook. Phantom Ranch is nearby for snacks and meals, but meals need an advance reservation; treat it as a separate stop, not a dependable walk-in dinner. Cottonwoods shade parts of camp, though it varies by site. In summer, visitors report that the canyon heat can linger well after sunset.
Bright Angel Creek runs about 10 miles down Bright Angel Canyon. John Wesley Powell's 1869 expedition found it clear and refreshing, and the creek took the name Bright Angel. Deer, ringtail cats, gray foxes and squirrels are often seen near camp, so secure all food and toiletries. Sudden flash floods can develop in the lower canyon with little warning, even when a storm is not overhead; check the forecast and park alerts before starting down.
Wildlife
718 sightingsCalifornia CondorMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
533 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
169 sightingsAmerican BisonMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,891 sightingsElkMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
59 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
27 sightingsGray FoxMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Grand Canyon. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateRiver Trail1.7 mi · 1 hr · 0.4 mi awayA river-level connector beneath steep inner-canyon walls.
ChallengingClear Creek Trail8.4 mi · 7 hr · 0.7 mi awayAn exposed, full-day traverse across the Tonto Platform to Clear Creek.
EasyThe Trail of Time3.3 mi · 2 hr · 2.7 mi awayA paved timeline where every meter spans a million years.
ChallengingSouth Kaibab Trail6.3 mi · 5 hr · 3.4 mi awayA steep ridge descent with a first river view at Skeleton Point.
ModerateRim Trail12.8 mi · 7 hr · 3.4 mi awayThe full 12.8-mile rim walk, easiest to sample by shuttle.
ChallengingRim-to-Rim: South Kaibab to North Kaibab21 mi · 16 hr · 3.4 mi awayA one-way canyon crossing from the South Rim to the North Rim.ChallengingSouth Kaibab–Bright Angel Loop15.8 mi · 14 hr · 3.4 mi awayA 15.8-mile canyon traverse from South Kaibab to the Bright Angel rim.
ModerateClear Creek (from the Colorado River)1.4 mi · 2 hr · 3.6 mi awayA river beach, schist scramble and a waterfall that throws water sideways.
Lodging · 0.4 mi awayPhantom RanchA rare creekside night at the canyon floor.
Sight · 1.3 mi awayPlateau PointA long hike earns a sweeping view of the Colorado River.
Sight · 1.4 mi awaySkeleton PointThe river view is earned on a 6-mile out-and-back.
Campground · 2.5 mi awayHavasupai GardensA shaded break on the canyon corridor, with Havasupai history.
Sight · 2.6 mi awayCedar RidgeA good first canyon hike, with wide views of O’Neill Butte.
Sight · 2.7 mi awayYavapai Geology MuseumA geology lesson with the canyon spread out in front of you.
Sight · 2.8 mi awayOoh Aah PointFirst canyon panorama below the rim, with a steep climb back.
Sight · 2.8 mi awayMather PointTwo rim platforms make an easy first look into the canyon.Parkwolf’s Grand Canyon ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
