Coconino Rim Road

You do have to pass through the entrance gates to get here, at least the way we went (??) so I don’t know if it’s technically free. We have a park pass, so it worked out free for us.

Other than that, it’s as others have said. Very close to the visitors center, maybe 11 miles. Access is easy, though getting to some sites can be rocky.

There’s water at camper services or right near the coffee shop/bike rental area. I think there’s a dump too?? Also showers, laundry and a super expensive grocery store all in the park. As well as a post office.our AT&T worked fine.

This is one of my favorite free camping spots to date. We have stayed here twice now and gotten the same back in spot both times. Spots have a fire ring and are spaced apart nicely. If someone does run a generator, it will be muffled. It is right over the flight path of the helicopters doing tours, but they don't start too early or go too late. It's within walking distance to the Grandview Lookout tower (which you can climb if you dare), and the Arizona trail is right here as well. Check out the Shoshone Trail in Grand Canyon and the Vishnu Trail within the National Forest. Pack in/pack out and please respect this beautiful land so it stays free! Video below for views around the road. Thanks!

Vault toilet / no water / no bathroom sink / no shower / no table / rocks fire pit / easy access / high shade.

That's incredible to find a free campground just 20mn driving from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center! Place is really great: a lot of trees to shade, a vault toilet at the Grand View Lookout Tower, pit fires made with rocks. There is a lot sites, we were close to the gravel road and the Tower, but it was quiet, there was no traffic. As you are in a National Forest, you can camp everywhere you want. There is water available at South Visitor Center, with outside tap where you can fill galons. We stayed there mid-June.

Definitly a super great spot!

Primitive dispersed campsites with lots of separation. There is a pit toilet and trash receptacles at the Grandview Lookout Tower. 14-day maximum stay; no permits required. Lots of trees for shade. Most sites are relatively level. Very dark and quiet at night. Easy access to Grand Canyon NP. Also very close to a cell tower; great signal.

We stayed here one night while passing through. We planned to visit the Grand Canyon on our way out west and looked for a spot close to the national park. This location was within 10 miles of the east entrance and main visitors center. No water, electric, or bathroom facilities, but each site has a fire ring. We arrived around 8 pm local time and there were a few others there already but plenty of sites. A few more came in overnight. Everyone was quiet and respectful. The birds offered a very early wake up call. We would definitely stay here again.

This will now be my go to spot at the south rim.

Mather was 100% booked before we even entered the park, when we entered at the west entrance the ranger asked if we were staying in the park and I mentioned we were staying here. She pulled out a separate map and kindly informed me how to get here (not that it was hard).

We stopped in the first small site we found which happened to be perfectly level with no shade (which is what we wanted). We were at the site just next to the 310E road sign. Farther up the road there are tons of spots with shade, but we wanted a clear view of the night sky when the sun set, and did we get it. This park is a national dark sky park meaning views of the stars are spectacular.

Do yourself a favor and stay in the national Forrest land and both Mather during your Grand Canyon visit.