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| contractID |
NRSO |
| description |
Mather Campground is located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, draws nearly five million visitors per year to its spectacular scenery. The facility is large and can accommodate a variety of needs and comfort levels. It is the only campground within Grand Canyon Village. Scenic overlooks, the park's free shuttle bus system, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the general store and hiking and biking trails are all within a few miles from the facility. The facility is at an elevation of approximately 7,000 ft. Summers are pleasant with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s, though there are frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons. Fall and spring are mostly sunny and cool with the occasional snow. Weather is variable; visitors should come prepared. |
| drivingDirection |
Mather Campground is located in the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. It is 210 driving miles (4.5 hours) south of North Rim Campground. From the south entrance, follow the road for about three miles and turn left on Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn right onto Market Plaza Road. The campground is about one mile down Market Plaza Road on the right. From the east entrance, follow the road 25 miles and turn left at the "t" intersection onto South Entrance Road. Travel about 1/2 mile and turn right at the intersection onto Center Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn right onto market plaza road. The campground is about one mile down market plaza road on the right. |
| facilitiesDescription |
With 327 sites, this is one of the larger facilities. Campsites include a campfire ring with a cooking grate, picnic table, parking space and room for up to three tents. There are flush toilets and drinking water pumps throughout the campground. There is a free dump station but no hookups available (Trailer Village, located next to Mather Campground, has hookups and can accommodate larger RVs). Almost all of the RV spaces are pull-through. Pine loop (sites 265-319) is a tent-only area and generators are not permitted. |
| facility |
MATHER CAMPGROUND |
| facilityID |
70971 |
| fullReservationUrl |
http://www.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70971&cmp=39-32--joewils |
| importantInformation |
Camping is by reservation-only during peak season: March 1- November 30. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. There are no first-come, first-served campsites at Mather Campground during peak season. From December 1-February 28 (winter season), camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the self-pay machine located at the campground kiosk. The campground office is closed during winter, and online reservations are not available at that time If you will be arriving over 24 hours late for your reservation, please call 928-638-7851 and leave a message with your name and reservation number to avoid being no-showed by the campground. Campers arriving less than 24 hours late can check-in at the campground kiosk upon arrival or upon next-day business hours (8 a.m.-6 p.m.). Online campsite reservations or modifications must be made at least 48 hours in advance of intended arrival. Reservations made prior to the 48-hour booking window must be made in person at the campground kiosk, and site availability is not guaranteed. Annual passes do not qualify for the discounted camping rate. America the Beautiful Interagency Annual passes are not Access passes. Only valid Access passes and Senior passes qualify for the discounted camping rate. Passes used for site discounts must be verified at the campground upon check-in. Fifth-wheels which are 30-feet long must be booked in one of the following sites: 120, 121, 128, 172, and 185. These will hold up to a 30-foot fifth-wheel. If you are not camping in a fifth-wheel, please do not reserve these sites. Large groups (7-50 people) must stay in the group sites (sage loop). Group sites are tent-only, and RVs and fifth-wheels are not permitted. Each group site can accommodate parking for three vehicles. Groups arriving by large buses must stay in either Sage Loop sites 1, 6, or 7. The remaining group sites do not have parking for buses. Senior and Access pass discounts do not apply to group sites. Commercial Groups: Commercial groups with 7 or more people are required by their CUA agreement to use the Group Sites in the Sage Loop. Commercial groups with 6 or fewer people are allowed to book only one family site per night. No exceptions. Hiker/biker sites are walk-in only. You must be on foot or on bicycle to register for these sites. No campers traveling in motorized vehicles allowed at these sites. Hiker/biker section is a communal tenting area. Registration price in this area is per person/per night. Maximum RV length: 30 feet. This includes tow vehicles. Only two standard-sized vehicles per site, and only one RV per site. If you have two RVs you must book two separate sites. Mather campground has no electric/sewer/water hook-ups. There is a dump and water fill station available for use at the Camper Services building. Coin operated shower and laundry facilities are also available. Generator hours are 7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. only. Pets are allowed. All pets must remain on a 6-foot leash at all times. Pets may not be left unattended, even in vehicles. No collection of wood within the campground. Firewood is for sale at the General Store. No fireworks allowed. No live music or sound systems. Quiet hours are enforced. Campground terrain is hard and rocky. Sleeping pads are suggested and leveling equipment for RVs is recommended. Camping fees do not include the $30/vehicle park entrance fee. Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. |
| nearbyAttrctionDescription |
Numerous visitor centers, restaurants, museums and shops are within a shuttle bus ride from the campground. Beyond the village, Desert View Watchtower displays the talent of architect Mary Jane Coulter and provides one of the widest views of Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert on the South Rim. Tusayan Museum and Pueblo Indian ruins take visitors back in time to a community that lived in the area 800 years ago. Both are within 25 miles from the campground. Grand Canyon Visitor and Information Centers |
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| orientationDescription |
Mather Campground lies beneath a tall canopy of Ponderosa pine trees, providing most campsites with ample shade. The campground is one mile from the rim of the canyon. A visit to the canyon during sunrise and sunset yields spectacular views of yellow, orange, red and violet hues in the canyon walls. Layers of rock display billions of years of geologic history. Campers can take a short shuttle bus ride from the campground to the Yavapai Geology Museum, to learn about the forces that formed the canyon. Below, visitors can see the mighty Colorado River, which flows 277 miles through the bottom of the canyon. Wildlife abounds on the South Rim, including elk, mule deer, coyotes, lizards, songbirds and the endangered California condor. Although condors nest below the rim, they can often be seen soaring several thousand feet above the canyon in search for carrion. |
| recreationDescription |
From the campground, campers can access the Greenway, a paved walking and biking trail that leads to scenic overlooks and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The Rim Trail, a paved walking trail, is one mile away and runs for 14 miles along the edge of the canyon. Pets are allowed on both trails, but are not permitted below the rim. Trailheads for the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails, which descend into the canyon, are a short drive or shuttle bus ride from the campground. The park's concessionaire also offers day and overnight mule riding trips into the canyon and along the rim. |