This place was on our bucket list after visiting the busy South Rim twice and seeking a quieter, woodsier experience. The roads coming from the east (Page area) to the North Rim offer some stunning views of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Marble Canyon, Navajo Bridge, and
red sandstone rock cliffs. It was a beautiful, but, unfortunately, bumpy and poorly paved (hence my irritated tweet at AZDOT). These roads smoothed out once we reached the Kaibab Plateau and entered the park. Just inside the park entrance we were greeted by a huge herd of bison-a bison jam. We watched this huge herd cruise across the meadows that were surrounded by forests. It was stunning and reminded us of Yellowstone. This side of the park is remote, but the campground itself offers some excellent amenities: laundry, gas station (surprisingly competitive prices!), and a well stocked store with everything from libations to fresh russet potatoes to games and apparel. Also, we found lots of camper necessities. There are several ranger programs each week during the summer, which is the only time the park is open due to its high elevation of over 8000 feet. All sites here are beautiful and spacious with a picnic table and fire pit. Interior roads and site pads are paved. A handful of sites have nice views of Transept Canyon, a side canyon of the Grand Canyon. But all sites are set among pines and aspens, offering shade and pretty mountain scenery. The Transept Trail which is easily accessed from the campground leads east along an easy 1.5 mile trail to the Grand Canyon Lodge, Bright Angel Viewpoint (a must see!) and towards the west further along the canyon. The lodge offers a small and somewhat disappointing visitor's center, a saloon, a deli, and some nice viewing options of the main canyon. We loved how quiet and uncrowded this side of the Grand Canyon was.
Best Sites: 14-19, 17
Poor Sites: None
Hookups: None
Potable Water: Yes
Dump Withing Facility: Yes
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