🏕 Campground
Bright Angel Campground (Grand Canyon NP)
About This Permit
Bright Angel Campground sits on the canyon floor near Bright Angel Creek, 4,380 feet below the South Rim. Reaching it requires a 9.5-mile hike down the Bright Angel Trail or 7-mile descent on the South Kaibab Trail — in summer heat that regularly exceeds 110°F at the bottom. This is the most coveted backpacking permit in the Grand Canyon and one of the hardest in the NPS system. A Backcountry permit is required, issued by lottery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Grand Canyon backcountry permit?
The NPS issues backcountry permits via a lottery system. Applications open on the 1st of each month, four months in advance of your trip date. For example, May applications open January 1. Apply online at the NPS Grand Canyon backcountry permit page. Demand vastly exceeds supply — most applicants are rejected multiple times.
What is the hike like to Bright Angel Campground?
Via Bright Angel Trail: 9.5 miles, 4,380 feet of descent. Via South Kaibab: 7 miles but steeper and no shade or water. The descent is deceptively easy — the ascent back to the rim is strenuous. Summer temperatures on the canyon floor regularly exceed 110°F. Hiking in summer is not recommended between 10am and 4pm.
Are there amenities at the campground?
Yes — Bright Angel Campground has toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and food storage boxes. The nearby Bright Angel Creek is a reliable water source (treat it). Phantom Ranch lodge is a short walk away and has a canteen that serves meals if you have a reservation.
Key Facts
- State
- AZ
- Season
- Year-round (most popular March–May and September–November)
- Sites
- Approximately 33 sites
- Access
- South Rim Village (Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail)
- Reservation Window
- Bright Angel Campground, canyon floor (2,480 ft elevation)
- Difficulty to reserve
- 5/5(Nearly impossible)
Get an SMS the moment a cancellation opens — we scan every 60 seconds.
Set an Alert for This Permit