Grand Canyon National Park To Require Camping Permit At Tuweep Campground

Grand Canyon, AZ – Grand Canyon National Park on September 1, 2014 will begin requiring reservations for all campers who wish to stay at the Tuweep Campground. After September 1, visitors who plan to camp at Tuweep will need to have a permit issued by the National Park Service.

Campers may begin making reservations on May 1, 2014 for dates on or after September 1. Reservations can be made on the first of the month four months prior to the proposed start date and will be accepted through the park’s backcountry reservation system. A non-refundable fee of $10 per permit plus a $5 per group per night fee is required to obtain a permit. For more information about the permit process or to make a reservation, please visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm. Visitors may also be able to obtain a walk-up permit, up to six days in advance and based on availability, by visiting Pipe Spring National Monument in Fredonia, AZ or at the St. George Public Lands Visitor Center in St. George, UT.

Currently the park only requires a permit for parties using the large group campsite; the family sites are available on a first-come first-served basis. The campground has ten campsites; nine family campsites that each accommodate two vehicles and six people and one large group campsite that accommodates four vehicles and eleven people. This new permit requirement will apply to all ten campsites and ensure that campers know ahead of time if they have a place to stay or if they need to make alternative arrangements.

The park will also implement a prohibition on fires and charcoal grills effective September 1 in the Tuweep Campground. This change is consistent with other rim-based backcountry areas in the park and will help protect surrounding vegetation. Visitors will still be allowed to use gas stoves in the campground. These two changes will improve visitor services and experiences at Tuweep by allowing visitors to plan ahead and ensure that they receive the information required for an overnight stay.

Prior to visiting Tuweep, visitors should be aware of the challenges associated with navigating the difficult roadways and lack of visitor services. Grand Canyon National Park preserves the area for an uncrowded, rustic and remote experience; there is no water, gas, lodging, food or cell phone coverage. For more detailed information about visiting Tuweep please visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm .