North Rim Campground
The Quick Take
North Rim Campground is Black Canyon's well-kept secret — a tiny, primitive camp tucked among pinyon and juniper trees at nearly 7,800 feet, accessible only via a rough unpaved road that keeps the crowds thin. With just over a dozen sites, this is one of the smallest campgrounds in the national park system, and that's exactly the point. You won't find flush toilets, showers, or cell service here, but you will find the kind of solitude that the South Rim crowds can only dream about. The canyon views from the North Rim are arguably more dramatic, and you'll share them with a fraction of the visitors. Choose this campground if you're self-sufficient, comfortable with basic amenities, and value quiet over convenience. If you need hookups or a camp store, stick to the South Rim.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 13 sites are reservable.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 22 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms available. The campground is not wheelchair accessible. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Rules to Know
- Fires:-Properly extinguish fires.
- Bear Safety:-Use bear boxes for any scented items, food, etc.
- Occupancy:-Maximum occupancy: 8 people, 2 vehicles per campsite.
- Stay Limit:-Stay is limited to 14 consecutive nights for a total of 30 days within a calendar year.
Pro Tips
Sites are first-come, first-served and there are only thirteen of them — arrive by late morning on weekdays during summer to have your pick. Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day can fill by early afternoon. Payment is cashless through the Recreation.gov app, so download it and set up your account before you lose cell service on the drive in.
The North Rim's Chasm View Nature Trail is a short walk from camp and delivers what many consider the most vertigo-inducing overlook in the entire park — you're staring nearly straight down into the narrowest section of the canyon. Hit it at sunrise when the light rakes across the Painted Wall and you'll have it to yourself.
Stock up on everything in Crawford or Montrose before heading in — there's no camp store, no firewood for sale, and no dump station. Bring more water than you think you need; the spigots have potable water but pressure can be low. Your RV or trailer combo must be under 22 feet total, and generators are banned, so pack a good book instead.
Photos
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
The North Rim is 15 miles southwest of Crawford. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park. The last 5.6 miles are unpaved. Once you reach the rim, turn right toward the ranger station and campground. The campground is past the ranger station. In winter, the North Rim is closed to vehicles at the park boundary, reopening typically by early May.
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