Primitive camping near Tusayan, AZ??

[blueeyes]

Not familiar with this area and will be running a half marathon in May. Looking for a place to camp that is within an hour of Tusayan as the race starts at 7AM but need to be there by 5:30AM to pick up our bibs.

Anyone have thoughts on where we could camp?

 

[uintahiker]

There's a few small sites off the road at N 35° 57.560 W 111° 47.000- this is on forest service land outside the east entrance to GCNP. (34 miles but 50 minutes) Maybe this is too far.
I'm sure there's got to be a few off Hwy 180 as well. Where, I'm not experienced enough to say.

Maybe the Tusayan Ranger District, or this map could help you out better.

Edit: a little digging revealed that Fire Road 688 has some popular primitive campsites. FR 688 is located approximately here: N 35° 55.600 W 112° 07.700

 

[Dan_85]

Lots of options in and around Tusayan. I've camped along Forest Road 302 before, it heads East out of Tusayan at the south end of town, some nice spots back there but in hindsight it may have been worth driving a few more miles out of town for more secluded and private sites. There's a forest service campground a few miles south of town as well. Other than that, it's all national forest so pick any of the dirt roads that spur off from highways 180 or 64 and you'll be sure to find somewhere to pull in for the night.

 

[blueeyes]

Thank you!