DeMotte Campground – Kaibab National Forest, Near the North Rim

DeMotte Campground is a classic high-country camping area on the Kaibab Plateau, located just north of Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim entrance in northern Arizona. Surrounded by open meadows, spruce-fir forest, and cool mountain air at roughly 8,700 feet in elevation, this campground is a popular base camp for visitors exploring the North Rim and the quiet, forested landscapes of Kaibab National Forest.

Location & Access

DeMotte Campground sits along Arizona Highway 67, about 7 miles north of the North Rim entrance station and roughly 25 miles south of the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center near Jacob Lake. The drive in from either direction follows a scenic two-lane highway across rolling meadows and dense forest, with frequent chances to spot mule deer, elk, or the region’s resident bison herd grazing in the nearby DeMotte meadows. Its location makes the campground an ideal launching point for day trips into Grand Canyon National Park while still enjoying the quieter national forest setting just outside the park boundary.

Campground Overview

DeMotte Campground offers roughly 38 individual campsites arranged in a loop beneath tall conifers and along the edge of broad mountain meadows. Sites are generally best suited for tents, vans, and small to mid-sized RVs, with a mix of more shaded forest sites and more open spots with meadow views. Because the campground sits at high elevation, summer days are pleasantly cool compared to lower-elevation desert areas, and nights can be chilly even in peak season. DeMotte typically operates on a seasonal basis, aligning with the North Rim visitor season from late spring into fall, with exact opening and closing dates depending on snow and weather conditions.

Amenities

Amenities at DeMotte are semi-primitive but comfortable. Each site includes a picnic table and a metal fire ring or grill, and the campground is served by vault toilets. Potable water is usually available at shared spigots during the main operating season. There are no electrical hookups, no showers, and no dump station, so RV campers should plan accordingly and arrive self-contained. Food storage should be handled carefully due to wildlife in the area, and standard national forest quiet hours help keep evenings peaceful beneath the dark Kaibab Plateau sky.

Activities & Nearby Recreation

DeMotte Campground is one of the most convenient places to stay if you plan to spend time at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. A short drive south brings you to the park entrance, the North Rim Visitor Center, and viewpoints like Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial, and Cape Royal. Within the surrounding Kaibab National Forest, visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing in the meadows, scenic drives along forest roads, photography, and cooler high-elevation hiking on nearby trails. The combination of canyon overlooks by day and quiet forest-and-meadow camping by night makes this area a favorite for travelers who want a more relaxed pace compared to the busier South Rim.

Summary

DeMotte Campground offers a peaceful, high-elevation forest setting just minutes from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, making it a standout choice for campers exploring this quieter side of the canyon. With its mix of shaded forest campsites, open meadows, cool summer temperatures, and easy access to both national park viewpoints and national forest recreation, DeMotte is an excellent base camp for anyone seeking a classic Kaibab Plateau camping experience.