Some GCW guests have never camped before going on their first trip and have questions about how that whole thing works.  Even those who are experienced campers often are surprised to learn camping on a Grand Canyon river trip is beach camping. Here’s a little more info on camping with sand beneath your feet.

Beach camping at one of the beautiful spots in the Canyon.

The biggest thing to understand is campsites that are yards apart can be totally different.  It isn’t beach camping in the sense of the Oregon coast with broad expanses of sand but, rather, areas of sand, then rock walls, then bushes. That being said, camping on a Colorado River trip also isn’t like camping in the woods — there aren’t trees (at least, not what you probably think of as trees) or stumps, and the ground is never hard or rocky.  Some campsites are surrounded by bushes or outcroppings of rocks, while others are on a big sandbar.  When you pull into camp each night, you’ll grab your gear and pick out your individual spot.

If it is on the colder side at night, setting up your camp near a large rock face is a good idea because the rocks retain and radiate heat.  And vice versa, on a warmer night sleeping by the water provides a nice cool breeze.  For more tips on picking a perfect spot for your campsite, check out this blog.

All that being said, these are minor variations.  Most any place in the Grand Canyon is a great place to lay your head.