07 Feb Grand Canyon National Park

Boondocking in the Coconino National Forest

Many people probably do not realize there are two ways to access this national park, one taking you through the coconino national forest where you will avoid paying entrance fees, we realized this through our research into where to camp near the Grand Canyon. We also did not take this alternate route, we both believe in supporting the national parks and don’t mind paying the fees to enter. Recently we became national park members for $90 which will actually pay for itself as we are trying to hit as many parks as possible this year.

Grand Canyon National Park is iconic for most people if they have not been and don’t enjoy national parks; this one is most likely on their travel list. Carlos has been dreaming about a visit to this park since he was a child in El Salvador, and I was so excited to experience it with him. We drove the scenic loop which in February is closed due to weather in some areas, but you’ll have the park pretty much to yourself this time of year.  When you arrive at any national park the scenic loop is always a good idea to get yourself acquainted or see as much as possible if your time is limited. There are plenty of turn offs for pictures and we hit them all!  The Desert View WatchTower was our favorite lookout spot, make sure you head there away from the busy visitors center.

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We are trying to get in the lottery to take the hike down to the bottom and camp overnight, hopefully that will be what takes us there next time.

Sleeping near this national park for me is a no brainer. If you don’t need to be hooked up for a night or two, just a couple miles from the visitor center and only a mile walk to see the rim of the Grand Canyon you can park for free in the Coconino national forest I use the Campendium app all the time to locate cool sites like this one, the reviews help us determine if the road in will be too rough on us or not. This was an unbelievable site, and exactly why we are living this lifestyle!  Late at night it felt a tad scary for a moment or two but we quickly got over it and enjoyed the complete isolation. There is a cell tower located right there, so we have better cell service than we’d ever had!!  It was superbowl Sunday when we were there and Carlos did a cowboy campfire chicken, it was drool worthy. I am looking forward to him doing one on the live cook along through our patreon!!