Mather Campground packing checklist | Camp Check [Skip to content](#content) [Camp Check](/) [Map](/)[About](/about) Show more details [← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all) Trip details · Mather Campground # Mather Campground packing checklist * Activity**Car camping** * Park**Grand Canyon National Park, AZ** * Nearest**Bright Angel Trail, 1.4 mi** The big South Rim campground in the ponderosa pines, open all year and a shuttle ride from the Bright Angel trailhead. ## Trip details Elevation About 7,000 ft Sites 327 Season Open year-round Reservations Up to 6 months ahead (peak season Mar 1–Nov 30) Current alert Stage 4 water restrictions; dry camping only Best season Late September to October (our pick) ### Source * [NPS Grand Canyon: Mather Campground](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/mather-campground-south-rim.htm) * [Recreation.gov: Mather Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232490) * [NPS Grand Canyon: lodging suspended, Stage 4 water restrictions](https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-close-overnight-hotel-accommodations-beginning-august-31.htm) "Our pick" seasons are our own call. ## Packing list Reset Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 16 ### Before you go * **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [NPS Grand Canyon: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) the day you go. * **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm) * **Know when to turn back.** If you hike below the rim from camp, turn around before you’ve used a third of your water or time. The climb back up is the hard part. This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate) Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match. ### Trip-specific: permits and hazards 1. **Reservation**Book up to 6 months ahead for peak season.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [Recreation.gov: Mather Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232490) 2. **Bring all your water**NPS alert: Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim. Only dry camping is allowed, and visitors should bring water.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Grand Canyon: lodging suspended, Stage 4 water restrictions](https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-close-overnight-hotel-accommodations-beginning-august-31.htm) 3. **Food storage**Store food in your vehicle or a hard-sided container. Don’t leave food or trash out.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [Recreation.gov: Mather Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232490) 4. **Summer thunderstorms**July to early September brings afternoon storms. Stay off the rim edge when lightning starts.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [Recreation.gov: Mather Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232490) ### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm) 1. **Water**Carry all of it: camp water plus about 1 L per 2 hours of hiking, more in heat.Need itHave it ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz $17.99 on Amazon Carry all of it: camp water plus about 1 L per 2 hours of hiking, more in heat. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm) 2. **Food and extra food**Salty snacks help on canyon hikes.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Grand Canyon: Hike Smart](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm) 3. **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Download an offline map before you lose signal, and carry a paper map and compass as backup.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 4. **Headlamp**NPS: carry a light and spare batteries; don’t rely on your phone.Need itHave it ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Petzl Tikka Headlamp $34.95 on Amazon NPS: carry a light and spare batteries; don’t rely on your phone. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Grand Canyon: Hike Smart](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm) 5. **Sun hat**The rim and canyon trails have little shade.Need itHave it ![Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat (UPF 50+)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71nSwoKNMCL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat (UPF 50+) $54.00 on Amazon The rim and canyon trails have little shade. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVYH5FFT/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 6. **Insulation and rain layer**At 7,000 ft, nights are cold most of the year.Need itHave it ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s) $22.74 on Amazon At 7,000 ft, nights are cold most of the year. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 7. **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 $31.95 on Amazon For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 8. **Fire starter and emergency shelter**Your car and tent are the shelter here. Carry a lighter and a bivvy on longer walks from camp.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 9. **Knife or repair kit**For camp chores and gear fixes.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. ### Nice to have 1. **Camp stove**A fast boil for coffee before a canyon hike.Need itHave it ![MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61RbJPrebyL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove $49.95 on Amazon A fast boil for coffee before a canyon hike. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5O7551/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 2. **Lantern**Picnic-table light with no fuel.Need itHave it ![LuminAID PackLite Nova Solar Lantern](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61TVlossveL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) LuminAID PackLite Nova Solar Lantern $32.99 on Amazon Picnic-table light with no fuel. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716JV1SG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 3. **Camp blanket**For cold rim evenings.Need itHave it ![Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket (1-person)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71pTZBM96BL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket (1-person) $99.95 on Amazon For cold rim evenings. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXMBV6RG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed. ## Photos ![A tent site at Mather Campground](/photos/mather-campground-1.webp) Photo: [Grand Canyon National Park](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canyon_National_Park_Mather_Campground_4612_\(35432408636\).jpg) · [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · Wikimedia Commons ![Elk in Mather Campground](/photos/mather-campground-2.webp) Photo: [Vulturesong](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canyon_National_Park_-_HCP_-_September_29,_2022_-_076_-_Southern_Rim_-_Mather_Campground.jpg) · [CC0](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en) · Wikimedia Commons Coordinates **36.0497°N 112.1205°W** Elevation **About 7,000 ft** Park **Grand Canyon National Park, AZ** Time now **UTC --:--:--** [](/spots/angels-landing)[](/spots/watchman-campground)[](/spots/the-narrows)[](/spots/west-rim-trail)[](/spots/delicate-arch)[](/spots/devils-garden-campground)[](/spots/navajo-loop-queens-garden)[](/spots/sunset-campground)[](/spots/bright-angel-trail)[](/spots/mather-campground) Use two fingers to move the map **Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price. **AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy. **Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others. [About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)