Havasupai Gardens Campground

Hike into the Grand Canyon to spend a night below the rim at Havasupai Gardens Campground

Over 3,000 feet below the south rim of the Grand Canyon, a green ribbon of cottonwood trees marks Havasupai Gardens Campground, a lush oasis with flowing water and shade.

Native Americans lived and farmed here for thousands of years before Grand Canyon National Park was created.

Known to the Havasupai people as Ha’Gyoh, Havasupai Gardens is now a frequent stop for hikers and mule trains traveling up and down the Bright Angel Trail. At night the foot traffic subsides, and you’re left with a full sky of stars in one of the most remarkable places in the world.

To stay at Havasupai Gardens Campground, you’ll need to carry all your gear deep into the Grand Canyon. Every campsite has a shade structure, picnic table, pack pole, and food storage cans. The campground has composting toilets and water spigots. If you have extra time during your stay, consider making the short hike out to Plateau Point (3 miles roundtrip) to see views of the Colorado River.

In 2022, Grand Canyon National Park renamed Indian Gardens to Havasupai Gardens at the request of the Havasupai Tribe. Learn about the name change and hear from Native voices about their cultural connections to the Grand Canyon 

Permits for Havasupai Gardens Campground

Camping below the rim in the Grand Canyon requires a backcountry permit, which you can get up to four months in advance of your trip through recreation.gov. The park receives more requests for backcountry permits each year than it can issue — the earlier you start planning, the better!

More information on Grand Canyon backcountry permits

How to reach Havasupai Gardens Campground

Havasupai Gardens Campground is about 4.8 miles from the South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail. Accessing the campground requires descending more than 3,000 feet into the Grand Canyon on foot or by mule. The Bright Angel Trailhead is located in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim just west of the Bright Angel Lodge near the beginning of the West Rim road shuttle stop.