Grand Canyon South Rim

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from PHX

Phoenix to Grand Canyon RV Road Trip

North from Phoenix up I-17 through Flagstaff's pines to the Grand Canyon's South Rim.

Photo: Grand Canyon National Park (Public domain)

Phoenix to Grand Canyon by RV is about 236 miles and about 4½ hours of driving via Cordes Lakes, Flagstaff. This round trip covers 471 miles in 4 nights (5 days): Grand Canyon South Rim (2 nights), then back to Phoenix. Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. In season now · best Mar–May, Sep–Nov.

At a glance

Trip length
4 nights · 5 days
Route
Phoenix → Grand Canyon South Rim → Phoenix · 471 mi · about 9½ hours driving
Longest driving day
About 5 hours
Arrive and depart
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
RV pickup and return
Phoenix area (rental listings around Phoenix)
Overnights
Lake Montezuma, AZ → Grand Canyon South Rim → Phoenix (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

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  1. Day 1 Lake Montezuma, AZ · about 2 hours
  2. Day 2 Grand Canyon South Rim · about 2½ hours
  3. Day 3 Grand Canyon South Rim (night 2)
  4. Day 4 Phoenix (near the airport and RV return) · about 5 hours
  5. Day 5 Fly home from PHX

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Phoenix and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at PHX, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 2 hours · 102 mi to Lake Montezuma, AZ. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 1 night

    Along the routeVerde Ranch RV ResortCamp Verde, AZ · about 15 min to Lake Montezuma, AZ (estimate) · 4.7★ (197)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; site length not listed (ask the campground); full hookups listed; 4.7★ from 197 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Along the routeZane Grey RV VillageCamp Verde, AZ · about 20 min to Lake Montezuma, AZ (estimate) · 4.9★ (124)Lists sites up to 60 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Along the routeChavez CrossingSedona, AZ · about 25 min to Lake Montezuma, AZ (estimate) · 4.0★ (50)Lists sites up to 35 ft; confirm your site fits

  2. Day 2 Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim

    Experience

    Two nights give a full day on the South Rim: the Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village and the Desert View Drive.

    Getting there

    about 2½ hours · 134 mi

    Your stay: 2 nights (check out Day 4)

    Inside the parkNorth Rim Campground (Az)North Rim, AZ · inside the park · 5.0★ (1264)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 40 ft; 5.0★ from 1,264 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Inside the parkMather CampgroundGrand Canyon Village, AZ · inside the park · 5.0★ (5453)Lists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Inside the parkDesert View CampgroundGrand Canyon, AZ · inside the park · 5.0★ (675)Lists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to Grand Canyon South RimTusayan - MontaneTusayan, AZ · about 15 min to Grand Canyon South Rim (estimate) · 5.0★ (359)Lists sites up to 50 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Grand Canyon South Rim

    From North Rim Campground (Az): you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles March 1 to November 30; use the shuttle.
    • RV parking near the rim is limited; park once and use the free shuttles.
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    Checked October 2026; check current schedules before you go.

    Activities with pickup

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    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  3. Day 3 Grand Canyon South Rim: explore

    Experience

    Two nights give a full day on the South Rim: the Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village and the Desert View Drive.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at North Rim Campground (Az) · same site, no packing up

  4. Day 4 Drive back toward Phoenix

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 5 hours · 236 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportCovered Wagon RV ParkPhoenix, AZ · about 15 min from the RV return area · 3.1★ (44)Why stay here: About 15 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 50 ft; full hookups listed; 3.1★ from 44 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportSundialPeoria, AZ · about 30 min from the RV return area · 4.2★ (41)Lists sites up to 50 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Near the airportMesa Gardens RV ParkMesa, AZ · about 20 min from the RV return area · 4.4★ (30)Lists sites up to 55 ft; confirm your site fits

  5. Day 5 Return the RV and fly home from PHX

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Phoenix area. Day 1 allows time to get from PHX to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Lake Montezuma, AZ. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 471 miles.

RV rentals near Phoenix airport

Before you go

  • The South Rim is open all year but sits at about 7,000 ft: expect snow and freezing nights in winter.
  • Mather Campground and Trailer Village are inside the park; reserve ahead in spring and fall.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Camping (official) · Hours & seasons

Phoenix to Grand Canyon by RV: common questions

How far is it from Phoenix to Grand Canyon?

Phoenix to Grand Canyon is about 236 miles, roughly about 4½ hours of driving via Cordes Lakes, Flagstaff without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 471 miles.

How many days do you need for Phoenix to grand canyon by RV?

Plan on 4 nights (5 days): Grand Canyon South Rim (2 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 5 hours.

When is the best time to go?

Mar–May, Sep–Nov. The South Rim is open all year but sits at about 7,000 ft: expect snow and freezing nights in winter.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Grand Canyon South Rim include North Rim Campground (Az), Mather Campground, Desert View Campground. Inside the park: North Rim Campground (Az), Mather Campground, Desert View Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Phoenix. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

Related trips

RV parks near Grand Canyon National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Phoenix to Grand Canyon
4 nights · round trip