Plans Approved For Expanding Forest Campground Near Grand Canyon

More visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic Arizona outdoors near the Grand Canyon now that a campground expansion project has been approved.

According to a recently released Kaibab National Forest press release, the Ten X Campground, will receive a major upgrade. The campground is located 5 miles south of Grand Canyon National Park.

“As the number of visitors to the Grand Canyon area has steadily increased, so has the demand for campsites and recreation opportunities,” Debra Mollet, the district ranger who approved the plan, said in the release.

As part of the renovation, the new expanded campground will accommodate small groups, RVs and individual tents and will grow from 70 campsites to 300 campsites.

“By expanding access to a developed camping experience, we also anticipate fewer impacts to forest resources from the dispersed camping that has been occurring.”

Since opening in the early 1970s, the campsite hasn’t seen much change. Ten X sits in a ponderosa pine/Gambel oak forest and features a half-mile nature trail.

“With this project, we want to keep all the best aspects of Ten X while making it a place that visitors can enjoy for years to come,” Dutch Maatman, assistant recreation staff officer with the Kaibab National Forest said.

The campground is located just off State Route 64 and the expansion will increase the footprint to 345 acres. The expansion include additional ramadas, fire rings, grills and picnic tables. In addition, a new amphitheater will be built in the area and a gravel road will be constructed around the site.

Work is scheduled to begin in spring of 2020, will be built out in phases. There is no timetable for the completion.