Angel L.
Yelp
I was able to plan just 2 weeks before the trip occurred in spring time. This is the only South Rim campsite you can reserve, the other @ Desert view is 1st come 1st serve only.
The reservation page doesn't have pictures that lets you see the individual site. Some sites allow 1+ car park, so pay attention to the details of individual camp sites when you reserve. All has a picnic table and a fire pit with a grill top.
We spent 3 nights and booked 2 tent-only sites since they ran out of sites that could accommodate 3 nights.
You pay $25 entrance fee that is good for 7 days. Must call the campground if you arrive later than 7pm.
The campground check in and check out process is super simple - just have to return the campsite card and the clip to the info center when you leave.
Overflow lot @ the shower/laundry site: we parked here between moving our camping sites, so we are able to continue with our activities without too much interruption.
Blue route bus shuttle: Nearby, there are dirt/rock routes to navigate to and from the bus stop, so you don't have to share the road with the cars.
Overall: I am not one who will go backpacking, and this campsite is clean, well maintained, and meets the basic needs. At the end, I was a happy camper @ Mather!
Animal visitors: we heard and saw woodpeckers, owls, and crows. But didn't see any elks/deers throughout our stay, maybe it is still too cold? There was posted warnings of Javelina packs...No particular annoying flying bugs of sorts.
Forgot or ran out of something? There is a general store that has a rental and you can pick up gear, food, firewood, etc. for really reasonable prices!
Noise: The campsite was full when we were there, but we didn't experience problematic noise.
Campsite characteristics: Our 1st site has a good distance between other neighbor sites. However, our 2nd site, while it has more trees, the fire pit is pretty close to the neighboring site's fire pit, so we heard other's music and conversations.
I visited 3 of the bathrooms since we moved twice during our stay. They all have a sink opposite side of the bathroom doors in the back so you can rinse anything like food, dishes, etc. They are cleaned, have toilet paper. Installed motion sensors that control the lights will beep to let you know the light's about to turn off. The hand dryer is super strong, if you'd like to it can dry long hair too.
There is a hose nearby to rinse anything else off.
Shower/Laundry: near the info check-in/check-out center.
I packed without expecting to use their showers. After our strenuous hike, it felt just too bad not to have a shower. So I brought just a thin towel, change of clothes, and some money. During office hours, they will help you get change of quarters, or there's a change machine.
Shower: Even though it's $2 for 8 minutes, the shower continues to run a bit after the time is over. I have long hair and it was plenty of time. Water temperature and pressure is good. There is soap that was good for shower and a shampoo, and it didn't dry out my hair/skin at all. Drying my hair was easy as they have hair dryers and mirrors inside. If you want a longer shower, just wait till the water is off to insert 8 quarters again.
I didn't use their laundry machines, but they have a vending machine that sells detergent and such. There is also wifi inside!!!! Welcome to civilization.