Kaibab Lake campground rennovations a hit

While Tusayan, Arizona may technically be the real gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, Williams likes to claim the honor. Fifty miles to the south, Williams sits on the Historic Route 66 and is home station of the Grand Canyon Scenic Railroad. Tourist trap that Williams may be, for a while there wasn't a satisfactory public campground nearby.

That's all over now. A couple of miles up the road to the South Rim, officials are preparing to wave the flags, fire up the barbies, and offer free hot dogs and burgers in celebration of the "Grand Opening" of Kaibab Lake Campground in the Kaibab National Forest. All that takes place Friday, September 16. Ah, but intrepid correspondents for RV Arizona have already beat the pomp and ceremony to report on the state of the campground.

Calling the celebration at "Grand Opening" is rather a misnomer, as Kaibab Lake has existed for some time. Still, the Forest Service folks have reason to be proud of their recently completed renovations. Facilities for RVers have been considerably upgraded at the campground, with neat paved sites, fire rings, tables, and brick outhouses built like--well--built like a brick outhouse. On our visit in early September we were happy to stay on at one of Kaibab Lake's upper loop sites. Evergreen trees shade but don't overwhelm with overhang throughout the grounds, and the occasionally disappearing (OK, "shrinking") lake is said to be home to eatable fish.

Our experience with the wildlife of the campground came more in the form of a guilt-producing bushy-tailed squirrel. After mistakenly allowing a garbage bag to sit unattended for a few minutes, the enterprising rodent broke open the cache and made off with a disposable bowl. Garbage properly dumped, the squirrel returned and sat a few feet outside our dining area window, giving us the accusing look of a disappointed pan handler. We'll be more cautious about our refuse from now on.

The reconstruction project includes 11 new sites on an all-new camping loop. All the loops are connected by hard surface, all weather roads, and the entry access road is likewise "non-muddy." Site fees are a reasonable $18 a night. Don't look for a dump station, and water, as in most places around Williams has to be hauled in, so treat it like liquid gold.

photos: R&T DeMaris