To Tent or Not to Tent?

To Tent or Not to Tent?

By Mykaela Shoaf

Mykaela is a swamper for Hatch, so she’s seen the pros and cons of tents firsthand!

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Camping along the Colorado River is an unforgettable experience, and choosing to use a tent has its own set of advantages and challenges. Guests usually fall into one of two camps (pun intended) – set up the tent and use it every night, or sleep under the stars unless the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Here is a look at the factors to consider when deciding whether or not to use a tent while camping in the Grand Canyon.

Sleeping Under the Stars 

When you’re out on the river, there’s nothing quite like sleeping under some of the brightest stars in the country right by the water’s edge and falling asleep to the sound of the current. For the most immersive star experience, we suggest you don’t sleep in a tent. When you wake up in the middle of the night, instead of seeing the top of your tent, imagine seeing the milky way shining above you.

On the other hand, a full moon can seem even brighter when you’re camping, so you might want to dim that light a bit with the tent.

Staying Cool in the Heat of Summer

Throughout most of the summer, it rarely gets below 75 degrees at night. A tent tends to trap in heat and make you even hotter. To avoid this, we suggest sleeping on just your cot so you can feel any cool breeze that wafts by. 

The Setup and Takedown Dance

Setting up a tent isn’t rocket science, but it does take some time, especially if you’re new to it or if you’ve had a long day on the river. Then, there’s the takedown and packing it all up again the next morning. It’s all part of the experience, sure, but it’s not exactly a ‘drop your bags and relax’ situation. If you find yourself struggling to get ready in time in the mornings, you may want to go without the hassle of setting up the tent. 

Keeping Out Critters

Animal encounters while sleeping is rare and most of the animals in the canyon try to avoid human contact whenever possible. BUT the canyon is home to a lot of wildlife. If you’ll be on a motorized trip, you’ll be above the ground on a cot, but for oar powered trips you’ll be sleeping on a 2″ paco pad on the ground (we provide a ground cloth). If you are uncomfortable with the thought of being this close to the creatures that live in and near your campsite, sleeping in a tent can put you at ease. Just make sure to always keep that tent door zipped shut so nothing can sneak in. 

Privacy

When camping with a large group (often of people you don’t know) sometimes it is nice to have your own little space to unwind. A lot of camps are large enough that you can find your own camping nook for your bed, but this is a group trip and finding total privacy is not possible. When the campsites can accommodate it, a tent can be a more private place to relax.

Unpredictable Weather

In the Grand Canyon, weather can be unpredictable. Sudden rain showers or gusty winds can pop up out of nowhere. A tent gives you peace of mind knowing you’ve got a solid place to hunker down if the weather turns. If you do choose to set up a tent, be sure to weigh it down with heavy gear or rocks to ensure that one of those gusts of wind doesn’t take the tent with it. Rain showers in the canyon are often very light and short during the night, so you might find you don’t actually need a tent. As a guide of five years now, I can say I have only slept in a tent once due to heavy rain! If it does rain, throwing your tarp on top of you usually does the trick to keep you dry. 

So, What’s the Verdict? 

At the end of the day (hey, another pun!), whether or not you choose a tent or to sleep under the stars on your Colorado River trip really comes down to personal preference. If you value comfort and protection from the elements, a tent might be your best bet. But if you’re all about that immersive, once-in-a-lifetime experience, sleeping under the stars in Grand Canyon could be the way to go. Whatever you choose, the important thing is that you’re in one of the most incredible places on earth, surrounded by the beauty of the canyon and the flow of the Colorado River. Tent or stars, you really can’t go wrong.

If you’re ready to experiment with the tent vs. no tent camping options in Grand Canyon, book a river trip today! Our 2025 calendar is starting to fill, so if you have a preferred date or trip style, reserve it now!