National Forest Service Modernizing Grand Canyon Campground
By: RV Industry Association Staff
This week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that they will be expanding and remodeling the popular Ten X Campground on the Tusayan Ranger District, about 5 miles south of the Grand Canyon National Park and is a major win for the RV industry. The Grand Canyon is one of the most heavily visited outdoor recreation spots made by RVers in the country!
Specifically, the expansion and remodeling project will increase capacity at Ten X Campground from the current 70 campsites to a total of 300, encompassing nearly 345 acres. The remodeling of existing and additional sites will increase the campground's ability to accommodate large RVs while eliminating the current problem of parking along the Ten X roadway which creates congestion and safety concerns. The 230 sites to be added would be a mix of RV-friendly, individual tent and small group sites for more outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy
This announcement comes after RVs Move America Week where the industry gathered on Capitol Hill for its annual advocacy meetings in June where industry executives also had the opportunity to meet with officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Forest Service (USFS) to advocate for campground modernization and expansion. Since then, the RV Industry Association’s federal affairs team has had several meetings with both groups along with other outdoor recreation staff to further the discussion of campground modernization and expansion around the nation’s most iconic sites.
“Twenty-five million Americans go RVing each year and Eisenhower-era campground infrastructure and limited camping availability have reduced RV opportunities on federal lands,” said RV Industry Association Director of Government Affairs Chris Bornemann. “We applaud the USFS for taking the necessary steps to provide additional RV-friendly camping experiences at our iconic federal lands. The federal affairs team is eager and excited to continue to be a resource to the USFS during all phases of the Ten X Campground modernization and expansion project.”
During the expansion and modernization project, the RV industry will continue to encourage the USFS to utilize the National Fire Protection Association’s 1194 Standard for RV Parks and Campgrounds. The NFPA 1194 outlines minimum safety requirements for general design, fire safety, environmental health and sanitation and establishes uniform definitions. This standard will greatly assist the USFS in the design and construction of proposed new-build campgrounds, as well as the modernization and expansion of existing campgrounds/RV site, resulting in safe and modern facilities built to serve current and future generations of RV campers.