The North Rim Campground at Grand Canyon National Park, a Traveler favorite/Kurt Repanshek

While it can be fairly easy to name a poor campground in the National Park System, pointing to some of the best can be a challenge. But the North Rim Campground at Grand Canyon National Park is one of the best in our opinion.

Why?

The campground is set within a towering forest of Ponderosa pines; sites are spread decently apart; three restrooms, while somewhat small for all the campers that 90 sites can hold, are generally clean; coin-operated showers (six minutes for $1.50) and laundry facilities are a short walk away; there's a general store there for anything you forgot; and you're within reach of some great hikes as well as the Grand Canyon Lodge, where you can splurge on a meal in one of the most picturesque settings in the park system.

There are a dozen "tent only" sites, five handicapped sites, and 78 RV/tent sites (though no hook-ups). Water spigots are well-positioned so you never need to walk too far to quench your thirst or fill the kettle for dinner. Each site offers a picnic table and fire ring.

The campground is at an elevation of 8,200 feet, which explains both the relatively short season (May 15-Oct 31) and the enjoyable summer temperatures. During a recent stay, while the South Rim thermometers were reading around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, we were enjoying highs in the low-to-mid 80s.

The Grand Canyon Lodge complex, which includes the North Rim Visitor Center, a saloon, and gift shop, is a mile down the road. You can, of course, hike the Transept Canyon Trail from the campground to reach the lodge (3 miles roundtrip).

Rates for 2015 ranged from $18-$25 per night. As with anything else, location means everything. "Sites 11, 14, 15, 16 and 18 provide a prime view of the canyon and are considered premium sites," notes recreation.gov, where you can make a campsite reservation.