Why Highland Is the Closest Glamping Near the South Rim
When you’re planning a Grand Canyon trip, location matters. Most glamping options in the region are 30 to 60 minutes away. But Highland Grand Canyon is different. We’re just 15 minutes from the South Rim, tucked into the Kaibab National Forest on a quiet piece of land with no highway noise and no crowds.
If you’re searching for the closest glamping near the Grand Canyon, this is why Highland is the best (and closest) place to stay.
Just 15 Minutes from the Rim Without the Highway Hassle
One of the best things about staying at Highland is how close and quiet it is. Our retreat sits on a private 10-acre parcel surrounded by Kaibab National Forest, just 15 minutes from South Rim overlooks like Yavapai Point.
You won’t need to fight traffic on Highway 64 or wake up before dawn to catch a canyon sunrise. Instead, you’ll take a peaceful drive down a scenic forest road and arrive at the rim before the crowds.
Here, you’re far from the noise and lights of town, so nights are filled with stargazing, pine breezes, and the occasional elk call, not car horns or hotel chatter. It’s the kind of quiet that makes the canyon feel even more magical.
Our Story: A Rare Piece of Canyon History
One of the most common questions we get is: How did you find this land so close to the park?
The answer is simple: we didn’t find it, we grew up on it. Highland sits on a piece of property that’s been in our family for nearly 50 years. Fabienne, co-founder of Highland, was raised here and went to school at the Grand Canyon from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Long before that, the land was part of a historic mining claim known as Highland Mary, established by Sanford Rowe, one of the Grand Canyon’s earliest white explorers. There are only a handful of private parcels in this area, most of which were either old mining claims or homesteads. They’re incredibly rare and we feel lucky every day to be stewards of this piece of Canyon history.
That legacy inspired our name, our values, and our deep-rooted connection to this land.
Off-Grid, But Not Roughing It
At Highland, you’ll experience the quiet of the forest without sacrificing comfort. Each luxury safari tent includes:
King-size memory foam bed with heated mattress pad
Down duvets, lanterns, and soft lighting
Flushing toilets and hot showers
Potable water and a kettle for coffee or tea
Reliable WiFi to check trail updates or share sunset pics
We’re 100% solar powered, low impact, and designed with sustainability in mind so you can feel good about your stay.
Skip the Crowds, Not the Canyon
Because of our unique location, guests at Highland can beat the crowds into the park each morning. You’ll get to popular viewpoints and trailheads before the rush, and retreat back to your tent before the shuttle lines start to swell.
It’s also easier to explore beyond the park, like day trips to Desert View Watchtower, the Little Colorado River Overlook, or local restaurants in Tusayan.
Where Exactly Is Highland?
We’re located just south of the park boundary, surrounded by the Kaibab National Forest. You’ll access Highland via well-maintained forest roads (no 4WD needed). From there, it’s an easy drive into the park each day.
If you want glamping near the Grand Canyon South Rim that’s actually near the rim, Highland is as close as it gets, with history, forest seclusion, and the kind of local knowledge you just won’t find anywhere else.
