Jacob Lake Recreation Area
If you and your buddy are looking for a place to pitch your tent near the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, Jacob Lake Recreation Area Campground might just be the pawfect spot for you! Located thirty miles away from the nearest town of Fredonia, AZ, the fifty-one site campground is ideal for pups and people just looking to get away from it all, surrounded by the majestic, mature pines of the Kaibab National Forest. You and your doggo will need to "ruff" it a bit -- there aren’t any showers or electricity hook-ups -- but you’ll find shower stalls available at a private campground a quarter-mile away, for a $2.25 fee. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is just forty-five minutes from the campground, which means that Jacob Lake can get pretty busy in the summer. You might want to make your reservation early!
If you don’t feel like driving all the way to the canyon, don’t worry -- there’s plenty to do in the national forest itself! The lake is quite small and unsuitable for fishing or swimming, but it’s still a pretty sight during the day, and seriously special on a clear evening when you can see the Milky Way reflected in the water. Hound-dog hikers are in luck -- you’ll find a trail nearby for every age and ability, from the fittest furry friends to the most committed couch pup-tatoes! Visit in spring and you can see the wildflowers in Jacob Woods blooming in a ka-Fido-scope of colors. The area is also the only known habitat of the Kaibab white-tailed squirrel -- so keep a tight leash on your buddy if they have a tendency to tear after small, scurrying critters!
Jacob Lake Recreation Area Campground has ample drinking fountains, but you won’t find any water hookups for your RV. There’s no wifi at the campground, either, but most cellular networks will have fair-to-good coverage, so you needn’t worry too much about being out of contact. Campfires are permitted, but only in designated fire pits, and it is suggested that you buy firewood at the campsite rather than collecting your own. Remember to bring waste bags for your buddy, and enjoy your stay!
