We requested our stay at Indian Garden in April just as soon as it was possible to do so (For a labor day weekend stay). We faxed in the days we wanted and waited impatiently for the permits to come, and were thrilled when they did. We stayed here as part of a three day trip to the river and back. We headed down South Kaibab trail and camped at Bright Angel Campground. The next day we headed up. When we got to Indian Gardens they said it had reached 120 degrees at the river bottom that day. However Indian Garden is about 2000 ft higher and much cooler.

This is a beautiful oasis in an otherwise fairly barren brown landscape. The trail follows the stream for awhile before arriving at the oasis. There is a ranger station, a campground, several restrooms, a picnic area, water pipes (which is where most everyone congregated), benches and fences to sit on, and trees, glorious trees for shade. Many people hike to Indian Garden as a day hike before heading back up so it was actually very crowded in the common area when we arrived. Campspots are first come first served and are not too private especially from nearby campers. We set up camp and then went various ways. Some headed out to Plateau Point, some napped.

In the late afternoon when the day people had left it was a quiet and peaceful sanctuary. I am hoping to get there again one day.