Grand Canyon Camping: How I (Barely) Survived My First Trip With Scott

Grand Canyon Camping: How I (Barely) Survived My First Trip With Scott

If you ever want to really get to know someone, skip the dinner dates and weekend getaways — go camping with them.
That’s how I found myself at the Grand Canyon South Rim, just a few months into dating Scott Padelsky, the man who somehow convinced me that sleeping on top of his Toyota 4Runner was a “romantic getaway.”

Let’s be clear: I hadn’t camped in over 15 years. I prefer walls, running water, and things that don’t growl in the dark. But there I was, perched above the red rocks in a rooftop tent, praying that the sound outside wasn’t a bear, and wondering how Scott managed to fall asleep so easily while I was mentally drafting my obituary.

To his credit, Scott came fully prepared — like a true outdoor enthusiast. He brought his Taxa Woolly Bear trailer, which I quickly discovered is great for strong drinks but not much else when you’re trying to forget you’re camping.

Despite my internal screaming, the views were jaw-dropping. Sunrise over the canyon made every mosquito bite worth it. We hiked, we laughed, and we argued over whether the “rustling sound” was wind or wildlife. (It was wind. Probably.)

By the end of the trip, I realized two things:

1. Scott Padelsky was serious about this whole “adventure life” thing.
2. If I could survive three days without a proper shower, I could survive anything.

Camping might not have made me a wilderness convert, but it did teach me that you see people’s true colors when you’re both sleep-deprived, unshowered, and trying to boil coffee water over a camp stove.

Would I do it again? Maybe. (After I’ve forgotten the part about showering in socks because someone — not naming names — forgot the sandals.)

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Planning your own South Rim adventure?
Check out this great guide to camping in Grand Canyon South Rim — and maybe pack extra coffee and courage if your partner’s idea of fun involves a rooftop tent.