It Takes a Trailer Village

Recently, we were lucky enough to stay at Trailer Village at Grand Canyon National Park. Now, I realize “Trailer Village” doesn’t usually evoke feelings of envy, but in this case, it really should. We booked over a year in advance to secure our spot for their annual Star Party, not a small order considering the size of our rig. State and National Parks tend to be a bit sizeist (the nerve!) Scoring a spot at the park was a serious win, but it was also during the annual Grand Canyon Star Party—cosmic!

If you’re a Dark Sky aficionado (we all should be, ahem), GCNP is the stuff of dreams. It was officially designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019 and joins the ranks of Big Bend NP, Joshua Tree NP, and Arches NP— all parks we’ve visited this year, and all spectacular in their own right. What sets GCNP apart for us RVers? It’s like a little contained city! We were there for ten days and only drove the truck for laundry hauls. (I could write a standalone post on their laundry facility. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Though I won’t, because that’s boring.) Calling Trailer Village home for a spell meant we could walk everywhere in a National Park under a visible Milky Way and star-filled dark skies. It’s the way nature intended. In this nomadic, drive-heavy lifestyle, it’s everything for us. Nomad Nirvana.

Grand Canyon trails and scenic walks by day, star gazing and general awe-ing and slack-jawing at the vastness of the universe by night. (While trying not to be overwhelmed by how infinitesimally small we are. Oof. A post for another day, or better thought, maybe never.) The Star Party was week-long, and every night, you’d find no less than 75 astronomers with their gear set up, ready and eager to share their telescopes and knowledge. So cool. We got to learn about constellations, stars, double stars, and how to locate the North Star, no matter where you are. It was terrific for this directionally challenged girl who needs a You Are Here sticker to follow her everywhere. (If one of you can teach me what to do with that North Star once I find it, that’d be much appreciated.)

At the end of each night, much later than we’d usually hit the hay, we’d make the one-and-a-half-mile walk back home, most of it through the woods. We’d make a point to only use our red light flashlights when necessary (Colan and I have very different opinions on when that is.) When was the last time you found yourself walking outside, the night sky so dark that you couldn’t see your feet in front of you? With mind and night so clear that your only concern is walking into someone or something? (That might count as a fear, a valid one.) These nightly walks were my favorite. They filled us with kid-like wonder, our favorite kind of wonder.

With the Star Party, it was like every day stretched into two. We’d explore the canyon rim most days, have a snack and a cold beer at an onsite restaurant, then head home for dinner and a rest. Come nightfall, we were ready to Star Party! If you get the chance, you should do it. We’re already booked for next year, if that tells you anything. Oh, and if you aren’t convinced yet, I should tell you that a momma elk and her still suckling calf visited under our slides. AND we saw a falling star. Convinced yet? Guess we’re gonna have to fight for a 2027 spot then.

Hope to see you out there! —CL

Cristy Lee McGeehan

Cristy Lee McGeehan, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of House of Highways, is a renowned figure in the hosting and hospitality industry, bringing her creative vision and expertise to the RV and nomadic travel space. Her work, highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, Magnolia Network, HGTV, and many others, centers on crafting rich, community-driven travel experiences and resources for modern nomads through technology and media. Through House of Highways, she inspires a vibrant, adventurous approach to life on the open road.