We go to the canyon at least once a year, and always stay in the Mather campground. You can make reservations at recreation.gov, but we prefer to look the area over first to get a level site and check the occupants in adjoining sites. Mather is a large campground, and we've never had a problem getting a site. Mather has no hookups, but there is a dump station and good laundry facility. Camping there is $18 ($9 if you're 62 or older and have the National Parks America the Beautiful Senior Pass--also gets you into all National Parks free for life). Trailer Village campground is next to Mather and has full hookups, but is too expensive and the sites are too close together for me. The free shuttle busses stop at both campgrounds, and are the best way to get around in the park. More information on nps.gov. We also enjoy going to Kartchner Caverns, and the campground there has full hookups. I recommend you make reservations for the cave tours prior to arrival at azstateparks.com/parks/kaca/. There are two tours, and we try to take both when possible. The park fee is waived if you have tour ticket reservations or are camping there. After Kartchner, you can go up to I10 or across/down to Tombstone, the old mining town of Bisbee then up to I10. The weather should be great in late September and October--your daughter has probably told you about our "monsoon" season that's usually over by September.
