The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited places in America. People from all over the world come to take in the canyon’s beautiful views. However, crowds usually go to the South Rim because it’s open year-round and more accessible. The North Rim only gets 10% of the visitors the South Rim gets. So which side is better? Both! Each side of the Grand Canyon is impressive and worthwhile. The South Rim is the classic Grand Canyon desert you see in the movies, while the North Rim has more forest and vegetation.
Even though the North Rim and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon are only 10-18 miles apart, the drive from one to the other is 220 miles and about 5 hours, so seeing them both on the same day is hard.
When to Visit the Grand Canyon North Rim
The North Rim is approximately 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim. This higher elevation results in higher snowfall, which closes the North Rim from December 1 to May 15 each year. The facilities are only open from May 15th through October 15th every year.
Grand Canyon North Rim Park Fees
Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is $35 for seven days and includes both the South Rim and the North Rim. Grand Canyon Annual Passes and America the Beautiful passes are accepted.
Directions to the Grand Canyon North Rim
Directions to the North Rim from Page, Arizona:
Page to Grand Canyon North Rim is 124 miles, a 2-hour 20-minute drive. Go south from Page on US-89 as far as Bitter Springs, then turn right onto US-89A, going west. You will go over Navajo Bridge and Pass the turn for Lees Ferry. Continue west on 89A. You will soon pass Cliffdwellers Lodge, a restaurant/motel on the right, along with the original cliff dweller’s ruins. You’ll drive with the Vermilion Cliffs on your right, then into the Kaibab Forest. When you reach Jacob Lake, turn left onto AZ-67 to the North Rim. Watch for bison and other wildlife on 67 on your way to the North Rim.
Directions to the North Rim from the South Rim:
From the South Rim, take Highway 64 east to Highway 89. Next, take Highway 89 north to Highway 89 Alt. Then, take Highway 89 Alt west to Highway 67. Lastly, take Highway 67 south directly to the North Rim.
Grand Canyon North Rim Scenic Drives
Point Imperial and Cape Royal are two must-see scenic drives in the North Rim.
Point Imperial
The road to Point Imperial is 11 miles one way, home to the highest point on the North Rim at 8,803 feet. It holds views overlooking the Painted Desert and the eastern end of the Grand Canyon.
Hiking Point Imperial
Point Imperial Trail is a 4-mile round trip. It takes you through the Kaibab forest, past meadows, and onto the rim with marvelous views of Marble Canyon (where you pass up the canyon).
Cape Royal
The road to Cape Royal is 23 miles one way. It has fantastic views of the canyon below. You can see the Desert View Watch Tower on the South Rim from there. In addition, the road takes you past Angel’s Window, a natural arch. Cape Royal is the best to be during sunrise or sunset because the canyon’s colors come to life and mesh with the beautiful sky above.
Hiking the Cape Royal Trail
The Cape Royal Trail is a .6-mile round-trip paved trail with excellent canyon views, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. In addition, markers along the trail provide information about the area’s natural history. The trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area. You must do the Cape Royal Trail if you drive to Cape Royal. The views are much better than anything you will see from your car window, and after going up the windy road, you will be ready to stretch and move around.
Hikes at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim
Bright Angel Point Trail
The Bright Angel Point Trail is 0.5 miles round-trip on a paved trail. It leads to a spectacular view of the canyon. The trail begins at the log shelter in the parking area by the visitor center or at the corner of the back porch behind the lodge. Self-guiding nature trail pamphlets are available from a box along the trail. Even though this trail is popular and relatively short, it’s one of my favorites. It has some incredible views!
Transept Trail
The Transept Trail is 3 miles round-trip. It follows the canyon rim from Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground.
North Kaibab Trail
The North Kaibab Trail descends into the canyon down to the Colorado River and is used for “rim-to-rim” hikes. However, you can use the trail for mini excursions, hike down to the Coconino Overlook or the Supai Tunnel, and turn around. The Cocino Overlook is 1.5 miles round-trip, and the Supai Tunnel is 4 miles round-trip. Take the North Kaibab Trail to Roaring Springs if you want a long day hike. The hike is 9.4 miles round trip and quite strenuous. Roaring Springs is the last stop along the North Kaibab Trail unless you plan on doing a rim-to-rim, which you must train and prepare for!
Uncle Jim Trail
The Uncle Jim Trail is 5 miles round-trip. It begins at the North Kaibab Trail parking lot. The trail winds through the forest to a point overlooking the canyon and the North Kaibab Trail switchbacks. Mules also use the trail.
Widforss Trail
The Widforss Trail is 10 miles round-trip. Take the dirt road 1/4 mile south of Cape Royal Road for 1 mile to the Widforss Trail parking area. There is a self-guiding trail brochure at the trailhead. The trail allows you to spend some quality time in nature. This trail is less popular than others, and you should be able to enjoy some peace and quiet in the great outdoors.
Cape Final Trail
The Cape Final Trail is 4 miles round-trip; It begins at the dirt parking area at Point Final and takes you to Cape Final Point, where you are rewarded with an excellent canyon view.
Roosevelt Point Trail
The Rosevelt is short and sweet, with some amazing views. The trail is only .2 miles round-trip. It’s a great option for those who don’t want to take a long hike but still want to experience the magic of the Grand Canyon.
Camping and Lodging at the Grand Canyon North Rim
Lodging Options
There is not a lot of lodging on the North Rim. The Grand Canyon Lodge, a mix of motel and cabin accommodations, is the only lodging inside the National Park. There are a few options outside of the park. The Kaibab Lodge is located 5 miles outside the park, and Jacob Lake is around 44 miles from the park. It is best to get room reservations in advance.
Camping Options
If you plan camping within the park on the North Rim, campsites are available June 9 through October 15, 2023. You can reserve a site at recreation.gov; no walk-up sites are available. The North Rim Campground will be closed for the winter between October 16, 2023, and May 14, 2024. North Rim roads are closed to all vehicles between December 1st and May 14th, and no visitor services are available.
If the North Rim Campground is full or you’d like to be more secluded, there are places to camp outside the park. To access the North Rim easily, you can camp at DeMotte, Jacob Lake, Tuweep campgrounds, Kaibab Camper Village, or dispersed camping sites in the national forest.
The DeMotte Campground is 7 miles north of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. The U.S. Forest Service operates it. Half of the sites can be reserved in advance on Recreation.gov, and half are first-come, first-served. The DeMotte Campground offers 38 single-family campsites with tables and cooking grills. These 38 sites can accommodate tents, trailers, and small motorhomes. There are no utility hookups in this campground.
The Jacob Lake Campground is located on the main route to the North Rim, 45 miles from the entrance. It is open from May through September. The U.S. Forest Service operates it. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov and can be reserved 6-months in advance. It offers 51 campsites that accommodate tents, trailers, and small motorhomes. There is potable water but no utility hookups.
The Kaibab Camper Village is also located in Jacob Lake. It is a commercial campground with full hookups. It’s 45 miles from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The property is perfect for large motorhomes and trailers but also offers tent sites. This site is open from mid-May through mid-October.
Grand Canyon North Rim Backcountry Permits
You’ll need to fill out an application to apply for a backcountry permit. Applications are accepted as early as the first day of each month, four months before your proposed start date. Applications are available at recreation.gov. The cost is $10 per permit or lottery application plus a nightly charge of $12 per person for all below-rim areas and $4 per person for all above-rim areas.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Remember to respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Please leave the Grand Canyon North Rim better than you found it, and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring the trails and discovering the area!