Grand Canyon North Rim Itinerary
The Grand Canyon is one of America’s most iconic sights, and it is the second most visited national park, only behind the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Millions of visitors flock to this great abyss every year to catch a glimpse of a natural wonder that predates the dinosaurs. Most people visit the South Rim, but the North Rim also has its fair share of vast landscapes and stunning vistas. Now I’m here to give you my ultimate guide to visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim.
Grand Canyon’s North Rim is only about an hour and a half from Kanab, Utah. It was my last stop on my big Southwest road trip, and if you’re coming to visit the North Rim, then I highly recommend you check out the other sites nearby like Zion, Bryce, and Horseshoe Bend.
If you liked, Canyonlands, then you’re going to LOVE it’s big brother. Keep reading if you want to discover the Grand Canyon’s hidden side because I’m sharing all the best things to do here with my Grand Canyon North Rim itinerary.
About Grand Canyon North Rim
At 1.2 million acres, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the largest in the United States. This area includes 277 miles of the Colorado River. Over billions of years, the Colorado River forged through the rocks, creating a mile-deep canyon.
On one side is the popular South Rim, and the remote North Rim is on the other. Only about 10 miles separate the two rims. However, there isn’t a road that connects the two sides, so it takes about five hours to drive from rim to rim. This is why most people only see one or the other.
Why You Should Visit Grand Canyon North Rim
The Grand Canyon North Rim attracts far less visitors than the South Rim.
Grand Canyon National Parks attracts about 6 million viewers annually, but only about 10% of them visit the North Rim. It’s a shame because the North Rim showcases a different side of the Grand Canyon. However, this is also part of the allure of the North Rim. If you’re looking for the road less traveled, then the North Rim is for you.
The South Rim can feel crowded year-round, but especially in the summer months. You’ll have to secure accommodations and tour reservations months in advance. Don’t want to battle the crowds? Visit the North Rim! Even if you visit during peak season, it’ll feel like you have the park to yourself. There’s nothing more surreal than experience the pure vastness and grandeur of the Grand Canyon in near solitude. It’s both humbling and peaceful.
Because it is much more remote than the South Rim, the North Rim has more of a rustic, rugged feel. There is still lots to do in the North Rim, but much of the park is inaccessible to visitors. It’s much less commercialized than the South Rim, and has a more relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.
So if you prefer to discover the hidden gems and could care less about hitting up all the top tourist spots, or if you want to see the beauty and magnificence of the Grand Canyon without battling hordes of other tourists, then skip the South Rim altogether and just visit the Grand Canyon North Rim.
The Grand Canyon North Rim stands at over 8000 feet elevation.
Because the North Rim stands a full 1000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim, it can be argued that the viewpoints are more stunning. If you want to feel like you’re standing on top of the world – then this is the place for you! At times, it feels like you’re looking down on the South Rim, which is truly unbelievable.
Cooler Temperatures will make you more comfortable.
Because of the higher elevation, it’s much cooler in the North Rim in the summer, when most people visit. The South Rim’s highs easily reach 100+ degrees Fahrenheit in those hot summer months, the North Rim’s average temperatures hover in the mid-70s. This makes hiking and other activities MUCH more enjoyable and comfortable than in the South Rim.
Grand Canyon North Rim vs. South Rim
So the big question is this – should I visit Grand Canyon North Rim or South Rim?
It all depends on your trip and what you’re looking for. If it’s your first time and you’re only going to see the Grand Canyon, then I would probably recommend the South Rim because it’s more iconic and recognizable with lots more accommodations and amenities.
Or, are you planning a big Southwest road trip? If you’re traveling through Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, then you might have limited time in your itinerary. If your trip includes places like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Page, AZ (if you’re visiting Horseshoe Bend), then I recommend visiting Grand Canyon North Rim instead of the South Rim because you’ll save some driving time. Plus, the North Rim can easily be seen in one day, whereas many people like to spend at least two days exploring the South Rim.
Visit Grand Canyon South Rim if…
- You’ve never visited the Grand Canyon before
- You want to see all the famous “iconic” viewpoints
- You want access to more accommodations, services, and amenities in the park itself (more places to eat, shop, etc.)
- You are visiting with kids
- You want to do more tours and activities
Visit Grand Canyon North Rim if…
- You want to see a different side of the Grand Canyon
- You want to take the road less traveled and stay far away from the tourist spots and crowds
- You’re also visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Page, AZ as part of your road trip itinerary
Things to Know Before Going to the Grand Canyon North Rim
Entrance Fees
The park entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park is $35 per vehicle and is valid for up to 7 days. This is valid for admission both at the North Rim and South Rim – just hang on to your receipt and attach it to your windshield.
If you are planning to also visit the West Rim (yes – there’s also a West Rim!), keep in mind that this area of the Grand Canyon is not managed by the National Park Service. Because of this, your park admission will not be valid, and you will have to pay additional entry fees set by the Hualapai Tribe.
If you are planning to visit some of the other National Parks in the area (i.e. Bryce Canyon, Zion), I highly recommend purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass for $80. This is valid at all National Parks and Recreation Areas (there are a few exceptions here, such as Horseshoe Bend), and pays for itself if you visit three parks. It’s good for an entire year, so it’s really a steal!
Grand Canyon North Rim Opening Dates
The North Rim is not open all year. The Grand Canyon North Rim’s season is between May 15 and October 19, and this is when all visitor services and facilities are open.
You can technically still visit the North Rim from October 19 to November 30, but most of the park’s services and facilities (i.e. the visitor’s center, the Grand Canyon Lodge and all associated services) are closed.
After December 1, all roads leading into Grand Canyon North Rim are closed – snow and ice make the roads inaccessible, and are closed as a result. During the winter months, backpackers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers are still permitted to use the North Rim Campground – however a backcountry permit must be obtained. Visitors wishing to visit during this time must park in Jacob Lake, then hike 45 miles to the North Rim Campground.
How Long Should I Spend At Grand Canyon North Rim?
Depending on what you want to do in Grand Canyon North Rim, you can either stay for a few hours or a few days.
I spent about a half day at the North Rim. It allowed me to see all the viewpoints along the Scenic Drive and do the short hike to Bright Angel Point before catching the sunset.
If you want to do more hikes, allow for at least one full day. You may even want to allow for an extra day so you can proceed at a more relaxed pace. If you plan to do the North Kaibab Trail, allow for at least two days.
Other Things to Know Before Visiting Grand Canyon North Rim
- Altitude: Remember that you are at over 8000 feet altitude – you may encounter shortness of breath and lightheadedness, so take it slow and steady, especially on more strenuous hikes.
- Weather: Temperatures are cooler at the Grand Canyon North Rim, so it may get chilly at night, even in the summer. Consider bringing a jacket, even if you don’t think you’ll need it. Also, be wary of summertime thunderstorms.
- Bring lots of water: When visiting any national park, I always recommend bringing more water than you think you need.
How to Get to Grand Canyon North Rim
The Grand Canyon North Rim sits in the northwest corner of Arizona. It’s just 80 miles (90 minutes) from Kanab, near the Utah border – making it an ideal stop as a day trip on a Southwest road trip itinerary that also includes Zion (122 miles/~2.5 hours drive), Bryce Canyon (158 miles/~3 hours drive), and Page, AZ (122 miles/~2.5 hours drive), home of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
The nearest international airport to the North Rim is located in Las Vegas, 275 miles (4.5 hours) away. There is also a regional airport located in St. George, Utah, 145 miles (2 hours, 45 minutes). Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is about 6 hours away, and Salt Lake City is 6.5 hours away.
As I mentioned earlier, it takes over 5 hours to drive between the North and South Rim, so I recommend staying overnight somewhere instead of attempting a day trip between the two.
For more information and specific driving directions from these (and other) destinations, click here.
A car is absolutely essential for getting to and around the Grand Canyon North Rim. It is remote, everything is spread out, and there is no shuttle.
Some visitors choose to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim (or vice versa) via the Rim-to-Rim Trail. This is a once-in-a-lifetime but extremely difficult hike – only about 1% of the park’s annual visitors attempt it. The hikes typically takes 12-15 hours to complete. If you choose to pursue this route, a multi-day hike is recommended, but a permit must be secured for backcountry camping.
If you don’t want to hike back to where you came from, there’s also a shuttle service in between rims via the Trans Canyon Shuttle – more information here.
Things to Do in Grand Canyon North Rim
As I mentioned earlier, I visited the Grand Canyon North Rim on a half-day trip. Give yourself anywhere from 4-6 hours to complete these suggested things to do in Grand Canyon North Rim.
Grand Canyon North Rim Scenic Drive
You can easily spend the better part of a day driving along the North Rim Scenic Drive, making all the stops along the way. If you are short on time, you can pick and choose which sights to make a stop for. I think this winding drive is the best way to appreciate the remoteness and scenic beauty of the North Rim.
The North Rim Scenic Drive stretches 23 miles from the visitor’s center and ends at Cape Royal. I actually did the scenic drive towards the end of the day, so we headed up to Cape Royal first then made stops on the way back down.
The entire drive takes about 45 minutes if you drive straight through without making any stops.
Cape Royal
After reaching the parking lot at the end of the Scenic Drive, there is a paved trail leading the way to Cape Royal. The hike is a mile round-trip – allow about an hour for the leisurely walk and to have plenty of time to soak up the views.
Along the way, there’s a side trail leading to Angel’s View, which you don’t want to miss. There’s a viewpoint that lets you catch a glimpse of the natural limestone arch, and you can even stand on top of it, too. Afterwards, continue back onto the trail leading to Cape Royal.
Cape Royal sits on the southernmost point of the Grand Canyon North Rim, so this is the closest thing you get to a total panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. You can see up, down, and across the canyon, making this one of the most spectacular viewpoints on either Rim!
There is a guide here to help you figure out exactly what you are seeing, from different parts of the South Rim to the Colorado River flowing 8000 feet below. If you chose to hit this spot last, it’s a beautiful place to watch the sunset.
Point Imperial
Standing at 8803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest point in the entire Grand Canyon National Park. It’s also the northernmost overlook.
Standing at Point Imperial makes you feel like you’re standing on top of the world. Since you’re at the highest point in the park, you practically are! Remember: you’re 1000 feet above the South Rim, so it feels like you’re looking down on the entire Grand Canyon.
Keep an eye out for views of the Painted Desert, and you can also see Mt. Hayden and the Vermillion Cliffs off in the distance.
Other Lookouts
Roosevelt Point: This is about halfway point between the visitors center and Cape Royal. This is a relatively new viewpoint, and it commemorates Theodore Roosevelt. A 0.2 mile trail leads you to a viewpoint, which is a somewhat restricted view of the Colorado River, with better views leading to the north. You’ll see a flat plain stretched out between the Echo and Vermillion Cliffs.
Vista Encantada: From here, you can see the upper drainage of Nankoweap Creek, Brady Peak, and the Painted Desert to the east. If you visit in the spring, you can see pretty wildflowers blooming here.
Bright Angel Point
This is easily the most popular thing to do at Grand Canyon North Rim, mainly because it’s so easily accessible from the visitors center. It is also the pinnacle for classic North Rim views.
This is a short 1 mile round trip hike leading from the visitor center. It’s completely paved, but there are a few drop-offs and some stairs. Going down is easy, but the walk back up is a little steep. It shouldn’t take you more than an hour to complete the hike and soak in the views.
Bright Angel Point offers sweeping views of Bright Angel Canyon below and the canyon buttes and temples, along with dramatic views into Roaring Springs. You can also see stunning views of the South Rim, which sits just 11 miles across from Bright Angel Point.
Because it’s the popular of the viewpoints in the North Rim, it doesn’t offer as much solitude as Cape Royal and Point Imperial. This is the one spot in the park where you will likely run into some people, but it still doesn’t feel crowded at all.
Tip: the best photo spots are along the trail, not actually at the viewpoint.
Final Reminders
Bring your own food! I highly recommend bringing all your own food, but at least bring some snacks if you can. There is only one place to get food in the park, and the prices are pretty steep. There also isn’t a huge selection.
There is NO service. I didn’t have cell signal anywhere throughout the day. However, the general store does have wifi if you desperately need service for some reason. They also sell prepackaged snacks and drinks if you want to stock up here.
Beware the buffalo! Ok, so no one told me that there’s TONS of buffalo at the North Rim. I had never seen buffalo before, so this was a real treat. They were pretty far away in a field minding their own business, so just make sure not to get to close.
