Maybe you’re planning a trip to the Grand Canyon and you’re just now finding out that there are two completely different areas to visit in the National Park: the North Rim and the South Rim. Which rim of the Grand Canyon should you visit?
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon provides more solitude and better sunsets. Guests can also hike to the bottom of the canyon, ride mules, take a scenic drive, and enjoy the Grand Canyon Lodge. It can be easily visited in one day unless you are planning on doing some major hiking. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a great option for those who are visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks as it is closer than the South Rim.
We’re Matt and Cheryl and we love the Grand Canyon. We have visited both rims of the Grand Canyon as well as Grand Canyon West and Page, AZ. We think they are all great.
If you’re trying to decide, or if you’ve already decided to visit the North Rim, keep on reading because this article will tell you all you need to know about visiting the North Rim.
In this article we’ll cover:
The Grand Canyon is so big that it is broken into 4 distinct areas. When most people think of the Grand Canyon, they are thinking of the South Rim that is run by the National Park System. It is home to the charming Grand Canyon Village and over 5 million people visit per year! The sheer cliffs on the South Rim are unparalleled, which is why many people will drive to the South Rim, even if the North Rim is closer.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is also run by the NPS and is only open from mid-May through mid-October because they actually receive snow there! What the North Rim lacks in village charm and sheer cliffs, it more than makes up for in atmosphere and more colorful views.
People are known to return to the North Rim again and again because it’s an “escape.” It’s hard to explain, but it’s just a different feeling on the North Rim. It’s more of a getaway.
There are 2 other areas considered as part of the Grand Canyon but they are not part of the National Park System.
Page, AZ is home to Horseshoe Bend National Monument as well as Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. It is run by a mixture of state, federal, and tribal governments.
Grand Canyon West is run by the Hualapai Tribe and is completely on tribal land. It is home to the famous Skywalk.
Read more about the entrances to the Grand Canyon in our article, Which Entrance Should You Use For the Grand Canyon? (Entrances and 4 Areas Explained).
Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon can be overwhelming in many aspects. We have put together a few different must-have travel guides to the Grand Canyon. They each include a daily (flexible) itinerary and an AUDIO GUIDE!!
| South Rim | North Rim |
| 90% of visitors | 10% of visitors |
| Grand Canyon Village (many buildings) | Grand Canyon Lodge |
| Mule Rides: 3-hour rim & overnight Phantom Ranch | Mule Rides: 1-hour rim, 3-hour rim, 3-hour canyon |
| Shuttles | No shuttles |
| More activities & tours (Train, bike rentals, helicopters, rafting) | Better sunsets |
| More hikes into the canyon but one rim hike | One hike into the canyon but more rim hikes |
| Open year-round | Open May to October |
| Hot in summer, snow in winter | Cooler in summer, closed in winter |
| More expansive views | More colorful views |
Don’t Miss: Grand Canyon Beginner’s Guide: Itinerary + Lodging & Tips for the South Rim.
The main thing to do at the North Rim is to get a drink from the Roughrider Saloon and drink while taking in views from the deck chairs of the Grand Canyon Lodge.
But there are plenty more things to do!
From the Grand Canyon Lodge, it’s only a 0.5-mile walk on a paved trail to Bright Angel Point. This provides some of the most expansive views of the canyon from the North Rim.
From here, you can look across the canyon to see the South Rim. If you have binoculars, you can spot the Grand Canyon Village, and even the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails leading into the canyon.
There is another viewpoint just below the deck of the Grand Canyon Lodge — it doesn’t have a name, but you can’t miss it. Definitely visit both viewpoints!
The Grand Canyon Lodge is the star of the North Rim. It was built in the 1920s, then burned to the ground 10 years later. It was rebuilt in the 1930s and still has that old-school charm.
The views from the dining room are INCREDIBLE! It provides better views of the canyon than any lodge or restaurant on the South Rim.
Dishes include Canyon Duck, Lees Ferry Trout, Hualapai Buffalo Tenderloin, and the Grand Canyon Beast Burger, as well as vegetarian options.
Make sure to get reservations in advance. Be aware they give preference to those staying at the Lodge.
The Rough Rider Saloon is a coffee shop that serves coffee and pastries in the morning and a saloon in the evening, serving pizza and drinks. What makes this place great is the food is served to-go style so you can go out behind the lodge on the veranda and enjoy a drink or meal with the best views around… the Grand Canyon!
There are more hikes on the North Rim than on the South Rim, but only the North Kaibab Trail descends into the canyon. The hikes on the North Rim are more forested, but they still provide views of the canyon. There are some good options for longer hikes.
Don’t forget to pack a lot of water! We love the Camelback Mule because of the amount of water it holds. It holds 3 liters, which is more than most. For all your packing needs, see our article Hiking in the Grand Canyon: What You Need to Know.
The scenic drive will take you through the Kaibab Forest to scenic viewpoints along the rim. It’s a 20-mile drive to Cape Royal Point, with a few viewpoints along the way.
Our favorite viewpoint is Angel’s Window, with awesome views of Wotans Throne and Freya Castle.
We had a picnic lunch at Vista Encantada, sitting right next to the rim.
A 2.5-mile spur road will take you to the popular Point Imperial as well.
Download our Free Quick and Easy Guide to the Grand Canyon’s 4 Areas!
We rode a mule on the North Rim through Canyon Rides, and we loved it. The guides were so friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Rides range from 1-3 hours in the saddle and one option even partially goes into the Grand Canyon.
Although we liked the ride on the South Rim slightly more, we still loved our ride at the North Rim. You can read our post, Grand Canyon Mule Rides: Our Review & What You Need to Know, to help you pick the best ride for you!
GOOD TO KNOW: Mules are a mix between donkeys and horses. They have a long history in the Grand Canyon because they are big like horses and sure-footed like donkeys.
Inside the Grand Canyon Lodge is a famous statue of a donkey named Brighty. Brighty was a real donkey who lived on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in the early 1900s.
Brighty was a major tourist attraction. Brighty even had a book and a movie made about his life! They are both called Brighty of the Grand Canyon.
This statue was controversially removed in the 1970s but brought back in the 1980s. Today, visitors rub Brighty’s nose for good luck!
We made a YouTube video about Brighty and the controversy of the statue.
There is a small bison herd on the North Rim. We saw them on the drive into the park.
These bison are not native to the canyon. Therefore, the park doesn’t want them here.
They were brought to the Grand Canyon in the early 1900s by Charles “Buffalo” Jones. The goal was to mix them with cattle and help restore the species. But nowadays the park doesn’t want anything that isn’t native in the park, so they remove them as much as resources allow.
Jacob Lake, Arizona, is the gateway to the North Rim. It’s located an hour away from the Grand Canyon Lodge, but you have to drive through Jacob Lake to get to the North Rim.
The famous thing to do here is get cookies and shakes at the Jacob Lake Inn.
It’s barely a town, but there are Many Things to Do In and Around Jacob Lake!
GOOD TO KNOW: If you aren’t staying at the Grand Canyon Lodge, Jacob Lake is the next closest place to stay. Also, there is no lake at Jacob’s Lake.
The North Rim has a visitor center where you can go to talk to a ranger or learn about the park. It also has a gift shop right next door.
Both of these are located right by the Grand Canyon Lodge.
This is a common activity at any National Park, but since very few visitors to the Grand Canyon visit the North Rim, your entry sign photo will look different than everyone else’s!
The North Rim is very simple to visit. It’s a smaller area, and due to the lack of crowds, it’s pretty easy to navigate around.
If you aren’t doing any big hikes, you can easily see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in one day, 1/2 a day if you aren’t doing any hiking or going on a mule ride.
Most people probably spend a few hours at the North Rim (same with the South Rim). In a few hours, you can see the canyon from Bright Angel Point, walk around the Grand Canyon Lodge, and do a short hike or drive to Point Imperial.
We recommend a full day or at least staying long enough to watch a sunset.
When we visit the North Rim, we like to do it as part of a bigger road trip. We often will visit Page, AZ or Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.
North Rim is only open mid-May through mid-October, some years even shorter depending on the snow. Because of this variability, we don’t recommend traveling too close to the opening or closing dates. In 2023, the North Rim did not open until June 2nd because of a very heavy winter. An early snow could also close the park down.
Pretty much any time June-September is our preference. Because of the high altitude, you’ll escape the summer heat that you will experience in nearby national parks (Zion-we’re looking at you!) Average temperatures range from lows in the mid 40’s°F to highs in the mid 80’s°F. So pleasant!
Check out our article The Best (and Worst) Times of Year to Visit the Grand Canyon for more.
It’s rare for someone to visit just the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We write guides to many national parks in the West, and our fellow travelers often share their itineraries with us. A popular trip is the Grand Loop where you hit both the North and South Rim, Kanab, UT, Page, AZ, and then the national parks of Zion and Bryce Canyon.
If you were to do this entire Grand Circle Trip, it would take 8-11 days.
| Driving Time to the North Rim | |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 4 hrs |
| Page, AZ | 3 hrs |
| Kanab, AZ | 2 hrs |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | 3 hrs |
| Zion National Park | 2 hrs |
| Las Vegas, NV Airport | 4 hrs 30 min |
| Salt Lake City, UT Airport | 7 hrs |
| Phoenix, AZ Airport | 6 hrs 15 min |
There is only one place to stay inside the park at the North Rim: The Grand Canyon Lodge. However, there are a few other lodges, cabins, and inns nearby. There are no chain hotels within an hour of the North Rim.
This is the only lodging in the park. They do not have rooms within the Lodge; all rooms are cabins located nearby. Some of them are close enough to the rim that you can see the canyon from your window or front deck.
We haven’t stayed here yet, but will next time we visit. It looks amazing!
There are a few other places nearby:
There is only one place to camp inside the park: the North Rim Campground. It’s an affordable $18 per night. With only 87 sites, it books up early. There are no hookups.
There are a few boondocking sites on the North Rim. All these are part of the Kaibab National Forest.
CAUTION: Boondocking roads can be incredibly rough with little turnaround space. Some people get stuck in tight situations and cannot turn around. Read reviews carefully and scout ahead if you try any of these sites, and consider checking with the Forest Service as well.
Saddle Mountain Overlook. There are only four campgrounds here and it takes a 13-mile drive on a gravel road to get there. But it’s located on the rim of the canyon with spectacular views.
Dog Canyon Apron. I really only found this by zooming in on the North Rim area on Google Maps. I don’t know much about it.
Forest Road 611. I saw quite a few reviews raving about this one.
I don’t feel comfortable giving directions or advice about these places since I haven’t stayed here, so I’ll refer you to the maps on the Kaibab Forest Service website.
There are no stand-alone restaurants at the North Rim. All the lodges mentioned above have restaurants.
The Grand Canyon Lodge has 3 places to eat including the more expensive Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room, the grab-and-go Deli in the Pines, and the Roughrider Saloon for drinks and snacks.
We think that the best value is to get coffee and pastry in the morning, or a drink and pizza in the evening from the Rough Rider Saloon. It’s way cheaper than the high price tag ($30-$50 per plate) at the Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room, and you can take your food to the deck out back and enjoy the canyon views.
We recently made a video about the best lodges with a view, and spoiler alert, the Grand Canyon Lodge was our top pick! You can watch the video below.
Watch Where to Get Eat at the Grand Canyon (From Groceries to Fine Dining) to learn more.
The Kaibab Lodge serves a breakfast and dinner buffet, as well as a grab-and-go lunch.
The Jacob Lake Inn offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as those cookies and shakes.
Last time we were there we saw a food and coffee truck called Meadows Edge located at the North Rim general store. We also saw a Navajo Food truck at the Jacob Lake Inn.
We often like to bring our own food and have a picnic. We loved eating lunch at the Vista Encantada overlook of the canyon.
GOOD TO KNOW: The food at the Grand Canyon consistently gets poor reviews online. Although we have never had a bad meal, we haven’t ever had a great one either. We love the views, but not the food. However, we do LOVE the shakes and cookies and Jacob Lake.
Angel’s Window. It provides views of the east side of the canyon, and it’s the only viewpoint on the North Rim that offers the sheer drops that the South Rim is famous for. Other popular viewpoints are Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial, and Cape Royal.
You will need your own vehicle. Unlike the South Rim which offers a shuttle service to many areas of the park, the North Rim does not have this service.
Absolutely! While the South Rim is more famous, the North Rim tends to get repeat visitors who come to get away from it all.
Only if you want to. In our opinion, the South Rim is the best area of the Grand Canyon because of the amazing viewpoints and all the extra activities to do. We love the North Rim but don’t feel that it is necessary to say you have “properly done” the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon has produced a wonderful accessibility guide. It includes a map of the trails and the conditions you can expect.
The general rule in national parks is that you can bring your dog to the same places you can drive your car.
There are no kennel services or pet-friendly rooms, and the only trail dogs are allowed on is the Bridle Trail.
Dogs are allowed at the Jacob Lake Inn.
Yes! It’s common to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in conjunction with Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park. These are the “Big Three” in Southern Utah/Northern Nevada.
We’ve visited these places many times, and we know them well. That’s why we created a few different travel guides to help you enjoy your trip. Our guides provide daily itineraries for you, take the stress out of planning, and ensure you don’t miss out on the best things to see. We have a one-day guide and a multi-day guide to the Grand Canyon. We also have itineraries to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and more.
GRAND CANYON GUIDE: To read or watch all of our content about the Grand Canyon, check out our Grand Canyon Homepage
AREAS: The Grand Canyon is divided into 4 areas: The South Rim, North Rim, Grand Canyon West, and the East Side of the Grand Canyon (Page, AZ). Learn about the 4 areas of the Grand Canyon with our Free Printable
THINGS TO DO: There is much more to do than hike and look at viewpoints. Explore Antelope Canyon, ride a mule, or take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway
WHERE TO STAY: Learn all about where to camp or stay when visiting the Grand Canyon.
WHERE TO EAT: Check out the best places to eat and get groceries at the South Rim
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Discover the best and worst times to visit the Grand Canyon
WATCH: Enjoy videos of the beautiful Grand Canyon while learning our best tips for visiting by watching our Grand Canyon YouTube Playlist
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