The North Rim of the Grand Canyon

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is much less visited by tourists than the South Rim. This may be because it takes longer to drive here from most destinations in Arizona and California, it's colder, and it's closed during winter. There are fewer facilities as well. All this makes the North Rim more attractive to some travellers, and for some, it's closer to their travel destination if they're starting out from Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, or Zion National Park.

Getting There

To drive from the South Rim to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon takes four or five hours, even though the distance between the rims, as the crow flies, is only ten miles. You have to drive around, along the edge, for a total of 200 miles before you can reach the North Rim. If you're driving from Lake Powell, it's about 120 miles to the west. To get to the North Rim, you take Routes 89 and 89A, then Route 67. There is a shuttle from the South Rim, available from late Spring to mid-Fall. All roads lead into the park, and the main road leads you right to the Grand Canyon Lodge. There are paved pathways to the main overlooks such as Bright Angel Point.

Services & Facilities at the North Rim

There are fewer services here, but the North Rim does have a general stare with gas station. There's also a post office. Go to the Grand Canyon Lodge lobby to get information about wheechair accessibility. Lots of the viewing stations at the North Rim are wheelchair-accessible, or you can get assistance from staff. Get an Accessibility Guide at the Grand Canyon Lodge at the information desk. You can take a van tour of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and you can find out about them in teh lobby of the Grand Canyon Lodge.

Where to Stay

By the way, the Grand Canyon Lodge is the only accommodations within the park at the North Rim. It's beautiful, built in the 1930s, rustic with amazing views of Grand Canyon in some rooms. It's clean and old-fashioned in a good way, but book well in advance. You can book up to 23 months in advance. There are also accommodations outside the park at the North Rim, such as Kaibab Lodge, just five miles from the entrance to the park. Rooms are basic with private bathrooms, no TV and no phones! There's also the Jacob Lake Inn, forty-four miles from the North Rim. It too is rustic, and it's also small, set in the national forest. Great views of the forest, with decks on all cabins. Again, make reservations well in advance.

Where to Dine

The Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room has good food at good prices. You will get plenty of food whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and the view can't be beat. Look out your window as you dine and look right into the Grand Canyon. The atmosphere is rustic, spacious, and historic. The windows are huge for even better viewing from all angles. Reservations are necessary for dinner. If you want something quicker and easier, there's a snack shop next door, and the bar has bar food like pizza.

Weather

The elevation is higher than at the South Rim, so it's colder and harsher here. Elevation is around 8200 feet. Summertime is pleasant, but wintertime: watch out. They can get over ten feet of snow at the North Rim. Now you know why access to the North Rim is closed during winter. You can only visit here from May 15 to October 15.