The Happiness Function

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers a unique experience separate from the South Rim. Located at an elevation of over 8,000 feet with initial views hidden by the dense forest, visitors reach the North Rim overlook to peer out in awe of the Grand Canyon’s magnificence.

In this article, we’ll tell you about all the things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, including scenic drives, where to hike, and camp.

What To Do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

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The main activities to do while visiting the North Rim include:

• Hiking
• Going on a mule ride
• Checking out the Visitor Center
• Overlooking Bright Angel Point
• Driving the scenic drive and stopping at all the viewpoints to take photos

Did you know that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is visited 90% less than the South Rim?

The Grand Canyon is so massive that driving from the South Rim to the North Rim takes over four and a half hours. The drive from the South Rim to the North Rim is about 220 miles. If you were to hike from the North Rim to the South Rim, it is a 21-mile trek.

Get your annual National Park Pass here (affiliate link to buy on REI.com).

Hiking at the North Rim

There are 13 different day-hiking trails visitors can do. Below is a quick summary, including the trail name, distance, and time estimated to hike.

1. Bright Angel Point Trail

• Distance: 0.5-mile (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: 30 minutes

2. Transept Trail

• Distance: 2-miles (one-way)
• Time to hike: 1 hour

3. Bridle Path

• Distance: 1.9 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: 1 hour
• Pets allowed on this path

4. Widforss Trail

• Distance: 9.6 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: ~ 6 hours

5. Uncle Jim Trail

• Distance: 4.7 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: ~ 3 hours

6. Ken Patrick Trail

• Distance: 9.8 miles (one-way)
• Time to hike: ~ 6 hours

7. Arizona Trail

• Distance: 12.1 miles (one-way)
• Time to hike: ~ 7 hours
• Pets allowed
• Bicycles allowed

8. North Kaibab Trail

• Distance: TBD, not recommended to try to hike to the Colorado River and back on the same day
• Recommend talking to the Visitor Center first before hiking for trail status
• Be sure to plan ahead

9. Point Imperial Trail

• Distance: 5.4 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: ~ 3 hours

10. Roosevelt Point Trail

• Distance: 0.2 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: 30 minutes

11. Cape Final Trail

• Distance: 4.2 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: ~2-3 hours

12. Cliff Spring Trail

• Distance: 0.8 mile (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: ~ 1 hour

13. Cape Royal Trail

• Distance: 0.8 miles (roundtrip)
• Time to hike: ~1 hour

Camping at the North Rim Grand Canyon

The National Park Service manages one campground here. Check out recreation.gov (link to book) to make a reservation ahead of time.

Going on a Mule Ride at the North Rim

Mule rides are surprisingly popular. You’ll want to research some of the guiding outfits to plan your adventure.

Exploring the Visitor Center

You will want to stop at the Visitor Center. Grab a trail map, check out the bookstore, browse the exhibits, and be sure to walk to Bright Angel Point.

Seeing Bright Angel Point

Be sure to walk the paved 0.5-mile (roundtrip) path to the Bright Angel Point overlook. This location offers one of the famous vantage points.

Cruising the North Rim Scenic Drive

If you’re not planning on hiking much, the scenic drive from the Visitor Center to Cape Royal is a great way to visit the North Rim.

Or, if you spend more than one day at the North Rim, hike and squeeze the scenic drive into your trip.

The Scenic Drive is 23 miles to the Cape Royal lookout point from the Visitor Center. It takes roughly an hour each way.

Be sure to stop at the other main lookout points, including Point Imperial, Vista Encantada, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook, and Angels Window, to enjoy the views and take photos.

Distances From Other Nearby National Parks

When we visited the first time, we actually paired it with a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.

Below are the distances and times to get to the North Rim from national parks close by:

• Zion National Park to North Rim Grand Canyon Visitor Center – 122 miles
• Bryce Canyon to Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Center – 158 miles

How To Get to the North Rim

The first time we visited, we thought we would drive through the North Rim Entrance Station to be greeted instantly with insanely beautiful views of the Grand Canyon. This was not the case. Pablo and I were both like, Where is it?!

From Jacob Lake, in Northern Arizona, on Highway 67, head south 30 miles. You eventually meet the North Rim Entrance Fee Station.

From the North Rim Entrance Fee Station, you are still 14 miles from the actual rim. Continue driving the winding road through the Kaibab National Forest towards the Visitor Center area.

Closest Airports

The closest airport is located in Kanab, Utah, 80 miles or two hours away.

Major airports are in Las Vegas or Phoenix. Flagstaff is also an option.

Where To Stay

There is one lodge to stay at –- the Grand Canyon Lodge besides camping. If you’re interested in staying here, we definitely recommend making reservations way in advance.

Campgrounds Near the North Rim

There is only one campground at the North Rim managed by the National Park Service, the North Rim Campground.

There are a few other options outside of the park to camp at, including:

• Jacob Lake Campground – U.S. Forest Service
• DeMotte Campground – U.S. Forest Service
• Dispersed Camping in the Kaibab National Forest – U.S. Forest Service

If you’re new to dispersed camping, you might enjoy our article about primitive (dispersed) camping.

Grand Canyon North Rim Maps for Hiking and Camping

To plan hiking in the Grand Canyon and dispersed camping in the Kaibab National Forest, we recommend having the National Geographic maps below:

• Grand Canyon North and South Rims
• Grand Canyon East

Which is Better? North vs. South Rim

Both the North Rim and South Rim offer epic views. The North Rim and the South Rim are different.

While planning your trip, consider the proximity and distances you are willing to drive, the time of year you would like to visit, as well as activities you’d like to do.

Why we love the North Rim: We personally love visiting because it has fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and more options nearby for dispersed camping. We also like all of the options for shorter day hikes. Plus, we can take our dog on two of the trails.

When Does the North Rim of the Grand Canyon Open?

Did you know the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed during the winter? The North Rim is only open seasonally from May 15 through October 15.

This part of the park closes because of the snowpack since it is located at an elevation of over 8,000 feet.

Weather

The weather is typically cooler than the South Rim because it is located at a higher elevation. When planning your trip to the North Rim, plan like you’re going on a trip to the mountains.

The weather at the North Rim will be cooler in the mornings; temperatures will warm up as the day goes on, then cool off again in the evenings. There might be an afternoon rain shower or even a snowstorm depending on if you are visiting in May or October.

We visited at the beginning of June one year, and it was cold, and there was an evening thunderstorm.

Before you go, check out the Grand Canyon National Park Service weather and road conditions.

Get our FREE camping and hiking packing list!

If you are planning on camping and are curious about what to pack, check out our other post on what to bring for tent camping.

Worth a Visit

With its rugged landscape and stunning views, this area will leave you feeling amazed and inspired. We hope you have a memorable road trip to the North Rim.

Ashlee & Pablo

Get More Southwest Travel Guides:

• Zion National Park: Things To Do in Zion: 2-Day Adventure Guide
• Bryce Canyon National Park: How To Visit Bryce Canyon in One Day
• Capitol Reef National Park: Guide To Visiting Capitol Reef National Park
• Arches and Canyonlands National Parks: Arches & Canyonlands in One Day Itinerary
• Moab: Moab Summer Road Trip Ultimate 3-5 Day Guide
• Utah: 20 Adventurous Outdoor Things To See in Utah
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: 5 Best Camping Spots at Lake Powell

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