Discover why you should visit the Grand Canyon North Rim. This bucket list destination is one of the most epic places we have ever visited. 

By the end of this post, we hope you’ll feel inspired and ready to start planning your own unforgettable adventure to the Grand Canyon North Rim!

5 reasons you should visit the Grand Canyon North Rim

Grand Canyon North Rim

Combine visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim with a trip to Zion National Park as the North Rim is a significantly shorter drive than the South Rim. Now talk about one epic roadtrip!

If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of wild bison in the big meadow just outside the North Rim park entrance.

What also was a considerable reason for us visiting the North Rim rather than the South, was the lesser crowds. A view like the one from the Grand Canyon, becomes even more beautiful when you are able to witness it in peace.

With a higher elevation (around 8,000 feet), temperatures are cooler, making hiking experiences more pleasant.

Panoramas from Bright Angel Point, reached by an easy half-mile, one-way trail, are a knockout.

Bright Angel Point

Quick Guide: Grand Canyon

To help you plan an unforgettable adventure to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, we’ve put together this section to ensure you’re fully prepared for an amazing vacation!

Before you go:

As we said earlier, elevation sits higher, meaning winter hits the North Rim hard. So you’ll find that the North Rim only opens from May 15th to November 30th. The campground and lodge are closed in November, and the North Rim is only open for day use, so the best time to visit the Grand Canyon North Rim is from mid-May through October.
The Grand Canyon has some of the most beautiful views in the USA, so make sure to bring that camera if you have one for some amazing Grand Canyon photography. Feel free to download our free packing list here.

While you’re there:

Start your day at the Grand Canyon North Rim with a spectacular view from Cape Royal. From the parking lot, a short paved trail leads to some of the best viewpoints on the North Rim. Be sure to walk around to check out the different outlooks, including Angel’s Window, where you can see all the way down to the Colorado River.

We recommend packing a picnic lunch to have at Cape Royal, so you can spend extra time here. There is a perfect little picnic area right near the parking lot.

Let’s talk about Grand Canyon hikes. First up we have the Bright Angel Point which offers you breathtaking views. Take the paved trail that is a ¼ mile walk from lodging to reach this viewpoint.

The visitor center also sits at the start of the Transept Trail (Distance: 2 miles one way- Elevation Gain: ~340 feet), which goes along the canyon rim for 1.4 miles to the area’s only campground.

The Cape Final Trail is located along Cape Royal Road, with a parking area just a couple of miles north of the Cape Royal parking lot. This gentle hike is perfect for families, offering an enjoyable walk through a forested area before opening up to breathtaking scenery. It is a 4 mile round trip (Elevation Gain: ~495 feet).

Lodging

The Grand Canyon North Rim has one campground which is open from May 15, through October 15. Sites are by reservation only through www.recreation.gov. Family campsites cost $18.00 and range from accommodating a small tent, to 40 foot motorhomes. There are no hookups available at any of the sites. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a cooking grill.

Where to eat

After a full day of adventure, sit back and relax with a refreshing drink and some snacks at the Roughrider Saloon. Grab your drink to-go and head out to the patio, where you can soak in the breathtaking sunset views—a perfect way to wrap up your day!

Before you head back on home

At the entrance of the campground, you’ll find the North Rim General Store which is filled with souvenirs, coffee, and great snacks. We filled up before heading back home.