I’ve posted this before but it’s worth repeating, plan ahead to visit the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park. Complete with updated information.
The National Park Service Centennial will bring more people out to visit all parks making it more important than ever to plan ahead to visit the North Rim, or any National Park site for that matter. The 2015 visitation at Grand Canyon National Park peaked at 5.5 million with 90% visiting the South Rim. That doesn’t mean the North Rim will be less crowded. The remote location with limited services and facilities is only open from May 15 – November 30, weather dependent.
It is unlikely a GPS will work in or around the North Rim so please get a paper map. Go to the park’s website and download the Trip Planner. Remember, the North and South Rims may only be separated by 10 miles as the Condor flies but it’s a 210 mile (338 km) drive via the Navajo Reservation on Hwy89.
There’s a $30/carload entrance fee if you don’t have a park pass and cash is not accepted at the entrance station. However, visitors are not turned away. Cash is accepted at the Visitor Center, and after hours’ entrance fees should be paid at the automated machine behind the Visitor Center.
Be prepared for all kinds of weather. 8200 feet (2500 m) can mean cold and snow into June and as early as October. Monsoon from July through September brings daily rain and sometimes clouds obscure the canyon views. Heat in the canyon can soar above 100F (37 C) during summer. Dry conditions requires drinking plenty of water. Children dehydrate faster than adults. Altitude sickness can be a reality many don’t recognize. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and grumpiness. The air is thinner and breathing can be difficult.
Point Imperial overlook view
The scenic drive on the North Rim is 40 miles (64 k) round trip on a paved curvy road with no shoulders. It is not recommended for a vehicle over 30 feet (9 m) for good reason. Pull offs and parking are provided along the way. Please don’t park on the roadway. No food or water are provided and restrooms are located at only two points. There is no shuttle service touring the North Rim however a hiker shuttle offers a five hour ride between the north and south side of the canyon.
Bright Angel Point trail
Hike smart. The North Rim offers many hiking options from an easy 1/2 mile to many miles. Although you are welcome to wander anywhere you want think about sticking to established trails for safety’s sake. If going off trail please don’t walk on the vegetation. Use extreme caution along rocky edges. Take at least one gallon, or 4 liters, of water per person for the day and salty snacks to help keep your electrolytes up. No dieting at Grand Canyon as you’ll be burning up calories very fast.
North Kaibab Trail
If you’re hiking in the canyon the trail is steep. What goes down must come up. Day hikers are encouraged not to go more than the 5 miles (8 km) down to Roaring Springs on the North Kaibab Trail. This is considered an all day hike for most people and you should get an early start.
Overnight camping along the main rim to rim trails at one of the three designated campgrounds in the canyon requires a permit which you typically apply for four months in advance. Again, check the website for complete information. Best, and most popular, time to hike in the canyon is spring and fall when inner canyon temperatures are not so brutal. Stop at the backcountry office for more information. Maybe you’ll get lucky and get a next day permit.
Ranger programs go on throughout the day and into the evening. Subjects vary from geology, ecology, archeology, California condors and cultural history. It’s a great way to learn more about your Grand Canyon. Times and locations are listed in the North Rim newspaper and posted in the Visitor Center.
The Junior Ranger Program offers more learning opportunities for kids of all ages and you earn a Junior Ranger badge for your efforts. Stop at the Visitor Center/Bookstore to pick up a Junior Ranger book and maybe a postcard or two. Rangers are available to help you plan your visit.
Special events include the 4th of July water parade, Western Arts Day, the week long Star Party, Native American Heritage Days, the Kanab Symphony and special presentations by Artists-in-Residence. Plus nature puts on a wildflower display most of the summer and the fall aspen turn to gold.
Food options are available at the Grand Lodge for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the most expensive of options but not outrageous for a National Park dinning experience with views of Grand Canyon. Dinner reservations should be made in advance. Deli in the Pines offers a variety of quick foods at reasonable prices like salad, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream, beverages and more. Food can be eaten inside, outside, or to go. There is also a Grand Canyon Cookout Experience that includes musical entertainment. The camp store has pretty much all the basics but you’ll pay more than in town. And speaking of town, the nearest grocery stores are in Kanab, Utah 85 miles away.
The Rough Rider Saloon offers some quick food and cocktails. Plus coffee and rolls for the early risers.
Grand Canyon National Park does not sell small throw away sized water bottles. But who needs all that plastic around when you can fill your own containers at the water fill stations. It’s delicious spring water pumped up from 3000 feet (914 m) below the rim. Roaring Springs provides water to both the North and South Rims. Drink plenty of it but be conservative where you can.
Rental cabins
Accommodations are limited and typically require reservations far in advance for lodging and campground. Dispersed camping is allowed in the adjacent Kaibab National Forest. 23 miles (37 km) away Kaibab Lodge which also offers excellent dinning. 45 miles (72 KM) away Jacob Lake Inn along with restaurant, gift shop and famous cookies and milkshakes. Camping is also available around Jacob Lake. East along SR89A is Cliff Dwellers, Lee’s Ferry and Marble Canyon. To the north Fredonia, AZ and Kanab, UT offer many possibilities.
Fuel is available near the camp store 24 hours a day. There is no mechanic on duty.
Pets must be on a leash at all times and only the Bridle Trail and the area around the lodge and visitor center are pet friendly. Only service dogs allowed inside buildings. Do not leave your pet unattended in a closed hot car.
Cape Royal overlook for the best sunsets
If you’re coming for a visit please plan ahead to visit the North Rim. I’ll be working there all summer and would be happy to answer your questions. Planning will make your visit more enjoyable.
You sure have included some beautiful pictures with this informative post. Wish I were coming to see them in person again. I loved every minute of my visit to the wonderful North Rim.
Thanks Sherry. I wish you were coming to the North Rim to visit.
Wow. Thanks much. Concise and informative.
Thanks. Hope this answers some questions for people planning to visit the North Rim.
Excellent information, Gaelyn!
Thanks Cheryl Ann.
Lots of good info. Really, no cash accepted for entrance fee? Is that all parks or just the North Rim? I would be ticked off to drive that far with a pocket full of cash and be denied entrance.:-)
Thanks Jerry. I should have added that entrance fee can be paid in cash at the Visitor Center. I don’t know about other parks. The North Rim entrance is remote and not a good place to keep a bunch of cash around.
Great info as we are planning to visit the North Rim for the first time in mid-June. Since we did not make reservations months ago we are hoping a friendly park ranger can tell us about some good places to boondock;-)
I can tell you about lots of good boondocking. Want to be close to the park entrance or just park it for free on the rim after miles of driving on gravel in the National Forest? If you want to be in the park, and my guest, I may be able to help with that also. Look forward to seeing you.
What a fantastic post! I think you are the North Rim’s best PR person.
Thanks Colleen.
Good advice sounds to me. For me, 5 miles down would be easy, the 5 miles back up would be a killer!! Especially at the altitude.
You’d be surprised how difficult down hill can be when it’s this steep, especially if you have bum knees.
Good overall view. Love the photo with the mist. And I liked the part about ‘no dieting at the Grand Canyon.” 😉
I tell visitors that all the time and they love it.
Beautiful pictures and I love the cartoon of don’t feed the people. We’ve been to the south rim twice – and took the mule day trip both times – but we haven’t yet visited the north rim. I think mostly because of the timing and the location of getting to the north rim. I would love to see it sometime, it must be very special.
Although there’s no bad views of Grand Canyon the North Rim does have a special appeal because of timing and location. No crowds, dense forest and quiet. There’s a calming vibe that’s just hard to explain.
Super helpful post. We’ll be there on June 28 for one night. I didn’t know about Jacob Lake and was thinking we’d have to do some BLM camping. I was able to book a site at the lake so we’ll be able to watch the sun set over the canyon instead of foraging for a site for the evening. I’m not a big sunset guy, but there’s something special about watching it on the canyon rim. PLus camping at the lake puts us right back on the road the next morning. It’s perfect. I’ll be hitting you up later for advice about the rim and Mesa Verde. Thanks for this post!
So are you camping in the park because there is no lake at Jacob Lake and it’s not on the rim?
No lake at the lake? Ha. It’ll be just like California.
We’re not planning on spending any time at the campground other than to sleep. We’ll be at the canyon for the afternoon and evening. Booked the Jacob Lake site because the rim’s campgrounds are full. Our plans are very loose, though, definitely open to other options.
I usually just wing it. I’ve never reserved sites in advance before this trip. It’s always worked out well before, but I thought I’d try it the grown up way this time.
There is a tiny lake on private property, not at the campground.
Thanks for the info. This not kidding on planning in advance. I started looking in March and everything is pretty much booked thru the rest of the year. So, I’m moving to book for 2016
The North Rim has limited accommodations and a relatively small campground. Look forward to meeting you in 2016.
You’ve taken so many fabulous shots of the Canyon in the years you’ve worked there, Gaelyn. I love the cloud shot! It’s snowing hard at my house right now. Our glimpse of spring is gone!
Thanks Barb. Had snow last night with heavy cloud drifting in the canyon today yet patchy sun is melting it away.
One day, I promise. Its at the top of my international travel bucket list.
I hope so.
Thanks for your blog. I’ve been to the south rim many times but I am visiting the north rim for the first time next month and bringing my in-laws who have never seen the canyon before. We are staying at a cabin just one night and I really want to drive to Point Sublime at noon on the day we arrive and have that be their first views of the canyon. We will have the proper vehicle and I’m a skilled off-road driver. This long drive might take away from us seeing cape royal and point imperial. What’s your opinion? we have dinner at 7 then we will walk out to bright angel point.
Great information, Gaelyn. We plan to visit next summer and I’ll certainly be in touch with you before then. My husband, Steve, has been in AZ more than 40 years and has never seen the canyon. Can you believe it! We’ll be looking for a remote boondocking spot that’s not too much driving on dirt roads. We’ll drive our tow car to the rim. Can’t wait to finally meet you in person! Grace (in Tucson)
I look forward to meeting you both next summer. There are several good boondocking spots nearby the park entrance.
We aren’t going to be there until March. It will be our first time and we wanted to go to the North Rim. My wife and son were excited to camp at Point Sublime but now I see the North Rim doesn’t open until May. Am I able to get there in March? We have a highly modified Jeep.
You have so much to teach those who would venture! It’s not in the card for me, but I really enjoy your smart advice. Paper maps are a must! Your photos are stunning!
Thanks Jen. This is going to be a crazy year for National Park visitation. I’ll be back to the North Rim in less than two weeks so will be back to sharing loads more photos of the canyon.
Ahh…you’re still doing this. Every once in a while I check in and know that I can always see Arizona in the best photographs ever. Glad you’re still there.
Thanks Roe. Been wondering what you’re up to. Coming to visit this summer?
One of these days.. It has been over 20 yrs since I have been to the south rim and it was a zoo. Over 40 years since I saw the north rim.
Unfortunately, I believe all parks will be a zoo this year.
Beautiful photos and great into, Gaelyn. You’re a wonderful ambassador for the Grand Canyon.
Thanks Janie.
Recent smartphones running Android can have Google maps download offline maps and do well getting GPS location to show your position within a couple meters. My Nexus 5x works most all of the time at and in the grand canyon – with downloaded maps on phone for extra backup. Paper backups also of course with power bank for phone.
Good to hear this Bill. Now if people would just use the maps.