Grand Canyon North Rim Reviews

Spent a week there. The views were crazy. Birds were huge, big enough to pick up our little dog. Ride my bike and enjoyed, and my wife enjoyed her self too. Enjoy the flicks...

When I last went here, Grand Canyon Lodge had tentatively re-opened, during the relative lull in virus infections. So, there were some people at that end of the park. My focus, this time though, was on Uncle Jim Trail, about six miles north of the Lodge. It was a moderate hike, with relatively few changes in elevation. There is a ranger's cabin, close to the overlook at trail's end, with spectacular views of the Inner Basin and the Colorado River.

Not sure how others say North Rim is Grand Canyon without the crowds. It is packed. Barely could see the canyon as photographers set up their tripods along the whole viewpoint to get lighting strikes in the canyon. They were just sitting there waiting for it and ignoring their cameras. And since viewpoint is small, there's only so much space for everyone. After 42 mile one way drive, I'll just go to South Rim next time where there's room to spread out.

We have been in Grand Canyon South Rim a few years back. Comparing North and South Rim. North Rim was much more quiet, a different look of beautiful canyon with more trees around then South Rim.

It was just beautiful. The scenery was kind of surreal. I highly recommend eating at the lodge and enjoying the view. There was also an area to sit outside and enjoy the view. There was not an overabundance of people so it was a quiet atmosphere.

Just hard to comprehend the vastness of this canyon. The wide range of colors and views from all the lookout spots. Worth the drive and time to send there. A lot less crowded than the south rim because only 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors go to the north rim.

Enormous and spectacular place. I will never forget the stunning landscape that spreads up to the horizon.

Arrived on the day after it snowed several inches the night before. Sidewalks and streets were clear and easy to walk on. Snow moved in again while we were there. It was beautiful to view with the sunshine and then with the snow. Roads to other viewpoints other than the lodge were closed so we did not get to see the other views, but we were not disappointed in what we did get to see.

Loved the grand canyon north rim. weather was great. we did the normal lookouts and the cape royal trails....but my favorite hike was the cliffs spring trail.... beautiful little hike through the forest (with an ancient pueblo grainery) that takes you out under rock outcroppings and has a beautiful view - we only saw two other people on the hike so it was quiet and a great time in nature. we also did most of the hike out to roosevelt point (but we ran out of time to do the whole thing)

Yes we all hear that the north rim isn't as crowded and that's true. But that is also because there isn't as much (trails, shops, dining, hotels, shuttles, cars) as the south rim has to offer. Neither is better, just different types of experiences. What is the same is the one of kind natural phenomenon that no picture, no matter how enlarged, how Photoshopped, how expensive the camera or skilled the photographer - can do justice to. Do not be hesitant to visit in the summer as the elevation minimizes the heat the rest of Arizona can endure. Note that the dining options are the main dining room, set meals with generous breakfast and lunch buffet available as well as a menu, a very expensive deli ($3+ for a pint of milk) and the campground store. With some judicious planning it works out. One advantage of the north rim is that the main campus includes the dining, lodge, visitor center, gift shop, auditorium for programs and a coffee shop/bar. No shuttles, car rides or long walks necessary.

We visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on our recent trip out west. We stopped by the Visitor Center and it was very helpful. The Rangers were very friendly and we learned quite a bit of good information from them. We did hike part of the North Kaibab Trail to get the experience of going down below the rim. The Coconino look out point was beautiful. We saw some wildlife on our hike including birds, a mouse, and a mule deer that ran right across the trail in front of us. The Grand Canyon always leaves me in awe.
The North Rim was somewhat busy, but not nearly as busy as the South Rim usually is. it is also a lot less developed and commercialized than the South Rim. The drive into the park is alway beautiful. There are beautiful meadows with pines and aspens. The sights even before you get to the Rim of the Grand Canyon itself are quite beautiful. I, of course, recommend a visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The place is great. It’s as beautiful as the south rim but there are just a fraction of the tourists. It’s a long drive but it’s worth it!

We visited the Grand Canyon West Rim on January 16, 2020. Weather was clear and cool. There were no crowds at all!
The Hualipai people were delightful hosts, very friendly everywhere we went. The Sky Walk was the highlight of the visit, being suspended 4000 feet above the Canyon floor. There were great views of the Colorado River too! A full meal lunch was part of the package. On the ride back to Las Vegas we saw a herd of Antelope, and one Coyote. Our guide and bus Driver was Danny Ho.

Surprised to see snow here in late May! We camped at Jacob Lake about 45min north of the park—-very clean and nice! The north rim was great too and much less crowded than the south rim.

It may not be as picturesque as the South Rim but it's also not as crowded. The views are great and the drive in is stunning. It's a higher elevation so it's a lot cooler as well.

This was our first stop on our girls trip and was well worth the extra driving to get to it. Like I had read before, the north rim was very quiet compared to the much busier south rim of the Grand Canyon and it made for a much better introduction to the beauty of the canyon. We did the short hike from the visitor’s center and got great views. Just know that it shuts down mid October so if you need services you will be out of luck until Spring.

You have to drive to more sites on the North Rim than the South, but the views are just as spectacular, if not more so.

The drive up is beautiful itself. When you get to the lodge area it’s breathtaking! We aren’t avid hikers, but enjoyed the short trails and Cape Royal trail.

Let me first give two baseline points. First, my wife and I live part time in the Southwest and are frequent travelers to the South Rim and just finished our second trip to the North Rim -- so we have a decent amount of experience for evaluation. Second, we hate mean-spirited and thoughtless reviews and want to provide a balanced and fair assessment of our trip.

With that, let's do the pros first. (1) The overall infrastructure and hiking/viewing/picnic amenities are great. All the things that people always say about the North Rim are true. Road and trail access and condition very good. Great vistas, viewing from lodge wonderful, one-tenth the visitors of the South Rim at most. (2) Overall, the staff across the park is nice, reasonably competent, friendly, and trying pretty hard in difficult circumstances. (3) Rangers seems to have a pretty low profile, but once again they are helpful, friendly, and professional.

Okay, now the cons -- and they make it challenging to enjoy any experience at the park right now that involves overnight stay (non-camping) and food. At the end, I will give some speculation and surmise about the reasons. (1) The cabins are just gross. Two years ago, we stayed in the pioneer cabins because the Western Cabins were all booked. No AC (which we knew going in), very dirty, aluminum foil and washcloths stuffed into the exposed logs on the inside, dirty towels from previous guests on the bathroom floor, bugs, and lots more grossness. This year, we were able to reserve Western Cabins and were excited -- but hopes were quickly dashed. Quite dirty, two panels of curtains missing so people could see our naked butts if were weren't careful, we had to put our own sheets on the beds due to inadequate staffing (for which we received a 15% discount), no soap, shampoo, conditioner in the wall dispensers, etc. (2) Lots more evidence of staffing issues in every building, but I want to reemphasize that in most situations the demeanor of the staff was very good and friendly. (3) North Rim Lodge Dining Room a big disappointment. They are having a hard time keeping up with the logistics of reservations and demand. The helpfulness of the host stand is questionable. Overall, the servers seem up to the task. Poor service the first night, very good service the second night (only had dinners there). Food is very, very off. Two years ago, our dinner was great and fairly comparable to dinner at El Tovar in the South Rim. The first night this year was silly bad. It was airline food -- and not the best airline food even. The menu descriptions of the food and the preparation techniques are at best a rough approximation of what you get. Taste and quality is poor. Bottle of red wine (a decent one) was boiling by all standards of appropriate wine temperature. We adjusted for the second night and ordered the things that were the least likely to be screwed up -- and were successful. (It helped that the server was so nice.) That made the dining experience elevate to about "just a tick above average" overall. One point to remember -- the Lodge Dining Room itself is just a beautiful room -- and it is hard not to feel good about just being in it.

A final few points about why I think this is happening. First, the scale of the park versus the South Room is so small that it is hard to get resources and staff there in a way that makes sense. You can just tell by the haphazardness of the way staff acts, dresses, allocated their time -- again, not a comment on their personalities, which overall are very good -- but rather on their management and organization. So, the remoteness of the North Rim is great for less crowd, bad for less quality at the same price point. Second, Aramark is the concessionere, and they are clearly struggling. A staff member told us that there is a dispute with them that is causing some transition -- not clear what that is about. Xanterra at South Rim way better. Third, the North Rim has not been able to deal with the various hangover issues from the pandemic. The South Rim has been able to cope very well -- we were just there in the Spring. Finally, the water main collapse that delayed the North Rim opening this summer clearly has created an issue with staffing and preparation that they likely will not catch up on this season.

Bottom line: this is one of America's great national park locations. It is beautiful -- and people from all over the world love seeing its sights. The management of the lodging, dining, and related staffing issues that make you feel supported as a guest are far, far, far off kilter. I am fortunate enough to be able to afford to waste a dollar or two -- so I am not going to lose a ton of sleep about our recent experience. But I feel badly for the folks that spend their hard earned money wanting just to show their kids or parents or themselves a wonderful site and want to do so absent the filth and disorder of the current state of the park and its management.

The North Rim is definitely worth the work to get there. There are no crowds like the South Rim and the views are simply stunning. Great place to enjoy and unwind, and we were even alone at times at some of the overlooks.

Perhaps it’s better with snow on the ground but skip if you are just going for a couple of hours to visit

It’s a unique experience. Didn’t expect so many different types of landscapes on the drive to the top of the north rim of the Grand Canyon. At the bottom it’s a desert but the top looks like the Valley’s of Yellowstone because it has animals, lots of trees and large flat meadows. Once you get into the park it was colder than Arizona weather. For some this might be a difficult hike to the furthest edge . Very narrow path without guardrails. It’s steep and scary at times. I did see people of all ages on the hike however, if you can’t hike you can still see most the views without the hike.

It may be the opposing side of the Grand Canyon South Rim but it offers a completely different view. The North Rim offers great scenic viewpoints. It has so many trees, lol. We hiked to Bright Angel Point and the Transept trail. These were easy hikes but each offered beautiful views. Drove up to Point Imperial to be at the highest elevation for both the North and South rim. Unfortunately you could not drive to Cape Royal and Angels Window trail. It was awesome to see both rims

Only about 10% of visitors to the Grand Canyon actually visit the North Rim. What I love most about the north rim compared to the south is that there is WAY more greenery at the north rim. When you get off of the main 89 highway, it's 90 minutes to the park entrance and then another 30 minutes to the visitor center so it is a ways from the main highway. Be sure to get the America the Beautiful national annual park pass for $80 instead of paying $35 for the one time. Most of the view points are a drive to, park and short walk to view so you can get through the entire park in one day if you aren't doing any actual hiking. Be sure to have plenty of gas before getting off of highway 89, snacks and drinks. There aren't a lot of restaurants along the way.

-Imperial Point and Vista Encantada had parking right at the view, which was awesome.
-Walhalla overlook is about a .1 mile hike
-Roosevelt point was about a .3 mile hike to the viewpoints.
-Cape Royal was about a mile hike but it was flat and paved so it was an easy walk. This trail branches off to a few different view points; Cliff Spring, Cape Royal and Angel’s Window. This was probably my favorite because it was the most hiking we did that day and took us to three great views! The other views were really incredible as well and it was nice that you could drive around and get to everything fairly easily.

My son and I were on a week long trip to California and coming back to Utah. We were tired after driving 2,000 miles but decided at the last minute to drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from St. George, UT. The drive was not that scenic and the speed limits left me wanting to go faster. I was wondering of this trip would be worth it...and I was pleasantly surprised.

We had purchased an Annual Parks Pass for $80 while in California so it was free to enter (The Parks Pass is quite the deal). We drove to the Visitor's Center at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. From our car to the trail just beyond the Visitors Center was a hundred yards. The view was breath taking. The trail kept going and the views kept blowing my mind. Near the end of the trail there is a formation of rocks where you can climb to the top (10 ft) and at the to is the Geological Survey Disc in the rock. You can stand on this rock and take a Panoramic Picture. It is breathtaking. It looks scary, but is actually quite safe.

My son and I enjoyed the short hike and took ~ 100 pictures. Wow. The Visitor's Center was nice and the Spring Water was cold and tasted good. The six hours of driving from St. George to the North Rim and back were worth it. Muir Woods, Yosemite and CA Coast was awesome...but nothing was quite as breathtaking as was the view of the Grand Canyon from the North Rim Visitor's Center. The Mist Trail (Half Dome) was a close second...but there were about 1% as many people on this trail as in Yosemite.

Don't hesitate. Just go.

Wow. We saw amazing views across the Canyon at sunrise and sunset. Interesting to see the changing light on the rocks. It was quite cool early morning and at night but pleasantly warm through the day. We enjoyed walking through the forest with some surprise views of the canyon. We went out to Point Imperial and Cape Royale which give stunning views.

I know everyone talks about Grand Canyon as awesome. I personally found it to be ok, good to look at, not awe inspiring.

We had never travelled to any parts of the Grand Canyon before this trip, so some people were surprised to find out we were heading to the North Rim instead of the South Rim. But let me tell you, it did not disappoint; although, it did take us 2 1/2 hours to get there from Page, Arizona because of how remote it is. We did not have to wait in line to get in, and not a single trail was crowded. We did about 5 miles throughout the day on different easy trails. These were all paved and easy to drive up to. The trails were all well-marked and labelled with distance; you just had to be looking for the signs. Every trail gave a different view, and every bit of scenery looked unique. This is something that even younger children could do.

We each tried a different entree, fish , bison and elk! Wow, what great food!!
Servers were very attentive to all our needs!
Great window seats to see the canyon and all it beauty!!
Stay for the sunset, by ask means!!
Very enjoyable!!

North Rim was my favorite. Less people and a greater variety of hikes. And the mule ride into the canyon was fabulous.

Stayed here overnight before doing the Rim-to-Rim hike in one day. North Rim is nice and quiet, compared to the South Rim. The views are great, especially at sunrise and sunset times.

Stayed in what they call motel room. No AC, no wifi, no microwave. Only a bed and table with two chairs. Bathroom very small, RV size shower. Thank goodness there was a ceiling fan. Got to go about a 1/4 mile for ice. Food is very expensive. Glad not here in July!. From Flagstaff it's about 5 hours to the North rim. Where the south rim is just a little more than 1 hour.

45+ years travelling around the World and the North Rim took my breath away. There is nothing much to write about, other than to say that as Nature goes, I have not seen another site so imposing, so peaceful, so magnificent.

The main reason to write the review is to give some practical feedback, as some info that I read on the forum was one sided and not helpful.

We plan the visit to the national parks as a late addition to an around the world trip in July, so, needless to say, staying in the lodges of the different parks (Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon) was not an option. So we decided to stay in Kanab, UT, as a base. I read people saying that the North Rim is not a day trip, and I must disagree. It worked perfectly for us. In the summer, Utah is one hour ahead of Arizona, so if you leave the hotel in Kanab at 8am, drive for 1:30h (on a gorgeous road), you will arrive at the parking lot at 8:30. The place is empty, and you can spend easily 8 to 10 hours in the park, and still have plenty of sunshine for the drive back. By the way, the North Rim remained empty as the day went by, in the middle of July.

I would definitely recommend staying in the lodge inside the park if you can book ahead, and you absolutely must see the sunrise and sunset in the park. Actually, when we visited,a the lodge had vacancies on the day. But if “all” you want to do is to see the most spectacular sight ever, staying in Kanab will do just fine. And the town is lovely.

I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, and meeting my girlfriend in Page, AZ for Thanksgiving this year allowed me the opportunity to finally do so! As the east entrance remains closed due to COVID, our best bet was to try and get to the North Rim before the highway closed for the season. It’s a little over a 2-hour drive from Page, but we stopped and checked out Lee’s Ferry on the way as well. Based on other TripAdvisor reviews, we decided we should try and check out the Cape Royal/Angel’s Window area while we were at the North Rim. I’m really glad that we did, it was easily the best part of the North Rim for me. The road to Cape Royal is off the main highway to the North Rim, and is only 3 miles from the North Rim Visitor’s Center; however, it’s easily a good 30+ minutes down the road to the parking lot for Cape Royal, so if you’re trying to see both Cape Royal and the North Rim proper, plan on the extra hour drive. The park is only open until sundown, so we were a little pressed for time to get to the Visitor’s Center after Cape Royal. We had my dog with us, but she was not allowed on the Cape Royal/Angel’s Window trail, nor on the Bright Angel trail at the Visitor’s Center; it made sense after walking the trails, as they are narrow and there’s no place to go to try to avoid other dogs...also, there are parts where a dog that’s not good on a leash could easily wander off the edge of the Grand Canyon. So, sadly no dogs.

The views from Cape Royal and Angel’s Window were incredible. Because of the isolation relative to the rest of the North Rim, there were only a handful of other people there. It was incredibly quiet, and the vistas were mind-blowing! I’m glad we went to the North Rim proper afterwards, and looked out to the South Rim as the sun was setting; it was also incredibly beautiful and awe-inspiring. But it was way more crowded, and the bathrooms were just Porta-Johns, whereas Cape Royal had an actual restroom building. I’m a little regretful that we didn’t hike the Bright Angel trail at the Visitor’s Center, as it looked like the view was pretty sweet; but it was full of people and there were less crowded lookouts just below the Center that we watched the sunset from instead. There was a dusting of snow while we were there, and I believe they closed the road to the North Rim just 2 days after we were there...I’m really glad I got a chance to finally see it!

Breathtaking. The Lodge is beautiful and the bar inviting. This is the backpacker-hiker side of the Canyon. There are other side trips to high points with wonderful views. A true Wonder of the World.

This is by far the better Grand Canyon experience.
The views are just as nice as the South Rim, if not better, because you're higher up.
There are FAR fewer people, so it's a far more relaxed experience.
The weather in the summer is much more pleasant than the scorching South Rim.
It's more remote, which makes it more like the national park experiences of old.
Added bonus: herds of buffalo along the way, reminiscent of Yellowstone.

No places to eat for miles around though, so pack food. Dinner at the lodge is a fine option just for the setting, but reserve well in advance.

No places to stay close by either, except the Grand Canyon Lodge. The lodge is pleasant, with some cabins very close to the rim. While expensive, it's not outrageously so. The real problem is getting a room. Camping is possible outside the park, with some BLM campsites being dramatically perched right near the rim. Of course there's always the mediocre lodging at Jacob Lake.

In spite of (or maybe because of) the relative lack of amenities, I'll take the North Rim over the South Rim anytime.

Known as one of the Natural Wonders of the World it certainly lived up to it's reputation, it was outstanding. Quite different from the South rim far less people at most points even though on the north rim they are drivable rather than walking or waiting for the shuttle bus. While the south offers long walks with views for 11 miles or more towards Hermits Rest, and similar on the Desert View Drive direction the North rim offers mostly parking spots with short 100 or 200 metres walks unless you are undertaking full trail hikes. The views are spectacular, there was something extra about being so much higher than the south rim. Not an absolutely must do if you do the South rim but if like us you have time well worth the extra day.

Still possible to find a quiet spot away from the hordes of tourists to enjoy one of the worlds most spectacular locations.

Gorgeous scenery that takes your breath away. Nice meals at the lodge. Cozy cabins you can rent. Stay a few hours or a few days. Not as crowded as the South Rim.

Imagine seeing your favorite band in an intimate 200 seat club. Now imagine seeing them in a 20,000 seat arena with pulsing lights & explosions. That's the north/south rim difference. They're each incredible in their own way. See both.

This was our first time visiting the Grand canyon & we decided to visit front he North rim (since it was closer to where we stayed). It was a bit of a trek to get to the rim, but well worth it. Obviously the views and the sites are just spectacular. Photos can't capture the magnitude of this natural wonder. Seeing it from the north side where the crowds are small and you can be alone on the hiking trail was just perfect.

Much quieter and less crowded. Beautiful formations and several short walks to reach some fantastic views. Certainly worth the visit. Roads are closed in the winter and it is rather hot in the summer but just be prepared.

The North Rim is, in my opinion, so much better than the south! It's 1000 feet higher in elevation and is located in a pine forest, there are way less people, and the views are wonderful!!

When we got there, the fog had enveloped the entire view from the Lodge. On our way up the first trail, the fog hung on and then, all of a sudden it cleared. Don't know if you're a Parks and Rec fan but there's only 2 things that should make you cry...funerals and the Grand Canyon. Yes, I did... unreal...

The sunsets and sunrises are a must! Spectacular colors when clouds are along the horizon. Recommend Cape Royal Rd rain or shine. We happened to drive the rd when it had rained and fog filled the canyon, however there was enough of a breeze that the fog would come and go and act like a curtain and all the sudden the canyon view would just appear in a few minutes, then the fog would close the view. Several short hikes out to majestic views are available along the drive. Be sure and drive to the top to see the Angels wings cut through and hike Cliff Springs!

If you are one of those people who must be glued to their phone for the internet, email, or texting forget about that stuff and just use your camera to capture the scenery!!!! Wi-Fi is almost nonexistent and service is sketchy, but that doesn’t matter take in the sights man!!!! Wi-Fi on the South Rim is fine.

If you’re an avid hiker and in shape highly recommend the Rim to Rim hike from North Rim to the South Rim. It is an all day starting about 4:00 in the morning to 6:00 at night but so worth it!!!! Skip Phantom Ranch in my opinion and skip their famous lemonade, to sweet for my taste. Be prepared to take many breaks along the way and whichever direction you end up starting and going be prepared for a difficult and challenging climb back up out of the canyon!!!! The sense of accomplishment is phenomenal!!!! This was the reason for our visit to GC. I trained for 9 months and lost 30lbs and haven’t been in this good of shape since I played sports in high school!!!!

We were to the south rim many years ago but have always wanted to see the north rim. It was well worth the trip. We are seniors who sleep in so we passed the park entrance around noon. Driving the 11 miles from the entrance to the rim we only saw about one car per mile and thought we might have the place to ourselves, but it was just that we were late. The parking lot (all free) was pretty full but we managed to snag a spot near the from as someone left. We got out National Park Passport stamp at the ranger station, grabbed a sandwich at the deli (always seemed to have a line), then headed to Bright Angel Point. The walk is listed at about 15 minutes but it took us more like a half hour each way, probably because we stopped to catch our breath and enjoy the view several times. It may also have a bit to do with the elevation and the thinner air so anyone with breathing issues should plan accordingly. Also, in several spots the path is narrow (maybe 2 ft wide) and drops offffff into the canyon so keep an eye on the little ones. Once you get to Bright Angel Point the trip becomes more than worth it! The view from the north rim is spectacular! You can see up and down the entire canyon area. It is definitely worth the walk to get there.

Loved the North Rim! We had a great time despite the rain and wind. The views are fantastic and the drive in among lovely alpine meadows was beautiful. Hiked to Bright Angel Point and then along the Ken Patrick Trail until the thunder, lightning and hail sent us scrambling back to the car. Between weather events we had great views of the canyon and the weather did keep the crowds to a minimum.

We really loved this part of the park! We wish we had stayed at the lodge as it seemed like it was not full but we stayed outside a bit in Kaibab lodging which was actually really nice. We got to drive in each day and in doing so got to see buffalo and wildlife! We did as many trails as we could and just loved it!

The views keep on giving no matter the age or times gone before. Photos do not do it justice so just take it in with your own eyes. Takes more than one day to take it all in so try to get accommodations ahead. Use their shuttle service to see as much as possible if you have only one day. Pack your snacks and drinks to save money and time. Pace yourself and come again.

This was our first time to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The experience was tremendous, views were spectacular from where ever you standing. Highly recommend a stop here.

Its hard to describe until you are standing there for yourself. The views are stunning.
The canyon is magnificent in every direction you look. The park itself was doing some off season maintenance road work which did not hinder our trip. The visitor center was busy but that was also to be expected.
If you have a chance to stop off along your road trip it is well worth it.
A MUST SEE!!

On the maswik site you could get the bus which was hop on off as many times as you like to see different views of Grand Canyon and the colorado river just amazing views

The Grand Canyon without all the Crowds - That's the North RIM.
We were only there for a afternoon but delighted at the massiveness of the Grand Canyon. Mountains in the center of the canyon were said to be 60+ miles away and were in pretty clear sight. We ventured out onto the Bright Angel Path way to a point out into the canyon. This walk will make you tingle all over as you see the shear drops to your side. Beautiful views. A visit to the lodge was nice as well . The sandwiches at the deli were also good. I'd go back in a minute.

Excellent scenery. Varied hiking trails. Campgrounds and cabins if you want to stay overnight. Need to book far in advance.

We went to the North Rim Grand Canyon from Flagstaff. It took us about 4 hours, but we did not hurry. The most amazing this is that it was not crowded. People were sitting around drinking and chatting and enjoying the view. Super chill..

This was our first time visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim and it was breathtaking. It was not crowded so we were able to hike and enjoy the views. We have not been to the South Rim so I'm not able to compare the two. Our 12 and 10yo enjoyed it too but one full day was enough for us since we aren't really hikers.

The north rim of the Grand Canyon was magnificent. You drive through a forest to reah it. We went in the lodge there which has fantastic views. We also ate lunch at the lodge, choosing the buffet that day which was very good. The waiters were very friendly and interesting.We hiked several trails in the area and enhoyed the differeing views.

I think we had to pay $10 to park but no big deal.

Personally I think it doesn't have the wow factor of the South Rim but other I know disagree. However, 100% worth a visit as still some awesome views.

Nice standing literally on the edge having your picture taken. In the Uk it would all be fenced off for "health and safety"!

The elevation is higher, so in summer it's cooler than the south rim (temperature, I mean), and it's also more difficult to reach for most travelers, so less crowded as well. There are so many hikes and overlooks to choose from - I would recommend several days here, and even then you'll need to come back for more. Each overlook is an entirely new experience, I had NO idea! AMAZING place, MUST GO.

We enjoyed our visit to Grand Canyon North Rim National Park. We have visited the south rim many times and found the North Rim a very different experience. The higher elevation allowed us to see over the south rim that made the view very different than the south rim. The day we visited in June there were very few folks here. We did not see any large tour buses. We especially enjoyed the walk on the trail at Cape Royal. It was a paved and level path and very easy to push my wife to the great views. It is now one of our favorite handicap accessible trails of all time! I highly recommend the drive to Cape Royal and the outstanding views. It was great for my wife to enjoy the "solitude" and view at this location from her wheelchair.

We stayed at lake Powers r and decided to visit North Rim for a day.
We heard that sunset at North Rim was uniquely beautiful. So we got on the internet and saw if there’s any room at the lodge available. No room was available because guests reserved 6 months to one year in advance. So we decided to drive there away and would visit during the day. Luckily when we got there one room for two was just canceled. We booked it immediately at 9.30 am.
Wow! What an evening! Beautiful sunset! Great drink and dinner with beautiful view outdoor. We will never forgot that unplanned evening even though we had to buy necessities for bedding and mics for the night at the lodge.

While planning a vacation to the Grand Canyon, I had a friend tell me that we had to go to the North Rim. Said it was a lot better than the South. As far as the views of the Canyon, and the State Park, he was absolutely right. Imperial Point, Roosevelt Point, and Cape Royal have amazing views of the Canyon, and each has a parking lot for cars. The walk to see the Canyon was just steps from the parking lot, up to a short stroll down a path. In either case, you were able to easily see what you were there for, without a long hike in the thinner air at ~8500 ft elevation. And the big bonus for us, was the giant fields just past the Park's entrance station, where we saw a large herd of buffalo, literally grazing right by the road! It was amazing, and we got some great pictures and video.

The park has plenty of strenuous trails, if you're really into hiking and go for that stuff. That's not us. But the fact that you could drive the length of Cape Royal Rd (it's about 25 miles, each way), and stop at multiple places to see views that honestly top the South Rim....by a lot, was what really made it a great place.

We stayed at the Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, which isn't really a lodge for sleeping. It's a bunch of cabins....rustic cabins. But it's the only place to stay on the North Rim, unless you're into camping. They do have a campground. But in hindsight, we saw everything we needed to see on the Cape Royal Rd drive. And anyone can visit the lodge to eat in the dining room, have a drink in the saloon or a sandwich at the deli. So you don't have to stay there. You could easily stay at the Kaibab Lodge (about 20 mi from the rim) or Jacob Lake Inn (about 40 mi from the rim) and be able to easily drive into the park and spend the whole day. But however you plan your sleeping arrangements, this is a "must see" if you going to make a Grand Canyon trip.

We drove over when we were on a roadtrip in the area and had a day. The North Rim is less busy than the more popular South Rim and we were surprised driving into the park of the beautiful wide open meadows that lead into the canyon area. We stopped at the visitor center and lodge first… did a walk through and bought a few gifts, then hit up the viewpoints and overlooks nearby. The views just can’t be described… they are amazing! We had lunch in the Lodge then headed out to the scenic drive and hit all the overlooks and hikes before driving back to the entrance.

The North Rim is nowhere near as crowded as South Rim. There is only one place to stay which consists solely of cabins and two motel buildings. Must book at least year in advance. I booked this time 13 months in advance and got stuck with only choice available being a motel room. The few cabins directly on rim are the best. Call at least 15 months in advance and see what day you can make a reservation. It seems to change each year. Don’t expect anything but very basic accommodations. And they are really getting shopworn. But the location is great and there are nearby wonderful places to drive to for fabulous photos.

I am one of the few who feel the North Rim is less desirable than the South Rim. Yes, the SR is incredibly busy and crowded but there are numerous places and hikes to get you away easily. I did not find the NR to be so easy to get away. It's a smaller area so everyone tends to pile up in one spot (near the lodge) You can hike down the North Kaibab trail but it's a steep slog to come up. There's a rim trail along a side canyon- that's it unless you want to drive out to the view points along the rim. There are WAY fewer people but the competition for food, lodging and space is actually more difficult imo

Loved seeing lots of snow along the roadside in June.This is more peaceful and not near as crowded as South Rim.The views are equally as impressive.CAUTION-there are fewer guardrails so keep a good hold on little children!

Very disappointing that the main entries to north rim were still closed until May 15th..3 days away when we were there. Made the best of Glen Canyon and sights in between.

There’s not much more to say about this natural wonder. We did the scenic drive, which is a must to get the full benefit of the north rim. Much better scenery than the south rim and oh so less crowded. Don’t just see the lodge views.

A totally different (and better) experience than the South Rim. While I've enjoyed some great hiking from the South Rim, the North is so much less crowded and relaxed. Great views and also great hiking. Not easy to get to, but that's okay. You can easily spend several days here. I'll be back.

Highlights of three days of roaming in nature. Just to prove you never know what you will see! Any idea? We don’t know but we do have an opinion? What’s yours?

This is a place of breathtaking beauty. That being said, it definitely took extra planning to make this visit. We drove from Zion to Page, AZ with a stop at the North Rim. Once you turn onto route 67 heading S towards the rim its about an hour drive. You're not going to believe you're in AZ b/c the Kaibab forest is Aspen and Pine forests and rolling meadows. Saw tons of deer, unfortunately did not see the bison. In May 19 there was also some leftover snow along the roadway and hills creating these beautiful small snow melt lakes. What I found most interesting was the massive area that has been burned in a previous wild fire, it seems to go on forever. Sprouting from the burnt landscape was tons of small Aspen trees, the Kaibab in this area is going through a rebirth. Visiting on 5/16/19 the place had visitors but it was not crowded at all. It was a cloudy day, the wind was fierce, so fierce that it had knocked out power to every single one of the buildings on the north rim. When I asked a lodge attendant why the power was out she said it/s because of the wind and this happens quite frequently. I thought it was quite charming actually, you're in the middle of nowhere, no power and whipping winds, in this big cozy lodge. We did the trail to bright angel point, its paved nearly the entire way, its flat so its a great choice for kids, seniors, families. I am afraid of heights, the trail to bright angel point has a few areas where there are drop offs on either side so hold onto the kiddos. I was having a hard time with my fear of heights and the insane wind but the views were spectacular even in heavy cloud cover. The north rim is a much more intimate experience with the canyon than the south rim, the differences between the two are staggering and make each rim special. I'd go again and do more of the trails. If you're planning on continuing your road trip to Page AZ or up to Zion from the north rim, there is very little services to stop in Page or Fredonia/Kanab if in need of snacks/gas. So glad we bought a map b/c i had no service almost the entire time. The drive along 89A to/from the north rim to Page is spectacular, don't do it in the dark you want to see the beauty and isolation along that roadway. Major tip** we went on 5/16/19, keep in mind this place is closed for the winter, it had literally opened up to visitors the day before.

The lodge area is always crowded. There are plenty of trails, but if you're not into hiking (and at 78, that's me) instead, take a drive out to Cape Royal and walk the paved path to the end. Great views and not a hard walk.

The scenery is second to none. Absolutely wonderful. We stayed at the Grand Canyon loge which was outstanding.

We were able to spend one day in the North Rim and do several trails. Its was stunning. Would love to go back!

The North Rim was wonderful. So peaceful and beautiful. Enjoyed viewing all of the wildlife. Dinner in the Lodge was delicious, first class service. The cabin near the rim was very quiet and cozy. Would definitely recommend to anyone seeking peace and quiet.

We loved the North Rim. Quieter, far less people, and gorgeous views. Be prepared to drive in and out everyday. Not much lodging available near the rim. We drove an hour and a half each way everyday. So glad we decided to spend some time on the north side.

I had a wonderful time, I wish I had booked earlier to go on the ride down into the canyon, but this ride was also a wonderful experience!

We booked one year in advance to stay on the north rim and wake up to the sunrise coming over the canyon in our pjs. It was a bucket list experience. Quiet and peaceful at this rim.

What a beautiful place and not crowded. Nice walk out to Bright Angel Point. The few visitors there either had masks or walked around you. The drive to Pt Imperial and Cape Royal was nice and the paved walkways were really nice but the views were spectacular. Truly enjoyed.

The North Rim was so peaceful! I have visited the South rim before and remember a lot of people and desert. The North rim is full of trees and feels like a beautiful oasis. So happy we made the stop !

I debated on which side to visit this trip. I’ve been to the west side which is a closer drive from Vegas. The north rim was absolutely gorgeous. We were there for sunset and it was breathtaking. We also saw some Bison and their babies on the way there. It’s pretty secluded drive but worth it.

This is the quiet and peaceful side of the Grand Canyon. If I could choose only one, I would choose North Rim. The pine trees are shady and lovely and smell wonderful. Our little cabin was just steps from the rim. The lodge is a wonderful place to watch the colors of sunset on the canyon walls. Cabin guests, including us, were quietly out at sunrise to see the morning colors. Worth setting your alarm to see.

However, improvement is greatly needed on the check-in procedures. It took an extraordinarily long time to check in and the line stretched out of the lodge. Surely some of the paperwork could be done online before arrival! We almost missed our dinner reservations due to the long check in time.

We had planned a winter visit to the Grand Canyon National Park during their 100th Anniversary. Based on the weather, it looked like we could make it to the North Rim before the road closed for the year. It looked like a winter storm would come in the day after we left up there. Well, it came in a day early - but we still made it in - on the last day it was open for the year!

Wow! We saw MAYBE 20 other folks in there on the morning we were there. It was hard to tell where the trails were, except for the main ones right at the facilities where other folks had already walked. We missed having the facilities open and potentially staying on the North Rim, but we sure didn't miss the people.

But, we do want to come back during a warmer time of the year and visit the North Rim again!

The North Rim is an excellent alternative to the very busy and commercialized South Rim. We stayed at the cabins on the North Rim and while they are small, they are incredibly cozy.

Roosevelt Point, Bright Angel Point, and Cape Royal Trail are a must.

I was in Kanab for a week at the end of November 2020. Due to COVID-19, tourism was at an all time low. I decided to take advantage of the thin crowds and visit the North Rim as it was still open (they normally close by October 15). The drive from Kanab was around 80 miles one way and the North Rim was day use only. Let me just say it - it was gorgeous! Apart from the fact that there were no crowds on the scenic drive (yes, there is a scenic drive on a very windy road), my 5 mile round trip hike to Cape Final for sunset only had me at that point. It was amazing to have that whole place to myself. If you get a chance to come to the North Rim (or are staying at Kanab or Page and the North Rim is open), do come here - fewer crowds, gorgeous scenery, beautiful sunsets make this a 5 star destination. Highly recommended!

Tip: Do the scenic drive early morning and go straight to the end to Cape Royal for sunrise. Then hit the other spots on the way back.

We stayed in Kanab and drove about an hour or so to the North Rim as it was the closest part of the canyon. I have been to the West, East, and South Rim and no matter how you view the canyon it is amazing. The North Rim is definitely not as popular but that was not a problem. During our visit the Cottonwoods were changing colors and it made for a beautiful site at certain elevations. We did all the look outs and i would highly recommend this if you are short on time and want to see from above. Bright Angel, Angel's Window, and Roosevelt Point are a must. Don't forget to stop at Jacob Inn just south to get some awesome cookies!

We stayed in Kanab and got up early to do the hour drive south to the entrance of the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive takes you through Kanab National Forest until you reach the park. The park requires a pass or permit though the entrance was not manned early in the day. Fee could be paid once at he Visitor Center at a self service machine -- $35 for a week auto pass -- (honor system). We drove to the visitor's center, parked and walked the paths to get spectacular views of the north rim. The best path is the Angel Point trail -- a fairly safe trail that takes you out to the edge. You'll find it hard not to take photos. There are other easily accessible spots for taking in the views. The parking area has restrooms. We were so glad we made the effort to take in the north rim.

The Grand Canyon North Rim remains one of the spectacular places in the USA National Parks: only 10% of traffic to the Canyon comes to this location versus 90% to South Rim; stunning views, great sunrises and sunsets; GC Lodge sits right on the EDGE of the Canyon; main room in the Lodge has huge windows onto the canyon. Wonderful place to have an adult beverage in Adirondack Chiars sitting right next to the Rim to breathe in the beauty.
And to top that off the dining room in the Lodge is very good. Portions too large and food above average but it is the VIEW of the Canyon that makes up for all of that.
Further, the cabins, two sizes, are quite close to the rim. They also have two "motels" that are on the site with multiple rooms. But if you are planning a trip to the North Rim, you MUST plan far enough ahead to reserve a room, a space in the Motels or a camping spot. Except for the two to three months it is closed in the winter due to snow, the demand is high: PLAN AHEAD for a stunning visit.

We are already planning a trip back. We had to cut our trip short because of an impending snow storm. Apparently the park roads close when if considered unsafe for travel. We beat the weather but I kept looking after we left and a foot of snow did fall overnight.

That stands for Bring Your Own Bathroom. Have been to the better known South Rim dozens of times but never had the chance to get to the North Rim until now. As it was, we cut it close because the road to Point Imperial was already closed, and a snowstorm closed the remainder of the rim two days later. Also, the lodge, vistitor center, gift shop, and all other guest services were closed. The park service set up a half dozen port a pots, but they may have been left over from last season as they were FILTHY. A couple were level full to the seat. We used the less icky of them (only 3/4 full of sewage,nothing on seat) and then held it after hiking and the whole drive back to Jacob Lake. The scenery was awesome and there were only about a dozen people around (compare that to a summer day anywhere along the South Rim) so the trails were not crowded. Roaring Springs Canyon and the Transept drop dramatically from the parking lot and the lodge, as the North Rim is at a much higher elevation than the South Rim, 22 miles by trail or 250 miles by car away. Bright Angel Point and Canyon were named for a famous jackass ( an actual burro, not an Arizona politician). TheKaibab Trail switchbacks down to the Colorado River but there are spectacular views and solitude from trails that stay above the rim as well, like Uncle Jim trail and Widfoss.

North rim so much nicer and less crowded than south rim. Much better variety of trails and multiple vistas! Would return in a heartbeat

I visited the North Rim in late May, and stayed for two nights at a cabin at the Grand Canyon Lodge there. I went on to the South Rim a few days later. I thought that the expansive vistas from the South Rim were more spectacular, but the views from the North Rim were also fantastic. The view from right around the Lodge was beautiful, and the best sunset view from either rim was at Cape Royal - well worth the drive out there. A hike partway down the North Kaibab Trail to Supai Tunnel was fun, at least going downhill! 😄

But what made the North Rim particularly special for me was that it was so relaxing. Not a lot of people, and sitting out at the patio of the Grand Canyon Lodge in the morning with a coffee or late afternoon with a beer was exactly the experience I was hoping for. I’ll definitely be back!

Having never been to the GC I can't compare it to the South Rim. However, I found the North Rim to be super quiet, clean, secluded, almost as though we had the place to ourselves. We camped in #15 which basically has a front row view of the canyon. I must warn that the North Kaibab Trail kicked my butt. I'm a fairly fit 35, F, 105 lbs and was not expecting to struggle as much as I did. We made to Redwall Bridge and turned around. It's a mental challenge as much as a physical challenge. Great overall site to see.

Pictures don't do this area justice. It is amazing the size of this area. Had a great time here and lunch was great with views out into the canyon, and got to see a lot of deer on drive out

"Come hell or high water", the Park Service (which gives the word "service" a bad name), shuts down this Park (the North Rim) every October 15th. No matter about global warming: that it is never snowing much, if at all by October 15th. Today (Oct. 17th) was like a ghost town, except for the moving trucks! No Visitors Center. No shops open. No food. No service. No restrooms. Fortunately, some port-a-potties were still there. MOST (90%) OF SCENIC OVERLOOKS SHUT TIGHT: most scenic roads gated, and padlocked !! This despite the stunning Fall colors are still happening with the Aspen trees changing, and the weather is absolutely awesome, with not a cloud in the sky.
Who owns the Parks? "We The People", or "We the Park Service" ??!! Seriously, not managed well: could easily stay open, AT LEAST through the end of October, if not into Thanksgiving, especially due to warming climates.
Before driving 90 minutes each way to get to "ALL SCENIC ROADS CLOSED" signs, they could have posted warning / notice signs at the Park Entrance !!

We hike down to coconino overlook point to find a very different looking Canyon. The overlook has a great view of the Canyon and a thicker forrest view. The hike is lined with lots of trees so shade is abundant. The trail is not as crowded as the south end but just as beautiful.

We came for the day to the North Rim lodge. We were staying some distance away but arrived in time for sunrise which was glorious. Very impressive and well worth getting to. Later we did some small hikes and some other viewpoints which were also spectacular

we've been to some of the national parks and this is one of the most beautiful places we've been. we bicycled up fom kanab and from jacob lake to park is one of our all time favorite rides.begining of oct. was cold and a little snow.

I've been to the South Rim from Arizona, but this terrain and view was totally different. The rock formations were beyond incredible, and I have always said there are no photos that do the real thing justice. It was no different when we arrived. thankfully it was a cool day, because we had our dogs with us and there wasn't many places to sit in the shade. From Kanab it took us about an hour to get to the gate, and the drive was truly breathtaking. We came across several herds of buffalo, and saw several deer. There is a beautiful lodge at North Rim - right along the rim. Thinking we might stay there one day. The lodge itself is also beautiful, although the outdoor seating is all in the sun - no tables with umbrellas even. there is a restaurant, and we had an ice cream cone.
If you have been to the other side - the North Rim is totally different. And there are some hiking trails for the non-faint at heart that don't allow dogs or kids, and give you a more close and intense view.
Just watch signs for where it says no kids or dogs. I watched a couple of people ignore those. There's a reason or the warning signs.
There's plenty of parking too, and plenty of trails to not get bored.

Our second visit to the Grand Canyon, the first time we used the West Rim access. This is so much better than that "disneyland" commercial experience. The accessibility to the vistas was fantastic. No crowd whatsoever. Gorgeous, amazing place.

Positive:
-nice view
-great staff
-good food
-the service in general is ok

Negative:
-no WIFI (not even 3G works)
-the cleaning service is terrible
-lightening is extremely bad

Overall experience: positive

Beautiful views...but its so large and vast, the views really dont change. Once youre over the first 30 mins of awe inspiring views...you'll just keep seeing the same thing. Canyon Lands National Park in Utah has similar beauty...but much, much more diversity in its topography.

We did the south rim a few years ago...both are equally beautiful...but the north rim has 70 percent fewer visitors (look at the # of reviews for the South (about 23k) vs the north (about 3k)...this gives you a good indication of the difference in volume.

Get the $80 annual pass...allows you in all the national parks.

We loved the North Rim. One of the rangers suggested a particular drive. Follow their suggestions! So wonderful . . .

This place has some awesome views and many trails to hike ranging from easy to not so easy. Go here and you will enjoy every bit of it.

No tv ,no internet, no a.c., no problem! Lodge at the north rim is one of a kind, great place to watch sunset over the canyon.

The Canyon was awesome!!! Everyone should do this at least once in their lifetime!!! Loved how you could drive and pull over then move on. The watch tower is a must as well.

We Camped in the North Rim Campground. We spent a few hours at the North Rim & Bright Angel Point. Definitely worth the out of the way drive. A decent amount of people were mingling about the Rim and Point but never felt crowded

It's stunning, just like (almost) everyone says. It's well worth the long drive to reach it. The walks we took were paved, though not wide, The facilities there are perfectly adequate.

Make sure to go beyond the lodge. The Bright Angel point near the lodge provides a view of the canyon, but to get the true view and see the south rim better, make sure to drive up the Cape Royal trail and then take the short hike out to Cape Royal. Before 9:30am, you may find times and places where you have the canyon to yourself! It IS a long drive to get to the North Rim, but if you've come this far to see the Grand Canyon, don't you want to see if without all the crowds you'll have to deal with at South Rim?

This is the first time visiting the North Rim Grand Canyon and the overall experience was very good! The reason for this rating was based on the Scenic Drive not being opened during my visit! A big difference between the North and South Rim! The North Rim has a lot less people than the South Rim! The view from the lodge and visitors center was beautiful and worth the drive! On my way out of the Park, I was able to see a herd of Bisons crossing the main road. It was great seeing the Bisons.

Perfect time to visit the North Rim. The park is 1.5 hours from Kanab, the road is well marked, and no reservation is required. You just drive right in. Watch out for the bison - they know that they own both sides of the road and wander back and forth without hesitation. In the park, there was plenty of parking, the trails were not crowded, and there were ample picnic tables overlooking the Canyon. Don't miss the opportunity so see the Grand Canyon from the other side.

We were there 11.16.22. It was cold, there were patches of ice on the road and trails (so drive slow, wear good shoes, and use caution). Dress in layers...dress warm! I was comfortable getting out of the car; cold shortly thereafter; warm within minutes of walking the trail. Layers. The trails are beautiful; there were birds, somewhat friendly, landing within feet of us (to our surprise); trails are clean and easy to walk; lots of places to look out and absorb GOD's majesty; we saw limited people, mostly couples, one family with younger kids; there are port a potties (with ample toilet paper); make sure to have water with you and snacks (there are no workers and nothing is open in late fall, winter months); it is worth the trip. We were told the North Rim is not as busy because it was not as 'beautiful' as the South Rim, and harder to get to. Well...it is a tad harder to get to... however...the Grand Canyon is just that. Grand. Beautiful. Majestic. It was worth the trip and we would do it again! (Yes, we went to the South Rim the next day...if you have time... DO BOTH!)

Absolutely the best view of the Grand Canyon. Has a lot less people around than the south rim. The North Rim Lodge is spectacular with the outside porch sitting area. The Cabins are a little dated and could use some updating or better acomadations (new Hotel). South rim Visitor Center lights are visable at night a long way away.

It's the Grand Canyon - need I say more!? We especially enjoyed some of the hiking - one of the trails wound through a shaded forested area next to the canyon and offered some amazing views as well.

Limited views if you cannot hike a trail. Weather had downed trees so long driving tour was not possible. Disappointing.

Bringing the family here was definitely a bucket list click off. The north rim lodge is beautiful and peaceful and relaxing. You have to be careful and watch your step, I did see people and children taking chances and venturing too close to the edge. We went to south and north, they both had pluses of their own, No minuses. We flew into Vegas and drove to the south rim first then proceeded to the north.

Crying is only acceptable at two places funerals and the Grand Canyon. I will always remember this beautiful place.

Just went to Ross off bucket list and did the Bright Angel Point hike. Beautiful scenery. But entrance to park moved very slowly.

I haven't been to the South Rim but the North Rim is spectacular. We parked the RV and headed to the Bright Angel trail. It's a great introduction to the park with lots of great over looks. Trail was easy down but moderate (for me) coming back up. Footing is good. Enjoy!

Even though it is a long drive in... the North Rim was very stunning and beautiful. There were plenty of trails to walk and hike... but just the easy trail around the rim afforded beautiful views of the rocks and horizon for miles. There is a gift shop/visitors center for information from the rangers. We were not camping or staying in a cabin... so we spent a couple of hours... had a drink in the snack bar... and headed out.

So different from the South Rim! It's quite a ways out of the way but that's what makes it so amazing! It gets about 10% of the visitors that the South Rim gets. Less people, less hectic equals more beauty

The north rim was great. The lodge was great. The dinner meal is excellent, but if you don't have reservations, your food options drop considerably. Breakfast and lunch don't require reservations but the dinner meal does. There is a small deli, and a general store a couple of miles down the road at the campgrounds (but no signs for the store so go to the campground).

It was our first time at the north rim, and we really enjoyed ourselves... except for the motel room. It's a small, very basic, minimalist room with a bed and a bathroom. The bed was the most uncomfortable thing I can recall ever trying to sleep on. It's hideous, and we won't stay there again. I'll stay at Jacob Lake, 20 miles away.

After dinner, there is nothing else to do, and I mean nothing. They have a small bar if you're inclined towards drinking, and there were a few people in there. After that, you're done. There's no wifi anywhere closer than the general store. There's no TV or any other entertainment. There's nothing. We went to bed at 8pm both nights, and it was a horrible bed. So bring things to do, or stay at Jacob Lake like we'll do next time.

Make the drive over to Imperial Point and Cape Royal- they have very different vantage points than the lodge, and both are well worth the drive. Imperial Point is 20 or so minutes away and Cape Royal is 45 minutes or so from the Lodge. Oddly enough, I got (t-mobile) cell signal at Cape Royal, from across the canyon.

The North Rim is without crowds and you can drive right up to most viewpoints. Very relaxing compared to the south and worth the extra drive time and local lodge stay to share it with the grandkids

The North Rim is a long drive but has some unique features. It is less crowded and quieter. We were lucky to get a cabin next to the Lodge and it made it so easy to go hiking especially in the early morning when it was very quiet and beautiful. The fairly easy hike out to Bright Angel Point was worth the uphill return. We also drove out to Point Imperial and Angels Window as well as several overlooks along the way. Well worth the drive.

The most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. Watched the sunset and then the sunrise & it was Perfect.
Plenty of opportunities for photos and incredible to see both sunrise and sunset and seeing in different lights

We stayed in park cabins, within walking distance of the Lodge. While there was no wi-fi, there was limited cell service (better from the lodge than the cabins). The cabins were basic, but comfortable (though one couple found a mouse--we were advised to place all food into a small in-room refrigerator). The bathroom had great water pressure.

While the daytime views are stunning, consider seeing the sunrise. I arrived at the Lodge around 4:30 a.m. (not that difficult for those still on East Coast time -- Arizona rejects Daylight Savings Time) and found seating on the East porch -- spaces fill fast. It offered wonderful, photo-worthy views in several light conditions.

Definitely take advantage of the ranger talks. We heard two, both revolving around stories and narratives. The first: dominate narratives (like John Wesley Powell and Teddy Roosevelt) vs. those lesser known (but no less important). Ex: The Civilian Conservation Corps built much of the park infrastructure that we still rely on today. Its largely integrated workforce was quite unusual for the time. The second: two seemingly contradictory ideas can still be true. Ex: use of controlled burns to minimize out-of-control wildfires, from both a government an Native American perspective.

Recently visited and stayed at the North Rim Lodge. What a spectacular view and if you like hiking this is spot on - that’s the good part.

Unfortunately (as with Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone) as there’s a captive audience and nowhere else to eat the dining is average at best. The serving staff are great but the food quality isn’t great at all.

Now the ugly - very romantic to stay in a Frontier Cabin but unless you are a slim couple who don’t mind sharing a really soft 4’ wide bed and don’t mind hearing next door’s conversation word for word (let alone what goes on in the bathroom) find somewhere else to stay. The rooms are tiny and need updating into the modern age.

Nothing more than a stop off destination in my opinion.

Though the weather was chilly & very windy, a shout out to the park rangers who provided specific, extremely helpful information that made our visit to both the north & south rims of the Grand Canyon a truly “grand” experience!

The best Grand canyon experience. Few people, awesome views. We saw bison on the way in to the park. South Rim is very different. We likened it to Disney world.

My husband and I had been to the South Rim and just knew we had to see the North Rim. It was everything we had expected and more.
First stop should be the lodge, the view through their picture windows is stunning but go outside to the right to get up close and personal. Follow the patio to the stairs, yes they are daunting but my husband is 2 months healed from a broken pelvis and he managed just fine. It is worth the effort to walk out on the walkway, with railing, for the view of a lifetime and someone will take your photo if you will take theirs.
We came back inside and went out the left door to larger patio and had a beer. You had to back inside/out to the Saloon to get beverages. A nice pit stop.
We then drove back to Cape Royal, the furthest out, with east and west views and it took about 45 mins and was very winding. As you enter parking lot the entrance to trail is on your immediate left, trash can in front of sign so kind of hard to find. Lots of great picture taking spots, look for Angels Window before you walk all the way out, visible along the early part of trail and you can see the Colorado River thru it.
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Great views of the Canyon and perfect spots for watching the sunset and sunrise. The trails along the rim are easy to navigate for anyone. The parking lot is only a couple hundred feet from the rim.

There are a few good views here, but nothing else. If you are a very advanced hiker, this would be a great location, but if you are a novice hiker, go to South Rim. We did both on back to back days, and South Rim was far more enjoyable. North Rim is so small, that even though there are far fewer people, it felt more crowded. Also, the trails are not marked as well. When we did a trail marked as easy in South Rim, no problem. We attempted the "easy" Bright Angel Point Trail, and it was anything but easy. It was well paved, yes, but it was so steep that it was not "easy". Overall, I would recommend South Rim over North Rim.

Although unexpected snow late May, the lodge and area is beautiful. Not touristy this early in the season.
Be aware no wifi anywhere in lodge /area grounds and no tv in hotel rooms.
True outdoor canyon experience.

That best way to describe it it to refer to a post card or a picture of the Canyon in a magazine. You think”what a good photographer, this picture is amazing. The fun part is every one takes pictures like that. It is so beautiful that it hard to describe. You will have never seen any thing quite like it. It is a bucket list for sure.

My third lifetime visit - last was time in 1965. I am always in awe of this amazing creation. I observed many viewing improvements since then and a lot more crowds. I would have felt better if the crowds were a bit more considerate of the COVID times and wore masks as required and distanced. I overhead folks telling children they would not stop at all of the viewing spots. How can you not see it ALL. Still my favorite National Park.

I have wanted to visit GCNP North Rim for decades. Yesterday I crossed it off my bucket list. Was not disappointed!

The North Rim is the best place for relaxing and hiking ... and the beautiful sunsets across the Grand Canyon! It's not as warm as the South and not as crowded, which is the best part! Go and enjoy nature!

We were reviewing various spots to explore for our 40th anniversary tour. Trip Advisor gave us details of the North Rim and identified the Welcome Center as “Open Now” and posted the hours. We made reservations at a spot close by since it really is far from most places. We are now in Zion NP and the Ranger told us the North Rim is closed until May 15th. We have a choice of losing our money from the reservation or making a trip way out of our way to a spot where there is not much to see. Sorry Marble Canyon but you don’t match the Grand Canyon. Trip Advisor needs to correct the info so others do not suffer the same fate.

We visited both the North Rim and the South Rim. Different experiences. North Rim is more relaxed, with a lot of beautiful view points, including the highest point in the Grand Canyon. If possible, book a cabin at the park (well in advance), it will give you the opportunity to see sunset and/or sunrise. From the nearest highway is takes 67 miles into the park to see the North Rim.

We loved visiting the north rim. The weather was very enjoyable, even in July - low to mid 80s in the day and cool at night. The trails along the north rim were easy and the views amazing. We didn’t hike down into the canyon. The high elevation of the north rim may give you a hard time but if you take things slow and drink plenty of water it’s not too hard. The scenery is beautiful. The groves of trees provided shade for many of the trails and picnic spots. I’d happily visit again.

The one day my son and I dedicated to the Grand Canyon, we could only fit in the North Rim. Between the North Rim and South Rim there is over 200 miles of canyon! The Grand Canyon is breathtaking! There are platforms that hang over the Canyon slightly, so you can get a better view and "feeling" of the Canyon. I do not recommend this for anyone scared of heights. However there are numerous trails around the Canyons' edges. There are no moments short of unbelievable when looking down and only seeing continuation of rocks (no bottom to be seen) and looking out at the horizon to only see endless canyon.

We had one day in early November to see the North Rim so we tried to squeeze in all the great overlooks and a couple of hikes. We had plenty of time for all and had time left over at the end. After driving into the park, we immediately followed the scenic road to both Point Imperial and Cape Royal. The road was a bit narrow, but in good shape. It was also a bit windy, but not too bad, and the views throughout were outstanding. We stopped at all the overlooks including Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla, and Cape Royal. All definitely worth the time and effort.

When we arrived at Point Imperial, there was only one other couple there, so it was peaceful with much solitude. We spent about an hour there taking in the views from all angles. It was truly amazing. From here you you can see the eastern canyon and beyond. It was a very interesting perspective, and well worth the drive.

Cape Royal was something else. Holy cow! There was no one there when we arrived, so we parked right next to the trailhead to Cape Royal. The trail is paved all the way out to the cape. We stopped halfway to look at Angel's Window, and then actually hiked out onto the top of it. This is NOT a place for people afraid of heights. The trail has great rails and it is perfectly safe, but I got the "willies" pretty good. Narrow and straight down! Wow! At the end of the trail (at Cape Royal) the views are spectacular and go pretty much 360 degrees. There are great places to take pictures, but be careful. Definitely amazing! I can't believe I've never come here before. Highly recommended!

We then drove all the way back to the visitor center parking lot. Everything was closed this time of year but that was OK. We hiked out to Bright Angel Point to get the "classic" view from North Rim and spent a good half hour there feasting on the views. Even here there were only a couple of other people...We loved the relative solitude and isolation.

Finally, we hiked the Transept Trail from Bright Angel Point to the campground where we heard the camp store was still open. This turned out to be an excellent trail...not too long, not too short...not too steep, but not too flat either. There were some awesome views along this trail. One in particular, about halfway to the campground, there is a lonely picnic table with perhaps the most picturesque photo-op we saw all day long looking out into the canyon, completely framed by trees. At the campground, the store really was still open, even though the campground was closed. We got a couple of drinks and then headed back to our car.

Wow! The was one unbelievable day. I've never gotten so tired just from looking at things.

We visited in September 2021 and it was beautiful. The aspen trees are absolutely incredible, they were changing for fall. Beautiful greens, yellows, oranges and reds decorated the landscape. The views are amazing and the map you receive upon park entry is a great resource and gives you a detailed map with descriptions of trails and landmarks. The trails were ranked by difficulty which gave us a lot to do.

At the visitor center there is fresh spring water and it was delicious! I visited a few other parks and they weren’t offering water and their map is not as good as the North Rim.

The north rim offers beautiful and dramatic views of the canyon. Sunsets can be beautiful from the lodge there. Sunrise is truly spectacular if you drive to Cape Royal; you can get some amazing photos from there. Be careful driving as there are many deer in the area.

We ate both lunch and dinner at the lodge on the day prior to our Rim To Rim hike which started from the North Rim. The draw here is the other worldly view of the Canyon which must be seen to be believed. We enjoyed good sandwiches and fries for lunch. Later, we had dinner there as well. Half portions were kindly available and generously sized. I had shrimp and orzo. The 8 shrimp were large butterflied and tasty, seemed like a full order. My husband had a trout special which was very good.
Reservations must be made well in advance as demand is high.
The service was good for dinner, decent at lunch,
The draw here is the view, almost all window. It’s the only full service restaurant on the North Rim. Other options are more casual.

Stayed at the firefighter's cabins which were clean, comfortable and on a beautiful site. Felt like we had the place to ourselves. Only saw 2 others at the rim. Stayed for sunset which was amazing. Unforgettable experience.

Way more peaceful and gorgeous then the South Rim but much harder to get to unless you're coming in from Utah. The scenery here is incredible and the trails are quiet and not jammed with people like the South Rim. As an experience geologist and hiker, one of my favorite places in the entire planet.

I think this side is best. My most favorite highlight of all of the Grand Canyon sites north south east west was a spot here where your looking through an arch and see the river that caused it all.

Took a day while visiting Las Vegas to drive and experience this wonder of the planet. Millions of years in the making and should be seen if possible.

We were all blown away by what we saw at the Grand Canyon! The sheer size and spectacular is mesmerising, it’s hard to understand the size until you see it.
You can travel it in a day from Las Vegas, as we did, but it’s close to a 600 mile round trip.

We took a day trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from Hurricane UT. I researched this on Tripadvisor and with differing opinions. As long as you aren't looking to do long hikes and are satisfied with the amazing views at various points throughout the park, then it is easily doable. It is a 2.5 hour drive from Hurricane and in July you gain an hour going to the GC. We left our place around 9am, arrived at the North Rim Lodge around 11. It was an easy and very scenic drive - be aware of your fuel gauge - not many places to fill up. The North Rim was great! I was very impressed. We did the Bright Angel point near the lodge and drove to Point Imperial. Both had spectacular views! We left the park around 4pm well before dark. I had read the ride home at night could be problematic and I could see that being an issue - it is very desolate. I totally recommend the North Rim for you and your family!! You won't be disappointed!!

Everything we had read said how few people travel to the North Rim. They are truly missing out! The North Rim is quiet, not busy at all and gorgeous! If you don't have this in your plan add it! We flew into Vegas visited Zion for 3 days, Bryce Canyon for a day and had planned to spend a half day at the North Rim and then go to the South Rim. We ended up staying the night at the North Rim and didn't leave until mid day the next day. Just all around awesome!

Despite any wait times getting into the park, this is worth every minute! Pictures do it no justice.

Great experience, super weather. Easy drive 2 +hours from Page.
Stayed till sunset and the drive back took a bit longer but got to see some native animals around sunset - Bison, Deer, Fox, Cows and Condor

Absolutely beautiful. We picked the North Rim because we heard it was so beautiful and not as crowded as the South Rim, plus the weather was perfect.

Great trip, my wife and I took both an air (single engine) and a land tour of the Grand Canyaon. We also stopped at the glass walkway. It was money well spent.

The views are beautiful. The sunsets are gorgeous. There are few options for trails along the rim other than steep climbs down & up the canyon. The accommodations are rustic. There is NOTHING to do here after sunset. There is very poor internet access, even at the lodge. (This is a problem when you are trying to plan the next stop or if you have an emergency at home that requires your immediate attention.)
The number of helpful staff is very limited. Food options are very limited & expensive. The attitude of most staff to help/support guests’ experiences is below average. (Are poor staff exiled to the North Rim as a punishment?) Reservation requirements for dinner, if you want to eat before 8:30 pm, is a necessity, which is contra to my idea of a vacation free of schedules. (Interesting to know that we could not get a table before 8:30 pm, even though there were several empty tables for much of the time.) Nevertheless, if you are looking for a place to disconnect from the world and are willing to bring your own food, this is it.

Grand Canyon is one of the greatest place to visit! North rim,south rim...it doesnt matter.Just go! Great views and feeling allover!

The view was incredible! Completely different view them the South side. Enjoyed the difference hiked a short distance into the canyon enjoying the view.

The views are breathtaking. For the drive into the park, we saw a bunch of deer, cows, and Bison. The deer were much bigger than I expected, and they just freeze in place near the side of the road as we come up to them. Then they take off into the forest as we drive by. I would suggest taking a mule ride down the North Rim. Make sure you have good knees and a sense of adventure as it is not for the faint of heart. You'll want to spend at least 3-4 hours here just to explore.

This is a must see for yourself! Pictures do not capture the feel and sight you get from this walking tour. That's what we took, a 2 mile walk along the edge of the canyon.

We drove through on our way to Utah on a snowy day in early March and were enthralled by yet another natural wonder here in America. People flock to other parts of the world looking at what is here at home. If you love nature come and see what this drive has to offer.

This was my first trip to the Grand Canyon and after doing both rims I can easily say that the North Rim experience was my favorite! We were all alone for 90% of our time there which made it so easy to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. Sunset at Cape Royal was spectacular and there were only 4-5 others even remotely near us. It was great! I’d recommend one meal at the Lodge and allotting time to just chill by the fields. We saw mule deer, aspens, all kinds of birds, and even some bison!

This past August I took my wife to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. About 15 years ago I made the trek to the North Rim and put it on my bucket list to return and stay at one of the rim cabins. I was able to finally reserve a rim cabin last year. I like the North Rim better than the South Rim because it is less crowded and much cooler than the South Rim. It is much harder to get to than the South Rim, taking about four hours from Flagstaff. The trail out to Bright Angel Point has spectacular views. If you have the time go to the North Rim you should go at least once in your life.

From Tucson, AZ it is much further from the north rim but it is definitely worth the drive. Because it is more isolated it is not overwhelmed with hoards of people. There are is a huge lodge with cabins and campgrounds for accommodation. The views are stunning and breathtaking. The hikes are slightly challenging if you do not attempt to walk down the canyon. Even if you are older with a variety of issues there are still multiple walks and drives that are fun and easy. The North Rim is cooler than the South so it is great in summer.

Beautiful and breathtaking. A must if you love history, nature and beautiful views. Great for kids as well. Cabins are rustic but have modern conveniences. Book early!

We always love the North Rim and have stopped going to the south rim. North Rim offers scenic canyon views without all the hassle and crowds found on the south part of the canyon. It's a more rustic feeling with a slower pace. There's a lodge, cabins and camping along with trails, picnic areas, restaurants, saloon, store, gift shop and much more. It's off the beaten path and harder to get to which makes it the perfect getaway

We've been to the South Rim several times. The North Rim is completely different. So much cooler, less crowded, and we loved the forest along the rim. We hiked all the shorter trails near the visitors center. Probably can have more expansive views on the south rim, but this is well worth the visit even though it is a little harder to get there.

This was my second trip to the North Rim. The first time I camped in the campground and this time my lovely wife and I stayed in a Grand Canyon Lodge Motel room.
The N Rim is a fantastic place with great views of the canyon that are accessible by everyone. It’s just a short walk from the parking area to the rim. Plus, you can drive on a paved road to Point Imperial and Cape Royal.
The N Rim is out of the way which translates to fewer people, less traffic and more solitude.
Be sure to make reservations and eat dinner at the Lodge. The views are great and the food is reasonably priced.

One can see the Grand Canyon in many ways and from many viewpoints. Our favorite vantage point to see it from is from the North Rim's viewpoints. These were the views from one day in September last year.
The North Rim is not as easy to get to as the South and because of that it is supposedly less crowded. It is closed to vehicles from the middle of May to late October, but to be sure of the dates you would visit, it is best to check out the National Park website first.
There are accommodations both in the Lodge and by private cabins, and camping is available, but these spots fill quickly. Reservations for all of the housing and camping is required, and sometimes, quite a bit in advance
The viewpoints are spectacular and one is still able to drive their own vehicle along the roads to reach them, unlike the South Rim.
Page is the nearest city of any size and many people stay there and drive in for one full long day. Take 89A from Page to Jacob's Lake, and then turn south on Hwy 67. From this point, it is 45 miles to the Lodge. There are no services along this road. The North Rim is a Fee Area so have your parks pass ready or buy admission for 1-7 days, according to the parks fee schedule.
Services inside the park include housing, a restaurant at the lodge and and at the Lodge's Veranda. There is also a convenience type store and some nice restrooms. Parking is ample but it can get crowded. Even after Labor Day, on a weekday, we circled a bit to find a place. It is free.
Please respect the trails and the roads out to the vistas, by not trashing the viewing areas, leaving garbage, or parking where you are not supposed to. We want to keep them open and available to private cars for as long as possible.
Wear good hiking shoes. The trails get sandy and slippery.

The North Rim is the way to go if you want to avoid the huge crowds at the Grand Canyon. Especially if you go later in the year like October. But be advised they close the North Rim for the season on Oct 15th. Anyway, the views are fabulous and you will take thousands of pics to get that one great scenic pic! But the cabins you stay in are overpriced, dirty, and have poor amenities in addition to having poor hot water availability.
Note: all this may change since a fire the summer of 2025 has destroyed the Great Lodge where everyone eats and some of the cabins. Unknown when the park will reopen with new (and hopefully improved) facilities.

Fabtasntic to visit the NORTH Rim and just relax. The lodge has beautiful panoramic windows and heaters and there is outside seating. You can grab food form the deli and take it into the lodge and relax. And no, you dknt need to be staying there. You can simply visit. The North Rim is far quieter, and perfect for two hours or two days. I wish we had more time! Remember, if you're visiting the national parks it cost 35 dollars to get into the grand canyon or 80 dollars for a annual pass for all national parks. You could save yourself a few quid!

In November there is nothing open. No lodge. No gift store. No gas station. Even the water taps are not working. Be prepared with your own snacks don't count on finding hot coffee.. What is there are views unobstructed by crowds and noise absolutely beautiful. There is no town or anything close. The wind blew hard and there was snow on the ground. I loved it.

I find the North Rim the best way to experience the Grand Canyon.
It is visited but not mobbed like the south rim.

I went on Sep 6, 2020. It is, in my opinion, quite an effort to get to the North Rim and since most of my day was driving there, I had about 2-3 left. I've heard that sunset is best spent at Cape Royal so my first stop was a Point Imperial. I had happened to go the South Rim a week before (wasn't the first time there)) and now I was back in the north and Point Imperial already blew me away. The view was simply amazing!!! I've seen the South Rim several time but that was already way better than anything in the south. There were only 10 cars (note that international tourists are still not allowed in the US) and most people, in general, were either photographers or people who enjoy nature. I felt the North Rim was mainly free of all the "typical" tourists, partly because of the ongoing border closures but also because it's such an effort to get there. I stopped at the Walhalla overlook which was also very impression and there was only one more car. I finally ended up at Cape Royal, the best Grand Canyon spot I've ever been!!!!! It's wide, it's very open, I spent sunset there, it was amazing! Clearly the best spot!!!
Two days later, I happened to go back to stop at the last point I wanted to see, where the main lodges are and walking out to Bright Angel. I arrived at 9AM and my experience was vastly different than the one two days ago. First, it cooled down from 90F/32C to 42F/5C and the view. All the smoke from the wildfires in California had blown into the canyon and you could barely see the other end of it. It was very nasty. Before you walk out to Bright Angel, there was a sign "how is the view." Apparently, during summer time, pollution is a big problem and often causes a lot of haze. This time it was for sure the California wildfires so I don't know how much that is actually a problem when you go there during summer but I'd be cautious given there is even a sign!

It was such a beautiful drive through Kaibab National Forrest, up to the north rim. Once we got there, the view only got better. We enjoyed a small lunch at the deli - it was a little pricey but they had big portions. We then hiked to Bright Angel Point and it was beautiful - If you’re afraid of heights, some points may be scary, but we would still encourage you to go! The north rim was a great experience, there’s not as much to do at the north rim versus the south rim, but we were still happy we made the drive out there.

I was working in Kanab, and made the drive after work. Good choice. I was able to spend about an hour on the rim. Amazing views, but it would’ve been even better had I got there earlier when more of the canyon was covered with sunlight. Next time I’ll plan on spending the night here. The wind was pretty strong, and it got chilly at dusk.

This was our first visit to the Grand Canyon. It was better than we expected and pictures don't do it justice. We went in October and enjoyed having less people around. We were disappointed we missed the Lodge being open by 2 days so need to plan a return trip earlier in October!

Wow if your in Vegas you must go to this place. I drove there took me 2.5 hours but it’s not bad literally straight high ways. I hired i mustang and took it to the max!! Heheheh (be careful) not tooo fast heheh
But the Grand Canyon is amazing , it’s sooo big!! Magical. It costs about $79 but you get to see 4 different locations. There’s a bus that comes every 15mins free to take you around. Take your time and lots of pictures DO IT

This was a beautiful place. My family and I took a road trip this summer, and one of the places we stayed was Grand Canyon North Rim. We stayed in a pioneer cabin (we booked it 18 months prior). The cabin was adequate, but further away from the lodge etc. Next time we are staying in the other cabins. I will say that James was an excellent porter, and he helped move our luggage both when we arrived and when we left.

The views were magnificent. Beware that it has high elevation so your breathing will be affected. (It is 8000 + elevation)

I do suggest taking the Angel Point Trail. It is not long, but it does have some ups and downs. I am an overweight person, and I did it by stopping on every big rock. On the way back from the point we didnt take the walk up the big hill where we started, but we took another path. It led to a quaint porch that seemed like it would be romantic.

North rim has blue spruce trees. Eat in the lodge at night and view the trees at sunset to see them turn blue. The lodge can be pricey. We ate there for lunch and dinner. The kids meals remain the same, but the adult meals change. The lodge did offer meals with Elk and Bison. I chose the chicken fetticini which was delicious. The water served at the lodge comes from the springs below. (It tastes incredible)

Bring a jacket. It gets a little cool at night.

Offers mule rides and trips to south rim.

Beware that driving to the North Rim you will have to drive through reservations. It is bare land with hardly no gas stations etc. The route we took us through an area of the Navejo. At one particular Navejo bridge you can view birds (this is what I heard while at North Rim) I also heard that people ought to stop by the Cave Dwellers area. I saw these areas while driving, but did not stop. I heard about them from other lodgers at Grand Canyon North Rim.

We enjoyed the canyon. We mailed post cards to family while we were there. They have a coffee/saloon area. They also have a deli.

This is a must see! Also, don't be disappointed when you first start to drive in. There was a forest fire, but you drive past it. Also, be aware of animals regardless of warning signs. We saw plenty of deer when there were no warning signs posted. Also, when we went we saw snow. You might can pull over and have a snow ball fight.

A lot of people told us about the beauty of the North Rim. After a visit, we understood why. Words like spectacular and marvelous would not describe it good enough. At the same time, a lot of people told us this is worth a trip because of its remote location. We loved it, not because it was less crowded than the South Rim, but because of its beauty. When that is said, if you will not get the chance to go here, but will get the chance to visit the South or West Rim, we would say: GO! All places are amazing. If you visit the North Rim, make sure also to drive over to Cape Royal and stop on the way on the Walhalla overlook, Roosevelt Point overlook, Vista Encantada and Point Imperial. We also recommend to do the hikes Cape Royal Trail as well as Bright Angel Point.

We went in October and the weather was great, the views were amazing, the park was fairly empty. We got to not only be wowed by the canyon itself, but also got to see some Bison. It is a whole different feel than the south side of the Grand Canyon. I recommend you see both!

Beautiful and very different from the South Rim. Eight family members in all. Four hiked down the Kaibab trail to the bridge and four hiked Uncle Jim’s trail. We live in a low elevation so it was hard to breathe at times because of this. I don’t think there’s a way to train or prepare for this. Each group had a very different experience but we all had fun.

Side note: Uncle Jim’s trail is mostly flat with a few hills and is fairly easy. However, to access Uncle Jim’s trail, you must first hike on the Ken Patrick trail. It has a lot of hills and is hard at times. The elevation combined with walking uphill was what we thought so hard. Our bodies weren’t tired, we just had to keep catching our breath and slow our heart rate down. Once you are at the halfway point on uncle Jim’s trail you’ll see a composting restroom. You’ll also see a small trail that goes to uncle Jim’s overlook. It is not marked. Do not let your kids run ahead. There are no safety rails and it is a steep drop off into the canyon.

North rim is 1000 ft higher in elevation and has more pine trees and meadows. Either rim is breathtaking, less people on North rim but I still prefer the South rim

A visit to the North Rim is for those who seek nature's awesome beauty without the
crowds......It's noted that only 10% of visitors visiting the Grand Canyon visit the North
Rim....Lush vegetation with pine trees and quaking aspens and of course the view
from the Lodge and areas surrounding it is "majestic"......We stayed there for 2 nights
and were blessed with great cool , sunny weather. We took the 3 hr. mule ride
into the canyon & it was a memorable experience. We saw mule deer along the roadside. A fellow traveler shared that they saw bison along the roadside......

The beauty and solitude of the North Rim can be experienced by walking the short
trail to Bright Angel Point......Awesome view of the canyon and not too crowded.
We loved it.

We decided to do a "fly by" after our Mighty Five experience in Utah....so glad we did. Yes...it was only for a few hours, but getting after getting a taste, we'll be back.

The North Rim was perfect and not overrun with people. The views were spectacular and the lodge was epic.

Yep...make the time!

i rather prefer the North Rim to the South Rim. it is quieter and less crowded, and the views, especially in the evening, are spectacular. However, accommodation is limited and books up early. if you cannot stay at the rim (I've tried and failed three times now), there are a couple of motels between Kanab and the rim, and a good range in Kanab itself ... but allow a good 90 minutes to get to the rim

The reason we had limited views was a late May snowstorm. We had only allowed ourself one night as we traveled to a graduation. It just so happened that it was snowing most of our stay but when there was a break in the clouds the views were gorgeous. I have been on the south rim and I think the north may be a tad bit better (from my limited views) also less crowds.

We drove a very far way with our eyes set to this beautiful tourist attractions, and when we finally got there, it was ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT and so wonderfully BREATHING - it left us speechless! Would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Nature and Beautiful Wonders!

Although not as popular or spectacular as the South rim, the North rim gives as good as it gets where views are concerned, the area around Kaibab gives unforgettable views to remember for a long time

Beautiful and very amazing formations and colour combinations. Not as fantastic as the Grand Canyon South Rim. The canyon is massive.

We had never been to the North Rim and I would definitely recommend seeing it. Very peaceful and much less crowded than the South Rim.

The Bryce Best Western offers a convenient location near Bryce Canyon, making it an excellent choice for exploring the area. While the rooms are decent, they provide a comfortable stay. It's a solid option for travelers seeking proximity to the natural beauty of Bryce Canyon. A little pricy but deals can be found for a good rate.

We stayed at the Pioneer Cabin at the North Rim Lodge - beautiful setting and wonderful food! Definately recommend dinner and the breakfast buffet at the Lodge!

This different view of the Grand Canyon was so worth the drive. The north rim is less crowded than the South rim just because it is off the beaten path. The views are spectacular and the drives that you can take off of the main road provide even more of a view of the Grand Canyon. Make sure you take lots of water.

We had already been to the south rim. It might make more sense to approach the north rim from Utah, but actually the drive up there was gorgeous. You only have to go around the corner in Arizona to find a totally different terrain!
The cabins looked cute. We only walked out to Bright Angel Point and came back for a picnic. The views are stunning. Not a good place for the acrophobic. The walk out to Bright Angel Point was a bit of a trial because I'm unsteady on my legs - also, the altitude. Watching folks who are as nimble as mountain goats gamboling up on rocks for the view made me nervous as well. Glad I went, though.
The park was free that particular day (they all were), so I didn't get to use my senior pass. Grr! Heh.

Having for many years wanted to see the Grand Canyon, I thought I was prepared to see a beautiful place, but I never could have dreamed it would be as wonderful as it was! We had time, even though we only stayed there one night, to do a little hiking, see a beautiful sunset and sunrise, and enjoy a drink on the back porch of the main building before a delicious meal inside. If you are ever able to visit the North Rim, don’t pass it up. You will love it!

The drive from Jacob Lake is scenic and takes through the Kaibob national Forest. The terminus of the road is the Grand Canyon which cannot be missed. Watch for deer if you are traveling early in the morning or late afternoon.

We visited the North Rim and paid $80 to do the Legacy tour with Skywalk. The Skywalk was super disappointing and not worth the money at all. For $55 you could just do the Legacy tour and the views are far more beautiful. Don’t waste your money!

So, I understand that three dots might seem like heresy when it comes to the Grand Canyon. But we must honestly admit that, compared to the South Rim, the North Rim can only be inferior... much inferior.
I found the road to get there really beautiful: an immense plateau covered by large meadows and forests, some of which, unfortunately, literally went up in smoke. We also found a fire going on the day we passed: truly a very bad thing, which leaves its mark and makes us think a lot.
But, returning to the view of the Grand Canyon, in some places it is obviously spectacular, but not even comparable to the south side.
Then, a sense of abandonment at the visitor center. We found EVERYTHING closed. The countless cottages were all uninhabited, and it was June 28th.
It left a bad taste in my mouth, perhaps the biggest disappointment of our trip.

We flew by helicopter from the south to the north rim. The flight was awesome because we got to comprehend the sweeping views of the South to North Grand Canyon from within the valley. The colours of this side of the Canyon are rich and vibrant with layers of red present in the steep and deep Canyon walls speckled with the dark green of trees and shrubs.

The helicopter ride by Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours took us from the South Rim to the North Rim which was a 45 minute flight. The pilot was friendly and there was a commentary which informed us of the main points of interest. The paid $50 upgrade to the front row is a good option but this depends on one’s weight. My wife was fortunate to get the front seat.

This was a great way to see the magnificent Grand Canyon.

Munir D.

Took the trans-canyon shuttle over and hiked down the N. Kaibab Trail. Was a bucket list dream and have no regrets. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

The lodge has a very cozy feel. When it is cold and windy outside, you can sit and gaze out the huge windows at the Grand Canyon. If it’s nice outside, there are many comfortable chairs and they face the warm sun. There is a bar/coffee shop just a few steps away and they have very good coffee & tea. There are several hiking trails close by.

The Grand Canyon northern rim is less impressive than the south rim but it is wilder and aimed to adventurers The walk around the viewpoints is amazing.

Nowhere near the experience you'll have at the South Rim where the view is more panoramic and spectacular. But hey, its the Grand Canyon. At least a 4 1/2 star experience. Great place to watch the sun set and to avoid the South Rim crowds.

You have to be there to see the breath-taking view of God's creation! It is most spectacular. We went in October, the temperature is just right.

A great place to view one of the most beautiful stops on earth and without the crowds. Very peaceful.

The views, hikes and cabins on the N. side were absolutely astounding and far less people to deal with.

Recently we traveled to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and found a whole new world 1,000 feet above the South Rim.
There are more widely dispersed, easy to moderate trails here on the North side. The Grand Canyon Lodge is a majestic and wonderful place for meals, sunsets and listening to the occasional orchestra on the terrace.
The views and the staff are stellar!

After several trips to south Rim over the years, I wanted to check out the glowing reports I have heard about the "other side". I can confirm the views are amazing - fewer than south rim but just as awesome, and smaller crowds. However the parking lots are also smaller, and if you arrive late morning or later in season, you may not be able to find ANY parking.(especially for RVs, where there are only a few spots). When you get there, make sure to take the Bright Angel Point Trail (not to be confused with the South Rim's Bright Angel Trail). Its 1/4 mile long with a stunning end-view - maybe best in the park

The north rim is a very beautiful drive in. Pretty big fire scar in part of it. There are a few areas to get great pictures. The south rim looks straight down, totally different view, both are worth it if you have time.

Whether you have to drive down from Kanab, or you're doing a rim-to-rim hike, it's worth the effort to get to the North Rim. The views are spectacular, it is much less crowded than the South Rim, and there are some great gentle hikes to get your body moving a little bit.

That said, do research before. It's high (8800'), it gets cold, and it is much less touristy than the South Rim. If you aren't staying overnight, then make absolutely sure you are long gone by sundown. Like, don't stay for sunset unless you are good with a somewhat harrowing drive back North through the pitch dark with many animals out there to destroy your rental car.

This was our first time to the North Rim and it provided a different perspective than South Rim. Sunset views from the Grand Canyon Lodge were gorgeous. Our favorite place to explore was Cape Royal. It was particularly gorgeous at sunrise!

You got to see this place. No picture could ever do it justice. Love it. We done a hike and also walked along the top. Wonderful
Time.

By far, the north rim is way better than the south rim. You are 1000 ft higher and the temps are cooler. The views are amazing and you don't feel crowded as you do on the south rim.

The grandeur is breathtaking. Amazing! The beautiful forest leading into the park is absolutely gorgeous.

Two days at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon were superb. I would highly recommend booking far in advance for rooms at the Lodge and reservations in the dining room. Take the drive to Imperial Point where breathtaking vistas of the Canyon open up and are easily seen on paved paths. Small hikes provide additional spectacular vistas.
Sunset in the Canyon is not to be missed.

I have been to the south rim three times, but this was my first visit to the north rim. What a difference! This side is much less commercialized than the south rim, but it is by no means primitive. We enjoyed hiking and checking out the general store. The cabins look cute, but we didn't go inside any of them. We didn't take a stroll through the lodge and I think we missed out. See all you can of this place! We saw buffalo on our way out.

Miss the crowds and walk casually along the rim for spellbinding views, clean mountain air and a quick bite at the Lodge.

Loved our visit here. We went early to beat the heat. We saw a herd of bison at the entry. Walked Bright Angels Point and we were wowed by the views. Took the Cape Royal road stopping at all the overlooks. Amazing canyon views and rock formations. Visitor centers closed due to Covid. Less crowded on this rim and worth the visit.

I am going to be in the minority here and say that I much prefer the South Rim to the North Rim.

The North Rim was high on my list of places to see. I absolutely love the South Rim, so the thought of another view of the canyon in a very peaceful place was great.

Here’s the problem with the North Rim. Yes, fewer people visit - but it is a much smaller space and you will not have peace until well after sunset. People are clamoring for the small viewpoints, the small trails, and the few food options. You cannot get away from the crowd unless you hike pretty far away. We stayed at the lodge in a beautiful Western Rim View cabin and didn’t have quiet until after 9 PM. At the South Rim, if you’re willing to walk a bit, you can easily find beautifully quiet, peaceful places, and the canyon just seeps into your soul.

The canyon is beautiful everywhere, of course, but the views from the South Rim are awe-inspiring. Here, well…not as much. Point Imperial, off Cape Royal Road, is worth seeing - it’s spectacular. In addition, you can see lights across the canyon from the North Rim. Some might find that interesting, but for me it takes away some of the wild feeling.

Glad we saw the North Rim, but I feel no desire to return.

I had been to the south rim of the Grand Canyon twice already as a young adult. This time, many years later and traveling with my family, we decided to see the north rim and from there go to the Utah Big 5 (National Parks) while we were out west. We met others on our trip in various parks doing the same thing, but most did not go to the north rim. They were really missing out.

The north rim is not flashy like the south rim, but that is it's charm. There is nowhere to stay near there except on site, at Kaibab Lodge, (30 minutes away) or Jacobs Lake (1 hour away) so that may be part of the reason it's much less crowded than the south rim. On site there are cabins (some with rim views!) accommodating 2-6 guests, motel rooms, accommodating 1-3 people, and a camp site. There are mini-fridges and coffee makers in the rooms but no microwaves. For food, there is a dinning room (reservations strongly recommended), a deli, and a saloon that does coffee and pastries in the morning and beverages and pizza in the afternoon and evening.

There is NO wifi, little cell signal, and no TVs in the rooms, but you are visiting one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Go look at some beautiful scenery instead. In addition to the breathtaking beauty of the canyon, there's lots of wildlife. We saw many lizards, chipmunks, and managed to get a glimpse of one of the rare Kaibab Squirrels our first day there!

Both days we watched the sunset over the rim, and our second day there woke up to watch the sunrise over the rim. We took so.many.photos. because it's amazing.

The visitors center is small, but the rangers and other workers are helpful and friendly. There are several ranger programs throughout the day. (We attended 2, as one is required to earn your Jr. Ranger Badge.) If you ask, the rangers will provide maps and advice for hiking trails based on your experience and skill level. After our first day, we decided we needed hiking sticks and the gift shop had them (as well as many other hiking accoutrements and souvenirs) for a relatively low price. There are hikes for all skill levels, but most of the hikes here involve staying on the rim. If you have not trained/are not a regular hiker, and you have not already researched and made plans to go into the canyon, you should stick to the rim anyway. It is unsafe to attempt a hike into the rim without planning and preparation.

The hike to Bright Angel Point is relatively short, not terribly difficult, and has plenty of somewhat shady resting spots along the way. Also, it's not too hot here due to the high elevation. In the late morning, our family walked along the Transept trail, which leads from the lodge to the campgrounds. On this hike we learned a little about the people who lived and farmed here for centuries before the US government made it a National Park. When we arrived at the general store at the campgrounds (which had much fewer lunch options than we were expecting) we were exhausted. (We are not regular hikers.) We were delighted to find a shuttle bus to return us to the lodge area so we could get more food and rest for a while.

Later in the day, we drove out to Point Imperial (elevation 8,803ft!) and loved the views there as well. The adults were ready to head out further to Walhalla and do the short hike to Angels Window, but the younger members of our party were done for the day.

The north rim is more remote so it may be difficult for some to get there. It's also expensive to stay there because you are paying for access and the view. It's also only open from May to October (due to snow.) I loved it though, and if you go, I bet you will too.

This drive was beautiful! We've been to the south rim several times, but this was our first time to the north rim. It was amazing. A lot less people, and you can see the canyon at the many view points without people blocking your view. When we left, we saw Bison at the entrance of the park! Our first time seeing Bison!

Frontier Cabin – Rim View
Cabins are still quite rustic but adequate. The less you expect, the more adequate they will appear. If the temperatures are moderate, the cabins will be more comfortable. A ceiling fan and window breeze are the only way to cool the cabin. There is a small fridge and a k-cup coffee maker which is a big plus. Take an extension cord to reach the single outlet provided. Our cabin had a small table with bench seating. Seating was also available on the sleeper sofa in the attached bunk room, and of course on the bed. The bathroom was very small with a cruise ship size shower and tiny wash bowl. Water temperature is warm at best. Our bed was soft and bouncy, so if your bed mate is a restless sleeper, you will be too! Our “rim view” cabin did not have much of a view through the rather heavy brush! Access to these cabins would be difficult for people with mobility issues even with the available porter service. One might consider the convenience of the larger Western cabins which, while pricey, are much larger and conveniently located to the lodge and its amenities.

When we first got to the grand canyon we stopped by the visitors center. We talked to Mike that works at the desk. He was supper helpful. He told us what trails to take. If you ever have the chance to visit this place. You won't be disappointed.

If you have the time and it is summer, the north rim is well worth seeing. It is quite different than the south rim with breathtaking sights too.

The park staff is the same however: excellent and helpful.

We did find the evening ranger talk on stargazing more for “junior rangers” than adults. The ranger was a good speaker and knowledgeable, the co tent was just pretty basic.

Be prepared to walk long distances if you are staying in the motel part of the park. It would be wise to make sure they are aware of your disability. The lodge itself has many steps and can create a barrier.
The food was expensive and fair. The wait staff was excellent and eager to meet your needs. In comparison to the south rim, it maintains a rustic approach but needs to improve in its accessibility for the handicapped. Parking is also an issue.
On the bright side the motel room was very clean and well maintained.

Worth the trip. Absolutely gorgeous. Weather was temperate. Not overly crowded. We walked and drove to various lookout points.

The North Rim is so much more peaceful. The Grand Canyon is fantastic from any angle, but this was much more enjoyable without the crowds. We left Kanab, Utah about 3:30 am to get to Cape Royal for sunrise. There was a lightning storm and a rainbow but not much of a sunrise. It didn't matter. We had Cape Royal and Angel's Window to ourselves. We came back around noon and it was relatively busy with a moron and his drone.
It was interesting that on our return visit the prickly pear cactus were blooming. Of course it does get a little busy but nothing compared to the South Rim. Not as many viewpoints on the North Rim or commercial spots.

This was our first time at the Grand Canyon. It is absolutely amazing. We chose the north rim because it is less traveled and wooded. The views are spectacular. The lodge is great. A must do for everyone.

When planning, realize that reservations are needed for lodging and dinner. The drive into the canyon is great but long. Hiking shoes are a must if you plan to explore the area. Loose quick dry clothing and sun block should also be with you. The trails are rough and loose with no safety rails - walking poles are helpful. Small children must be watched carefully.

We spent a full day, from about 9 AM to 8 PM, exploring the North Rim. We loved it!
First, let me compare the North Rim to the South Rim. The North Rim is greener, cooler, much less crowded, quieter, and more peaceful (primarily because you’re dealing with less crowds at every viewpoint and trail.) The views were exquisite! There may be less official viewpoints at the North Rim, but the ones we were led to on the scenic drive and the hikes were wonderful! I thought the color variations of the Canyon were more noticeable on the north rim side. Also, because the north rim is not as crowded, you don’t have to use shuttle buses to go from viewpoint to viewpoint; so you can drive at your convenience and at your pace. Downsides are: There are fewer convenient lodging options and restaurant choices versus the South Rim. There are a number of places on the North Rim where you are walking a popular hike or going to a listed viewpoint and there are no guardrails; so if you have small children or are afraid of heights, the south rim may be a better choice.
When you come into the park, you should be given a “pocket map North Rim services guide;” read it; it has lots of useful information about what kind of facilities including food and coffee are available, popular hikes, the route for the scenic drive, etc.
We started the day doing the half mile round trip paved hike on the Bright Angel Point Trail. It led to pretty view points; this is one of those hikes though where there are going to be times where you are on a steep edge with no barrier.
We then did the scenic drive. The scenic drive itself is not real pretty; but every viewpoint listed on it, starting with Point Imperial, was beautiful! At the Cape Royal viewpoint, we did the .8 mile round-trip paved Cape Royal Trail; it was easy and brought us to lovely vistas.
On the way back to the North Rim Visitor Center, we did the 4.2 mile round-trip Cape Final Trail. This was a dirt walk, strewn with small to medium sized rocks at different points, that went uphill, downhill, and flat through a pine forest. It ended in a beautiful vista, after climbing up some big rocks. There are also a few more vistas along the way.
We had dinner at the Grand Canyon Lodge dining room. It was delicious and we had a lovely view of the canyon from our table.
We ended the day watching the sunset from the back of the Grand Canyon Lodge. A park ranger recommended that spot for seeing the impact of the sunset on the rocks in the canyon; but, we did not think it was very good at all. The sun setting just put the rocks in the canyon in front of us in shadow.
One long day was perfect for us to explore what we wanted to explore in the North Rim. We are now big North Rim fans, and if we come back to the Grand Canyon again, we will go to the North Rim!

We had never been to the North rim so we decided to go this summer while in SW Utah. The day drive from our campground was beautiful. We're very glad we went. Much less crowded than the South side of the canyon. Had a nice picnic lunch at one of the scenic lookouts. We stopped at the gas station as we entered the lodge area and we're surprised with a service attendant giving us the full treatment. He pumped our gas and cleaned out windshield just like back when I was a kid. Very cool.

Long drive , great view but all bathrooms out of service with portable toilets with no water to wash hands / enjoy! This was Tuesday 5-28

We visited both rims of the Canyon in our Grand Circle tour of the National Parks, but the North rim was much less busy and gave us more opportunity to just sit and soak up the magnificent, breathtaking, limitlessly awesome view. The accommodation is rather tired and gloomy, the restaurant is small and we weren’t able to get a table on the one night we were there as we didn’t pre-book but none of this mattered... if you do nothing else on a visit to the USA, go to the Grand Canyon. Be wary of taking children as there is little or no protection from a life- limiting plunge into the void, but seriously, GO THERE!!!

The Grand Canyon certainly does impress and the thing I liked about the north rim was it seemed so much easier to get around. Less people but still great short hikes and super impressive views.

No words can really do justice to the awesome beauty of the Grand Canyon. The north rim was stunning. Excellent short hikes to really stunning viewpoints. We went to Bright Angel Point and Point Imperial. We did this as a day trip from St. George Utah.

Excellent time staying at the Pioneer cabins and dining at the Grand Canyon Lodge. We spent two and a half days exploring the area, going on short hikes and taking in the view, which surpasses the South Rim in my opinion. All the staff were extremely helpful - thank you Nick, Jordan, Ryan, Darren, Emerson, Josar - you made our stay so pleasant. I highly recommend the buffalo tenderloin, and my husband loved the Lee's Ferry Trout. The cabin was clean and ideally rustic. We arrived Sunday afternoon and there was a bit of a wait for checkin, but the views made it worthwhile. This was a bucket list trip and it exceeded our expectations. On the way in, we saw a herd of bison in the meadow, which was a rare treat. Take the drive to the Point Imperial overlook - it's worth it. The campground country store had some fun items - check it out.

I definitely recommend visiting the North Rim although I've never been to the south. The views were spectacular especially from Point Royal, and Bright Angel Point. Crowds were quiet, even in the summer and temperatures were extremely comfortable - 70/80 degrees in August

Much much less crowded than the south rim. We enjoyed the views better as it seems the rock formations are more carved and closer. Loved watching the sun rise and set from the patio.

So, we read about all the superlatives of the North Rim. Are they true? Well sort of.

Yes, the North Rim is higher. The trees are taller. The views are a bit more intimate. The services are less, There is no lodging at the North Rim Lodge. There are fewer people. But lots LESS space for them.

I'm glad we went. But it really didn't match all the hype. Due to climate and water drainage, the canyons of the North Rim are more intimate and actually feel closer to you when at a view point. The Colorado River is actually further away.

The Visitor Center is rather small and doesn't have much information. But the Rangers (as are all Rangers) are wonderful. Nice little gift area.

The Lodge is a major disappointment. No lodging in the Lodge. All lodging are in cabins of motel rooms down the way. The Lodge is busy. Like crazy-busy. Not many dining options.

So, what did we think of the North Rim. It's hard to get to. Lots of folks crammed in a small area. Fabulous, wonderful views and vistas.

Would we return? Yeah. But not as enthusiasticly as we came the first time.

Have you ever been to the South Rim of Grand Canyon? Were you a tiny bit disappointed? I have been and I was.

Suggestion: Next time go to the North Rim, which will open on May 15 this year (2019).

It's a higher elevation and therefore cooler on hot days. The views are more encompassing and therefore "better." There are more adjunct things to see, including especially Kaibab squirrels, which are solid black with white tails, very showy. (Hard to find though.)

The lodge is very pricey and booked solid, well in advance. Nevertheless, the views are spectacular. (I peeked.). Someday, when I know my travel plans far enough in advance and can afford it, I'll stay a few days there. Can't wait!

But the best thing about the North Rim is the view from Cape Royale. I could sit there and watch the changing light for hours. In fact, I DID sit there and watch the changing light for hours! It's my favorite spot on earth, and if I could time it just right, I wouldn't mind dying there! You can see forever in at least three directions, and you can see the Colorado River for miles in those directions. The colors are fantastic, and if you can arrange to be there on a somewhat cloudy day with a bit of breeze, watching the shadows crawl across the extremely 3-dimensional landscape is fabulous.

The ONLY negative is that the snow gets so deep in the winter they have to close the roads, so you can only go there from mid-May to late fall each year, whereas the South Rim is open year round.

To sum up, you haven't really seen the Grand Canyon till you've been to North Rim.

The North Rim is rather remote, but with the smell of pine trees in the air and being able to watch the sun set on one of the seven wonders of the world, it was worth the journey! We did not do much hiking due to the time of day, but it was very busy with hikers. Bring a jacket for later in the day as the wind can pick up in a minute. I recommend not planning to eat there because the price of everything is out of this world!

We found the north rim to be much more laid back, more rustic, less hectic, far less people and just as gorgeous as the south rim. We'll prefer the north from now on.

We went to the North Rim from Zion and had a wonderful drive and outstanding visit. The trails are a mix of easy to hard. all of them have wonderful views. It's hard to appreciate the grandeur of the Grand Canyon in 2D pictures.

Bright Angel point trail - super easy and great views
Transept trail - great views, there's a picnic table on it if you want to stop and have a snack.
North Kaibab - we went down to the Coconino overlook and another wonderful view of the canyon. It's not as hard as one might think
Uncle Jim Trail - nice trek through the woods to Overlook. The view is killer. We saw condors soaring about. The eastern part of the loop has better views.

If you want to go for a nice run combine the Transept Trail w/ the Bridle Path. It's an easy 4M loop. Easy that is for the altitude.

We had a great meal in the Lodge. Reservations are a must as this is the only place to eat a nice meal.

Visitors center - very helpful guides and staff.

Enjoy the Grand Canyon w/o the crowds. We went right before Labor Day and the weather was perfect. We stayed in a small hotel room there and not in the cabins. If a cabin is available book one. It's worth it.

Stayed 3 nights in late June on site T9. Designated parking spot just steps from our site. Very quiet campground even with lots of people. The bathrooms at the tent site are very clean! Utility sink on side of bathrooms is for washing dishes. Very helpful and keeps sites tidy. Camp store has many food and camp items. Fresh baked cookies and simple coffee can be purchased. Showers are clean and might be free...try before you pay! Didn’t utilize laundry but it’s in the shower house. Tables and outlets make waiting easier. It’s about a mile hike on the Transipt Trail to the lodge. If you go to lodge for sunset you will need headlamps for way back. Any site in this campground is a good one. Lastly, the park gas station is cheaper than the ones just outside the park. It’s full service and the man who serviced us was great!

Our favorite side of the canyon - both are worth seeing but there is something very unique about the North Rim

Wanted to see both rims of the Grand Canyon. Saw elk on the way into the park and a ton of mule deer when I was leaving. This is obviously less crowded since it's more remote, but the drive itself to get here was very beautiful. I took the Cape Royal scenic drive and it was gorgeous and not jam packed at the overlooks. After seeing both rims, they both have their own beauty and if you have the chance and can get here during the open season, don't pass this one up.

I don’t care how many times you come, it is always a beautiful trip. Even in the Summer being a Jacket and/or pants for night as it gets cool. Stay in one of their cabins if you can get a reservation. They are very clean and comfortable. Can’t recommend it enough.

Scenic drive in. Not crowded. Even if physically limited, one can see truly unique and amazing vistas. Overall fantastic experience. Good food at the visitor’s center deli.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is less popular than the South Rim and it makes it worth the trip. My wife and I just concluded a 11 day trip out west and included 12 National Parks and tribal lands. We started with the south rim and worked our way east and north to eventually save the best for last. The lack of the crowds seen at the south side and the ability to ride the scenic drive and see things at our own pace was great! We did not stay at The Lodge but if I were to return, I would seriously entertain the thought. It was in a beautiful location and the accommodations varied greatly. If you are on a trip anywhere else in the area do not miss it!

The north rim is not as popular but that is its advantage you can get around much more easily. The north rim is about 1000 feet higher than the south so you find it’s a bit colder and snow lasts later than on the south rim.

The north rim is also the exit point for the mule trains

Stayed at the lodge, cabins comfortable and short easy walk from main centre views better than I imagined.
Worth the effort getting there. Definitely plenty to see and do without hoards of visitors.

Our two day visit to the North Rim was fun. The cabins are small but comfortable, the lodge dining was excellent. A drive to the Cape Royal overlook gave us the opportunity to see the canyon from a number of vistas. Many hiking opportunities are available. We were happy we visited the North Rim before the South Rim, gave us a quiet intro to the canyon.

Other than from above this is my favorite view of the Grand Canyon. Weather was perfect on my visit. Plenty of parking available then a short walk to the trails. This is something every should see once in their lifetime. I've been blessed to see it several times from both the north and south rims.

Excellent view from the trails near the lodge- spend some time on these short trails to see natural beauty

The Grand Canyon is definitley something to experience in person. The lookout spots were mostly easy to navigate and offer breathtaking views.

How can the Grand Canyon not be excellent? Let me explain...The North Rim is visited by 10% of the tourists. It is far wilder and the hikes far more strenuous than the South rim. We hiked a portion of the North Kaibab trail and thankfully we met a volunteer ranger who gave us very important information and advice, which we followed. We turned around at the Redwall bridge and even that was exhausting returning. We were passed by 4 mule trips. The dust they kick up makes it impossible to breath though they were quite docile and there was plenty of room to pass. The water pipes were broken so from the beginning you need to depend on your own supplies- we were fine but I wondered if others would not know. It takes twice as long to climb back out as to go down. and without any signs or distance markers, I felt the unwary could really get into trouble. There are safe paths above on the rim and following the road. I totally realize this information is in the maps and brochures, but I was still unprepared for how grueling the hike was and wondered how many people get into trouble.

We were shocked when we drove here in late September, 2020, at all the beautiful aspens in full autumn foliage. There thousands of acres of spectacular trees, mostly with yellow leaves but many with oranges and reds. They were nearly as impressive as the canyon itself and go almost right up to the edge of it. The trees looked like something you'd expect to see in Montana or Colorado, certainly not Arizona.

The north rim offers many fewer vista points and services than the south rim, but it also has a small fraction of the crowds. The views from the north rim, being over 1,000 ft. higher in elevation than the south rim, are quite different, but one of the most noticeable differences is that you see many more trees, including in the canyon itself. Views of the temples inside the canyon are great here as well. Bright Angel Point, just a short walk from the North Rim Lodge, offers 300 degree views of the canyon. There is only one 'scenic' drive in the park, but it is excellent, with many fine view points.

Magnificent views abound from every angel you stand at along the rim. The sunlight beams down on this magnificant canyon highlighting the ledges and creases! It is certainly a tremendous stop and well worth the time!

I suggest if you go to the Canyon to take time and go to both the North and South Rim. Both have their views and are very neat to see the falls from. This is just a beautiful area.

I recently spent three nights staying here with the family. I booked a cabin 15 months ago so I can understand why some people and accommodation hard to find. The drive from Page is wonderful and there is an Inn at the end of the access road to the North Rim. The road to the rim is over 45 miles in length. You can't see the Canyon until you're virtually on top of it. However, depending on when you drive there is an abundance of wildlife. We saw deer walking around at dusk and wild turkeys in the day time. There are also bison to be found but we didn't see any when we were there, although we also saw a Condor flying around the edge of the rim.

There are plenty of trails in the area and some wonderful scenic points along the way for explores to get a great picture. Fuel can be expensive as you're miles from anywhere, especially at the garage at the entrance to the access road. We paid nearly $4 a gallon when you can find places nearly a dollar a gallon cheaper if you fill up before the turn off.

The park doesn't get many day visitors as the facilities are mainly used by people staying at the lodge by the rim or in the various camp grounds dotted around the place. However, if you set off early enough in the morning you can walk round a few trails and leave the park before dusk.

This was on our bucket list. Nature at its best. Unfortunately, our accommodations were so bad, we had to leave early.

Great experience! came by as closed after Oct 15th (open tll oct 17th apparently this year maybe due to Covid?). In any case not overrun and gives you more greener more expansive canyon view. It is higher elevation and hence gets colder and has experienced more erosive forces from nature (thats what was mentioned in one sign in park). We enjoyed it!

I can't get enough of this site. Mouth-gaping views of Wotan's Throne and the Vishnu Temple from Cape Royal. In fact, one drive you must do here is along the Cape Royal Road making a stop at every designated overlook or pullout with interpretive signage. Seems redundant but the views from each point are somewhat different. The Angel's Window is a stunner. Also head to Point Imperial where you see across the canyon to the east entry of the South Rim. Things appeared slow this summer; there are visitors but not as many as in previous times. Since tour groups are not in the equation now, you might be able to rent a cabin by the rim for a couple of nights at a reasonable price. Some services are shutdown and those that are open seem to run for fewer hours. Restaurant food is available for takeaway at the Saloon in the main complex. Other supplies can be bought at the store in the campground area. But don't misjudge the distance if you choose to walk to the store from the rim area. It's more than a mile on either of two trails, one following the rim, the other alongside the main roadway. Trails are open and far less crowded than in past years. So do some hiking, if only for a short distance. Roosevelt Point offers a short trail with amazing views. And parking shouldn't be a challenge. Always be alert for summer thunderstorms. There's a threat usually every afternoon from mid to late summer.

Awesome! We did several short hikes. All easy. Angel’s Window was our favorite.
We stayed until sunset. A few clouds made it gorgeous. If you are staying in Page please drive cautiously going back in the dark. We came upon a car that had hit a deer. There’s no cell service most of the park road. As soon as we had service we called 911 for them. You certainly don’t want to walk at night.
There’s several neat stops on the way also.
Bring water and snacks as North Lodge stores and eats are pricey. Gas is too.
Very much worth the drive out. A must see.

The North Rim holds a special place in my heart, as it was my first visit seeing the Grand Canyon back in 2016. Fast forward to 2018 and we had the opportunity to visit again. During our first visit we drove in around 4AM so that we could see sunrise at Point Imperial. We only had a few hours the first time and we knew we wanted to come back and stay in the log cabins. Our second time we ended up getting a log cabin on the rim for 2 nights. Little did I know, my boyfriend was going to propose to me at sunset on the rim!!! The North Rim is so special. It is quiet, peaceful, and mostly - just plain BEAUTIFUL! We will continue to return to the North Rim over and over again.

Loved the hiking and mule ride! Unfortunately, we had to leave early because our friend's cabin was filthy, full of spider webs and she got bitten while in bed. Don't understand how this filth is allowed at a National Park Service facility. My cabin on the other side of the road was fine. West side cabins are horrible.

Love all the point of views. Beautiful place to visit. The colors are amazing. Definitely coming back.

also for the north rim we chose to hike for most of the route, which gave us breathtaking views. A real spectacle: we stopped on the way back to admire the sunset at Mohave Point and then as darkness fell we took advantage of the free shuttle for our return to the hotel.

The views are breath taking. Depending how the sun hits the rocks, they vary in color. The different trails in offers are great.

For the record, I just love the canyon, but you will find this side to be less crowded and still enjoy great views!

Beautiful view of the Grand Canyon - well worth the trip. What a view of the canyon and surrounding area.

Spent the night on the North Rim before our Rim to Rim adventure. I appreciated the more quiet atmosphere offered on this side.

Wow what amazing views!! Zero crowds and you get absolutely lost in the awe of the beauty. The stars are night glow for miles. The Bright Angel trail is very pretty but the lodge recommended the Cape Royal trail with Angels Window and we were so very thankful! Totally worth the short, scenic drive out and you get a much bigger wider view! Love, love, loved it.

We had been to the South Rim several times but never the North Rim. We were staying in Kanab, so the North Rim was an easy day trip. Unfortunately, we weren't there for either sunrise or sunset, and the view was somewhat obscured by fires in the West. However, it's much less crowded than the South Rim, and it was an easy hike to Bright Angel Point and some other beautiful overlooks. There are a couple campgrounds in and near the park, and the lodge looked big, so another visit may be in order. There is really nothing to compare to the Grand Canyon, so however you can visit, you should. I gave it a 4 rather than 5 because when we visited it was beastly hot, which decreased our enjoyment somewhat. Carry water! If you have time, drive down the Cape Royal Road for different views and hiking trails.

Months before, we had reserved a cabin, but when they decided to close all lodging except the more expensive Western cabins, ours got cancelled. Still, since the North Rim was an important part of our trip, we made lodging reservations elsewhere and allowed 1 full day and an extra half day to visit. The day started off well. The drive from Jacob Lake was beautiful with the Aspen trees' brilliant yellow colors. We took the road out to Cape Royal and stopped at all points and overlooks. This was definitely the high point of our day. After completing that, it was time for lunch, so we headed towards the lodge. We already knew the main dining room was closed for inside dining and that take-out food was the only option. The saloon was open for the takeout food, and the employee manning the door only let in a few at a time and masks were required. Choices were very limited. I chose a salad that cost $15.00 and ended up being almost all lettuce with a few pieces of fruit on top. My husband got a very plain, pre-made sandwich. There were a couple of tables on the porch, and since someone was leaving we got one. No one on the staff was cleaning off the tables in any manner. As we ate our lunch, we noticed an employee going back and forth between the deli and the saloon bringing food, with his mask below his nose.

We were shocked when we had first walked up to the lodge area to see that there was a sign indicating the bathrooms were closed. They had placed quite a few port-a-potties out in front. Also, signs indicated that the visitor center and the gift shop were closed (very disappointing). We did visit the general store on our way out later that afternoon, but didn't find much there of interest to us. The selection of clothing was pretty limited. Needless to say, we did not need the extra half day that we had allowed for our visit.

I will have to add that we had already visited two other national parks on this trip, and perhaps that was part of the reason for our disappointment with the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. In comparison to Zion and Bryce, the North Rim failed miserably. Bryce was very organized. Lodging was mostly open and handled smoothly. Restaurant was takeout only but was located in the lodge and they were organized, safe, and the food we got was some of the best on our entire 2-week trip. The visitor center and gift shops were both open. At Zion, the menu wasn't the best, but it was sufficient. Visitor centers and gift shops were open.

I wouldn't have minded doing one more hike at the North Rim, and we had planned on eating dinner there, but we had become so annoyed with the way things were being handled that we decided to just leave and go back to Jacob Lake for dinner. I can see a person being happy with their visit if they are using it as a departure point to hike down to Phantom Ranch or take a mule ride, or if they are staying at the Western cabins and are happy with substandard, overpriced food. Hopefully, when the North Rim opens up in 2021, things will be better.

We spent 3 days at Grand Canyon North Rim and this is probably my favorite National Park. The beauty and quaintness were beyond my expectations. We hiked the North Kaibab Trail to the tunnel and back. So many trails and such scenery. The remoteness of the park is special. Be sure to have reservations, it’s a long way to the nearest town.

We did the South Rim during the day time, early evening one day and it was what you’d expect. Packed crowds. Amazing views yes but it you were always bumping into someone, worried someone’s kid was gonna fall.

We did the North Rim another evening. It was perfect. Much smaller area. Less viewpoints but no less awe inspiring. There is no Disneyland atmosphere there. It feels more State Park than National Park. If you prefer the more laid back atmosphere I highly recommend the North rim.

Definetly a must see! The views are absoluteley breath taking. Definetly wish we would have gone rafting there and spent more time there in general

The drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is very pretty and worth the effort. However, once you get to the Lodge, which is the end of the road the view is not as good as the South Rim.

Usually I just go to the popular South Rim which is nice and is always crowed. The North Rim gives a different view with far less people but is also an extra 2 hour drive. Glad I did it... Life Is Good

We planned a trip to my friends cabin, Sugar Knoll Lodge in Orderville, Utah. While here we decided to take the 2 hour+ ride to the North Rim for the mule ride and dinner. One of the best parts of our trip. Highly recommend, good for the whole family!

Spent an afternoon at the North Rim. Beautiful and peaceful. Restaurant in lodge had a great lunch buffet. Would not have wanted to stay in the cabins - they are in a very congested area. Drive up to the rim from Page Arizona area is absolutely stunning!

The North rim is less commercialised and feels more rustically natural. Apart from the prolific chipmunk we did manage to see the fabulous blue jay and several birds of prey.
The views are spectacular but pack your own picnic as the food is horribly expensive (and close to horrible as well).
This is not a place to visit if you have mobility issues - even the Lodge Has limiting access for wheelchair use.

O.M.G. The views are incredible. The park rangers were friendly and helpful. The trails weren’t hard to navigate. I wish we had more time to see more.

Our first stop of the day was the Grand Canyon North Rim National Park, it was amazing, we went to the South Rim a couple years ago!!! The North Rim didn’t disappoint us, there were some unbelievable view, my son told there was a herd of Buffalo around the park, all we seen was Buffalo poop, no Buffalo!!!!

Words, and even pictures, cannot express the wonder and amazement generated by one’s first view of the Grand Canyon at the north rim!
We loved everything about our visit.
We camped in the north rim park campground. It was beautiful with tall Ponderosa Pines and a cool breeze most of the time. The park and campground are super well-maintained: the bathrooms are clean and the general store has everything you need.
The staff and rangers are helpful and perform their duties admirably.
Our personal thanks go to “North Rim Tim” and “Jumping Jack Flash” for welcoming us.
The lodge, and trails nearby, are beautiful and open for everyone who visits the north rim— not only it’s guests. The views from here are spectacular and it offers accessibility to all.
If you are interested in a less crowded experience of the Grand Canyon, visit the north rim!

The North Rim is not as crowded as the South Rim. The view is slightly different and there are not as many possibilities as on the South Rim. Small hiking trails available as well as lookouts. The route also passes through small forests and is different from the South Rim. This view is part of the Grand Canyon Tour, however.
But North Rim is not open all year.

The views are as breathtaking here as the south rim. While the south rim is a more walking adventure for vistas, the north rim offers a scenic drive with various vista points. It is well worth the visit, at least once in life.

Went to the South Rim twenty years ago so was eager to get this opportunuty to view the less visited North Rim. The North Rim is good but not as good as the South Rim as the view from the South Rim is far more panoramic and awe inspiring. Plus at the South Rim you can get a flight over the Grand Canyon which is epic. No sight of the Colorado River from the main North Rim viewpoint at Angels Point, unless you take the ardous drive to Cape Royal. Drove half way to Cape Royal at Point Imperial at 8803 feet, the highest point in the Grand Canyon.

This place was amazing. It’s a bit out of the way but well worth it! We visited the west end and was not impressed at all but this is totally different!

RV’ing from Australia our plan was to visit Grande Canyon South but after speaking to a lovely woman from the US on a bus at Zion, she persuaded us to not miss the North Rim. She thought it the best and so do we now. We went out of our way a l8ttle

On a RV’ing trip from Australia, we were heading for Grand Canyon South . After speaking to a lady from US in Zion, she persuaded us to go to North Rim. We went out of our way to see it but glad we did now. It was Oct and less crowded and Bright Angel Lookout was amazing. The track to the lookout was scary because of the wind but the view was fantastic.To get there you have to drive through Bison grazing fields but at that time of the year they had migrated lower down preparing for winter. Apparently they are there in Summer. It was chilly there in October. If you like natural beauty without all the crowds, visit the North Rim. We also stayed at South Rim but we liked North Rim more

We drove up here around 11am on a Tuesday and had no issues with traffic or crowds or parking. We drove straight to imperial point first and had the place practically to ourselves! We are so glad we followed advice to vist the north rim!

This was my first experience at the Grand Canyon. We saw the North Rim and then the next day saw the South Rim. I don't know if it's just because we saw the north side first or what but I think I almost liked the north rim more! We came early in the morning and it was SO quiet and peaceful. It was beautiful, breath taking. Bright angel point was beautiful. It was a beautiful mix of forest and canyon.

Beautiful overview of Grand canyon North rim. Must visit for Nature lovers. Photo taken from Birth angel point.

Hiking down the north rim was very beautiful. Evey view was even more beautiful. I would recommend this guide service to anyone. Matts knowledge of the History of the Grand Canyon was almost information overload. He knew so much about the areas we hiked.

What an amazing experience. All the canyon and 10% of the crowds. Very different ecology on the N. Rim - and all of it good. Trees/shade, animals and views were amazing. Hikes were better due to the shade at the time of day when the sun hits the canyon and fewer visitors. It does take some planning to get there and stay - but it's completely worth it.

Most people want to see the South Rim of the Grand Canyon first. I get that; we did the same thing, but in the summer, that South Rim gets crazy Only 1 in 10 people get to the North Rim which in my opinion is as pretty as the South Rim. We stayed in the North Rim Campground of the National Park, which was awesome (did a separate review on that) and spent 3 days tooling around the North Rim. We walked Bridle Trail a few times which runs between the campground and the North Rim Lodge and Roughrider Saloon. We spotted a Kaibab Squirrel on that trail and North Rim is the only place in the world you will find the Kaibab Squirrel -- pretty special. We also drove to Cape Royal Point. The park is huge as you'll see as you enter it. Cape Royal Point, we were told, had the best views in the park and we believe that's true. There were several stunning overlooks and vistas in this area.

We also made a stop at the Roughrider Saloon for a drink (named after Teddy Roosevelt as he did visit there) and the Grand Canyon North Ridge Lodge one afternoon and sat on the outdoor veranda overlooking the canyon while we enjoyed our drinks and an appetizer -- talk about a way to spend a relaxing afternoon!

We would definitely visit the North Rim again. PS Weather in July was awesome!

As crowded and popular as the South rim, however to get there is the same from Las Vegas. Sth rim to Nth rim 3.5 hours.
Bright Angel point is short and easy and the best.
Drive to Point Imperial is a must.

Truly the canyon is beautiful and, while crowded, the North Rim is far less crowded than the South Rim. However, be aware of inclement weather limitations. We were that May 20 - 23. It snowed 6 inches the night before our arrival making our check in at the Lodge a nightmare: no check ins until 4:00 and then having to wait in line for 30 minutes only to be told our room wasn't ready and that we had to go to the back of the line and wait another 60 minutes (see review of Lodge). Of the 4 days we were there it continued to snow and the Scenic Drive was closed which not only eliminated taking the drive but all trails from the drive, and there very limited times with views into the canyon Because the Lodge rooms are very small with only 1 small wooden chair, when there's nothing to do, most people gathered at the Lodge, with far more people gathering than there was seating. Still the Canyon is beautiful.