Grand Canyon North Rim

If you're looking for a Grand Canyon vacation that's away from the bustle, the Grand Canyon north rim is a great destination. You can hike down into the canyon, take a mule ride, or just take in the spectacle of the canyon in relative solitude. Only about 10% of the people who visit the canyon head for the north rim. The other 90% flock to the south rim.

The Grand Canyon North Rim is much more isolated than the south rim. Not so "touristy", different animals, plants and attitudes. People come here to get away from the crowds, so you'll have a better chance of getting the relaxing experience you're looking for. There are no shuttles here except the one that goes to the south rim.

The isolation is deep, and the night sky is so dense with stars you'll probably have trouble locating familiar constellations. The skies are so dark that they look like they're made of black velvet, tacked up carelessly with blazing diamond-headed pins. We forget the brilliance of the night sky as we peer out from cities and towns. A visit to the Grand Canyon north rim provides a fantastic reminder of the great beauty of our world.

You can get lodging right on the Grand Canyon north rim at the Grand Canyon Lodge. They offer rustic cabins and a campground with about 80 sites. Both of these are run by Xanterra. There are some log structures throughout the Kaibab National Forest. Primitive camping is also allowed in the forest (but you'll probably need a four wheel drive vehicle). Search for other lodging outside the park at Kanab, UT or Page, AZ. They're both accessable to the north rim with a reasonable morning drive. Fewer visitors means there are fewer rooms available so make your reservations early. You'll find links to some north rim lodging options here.

At about 8,000' elevation, the Grand Canyon North Rim has a completely different climate and ecosystem than the south rim. There are fewer services here, and you don't have the extensive lodging choices that the south rim area provides. The roads are closed from about mid-October to mid-May due to heavy snow. 25 feet of snowfall is not uncommon during the winter months.

There are mule rides available at the north rim, as well as Ranger programs and dining at the Bright Angel Lodge. You'll need to make reservations for a mule trip up to a year in advance. These mule rides go down the North Kaibab Trail.

Here are some Grand Canyon North Rim facts:

Elevation- average 8,000', but the highest point (Point Imperial) is about 8,800'.

Climate- The Grand Canyon North Rim is wetter and colder than the south rim, and the road is closed in the winter because of heavy snowfall. The temperature in the summer rarely exceeds 80 degrees, and the nights can get downright chilly.

Vegetation- mainly consists of Ponderosa Pine forest, though there are scattered groves of Aspen and Birch. Kaibab National Forest surrounds the park.

Animals- Besides the famous Kaibab squirrel (see below), there are mule deer, coyote, turkeys, and ground squirrels, to mention a few.

The Kaibab squirrel lives only at the Grand Canyon North Rim. It is related to the plainer Abert squirrel that lives at the south rim. The prevailing theory is that the population was separated during the early formation of the canyon and evolved into two different species. The Kaibab squirrel has a white tail and black belly. The Abert squirrel has a dark tail and a white belly. That's about the only difference in the two species.

Towns and mileage to Grand Canyon North Rim:

North Rim
Jacob Lake, AZ	30 miles
Kanab, UT	65 miles
Page, AZ	110 miles

Grand Canyon North Rim, National Park Service page.

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