2026 Update: The historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025. No overnight lodging is available on the North Rim for the 2026 season. Mule rides on the North Rim are also cancelled through June 30, 2026. Plan accordingly.
Grand Canyon National Park Map
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Grand Canyon National Park at a Glance
2 alertsHaving hiked and filmed in the Grand Canyon extensively, we can tell you that the view from the rim is just the beginning. The real experience is below the surface, on the trails that take you down through 270 million years of geological history. Here’s everything you need to plan a trip that goes beyond the overlooks.
While trying to pick a favorite rim of the Grand Canyon would be like asking me to pick a favorite one of my golden retrievers watching me write this article, I’m here to tell you the beauty of the North Rim and why it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Here’s a general overview of why:
- Do you want to avoid crowds? North Rim
- Do you like scenic vistas you have to work a little harder to see? North Rim
- Do you want to avoid the extreme heat in the summer? North Rim
- Do you want to stand at the highest point of the Grand Canyon? North Rim
I also believe that the North Rim has been kept in a state that mostly matches what President Theodore Roosevelt desired when he first visited the canyon.
“Leave it as it is. You can not improve on it. You can only mar it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.”
President Theodore Roosevelt, 1903
5 Things to Know Before You Visit Grand Canyon National Park
I lived in Las Vegas for most of my Grand Canyon trips, but I did the standard “Stop and see the Grand Canyon” during the move. Much like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation, I took a few minutes to nod and gaze at the canyon and then went on my way.
- Entrance fees are $35 per vehicle (plus a $100/person non-resident surcharge effective January 2026). America the Beautiful Pass and get access to more than 2,000 public lands nationwide.
- Sunscreen is needed year-round. I like this Thinksport SPF 50+ for its effective, eco-friendly coverage.
- Mobile service is limited in the Grand Canyon, so carry a waterproof map with you.
- Always check park conditions, trail closures, and seasonal closures before planning a trip. The North Rim access is closed to vehicle traffic through May 15 every year.
- At 8,000 feet above sea level, this is a high-altitude area. Point Imperial marks the highest point in the park at 8,803. If you aren’t used to this type of elevation, give yourself a day or two to acclimate. The CDC has some great advice to help you avoid Acute Mountain Sickness.
Clark and I aren’t alone. Arizona State University research shows that just 5% of the people who visit the canyon go below the rim. Just 10% of those people make it to the Colorado River.
| South Rim | North Rim | |
| Annual Visitors by Traffic (2026) | 1,181,091 | 87,047 |
| Elevation | 7,000 feet | 8,000 feet |
| Average Precipitation | 13.4 inches | 24 inches |
| Mule Rides In/Around the Grand Canyon | 11,607 | 8,344 |
| Lodging Units | 908 | 0 (2026, fire damage) |
In my opinion, the South Rim is where you go to see the Grand Canyon. The North Rim is where you go to experience the Grand Canyon. Even President Roosevelt’s activities back up this belief. He made his famed speed among pomp and circumstance at the South Rim. When he wanted to hunt cougars, he went to the North Rim for a two-week adventure.
The North Rim is “cooler” by temperature because it’s 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim. It’s a wash when you go into the canyons because the trails meet at the same spots on the Colorado River.
Each rim has a “Rim to Rim” trail that takes you down one side, over the river, and up the other rim.
WATCH: How the Grand Canyon was formed
Here’s where I want to dispel some misunderstood travel advice circling around the internet. The South Rim is the most popular because they say it’s “easier to access.”
While it’s true that it is open all year, while the North Rim isn’t, the South Rim is 236 miles from Phoenix and 92 miles from Flagstaff over the busy I-40 corridor. The South Rim is also 290 miles from Las Vegas, and you’ll go by Lake Mead National Recreation Area along the way while driving over the Hoover Dam.
The best way to get to the North Rim would mean a trip to Las Vegas, which is where I started my trip as a lucky local. The North Rim is just 264 miles from Las Vegas, a solid 26 miles closer. Another option would be to fly to St. George Utah’s Regional Airport (SGU). You’ll also pass by several state and national preserved lands on the way to the North Rim.
On The Road From Las Vegas, YOU'LL BE NEAR:
That “America the Beautiful” Pass covers the entrance fees to all of those locations.
There are no trains or public transportation to the North Rim. That’s another reason the South Rim gets more visitors. More than 181,000 people arrived by train in 2022. The South Rim also has a shuttle system to get around the different access points. The North Rim is traveled on your own two feet with some access roads by car.
From thundering waterfalls to a special type of squirrel to trees you’ll want to sniff, there’s plenty to do that can only be found at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
BONUS: Stop for a Shake at Jacob Lake
I’m going to give you a bonus EPIC option because this is my must-stop place on the way to the North Rim. You have to drive through Jacob Lake to get to the Grand Canyon Highway (Route 67). Stop at the Jacob Lake Inn for its famous ice cream and cookies.
My go-to dish is the “Above the North Rim” shake. I’d also recommend grabbing some Fry Bread from the food truck to take on the trail with you. This place is world-famous as one of the best places to eat on the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
15. Hike to Bright Angel Point
Those last 40 miles or so along the Kabib Plateau can feel like forever when you’re ready to see some steep cliffs. It all comes together when you arrive at the North Rim and take the half-mile trail to Bright Angel Point.
This trail will also give you the first gut punch if you have any fear of heights. There’s a narrow pedestrian bridge along the trail that gave me some vertigo. The trail is paved with no elevation change.
From here you can see:
- The Transept
- Bright Angel Canyon
- Walhalla Plateau
- Coconino Plateau
This is one of the most popular things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for the easiest viewpoint access. Please make a goal to see at least one more.
This is not to be confused with Bright Angel Trail, which descends into the canyon from the South Rim.
14. Take the Cape Royal Scenic Drive
The Cape Royal Scenic Drive is one of the best things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon if you don’t want to get out of your car or tackle tough trails.
The 23-mile drive winds past some trails and viewpoints along the Walhalla Plateau before coming to an end at Cape Royal. There’s a picnic area with multi-dimensional views of the canyon.
Please watch children at this picnic site, as there are no guardrails at the edge of the canyon, and the ground is made of loose rocks.
13. Take a Mule Ride
One of the most unique things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is explore while riding a mule. Note that mule rides on the North Rim are cancelled through June 30, 2026 due to trail closures from the Transcanyon Waterline Replacement project. Several vendors offer rides ranging from one to three hours. Mules always have the right of way on trails, and you have an expert guide leading you, as has been done for thousands of years.
There are limits as to who can do a mule ride.
- Children under seven years old are not allowed.
- The maximum weight limit is between 200 and 220 pounds.
You can choose to take a ride along the edge or into the canyon, but you should know that no mule rides go all the way to the Colorado River.
12. Walhalla Glades
An easy side trail near the end of the Cape Royal Scenic Drive takes you to a pueblo that was home to Indigenous people as early as 1050 A.D. The Walhalla Glades Pueblo is one of the easiest things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to be close to ancient civilizations.
PUEBLO: (“Pweb-LOW”) The Great Pueblo Period was 1150 – 1350 A.D. Pueblo is also the Spanish word for town or village.
While the remains themselves are nothing more than a brick outline of a building, reading the interpretive panels and using the park brochure really resonates with how important this home was to villagers. They would farm and live there in the warm months and then descend the canyon in winter.
11. Climb the North Rim Lookout Tower
Wildfire is an important part of the Grand Canyon ecosystem, and it’s not always synonymous with disasters. The North Rim Lookout Tower is part of the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. Access it from the North Rim Picnic Area off Route 67, about 20 miles north of the North Rim.
The trail is a three-mile round trip, and you can climb the lookout tower to get a sense of how important it was to spot fires in forests before modern technology allowed these locations to be put on the National Register of Historic Places.
WATCH: How wilderness fires can help the Grand Canyon North Rim environment
It’s important for every North Rim visitor to know the wildfires burning nearby.
Of all the natural disasters, wildfires are among the most unpredictable and challenging. Learn about the benefits of controlled burns, wildfire risks, and safety steps before you visit the Grand Canyon.
10. See the Sunrise and Sunset Daily
I lived in the desert of Las Vegas for 10 years. I can truly tell you I never got enough of the sunrise or sunset. Each one was more stunning than the one before. Of all the things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the easier and most is the sunrise and/or sunset.
While there are no bad views at the North Rim, there are some epic spots to see either the sunrise or sunset.
Best Places to Watch the Sunset:
- Cape Royal
- Bright Angel Point
- Grand Canyon Lodge Veranda (closed in 2026 due to fire)
Best Places to See the Sunrise:
- Point Imperial
- Bright Angel Point
- Grand Canyon Lodge Veranda (closed in 2026 due to fire)
Know Before You Go: The sunrise and sunset times at Grand Canyon National Park.
9. Plan Dinner with a Side of Monsoon
As a Las Vegas woman, I liked to play the odds. I used to encourage you to make dinner reservations at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge during your visit between July and September. The lodge was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025, and no dining or lodging is available on the North Rim for the 2026 season. Here’s why, on almost a daily basis, summer monsoons roll through Arizona.
Watching these storms form is one of the best things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You’ll see EPIC lightning strikes, hear thunder echo the canyon walls, and watch rain shafts haphazardly dotting the landscape. The problem is that being outside during these storms is way too dangerous.
Before the fire, the dining room’s picture windows provided a front-row seat in a safe place to see these storms develop, rage and then retreat. For now, bring your own meals and a camp chair.
8. Seek Out a Kaibib Squirrel
The Grand Canyon is known for its rather aggressive squirrel population. However, when we’re talking about things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, there’s a squirrel to see that only lives in this corner of Earth.
The Kaibab squirrel (“Keye-baab,” first letters rhyme with “pie”) can only thrive in this 20×40 square mile region. The Albert squirrel lives on the South Rim.
On the South Rim, you’ll see the Albert Squirrel, a distant relative of the Kaibab squirrel. While they were once the same species, as the canyon split, the squirrels had to adapt to their respective rim environments genetically. Today, they couldn’t mate if they wanted to!
Look, but don’t touch or feed any squirrel, even if one comes begging you for food or water with an “I Am So Thirsty” look on its face.
Squirrels ARE Responsible For The Most Tourist Injuries In Grand Canyon National Park
7. Smell a Ponderosa Pine
One of the reasons the Kaibab squirrel thrives in the North Rim is because of the Ponderosa Pines. These trees can grow to be 200 feet tall with trunks up to four feet in diameter. I strongly encourage you to be a “tree hugger” and get close to one.
Take a deep whiff of the bark. Do you smell fresh baked cookies? Butterscotch? Vanilla? The sweet scent of the trees is often overlooked by those who don’t know the secret scent of the bark.
These trees can live to be 500 years old and can withstand forest fires and lightning strikes. You can try this out during several things to do at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park since they are along many of the trails.
6. Point Imperial
We talked about Bright Angel Point earlier, but there are several other points worth pursuing, including one of the things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon that is higher than any other place!
Roosevelt Point is named after President Theodore Roosevelt. This point is near the cougar hunting trip Teddy took in 1913. If you map the exact GPS location 36°10′30″N 111°50′00″W, you will be looking at the exact location of the site where a mid-air collision between two passenger planes in 1956. That crash led to the formation of the FAA.
Point Imperial is the highest point on the entire Grand Canyon rim, topping 8,803 feet above sea level. You can also see layers of Precambrian rocks that add more contrast to the layers. The Painted Desert is also in the distance. Point Imperial is the best place to see a sunrise on the North Rim.
Taking a hike to Widforss Point is rewarding but long. The five-mile trail follows the edge of the canyon but passes through woods (look for one of the largest Ponderosa pines in the park) and offers amazing views of the deep-cut canyons you can only see on the North Rim.
5. See Angels Window
For fans of Arches National Park, you have a wonderful chance to see an arch named Angels Window as one of the many unique things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
For maximum enjoyment of this unique geological window, pull over at the scenic viewpoint just off the road before the final big curve to the Cape Royal parking area. There, you’ll see the window as it perfectly frames the Colorado River in the distance.
From there, head to the parking lot and follow the Cape Royal Trail until it forks to the east. It’s a short hike to the viewing platform. You will be directly above Angels Window with a view that makes you feel like you’re going to plummet to your death at any second makes you feel like an angel looking over the canyon from heaven.
VERTIGO WARNING: The walk to the top of Angels Window is narrow with a sheer drop. There is a safety railing, but I cannot emphasize how dizzying it can be if you aren’t 100% cool with heights. Once you get past the narrowest section, the platform does widen out a bit.
4. Cliff Spring Trail
I strongly debated if I even wanted to tell you about this well-kept secret thing to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. But you won’t tell too many people, right?
The Cliff Spring Trail is unlike any other short trail on the North Rim, and it’s hidden in plain sight just 3/10 of a mile from the end of Cape Royal Road. I call this one the Spiderman trail because you feel like you’re Spidey scaling the edge of the canyon.
First, you’ll pass one of the coolest archaeological sites hidden in the walls of the canyon (Do Not Enter), and then you’ll duck and scooch along this secondary rim of the canyon and have exceptional views. Honestly, you’ll probably have this entire trail to yourself.
Watch your step, and when it feels like the trail has ended, it has. Going any further is too dangerous.
3. Ribbon Falls
The legend of Ribbon Falls makes it one of the best things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but it’s not easy to get there.
Two things to know:
- The bridge to access Ribbon Falls was removed in 2021. Check with park rangers to see if the bridge is open during your visit.
- You will need a backcountry permit to get here. That means you’ll have to camp overnight at Cottonwood Campground or Phantom Ranch.
The trail is nearly 16 miles out and back. Once you arrive at the falls, you can watch the 140-foot waterfall drop down into two pools that are great places to cool off on a hot summer day. Since this trail is 4,900 feet below the North Rim, temperatures will be scorching in the summer.
As you gaze at the falls, you should know this is a spiritual place for the Zuni people.
“It’s always been in our oral history that the Zuni’s have emerged from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Ribbon Falls was identified as the place where our people came from the fourth underworld.”
– Octavius Sewotewa, Zuni Tribe Head Medicine Man
2. Thunder River Trail to Deer Creek Falls
Some places in nature are just so beautiful that you find tears easier than you can find words. Thunder River’s trail to Deer Creek is one of those for me. It is intense at 25 miles round trip, but I can’t think of a better payoff for the experienced hiker looking for expert-level things to do near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The trail starts in the Kaibab National Forest before crossing into Grand Canyon National Park. It offers everything that makes strenuous hiking great, switchbacks, slippery rock sections, water crossings, and screaming. Cairns on the trail are your only confirmation you’re even in the right place.
As you go, you’ll see a magnificent waterfall pouring from unexplored caves high above.
Deer Creek eventually goes into a section of the canyon that resembles The Narrows of Zion National Park, but due to the sacred nature of that site, it’s off-limits.
Let Me Float An Idea By You: If hiking that long isn’t ideal, you can also choose a rafting company to take the few hours to float the river to Deer Creek Falls.
1. Sunset at Cape Royal Point
The best place to see a sunset on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is undoubtedly Cape Royal. As the southernmost viewpoint on the North Rim, Cape Royal has the greatest panoramas of any of the overlooks.
Sunsets here are absolutely magical and seem to last forever. Looking out, you can see the epic Walhalla Plateau immediately before you and the South Rim in the distance.
From the Cape Royal parking area, the hike to the overlook is about .4 miles down a paved trail, which amounts to a 10 – 15 minute stroll.
Bonus! Descend the Canyon to Phantom Ranch
A place that brings the North Rim and South Rim adventures together is Phantom Ranch. Fair warning, it’s easier to get Taylor Swift VIP concert tickets than it is to get a reservation here. Apply during the 1st through 25th of any month, 14 months in advance.
This is one of the best things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon if you’re hiking rim to rim. Dorms and cabins are available for hikers (through a monthly lottery, applied 14 months in advance), and you might want to book two nights here if you have the chance because the people here become like family, and you have so many “bottom of the canyon” trails to explore.
You can take this trail from either north to south or south to north. The connecting trails are North Kaibab Trail (North Rim) to Bright Angel Trail (South Rim).
- Phantom Ranch
- Thunder River Trail to Deer Creek Falls
- Ribbon Falls
- Cliff Spring Trail
- Angels Window
- Point Imperial
- Ponderosa Pine
- Kaibab Squirrel
- Dinner at the Lodge
- Sunrises & Sunsets
- North Rim Lookout Tower
- Walhalla Glades
- Mule Ride
- Cape Royal
- Bright Angel Point
Helpful Related Links
Things to Do North Rim Grand Canyon: 15 Epic Things to Do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Viewpoints: 20 Best Views of the Grand Canyon (National Park)
Hiking Rim to Rim: Detailed Guide to Hiking Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon South Rim Things to Do: 15 Amazing Things to Do at the Grand Canyon South Rim
Things to Do at the Grand Canyon: 20 Best Things to Do at Grand Canyon National Park
Closest Cities to the Grand Canyon: 10 Closest Cities Near the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Facts: 15 Fascinating Grand Canyon National Park Facts
Grand Canyon in Winter: Visiting the Grand Canyon in December (Winter Guide)
Desert View Watchtower: Explore the Historic Desert View Watchtower
Arizona National Parks: 24 Epic Arizona National Parks to Visit (Photos + Guide)
Things to Do Saguaro NP: 15 Best Things to Do Saguaro National Park
Things to Do Zion NP: 18 Epic Things to Do at Zion National Park
Best Hikes Saguaro NP: 10 Best Saguaro National Park Hikes
National Parks Near Tucson: 10 Best National Parks Near Tucson
National Parks Near Phoenix: 10 Best National Parks Near Phoenix
Living in Phoenix: Pros & Cons of Living in Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Canyon National Park
When is the best time to visit Grand Canyon?
The best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park is March through May, September through November. Conditions vary significantly by season, so plan accordingly and check current conditions before your trip.
How much does it cost to enter Grand Canyon National Park?
The entrance fee for Grand Canyon National Park is $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days). An America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers entrance to all 63 national parks and 2,000+ federal recreation sites.
What is Grand Canyon known for?
Grand Canyon National Park is known for South Rim views, Bright Angel Trail, Colorado River rafting, and Desert View Watchtower. The park spans 1,201,647 acres and was established in 1919.
What are the best things to do at Grand Canyon National Park?
The top activities at Grand Canyon include Hiking, Mule rides, River rafting, Photography, and Scenic drives. Check our Grand Canyon guide for detailed recommendations.
Where is Grand Canyon National Park located?
Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona. Visit our complete Grand Canyon guide for directions, nearby airports, and getting-there tips.
What to Bring to Grand Canyon
Gear we recommend for Grand Canyon. Affiliate links support our work at no cost to you.
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