Most visitors to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon never visit the North Rim, which is a quieter and greener side of the Grand Canyon. Located in Northern Arizona, the North Rim is open seasonally and offers hiking and camping. With cooler temperatures, visitors get all the views at a higher elevation along with a lot fewer people. Here are the best things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Dragon Bravo Wild Fire
Starting on July 4, 2025, lightning ignited the now-named Dragon Bravo wildfire. It wasn’t fully contained until September 29, 2025, and claimed 145,504 acres of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
As the seventh-largest wildfire in Arizona history, the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed 113 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. For the 2026 summer season, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers reduced services from May until its winter closure in November.
Best Things to Do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Take a Scenic Drive
Hike at the North Rim
See the Sunset
Spot a Bison
Planning Guide to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
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What’s Open in 2026
- The National Park Service recommends that visitors to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon be self-sufficient during the 2026 season. Many of the activities and ranger programs will not run this year. However, most of the hiking trails are open.
- The General Store adjacent to the North Rim Campground will be open May 15 to September 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The Gas Station will also be open from May 15 to September 7, 2026, with 24-hour self-serve pay-at-the-pump.
All paved roadways within the park have reopened, including Highway 67, Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road. The Campgrounds will be open for the 2026 season. However, they will offer reduced services.
Visitor Center at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim
- For information on the North Rim, you can visit the North Rim Backcountry Information Center, located adjacent to the North Rim Campground. It will be staffed daily from 8 a.m. to noon during the 2026 season. The North Rim Visitor Center near the Grand Canyon Lodge was destroyed during the 2025 fire.
There is no portable water on the North Rim for the 2026 season. Please carry your own water, or it can be purchased at the North Rim General Store.
Scenic Drives on the North Rim
The North Rim offers several scenic drives, though vehicles over 30 feet are not allowed.
Point Imperial—Take Arizona Highway 67 to Point Imperial, about 11 miles from the Grand Canyon Lodge. Here, you can see the Painted Desert and Marble Canyon, as well as more of the eastern Grand Canyon. This area offers restrooms and is the highest point along the North Rim (8,803 ft.)
Vista Encantada—Further along Arizona Highway 67, this area offers a picnic area.
Roosevelt Point—On the Walhalla Plateau, Arizona Highway 67 has a turnout for the Roosevelt Point Trail (.2 miles).
Walhalla Overlook—On AZ Highway 67, visit the Walhalla Ruins and the overlook.
Cape Royal—At the terminus of AZ Highway 67, Cape Royal offers a wedding site, restrooms, and picnic tables. The Cape Royal Trail is .8 miles roundtrip and offers views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River.
Top Things to Do Around the Grand Canyon
Hiking Trails on the North Rim
Take a hike when visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Bridle Path—This is a 1.9-mile one-way hiking trail on a hard-packed path. It is open to leashed pets and bikes.
Roosevelt Point Trail—A .2-mile hiking trail to an overlook.
Cliff Springs Trail—A .8-mile hiking trail through a ravine to a spring.
Cape Royal Trail—A .8-mile paved trail to an overlook with canyon views, Angels Window and the Colorado River.
North Kaibab Trail—This trail heads into the canyon and is not a day hike. Overnight camping is required on this hiking trail to the Colorado River.
Bright Angel Point Trail—A.5-mile round trip hike on a paved trail to one of the best views along the North Rim. Closed due to 2025 Fire.
Biking on the North Rim
Bridle Trail between Grand Canyon Lodge and North Kaibab Trail.
All roads are open for vehicular traffic at the North Rim.
Planning Guide to Zion National Park
Ranger Programs and Special Events
Ranger programming is suspended until further notice.
Where to See the Sunset at the North Rim
Cape Royal Point offers nice views for sunrise and sunset at the end of the scenic Highway 67 in the park.
Top Tips to Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
- The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is only open from May 15 until the end of November due to winter snow.
- The elevation of the North Rim is higher than the South Rim and is over 8,000 feet.
- It takes over four hours to drive from the South Rim to the North Rim.
- The closest services outside of the park are 45 miles north of the North Rim at Jacob Lake, AZ.
- Hiking the 21 miles (34 km) from the South Rim to the North Rim includes a 4860 ft (1480 m) elevation loss from the South Rim to the Colorado River, followed by a 5850 ft (1780 m) elevation gain from the river to the North Rim, according to the NPS.
Wildlife Viewing
Find lots of animals within the park, though dawn and dusk are the best wildlife viewing times. The Park Rangers can also point out areas that offer the best chance to see wildlife. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is home to several species not seen on the South Rim, like Bison and Black Bears.
Both sides of the canyon are rich in birds, with 450 different species seen within the park. In fact, the Grand Canyon National Park is a globally important bird area.
- Big Horn Sheep
- Bats
- Bison
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Mountain Lions
- American Black Bear
Be Bear Aware
The National Park Service recommends the following guidelines for reducing encounters.
- Make noise when hiking; kids are good at this.
- Be aware of the possibility of bears at streams.
- Store food when not eating or preparing in the bear-proof storage lockers.
- Keep 100 years between you and the bears.
- Put all trash in a bear-resistant trash container.
Planning Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
Seasons at the North Rim
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is wetter than the South and receives about 140 inches of snow a year. Roads are closed from December 1 until May 15. From December until March, temperatures range from lows in the teens to highs in the 30s F.
Spring weather starts in April, though snow is still possible. Temperatures warm to highs in the 50s and 60s with lows in the 30s until early June. Wildflowers start to bloom in spring and continue until Summer.
Summer temperatures remain mild with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40 until mid-September. Though late summer brings monsoon rains to the region.
Fall color starts in mid-September and runs into early October, with Quaking Aspen turning a bright yellow. High temperatures are in the 50s and 60s during this time, with lows in the 30s.
Picnicking at the North Rim
Along the main road, a third of the way between the Backcountry Office and the North Rim Visitor Center, find an unnamed picnic area. Find picnic areas at Vista Encantada, Cape Royal parking area and Point Imperial.
Camping at the North Rim
The campground will be open for the 2026 season. Water and RV hookups will not be available. The campground will operate under Stage Two Fire Restrictions.
All wood-burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques are prohibited.
North Rim Campground
- Seasonal from mid-May to October 31
- Reservations only
- 87 sites, no RVs
- Potable water with flush toilets
- No Showers
- Seasonal Dump Station
You can find a general store in the area with self-serve laundry, showers, picnic and camping supplies, and gas for sale.
History of the Grand Canyon
The Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon, which measures 18 miles wide, one mile deep, and 277 river miles long. Human artifacts dating back 12,000 years have been discovered in the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon became a national park in 1919, though it was protected as a Forest Reserve in 1893. On the North Rim, Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed the Grand Canyon Lodge using local materials. It was completed in 1928 but burned and rebuilt in 1937. He also designed lodges at Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
The Civilian Conservation Corps worked in the Grand Canyon during the 1930s. They worked on improving the trail and the trails to the bottom of the canyon.
The People of the Grand Canyon
People have lived in and around the Grand Canyon for thousands of years. Artifacts, from pictographs to hunting points, continue to be discovered.
In more recent times, 11 Native American groups have lived in the Grand Canyon area. During your visit learn diverse arts and culture as well as hear the first-voice interpretation of the Grand Canyon area at the Desert View Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site (under construction during summer 2022).
The Civilian Conservation Corps
A group of young men arrived at the Grand Canyon in 1933. Part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Program, the Civilian Conservation Corps worked on conservation projects across the U.S.
During their tenure, the men of the CCC worked on the trails on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. They constructed the Colorado River Trail at the bottom of the canyon. In 1935, the Trans-Canyon Telephone Line connected the North Rim to the South Rim.
Getting to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 57 miles southeast of Fredonia along Arizona State Highway 67. From December until mid-May, the Highway is closed from Jacob Lake.
Driving from the south rim to the north rim required a 220-mile drive that takes a minimum of four hours.
It is open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. Admission is $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, or you can use an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80).
Altitude Sickness
Anytime you go above 8,000 feet, you can experience Altitude Sickness. Look for the following symptoms. If can effect anyone, regardless of age or health.
- Headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- vomiting
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- trouble sleeping
Over-the-counter medications can help and symptoms should improve in 24 or 48 hours. Though if symptoms don’t improve or get worse, consult a medical attention.
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