North Rim

 

View of Deva, Brahma, and Zoroaster Temples as seen from Grand Canyon Lodge

 

Visit this webpage (updated daily) for the South Rim list of what is open and closed, hours of operation, and COVID-19 updates.

News Release: North Rim to Reopen June 2 with Limited Services Available

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline.

• Grand Canyon Lodge, an Aramark property, will operate day-use services with limited food and beverage service beginning June 2. No overnight accommodations will be available until at least July 23, 2023.

• North Rim Campground reopens June 9. Reservations are required >

• There is a trail closure in effect on the North Kaibab Trail through at least June 15, 2023. The closure area is from north of Manzanita Rest Area to the North Kaibab Trailhead. No hikers will be allowed to pass through this area under any circumstances. Following June 15, the North Kaibab Trail will reopen with intermittent trail closures in effect to clear remaining rockfall areas. Additional trail updates >

• Read the entire news release >

 

Taking in the view from the patio of Grand Canyon Lodge

Introduction

A worthwhile trip for those who enjoy the road less traveled, the North Rim, or "other side" of Grand Canyon is visited by only 10% of all park visitors.

• The North Rim is over 8000 feet (2438 m.) in elevation.

• There is one lodge, Grand Canyon Lodge. The lodge will operate day-use services with limited food and beverage service beginning June 2. No overnight accommodations will be available until at least July 23, 2023.

• The North Rim campground, inside the park, is operated by the NPS and reopems for the season on 6/9/2023

2023 Reservations for Lodging are recommended.
The lodge also provides food and beverage service.

Reservations for the North Rim Campground are required.

 

Distances

• Hiking across the Grand Canyon from South Rim to North Rim is a total of 21 miles (34 km).

• However, driving from South Rim to North Rim requires a 4.5 hour drive of 220 miles (354 km). Driving directions to the North Rim.

• Hiking the 21 miles (34 km) from South Rim to North Rim includes a 4860 ft (1480 m) elevation loss from South Rim to Colorado River, followed by a 5850 ft (1780 m) elevation gain from the river to the North Rim.

 

The North Rim Visitor Center is adjacent to Grand Canyon Lodge

NPS/M. Quinn

North Rim Visitor Center

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Opens June 2.
Located adjacent to the parking lot for Grand Canyon Lodge and Bright Angel Point. A park store and bookshop are inside. Hours are 8 am to 6 pm daily.

Public restrooms and outdoor exhibits are located behind the visitor center building.

Rangers will staff an outdoor information desk daily at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk. More about the information desk and daily ranger programs >

 

Interior of North Rim Visitor Center. Left: exhibit area; right: Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore and gift shop.

 

Left: main entrance to Grand Canyon Lodge. Right: walking the trail out to Bright Angel Point from the lodge.

 

Bright Angel Point

For classic North Rim views, start at the Grand Canyon Lodge patio, then walk the paved trail out to Bright Angel Point.

From the main parking area it is a relatively short, easy walk to Lodge itself. The lodge is wheelchair accessible.

From the lodge the paved, Bright Angel Point Trail, 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip trail, leads out the spine of the ridge to Bright Angel Point. This trail is steep in places, with drop-offs and stairs, but provides dramatic views into Roaring Springs and Bright Angel Canyons.

 

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North Rim Pocket Map and Services Guide

In place of a newspaper, the North Rim Pocket Map and Services Guide is now being distributed at entrance stations, visitor centers, lodges, campgrounds, stores, and out-of-park locations. Download it here...

 

Front and back sides of the North Rim Pocket Map and Services Guide. Click on the image to download as an accessible PDF file (2.2 MB)

 

Additional North Rim Services

Opening dates will vary from June 2, through July 23. The season ends on October 15.

Backcountry Information Center

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
The backcountry information center, in the NPS administration building, will be open 8 am to noon and 1 to 5 pm daily. 

Gas Station

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
The North Rim Service Station is located on the entrance road into the Campground. Gasoline and diesel fuel is available within the park. 24 hour pay at the pump (only accepting credit and debit cards). Available for as long as State Route 67 is open; usually through November 30.

Note: Although the park is exploring options for installation of Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure, the charging of Electric Vehicles can not be accommodated at this time. The nearest electric charging stations to North Rim are located in Kanab, UT.

Garage Services

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER. The Service Station inside the park does not provide any repair services, only gasoline and diesel fuel.

Unleaded fuel, propane, diesel, tire repair, and some auto supplies are available at the North Rim Country Store (by Kaibab Lodge) 18.5 miles/ 30 km north. Open from May 15 to Oct. 15, 2022, seven days a week.

The service station at Jacob Lake 45 miles/ 75 km north, provides emergency repairs such as tires, belts, batteries, fuses, hoses, etc. Diesel fuel is also available at Jacob Lake. [phone] Open all year.

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Guest Laundry and Showers (Coin Operated)

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Possible reopening on July 23.
Located on the access road leading to the North Rim Campground. Open daily from 7 am to 10 pm.

Post Office

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Possible reopening on July 23.
Located in the Grand Canyon Lodge complex. Window service open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Medical

Emergency services are provided by park rangers on duty. Dial 911 from your phone.

Lost and Found

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
For information about lost and found property contact the visitor center information desk or the Grand Canyon Lodge front desk, or call (928) 638-261 Mail: Lost and Found, North Rim Lodge, Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim, Arizona 86052

Book and Gift Shops

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
GC Conservancy Park Store in the Visitor Center Building: 8 am to 6 pm

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop: 8 am to 9 pm

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
Camper Store by Campground: General Store and Groceries

Camping Equipment

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Scheduled to open on June 2.
Camping, hiking, and backpacking equipment may be purchased at the Camper Store at the entrance to the North Rim Campground.

North Rim Mule Trips

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER - Rim Rides are scheduled to resume on June 2.
Visit Grand Canyon Trail Rides' website or call 435-679-8665 for more information and to book a trip. Trail rides are offered between May 15 and October 15.

Religious Services

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER
Religious services may be offered on the North Rim of the park. The National Park Service does not endorse any group or message. See the bulletin board in the lodge for the schedule of services.

 

Left: view of Mt. Hayden from Point Imperial, highest overlook in the park at 8,803 feet (2,683 meters). Right: view from Cape Royal across to Wotan's Throne.

 

North Rim Scenic Drives CLOSED

Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via winding scenic drives. The trip to both points, with short walks at each and several stops at pullouts along the way, can easily take half a day.

NORTH RIM SCENIC DRIVE ARE CLOSED FOR THE WINTER.
North Rim Scenic Drives now scheduled to reopen on June 15, 2023.

Note: RVs over 22 feet long, and vehicle-trailer combinations with a total length over 22 feet, are not permitted on the Scenic Drive due to narrow, windy roads with blind corners.

Point Imperial

The highest point on the North Rim at 8,803 feet (2,683 meters), overlooks the Painted Desert and the eastern end of Grand Canyon. Here the canyon transforms as the narrow walls of Marble Canyon, visible only as a winding gash, open dramatically to become "grand." Layers of red and black Precambrian rocks, not visible at Bright Angel Point, add contrast and color. Part of the viewpoint is accessible.

Cape Royal

Provides a panorama up, down, and across the canyon. With seemingly unlimited vistas to the east and west, it is popular for both sunrise and sunset. The sweeping turn of the Colorado River at Unkar Delta is framed through the natural arch of Angels Window. Look for the Desert View Watchtower across the canyon on the South Rim. This popular viewpoint is accessible via a paved, level trail.

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Duration:

8 minutes, 21 seconds

There is something about the North Rim of Grand Canyon that invokes a sense of solitude and serenity. This is a place that invites you to slow down, to ponder, to feel your own innate creativity, and to fall in love with landscape.

 

Winter Camping with a Backcountry Permit

North Rim roads are closed to all vehicles between December 1st, 2022, and June 1, 2023, and no visitor services are available. During these winter months backpackers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers are permitted to use the North Rim Campground, provided a backcountry use permit has been obtained in advance. – These permits are available through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center. (e-mail us or call 928-638-7875)

The closest place to park during this time is Jacob Lake. The hike through the snow from Jacob Lake to the North Rim Campground is around 45 miles. Hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers will need to remain off the closed road (per Superintendent's Compendium re: safety from snowplows) and forge a path through the snow.

NOTE: As a result of substantial winter rockfall and landslides, trail repair work on the North Kaibab Trail continues. There is a trail closure in effect on the North Kaibab Trail until at least through June 15, 2023.

The closure area is from north of Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead. No hikers will be allowed to pass through this area under any circumstances. Following June 15, the North Kaibab Trail will reopen with intermittent trail closures in effect to clear remaining rockfall areas.

The National Park Service emphasizes the importance of staying on designated trails at all times and hikers should not attempt to go over or around a closure. Trail users should pay attention to directions from park rangers, volunteers, and signs placed along the trail.  Details >

• Note about Snowmobiles: Snowmobiles are not permitted within the park.

• Note about the Yurt: The North Rim yurt was removed because of safety issues and is no longer available.