If you’re a first-time visitor to the Grand Canyon, you’ll most likely go to the South Rim. With its iconic images, large viewing areas and plenty of services, this is the more popular side of the canyon.
But, if you’ve already been there, done that, and want more of this awe-inspiring natural wonder, take the road less traveled and head to the North Rim. Here you’ll enjoy a quieter, less commercialized and more laid-back experience.
To put things in perspective regarding distances, the North Rim is 207 miles from Flagstaff, AZ and 275 miles from Las Vegas. Though it’s only ten miles as the crow flies to get from the South to the North Rim, us mere mortals need to drive 220 miles (about four hours) to make the trip.
The North Rim gives visitors the opportunity to get to know the canyon and its awe-inspiring beauty in a very individual and personal way, as you don’t have to share it with the masses. Just imagine no jostling for position, nobody getting in the way when you try and take those perfect photos and no congestion on the trails.
This remote and rugged realm offers solitude and peace, as you explore the canyon’s remarkable geology, while marveling at its immensity. Spanning an impressive 227 miles long and averaging over ten miles wide, the canyon was formed by millions of years of erosion. Leave it to the mighty Colorado River for painstakingly carving through layer after layer of rock, exposing a palette of breathtaking hues.
One of the best panoramas of the canyon is at Bright Angel Point. Take the short trail, which you can easily access behind the Grand Canyon Lodge, for breathtaking vistas of the canyon buttes and rock temples. Prepare to be wowed any time of the day, but at sunset, the sight is beyond description.
Hikers have a variety of choices with rim-hugging paths and trails that wander through a blend of forest and canyon scenery. The North Rim actually has the highest concentration of plateau-top trails in the Grand Canyon. And from most points (unlike at the South Rim), you’ll be able to see all the way down to where the Colorado River runs. Also, the higher elevation means you’ll have several opportunities for more comprehensive and droolworthy views of the canyon.
If you want to get a true taste of the canyon’s inner sanctums, the North Kaibab Trail, is the only option. Though it’s an arduous, fourteen-mile trek to the bottom of the canyon, you don’t need to go very far down in order to gain an appreciation of this majestic gem. Just remember, you will have to get back up! Mule rides are also an option for those interested in going into the canyon.
A definite must for visitors is the Cape Royal Road. This winding twenty-five-mile drive has several pullouts for dramatic scenic overlooks and trail access. Take your time and savor the experience. Just accept that you’ll never have enough pictures of Mother Nature’s pièce de résistance.
