Grand Canyon National Park, more Grand than you can imagine!
Established in 1919, this year the park celebrates its centennial year! What a perfect excuse to visit one of America’s most iconic places. Unique combinations of geological color and erosional forms decorate the canyon which is over 275 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and over a mile deep!
The immense size of the Grand Canyon will overwhelm your senses!
Chances are the pictures you have seen of the Grand Canyon were taken at the south rim. The park sees over 6 million visitors a year and 90% of them visit the south.
So where do the others go?
The quieter, cooler, and equally impressive North Rim!
As a crow flies, the north rim is not that far from the south. However, driving between the two is nearly 200 miles and will take you 4 hours, the main reason people are forced to pick between north and south.
The south is open year round, making it an obvious choice for many visitors. The south is also much more developed, especially the nearby town of Tusayan where you will find Arizonas second busiest airport Grand Canyon airport. You will also find heaps of hotels, restaurants, gift shops, tour guides, helicopter rides and everything else you would expect at a major tourist hub.
The South rim of Grand Canyon National Park, also features a much wider variety of activities and is sure to have something for everyone in the family. From hiking and biking to history tours, museums and cultural experiences.
Let’s be honest though, you came to the Grand Canyon for the views! The south rim has a staggering 12 viewpoints, as opposed to 3 viewpoints at the north rim. (If you’re wanting to walk on the famous glass skywalk you will have to visit the south rim for that)
You might be wondering why anyone would bother visiting the north rim at all?
For starters the weather!
The north rim is 8500 feet above sea level (roughly 2500 feet higher than the south rim) and sees much cooler temperatures throughout the year. I have heard horror stories about the summer heat waves that often engulf the south. You can avoid this by opting for the north rim. With that being said, the north rim is only open from May 15-October 15th so be sure to plan accordingly.
Avoid the Grand Canyon crowds!
Secondly, like I mentioned only 10% of the 6 million visitors make their way to the north rim so if you are looking for nature without the commercialization and crowds, this is the place for you. You wont find rows of hotels or restaurants anywhere near the north rim. The main lodge does offer accommodation but I’ve heard you must book your stay months in advance. They also have a restaurant inside but I would assume the prices are high considering there is no competition for miles.
Kanab, Utah
We stayed at the Sun & Sands Hotel in Kanab, Utah which is the closest town to the park and the last stop for gas or food if your coming from the north. It was a 90 minute drive to the park from there. Most of the drive was through the Kaibab National Forest, a surprisingly green forrest, thick with ponderosa pines and aspen trees. Both of which are no where to be found at the south rim.
Viewpoints…
The three viewpoints are all just a short walk from the north rim lodge leading out to the edge of the canyon. There couldn’t have been more than 10-12 people on the trail, which really surprised me. Sure, the owner of the hotel told us we wouldn’t have to fight the crowds at the north rim so I didn’t expect tour bus sized groups of people. I expected more than 10 but I was complaining at all! It was enjoyable being able to soak in the expansive scenery without hoards of people waving selfie sticks around.
Greener than expected!
The colors lining the canyon walls were greener than I ever would have imagined. The canyon was also much deeper than I anticipated. I’m not sure I ever saw the bottom of the it. Words or pictures for that matter will never be able to fully portray how breath taking the Grand Canyon really is. You will just have to see if for yourself.
If you have plenty of time and would like more information on hiking visit the park website here.
What do you think?
Jess had also visited the south rim so when we reached the last viewpoint I asked her if the north rim was just as impressive as the south?
She quickly responded, “No, the north rim is way better!”
Never having experienced Grand Canyon National Park from the south rim I have little room to talk. However, I truly believe that it doesn’t matter which side you chose. You will have a remarkable and humbling experience at either rim, but it will be a different experience.
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences at Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding areas! Do you have a favorite hike or campground? Share it with us!
BONUS
If you decide to visit the north rim I would highly recommend visiting Marble Canyon outside of Page Arizona (little over an hour away). This is where Lee’s Ferry meets the Little Colorado River marking the start of the Grand Canyon. You can park just off highway 89 and walk across the Navajo Bridge overlooking the Colorado river. There also is a few local Navajo’s selling jewelry, dream catchers and other various handmade gifts.
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Some genuinely interesting info , well written and loosely user genial.