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Bucketlist Bri

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Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim – Which Should You Visit?

Last Updated: October 26, 2021 · Southwest, USA

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For many people, getting to visit the Grand Canyon is a once in a lifetime experience. As a Wonder of the World and icon of the United States, the Grand Canyon is no doubt a bucket list adventure. But did you know that there are several sides of the Grand Canyon – each with their own magnificent views and trails?

There’s the Grand Canyon North Rim, South Rim, East/Desert View Entrance, and the West Rim (the one that’s closest to Las Vegas with the skywalk). During our road trip in the Southwest, we were able to see both the remote North Rim and popular South Rim of the Grand Canyon, so I’m going to compare the two in this article. So which one should you visit – Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim (or both)?

Before seeing the Grand Canyon for myself, thinking about visiting was always shrouded in a mystery. I wondered about how to get there, which side of the Grand Canyon is best to visit, how long does it take, are there easy trails, campgrounds, data service, etc. It’s only when you visit do you realize, “Oh! I get it now.”

If you are also wondering about the differences between the North Rim vs South Rim of the Grand Canyon, then keep reading!

Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim – how do they differ and which side should you visit?

The Ultimate Showdown: Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim

  • grand canyon south rim mather point
  • bright angels trail north rim

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Popular View Trails Gateway Distance* Crowds Lodging Nearby Towns/Parks
North Rim Bright Angel Point Yes Jacob Lake, AZ 44 miles S Remote Yes Kanab, Page, Bryce + Zion
South Rim Mather Point…….. Yes…. Williams, AZ….. 60 miles N…. Popular Yes…….. Williams, Sedona, Flagstaff

Scroll to the right to see the table on mobile >

COVID-19: Right now, the East/Desert Entrance of the South Rim is closed. This is normally how you would be able to visit both the North Rim and South Rim faster, but because it is closed due to COVID, you need to go all the way to the main entrance of the South Rim via Williams and Tusayan, AZ. The North Rim Campground is closed, but the Lodge is open for guests and grab-and-go breakfasts/lunches. Visitor Centers at both rims are closed. Shuttles are limited. Check here for updates.

* The distances noted are how many miles it takes from the “gateway” towns. The North Rim definitely feels more remote and takes 1h 30 mins / 80 miles driving from Kanab, UT (a popular place to stay overnight for the day before/after). On the flip side, it takes 1h 20 mins / 70 miles driving from Williams, AZ to reach the South Rim Grand Canyon.

Planning on visiting several national parks? Buy an America The Beautiful pass and save $$!

Grand Canyon North Rim

grand canyon north rim viewpoint

With its remote landscape, empty trails, and crisp air, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers a wild adventure you’re not likely to forget anytime soon. I say wild because the North Rim definitely gives off a different vibe than the South Rim, which is heavily-trafficked. At the North Rim, you can go slowly and really enjoy being immersed in the Grand Canyon’s solitude and immensity.

Viewpoints

The Grand Canyon North Rim has several viewpoints, but the first one you’ll likely go to is just beyond the visitor center at Bright Angel’s Point.

Bright Angel’s Point Viewpoint overlooks Bright Angel’s Canyon and Roaring Springs, which is the main source of drinking water in the Grand Canyon.

There are other viewpoints to stop and admire on the trail that skirts the rim around the parking lot. To get to other viewpoints and hikes, you need to hop back in your car and drive a short distance to trailheads.

  • nature trail bright angels point

Hikes / Trails

It is a short and sweet hike to get to Bright Angel’s Point (0.5 miles / 30 mins). There are also several viewing “decks” around the rim behind the visitor center.

If you have more time, here are other day hikes you can do while at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon:

  • Cape Royal Trail – 0.6 mi, 30 mins
  • Transept Trail – 3 mi, 1.5 hours
  • Bridle Trail – 1.2 mi (bicycle & pet-friendly trail)
  • Cliff Springs Trail – 1.0 mi, 1 hour
  • Roosevelt Trail – 0.2, 20 mins
  • Point Imperial Trail – 4 mi, 2 hours
  • North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook – 1.5 mi, 1 hour (the only trail into the canyon from the North Rim). You can also hike further to Supai Tunnel (4 miles round-trip) for more impressive canyon views.
  • Nature trail sign North Rim
grand canyon north rim trail view
bright angels point trail north rim grand canyon

Bright Angel’s Point Trail

Distance & Accessibility

To get to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon takes 44 miles of driving from Jacob Lake, AZ. The road meanders through the Kaibab Plateau with views on the Vermillion Cliffs in the distance. We personally stayed overnight at the Rodeway Inn in Kanab, UT (recommended) before our morning sunrise mission to the North Rim. From Kanab, it takes 1 hour 30 mins driving (approx. 80 miles).

If you are also planning on visiting Bryce Canyon National Park or Zion National Park, consider combining a trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim since it is much closer and more convenient.

Bryce Canyon, UT – North Rim: 3 hours, 155 miles

Page, AZ – North Rim: 2 hrs 20 mins, 123 miles

Crowdedness

The Grand Canyon North Rim has a much more remote feel to it compared to the South Rim. There was even a study that showed around 10-15% of all visitors to the Grand Canyon visit the North Rim, whereas 80-85% of visitors go to the South Rim. There were virtually no crowds when we visited the North Rim all morning vs the South Rim where it became visibly crowded by 9:30 AM.

Grand Canyon North Rim

Weather

The North Rim sits at a higher elevation than the South Rim. At 8,000 feet, the North Rim receives more rain and has cooler temperatures year-round with thicker forests. On your drive to the North Rim, you’ll notice lots of burned, blackened trees from past forest fires.

Make sure to dress for cooler weather, especially if you plan on visiting the North Rim early morning or camping overnight.

Campgrounds

As for accommodation at the North Rim, there are two options – the Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim Campground. However, right now due to current closures, both the North Rim Campground and the visitor’s center are closed until further notice. The Lodge remains open for guests.

Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Center
  • North Rim Grand Canyon star
  • Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim
Road to Grand Canyon North Rim

Nearby Parks / Towns / Attractions

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is far less visited in part because of how remote it is. The nearest towns are Jacob Lake and Kanab – with the latter having many more options for lodging, restaurants, and activities. Even then, it still takes roughly 1-1.5 hours of driving over the Kaibab Plateau to reach the entrance to the North Rim.

If you want to visit the North Rim, consider adding Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park just across the border into Utah to your itinerary. Likewise, Page, Arizona is not too far away from the North Rim. You could plan a trip here to see Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell before/after your visit to the Grand Canyon.

Overall, we loved the Grand Canyon North Rim because of its secludedness. It seems to offer more of an adventure and the chance to see parts of the Grand Canyon that few get to see. We also would’ve loved to have spent more time hiking as there seem to be more trails available at the North Rim vs the South Rim.

Grand Canyon South Rim

Mather Point - Grand Canyon South Rim

So now it’s time for the breakdown of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is no doubt the most popular destination to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory. For one, you get massive panoramic views from the viewpoints at the South Rim. And two, the South Rim is more convenient to get to and has more amenities (Grand Canyon Village) that can handle a larger influx of visitors.

Viewpoints

The viewpoints at the South Rim certainly satisfy that “wow” factor. It’s easy to see why the Grand Canyon is such a mesmerizing, sacred place not only for the Native tribes but for all of us. It is humbling to see the natural beauty of the world in person right there in front of you.

That said, the best viewpoint to start with is Mather Point. Sunrise and sunset especially make the Mather Point special, so try and see it during either one of these two moments.

The other viewpoints you’ll see in the South Rim are located along the Rim Trail.

  • Grand Canyon South Rim at sunrise
  • Mather Point Viewpoint

Here are the viewpoints from right to left, starting with the South Kaibab Trailhead.

  • South Kaibab Trailhead: Start of Rim Trail
  • Pipe Creek Vista
  • Mather Point (closest to the visitor center)
  • Yavapai Point
  • Trailview Overlook
  • Maricopa Point
  • Powell Point
  • Hopi Point
  • Mohave Point (great for catching the sunset!)
  • Monument Creek Vista
  • Pima Point
  • Hermit’s Rest: End of Rim Trail

Download this digital Rim Trail map here to get an idea of the distances between each viewpoint.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon also encompasses the Desert View which is normally accessed from the East/Desert Entrance via Hwy 64. However, all roads and all Desert View facilities are closed due to the outbreaks in the neighboring Navajo Nation.

Hikes / Trails

The Rim Trail is one of the most obvious choices for a good overview hike at the Grand Canyon South Rim. The Rim Trail spans roughly 13 miles from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermit’s Rest. Normally, the shuttle services several of the stops, making it easier to see more viewpoints but if you are on foot the 13 miles is fairly long.

Mather Point is the closet overlook from the visitor center, so most people start there and then walk left toward the Yavapai Point and geology information center. From Yavapai, the paved trail continues into the Trail of Time and onward to Hopi Point and beyond to Hermit’s Rest. We turned around after the Trail of Time as it would already take us nearly another hour to get back to the parking lot.

Grand Canyon Rim Trail

Distance & Accessibility

Under normal circumstances, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon can be accessed from the Desert View/East Entrance on Hwy 64 as you come from Page, AZ. It is faster to reach the South Rim this way if you are coming from the North Rim. But as of right now, the only entrance open is the South Entrance. To get here, you’ll need to drive through the historic towns Williams and Tusayan, AZ. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is generally more accessible than the North Rim. The South Rim has several developed towns nearby ideal for lodging, shopping, dining, and more.

Sedona – South Rim: 2 hours, 114 miles

Flagstaff – South Rim: 1.5 hours, 79 miles

Las Vegas, NV – South Rim: 4 hrs 20 mins, 280 miles

Crowdedness

The South Rim definitely receives a bigger crowd than its northern neighbor. By 9:30 – 10 AM, the Rim Trail was heavily-trafficked (even right now during the pandemic). Though I’m sure it’s not AS busy compared to usual. Nonetheless, the Grand Canyon National Park is still receiving lots of visitors who are mainly visiting the South and West Rims.

Weather

The South Rim is lower in elevation (7,000 ft), so it’s a little warmer here than at the North Rim. Even though most of the Rim Trail is flat and paved, don’t push your limits when hiking. Wear breathable clothing and carry a light jacket in case you’re visiting in the early morning. Try to avoid the heat of the day and bring plenty of water with a few salty snacks too!

  • Grand Canyon South Rim
  • grand canyon south rim mather point

Campgrounds

Compared to the North Rim, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has many more accommodation options for camping and lodges. There’s the Mather Campground, El Tovar Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Kachina Lodge, plus more in Grand Canyon Village and just outside the park entrance in the town of Tusayan.

Nearby Parks / Towns / Attractions

The South Rim also offers bike rentals, several cafes, markets, shopping plazas, multiple centers and museums, and more. To get here you’ll pass through the town of Williams which once thrived on the historic Route 66. It’s well worth a stop here to take in the old-timey inns and restaurants which have mostly been preserved (we stayed in the historic Canyon Country Inn).

Page, AZ is not too far away either, as well as the mystical desert town of Sedona, AZ just outside of Flagstaff. There are several ways you can pack the South Rim into your road trip itinerary based on what other parks and towns you’d like to see!

historic route 66 Williams, AZ

Historic Route 66 town of Williams, AZ

Final Tips for Choosing Between Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim

So, which side would win if you had to choose to visit just one? The North Rim vs South Rim of the Grand Canyon? Either or, you will not be disappointed!

All in all, I think the North Rim offers more secludedness with better hiking trails and vistas, while the South Rim offers better and easier panoramic views while having your typical comforts closeby. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit the North Rim. If you just want to see the Grand Canyon as most people see it, visit the South Rim!

Grand Canyon National Park is entirely within the state of Arizona but is an easy day’s drive to popular National Parks in neighboring Utah. If you are coming from Vegas, you could do an entire loop that takes you on a thrilling road trip to the Valley of Fire State Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, North Rim, Page, South Rim, and back to Vegas. There are dozens of ways to include the North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon on a trip to the American Southwest!

If you plan to visit several national parks on your trip, then buy an America The Beautiful park pass and save tons of money on entrance fees!

Pin this North Rim vs South Rim guide to the Grand Canyon for later!

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By: Bri · In: Southwest, USA

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National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious case of nostalgia for our 2-week Southwest USA road trip! 🏜

The NP’s we visited on this trip:

📍Arches National Park
📍Canyonlands National Park
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*except for BCotG

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I saw her giggling and chatting with a friend from across the street and, despite my shyness, waltzed over to ask if I could take her photo. 

She was simply radiating sitting there; an amateur portrait photographer's dream. Except I don't even own a portrait lens and this was only the second time ever in my life that I whisked up the courage to ask for something that feels so... intimate. 

But without hesitation, she gazed into my lens and pierced my heart. It was like being drawn to a joyous light that I just couldn't resist. So I dared to ask. 

As soon as she said yes, I hurriedly clicked a few shots; rushing so as to not waste her time. After showing her portraits to her, she gave me a big nod and said softly, "de Santa Catarina Palopó" with immense pride.

I think her sweet smile & kind eyes speak for themselves... ✨ 

You can read more about the indigenous Kaqchikel Maya and the colorfully painted town of Santa Catarina Palopó, Guatemala on my blog @bucketlistbri 💜
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It’s not our anniversary (it was technically last month, depending on who you ask) and we're not even celebrating Valentine's Day today, but...

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Keep choosing each other;
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Add this hike to your Caribbean bucket list! ☀️ 

Guadeloupe is rich in breathtaking, diverse landscapes — La Pointe des Châteaux is no exception! Magnificent rocky pillars jut out of the ocean & create a magnificent view that’s best experienced at sunrise from atop Morne Pavillon, the hill marked by the large cross on its summit.

TIPS FOR VISITING:

🚗 Like everywhere in Gwada, you'll need a rental! Parking is free.
☀️ Sunrise and sunset are around 6am and 6pm
🥾 The hike itself only takes 15-20 minutes and is easy!
🦀 Watch for wildlife and other critters (this is a protected heritage site!)
🌊 Plenty of beaches are nearby, including a nude beach and a private beach with cool wave splashing action called "La Douche" (meaning shower 🚿) 

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✍️ 2022 is going to be the year I become a published author. 

💛  It's the year I celebrate 10 years of love & adventure with my best friend. 

💻  It's the year I register my LLC and level up my business. 

🌎  It's the year I hit my bucket list of "slow living in 10 countries" as a nomad and the year I travel and discover even more destinations. 

And some folks will think (do think), "overnight success." But the reality is (as my sweet friend @redwhiteadventures reminded me), it's been about putting one foot in front of the other -- just like on a hike up a mountain (or in this case, to the cliffsides overlooking the Caribbean and Atlantic!). 

2022 is going to be the view from the top!! (Sure, I may get there, and see another summit I want to climb. But I'm so ready for the challenge(s), the journey, & the adventure!) ⛰ 

What are you excited about in 2022?! 

📍Hell's Gate / Porte d'Enfer, Guadeloupe (click the link in my bio to read about this hike!)
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