• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

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

Last Updated: July 18, 2022 · Southwest, USA

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 it takes, 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?

To visit either side of Grand Canyon National Park, you will need a park pass! Click here to purchase the America The Beautiful park pass and get entry into ALL national parks for one calender year.

Table of Contents show
The Ultimate Showdown: Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim
Grand Canyon North Rim
Viewpoints
Hikes / Trails
Distance & Accessibility
Crowdedness
Weather
Campgrounds
Nearby Parks / Towns / Attractions
Grand Canyon South Rim
Viewpoints
Hikes / Trails
Distance & Accessibility
Crowdedness
Weather
Campgrounds
Nearby Parks / Towns / Attractions
Final Tips for Choosing Between Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim

The Ultimate Showdown: Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim

grand canyon south rim mather point
bright angels trail north rim

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

[su_table responsive=”yes” fixed=”yes”]

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

[/su_table]

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

Getting 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 of 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 close by.

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 money on national park entrance fees!

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

  • Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
  • Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
  • Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
  • Share via EmailShare via Email

By: Bri · In: Southwest, USA

you’ll also love

Utah Welcome Sign | 2 Week Southwest Road Trip ItineraryThe Ultimate 2 Week Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (From Las Vegas to Denver)
Woman standing at entrance of the Port of Poulsbo MarinaVisiting Poulsbo, Washington: The “Little Norway” of the USA
woman holding beer at highland brewing company in asheville north carolina21 Best Craft Breweries in Asheville, NC

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

12 Epic Things to Do in the Valley of Fire, Nevada

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

palm trees and waves crashing on sandy beach in Saint-François Guadeloupe

Complete Guide to Saint-François: Guadeloupe’s Sleepy Coastal Town

Woman standing overlooking the Zapotec archaeological ruins of Monte Albán near Oaxaca Mexico.

How to Visit Monte Albán Near Oaxaca City (Zapotec Ruins)

divers in casa cenote mexico

Diving in Casa Cenote with “Pancho” the Crocodile

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • Blog Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

386 shares