The Grand Canyon: North Rim vs. South Rim (Flagstaff, Page: hotels, campsites)

[caryberry]

Both!

The South and North Rims are very different - in beauty, temperature, crowds, etc.

[SluggoF16]

I personally prefer the North Rim. Certainly less crowded. In September 1995 I camped on the edge of the canyon... it was just me, my spouse, and a couple of other folks in their tents. Nothing like waking up and stepping out of your tent to a most amazing view. (Could not step too far...) Extremely quiet, killer sunsets, etc.

The cons: There are very limited services in the area. Take in everything you need. (Take it out, also, please...) Most roads were decent but I was glad I had a high-clearance 4x4 with good off-road tires. It gets COLD there at 9000 feet... at sunrise on Labor Day it was below freezing.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Caphillsea, you're coming from far away, so you're probably willing to go the extra mile to see more fantastic stuff! if you're going to the North Rim, give yourself time to go up to Kanab and see Zion, too. You can catch some amazing scenery by going all the way to up Page and the Glen Canyon Dam on 89, then turn west to Kanab (it'll take you a day to drive from Flagstaff to Kanab), spend the night there (cute town, used in many Western movies), tour Zion the next day (you can do the short version in a few hours), and then head back through Kanab on alt.89 and south to the North Rim. Make sure you watch both the morning and the evening light over the Grand Canyon. Then, as you head back toward Flagstaff, you'll be driving on alt.89 along the Pariah Plateau through Marble Canyon until alt.89 meets up with 89 south--it's an incredible trip, and worth the long drive. Much more fun than traveling from Flag to the South Rim where there's not much to see except for pinyon pine forest until you're actually at the Rim. Just remember to get gas whenever there's a gas station, and bring lots of water. You'll need to hydrate because of the climate and altitude, and if you should get stuck it's good to have extra water...

As much as the South Rim is more touristy, I have to say that you can travel/hike along the rim and catch more varied and broader vistas of the Canyon than at the North Rim where there is not quite as much of a road along the Rim. Grand Canyon North Rim map

[SluggoF16]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Caphillsea, you're coming from far away, so you're probably willing to go the extra mile to see more fantastic stuff! if you're going to the North Rim, give yourself time to go up to Kanab and see Zion, too. You can catch some amazing scenery by going all the way to up Page and the Glen Canyon Dam on 89, then turn west to Kanab (it'll take you a day to drive from Flagstaff to Kanab), spend the night there (cute town, used in many Western movies), tour Zion the next day (you can do the short version in a few hours), and then head back through Kanab on alt.89 and south to the North Rim. Make sure you watch both the morning and the evening light over the Grand Canyon. Then, as you head back toward Flagstaff, you'll be driving on alt.89 along the Pariah Plateau through Marble Canyon until alt.89 meets up with 89 south--it's an incredible trip, and worth the long drive. Much more fun than traveling from Flag to the South Rim where there's not much to see except for pinyon pine forest until you're actually at the Rim. Just remember to get gas whenever there's a gas station, and bring lots of water. You'll need to hydrate because of the climate and altitude, and if you should get stuck it's good to have extra water...

As much as the South Rim is more touristy, I have to say that you can travel/hike along the rim and catch more varied and broader vistas of the Canyon than at the North Rim where there is not quite as much of a road along the Rim. Grand Canyon North Rim map

Absolutely concur. We went to Zion in '95 as well. Without getting hyper-philosophical, it is doubtful you will ever feel more awestruck.

[GStone777]

I used to work at the North Rim years ago. There were no cell phones, no newspapers, no internet and only a payphone and 1 television in the bar. If you really want to have an experience, completely disconnect from the outside world while you are there. Temperatures can get below freezing into early June and by September 1st the leaves start changing. If you want to connect with nature in a very intimate way hike out to Bright Angel point an hour before the sun goes down and sit on the big rock a few feet from the end of the trail where the railing is. Stay up there until you have just enough light to hike back safely. Bright Angel point is less than half a mile from the main lodge. I have been to the South Rim and scenic places around the world and there is no other experience equal to this one or the peace and tranquility it will bring your soul. There are also many places to hike, other beautiful overlooks and you can ride a mule down into the canyon. Don't forget water and remember it can be 30+ degrees warmer at the bottom of the canyon. The drive to the North Rim is very well worth it and very rewarding. The South Rim is nice but the North Rim is about 1300-1500 feet higher and offers a unique experience you won't find on the South Rim

[teddyearp]

Hmmm. I have been to both. But once I went to the North Rim, I never went to the South Rim again. But as other posters have related, the North Rim is much higher, colder and access can be more difficult depending on timing. Just watch the weather/road reports. Every year is different. My last visit was ~ Sept 2003. It didn't snow, but it did get a bit cold. If you are prepared, the North Rim is the only way to go.

Moderator cut: snip

[BlackShoe]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Caphillsea, you're coming from far away, so you're probably willing to go the extra mile to see more fantastic stuff!

As many have noted, it takes extra time and planning to visit the North Rim. One option that worked very well for this poster was to use St. George as a base to visit three national parks on successive days. First Bryce, then Zion, and last, the North Rim. Another trip came from the Four Corners area through the Navajo Nation and stayed in Page, and to the Canyon the next day.

Originally Posted by GStone777

The drive to the North Rim is very well worth it and very rewarding.

On one trip an unexpected treat was spotting a flock of wild turkeys foraging along the roadside ahead of us. Only had a few seconds to admire them after stopping the car as they flushed and were gone. Found out later that Arizona was trying to establish a turkey population in the Kaibab National Forest.

[Miler]

Go to the North Rim. Stay at the Gr Canyon Lodge if you can get in or stay at the Kaibab Lodge about 18 miles away. North rim is much less crowded.

[bgray9]

Another vote for the north rim. We camped in the national forest land up there for a week last July and that's the camping trip against which all our other camping trips are measured against. Hardly saw anyone except for when we went down to the lodge area. We did make the mistake of driving up to Zion one day, and it was horribly overcrowded. Traffic jams to get in and then took 20 minutes to find a parking spot.

[Giesela]

My question would be; if it weren't for the crowds...would everyone still vote for the North rim? Someone mentioned more views and places to stop on the south rim.

Personally I'm wondering how much time it takes to 'do' the Grand Canyon and Zion and Bryce and what the latest dates to do this are. I'm thinking October if this year, but if I waited till next year it would still be Sept, Oct Nov probably. Or Feb March April is a possibility.

Hopefully Blackshoe will check back in with more details of his trip.