The North Rim: Best Hikes on the Grand Canyon’s Other Side

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is more remote than the South Rim, but it grants better scenery and a greater variety of trails for those who reach it.

Jesse Weber

Images

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Bright Angel Point

by Michael Quinn, NPS, cropped from original

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Looking back up at the North Rim from 1.5 miles into North Kaibab Trail. Photo by National Park Service.

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Part of the “Eye of the Needle” traverse. Photo by Madeleine Deaton.

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Steep switchbacks through sheer limestone cliffs. Photo by National Park Service.

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One of the large waterfalls at Roaring Springs, seen from the trail. Photo by Michael Quinn.

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Descending into Bright Angel Canyon, a large side canyon of the Grand Canyon. Photo by Michael Quinn.

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Nearing Cottonwood Campground on the lower portion of North Kaibab Trail. Photo by Christopher Poissant.

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North Kaibab Trail traversing Bright Angel Creek deep in the canyon, near the Colorado River. Photo by J Brew.

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Description

The North Rim is the Grand Canyon’s “other” side. As opposed to the South Rim, which is relatively easy to reach and consequently clogged with visitors, the North Rim is uncrowded and slower-paced. It’s no less scenic, though. In fact, some find the vistas from the North Rim to be unrivaled by any others in the canyon. The North Rim sits at a higher elevation than the South and therefore grants an even more expansive view. From limestone outcrops among conifer and aspen forest on the North Rim, you’ll gaze across the canyon’s vast and intricate maze of cliffs and buttes, across to the opposite rim, and beyond to mountains rising above an expanse of desert.

Needless to say, the views are not what makes the North Rim less popular than the South. It’s the difficulty of access and the limited season in which it is open. Located many hours’ drive from the nearest interstate highway, and at over 8,000 feet elevation, the North Rim feels isolated and wild. This part of the national park shuts down from mid-October to mid-May, and snow piles up. When it thaws and the roads reopen, however, the montane forest bursts to life in verdant foliage and vivid wildflowers.

A distinct advantage of the North Rim over the South is the number of trails that travel along the rim, rather than descending steeply into the canyon. The North Rim has more easy and moderate hikes to choose from, but difficult hikes below the rim can, of course, be found as well. Explore this list of the North Rim’s best trails to find the level of challenge that’s right for you, then challenge yourself to reach the Grand Canyon’s remote other side.

Adventures

Transept Trail

Quiet stroll along the canyon rim near North Rim Campground and Grand Canyon Lodge.

Uncle Jim Trail

Rolling hills and colorful forest lead to an airy overlook on the canyon rim.

Cape Royal Trail

Paved path to one of the Grand Canyon's grandest viewpoints, and a perch atop a natural arch.

Cape Final Trail

Peaceful forest hike to an especially vast panorama of the Grand Canyon.

Cliff Spring Trail

Quick hike to Native American rock art and a natural spring in a secluded side canyon.

Widforss Trail

Lesser-traveled trail with canyon views, big trees, and a chance at spotting wildlife.

North Kaibab Trail

The main route from Grand Canyon's North Rim down to the Colorado River, and one of the most beautiful trails in America.