North Rim
Vista Encantada. Click on the image for a larger view.
The north rim and Arizona 67 south of Jacob Lake are closed mid-October to mid-May. For current information, check the following web pages:
Grand Canyon National Park north rim web page
Arizona Department of Transportation Road Conditions
North Rim Guide newspaper- requires Adobe Reader:
The Rim Less Visited
Because the north rim is harder to reach than the south rim, it gets only 10% of the park's visitors. Although it's a 21-mile hike from the south rim to the north rim on the Kaibab Trail, it's a five-hour, 220-mile drive on Arizona 64, US 89, US 89A, and Arizona 67. It's certainly worth the extra effort, however.
The Mountain Lying Down
"Kaibab" is a Paiute Indian word for "mountain-lying-down". Between the gorgeous mixed coniferous forest, the alpine meadows, and the chill mountain air, you could be Canada. In fact, you are- climate-wise. With elevations over 9,000 feet, the climate is comparable to that of southern British Columbia.
Getting Around the North Rim
There is no public transport to the north rim, except for the Trans Canyon Shuttle, which offers shuttle service between Grand Canyon Village, Marble Canyon, and North Rim Village. You'll need a car to explore the north rim. See Getting There for cities with rental cars.
When to Visit
The north rim is open from mid-May through mid-October. Though the north rim's facilities close after mid-October, there may be limited access to the north rim viewpoints until mid-November, depending on snowfall.
High elevation creates an alpine climate on the north rim. Summer features cool days and chilly nights- a welcome respite from the scorching deserts below. Late summer brings almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, which create dramatic skies and spectacular sunsets. Fall weather is stable with nights below freezing and mild days, and splashes of fall color as the quaking aspen change to brilliant yellow, orange, and red. Heavy snow usually falls by November, and lingers until May.