We're Heading South to the North Rim (Grand Canyon)

During one of our autumn vacations, we visited the American southwest. On a whim, we took a side trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The first thing we do is stop at the park entrance sign for a photo.   

NPS Park Map

During the 12 mile drive to the North Rim, the sun is shining, bison are grazing along the roadside (I wasn't expecting to see bison here!), and we are listening to jazz tunes by Pat Methany ... we are on our way to a great day here on the North Rim.  

So what makes the North Rim a good place to visit?

According to the National Park Service: “The Grand Canyon is host to about four million local and international visitors each year. Due to the remote location of the North Rim (8,297’ elevation), only a tenth of those visitors will see this magnificent section of the park. Usually accessible from mid-May to mid-October, the North Rim offers visitors a campground, general store and camper facilities.” 

The Visitor Center is generally a good place to begin any trip to a National Park especially if it is your first visit.  The North Rim Visitor Center is open May 15 through October 15 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.  Also worth noting, the public restrooms are located behind the building.

We aren’t camping but we need a room for the night. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge (built in 1927-28) has 23 Western Cabins and over 90 Pioneer Cabins. We are hoping that one of them is available tonight.

View of Lodge from Canyon

When it comes to lodging in National Parks, I don’t normally “wing it” because rooms may not be available. On this particular Wednesday, the Lodging Angels were with us. Someone just canceled and we got a western cabin (a duplex) with two queen beds, private bath, gas fireplace, a fridge, and a partial view of the canyon!  

 Western Cabin - Exterior & Interior

Now that we have secured a place to stay for the night, we walk along the rim of the canyon. An easy and rewarding hike to do is the quarter mile long Bright Angel Point Nature Trail.  

When I stand at one of the many canyon overlooks, I am in awe at the canyon’s vastness (one mile deep and 275 miles long) and its scenic beauty. Carved by the forces of erosion, it’s no surprise that the Grand Canyon is one of the “seven wonders of the natural world”.

I’m not a geologist and don’t claim to know a lot about the scientific creation of this magnificent view before me. But I do know that the layers of striking colors seen on the plateaus and buttes are the result of small amounts of various minerals - mostly iron which contributes to the colors that I see. 

Zoroaster Temple

We want to photograph a Grand Canyon sunset too. Later, we walk part way down the Bright Angel Point trail. First, I watch as the low setting sun bathes the canyon walls in vibrant shades of orange and pink. Then, I turn to the western sky. Clouds glowing in bright oranges and yellows burn like a blazing fire filling the sky. Within a few minutes, the colors begin to fade like the last embers of a campfire finally giving way to the blackness of the night sky.  

Sunset at the North Rim

We walk back to the Lodge where there is a charming “sit down” restaurant. They are very busy and we are very hungry. So, we go to the deli and order a “to go” pizza. We return to our cabin and enjoy a quiet dinner.

After dinner, we return to the Lodge. The lounge area may be rustic in appearance but it is furnished with comfy couches facing large windows overlooking the canyon. Tonight, we were hoping to see the moonlight shining in the canyon but the moon isn’t cooperating.

 Lodge Lounge Area

Next to this room is a patio with an outdoor fireplace and seating area. The evening is cool but we make ourselves comfortable and enjoy the rest of the evening.    

Patio

Maybe tomorrow morning we will rise and shine with the sun and photograph the sunrise ... it could happen!

The next morning … okay, it didn’t happen … we get up about an hour after sunrise. We are a little too late to see the intense colors of the sunrise on the canyon walls. Still, we spend about an hour on the rim.    

Views Along Bright Angel Point 

After we leave the Lodge, we drive the paved and winding Cape Royal Road. This scenic drive is a little less than 20 miles long (from the North Rim Entrance Road to Cape Royal parking lot). There are several “must see” stops along the way.

Point Imperial: At 8,803 feet in elevation, it is the highest of the North Rim overlooks. A short walk provides a closer look of the canyon.

Point Imperial

Mount Hayden

Vista Encantada (elevation 7,497 feet): This stop looks out over the Walhalla Plateau. There is a place for a picnic. So, while you here, feed your tummy and treat your eyes to a scenic feast.   

Roosevelt Point: This viewpoint was named after the U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, He was an outdoor enthusiast and loved nature. In 1903, President Roosevelt spoke of the Grand Canyon saying, “Leave it as it is. You cannot improve upon it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as the one great sight that every American should see.”

Roosevelt Point

Walhalla Overlook: From this overlook, you can see the Unkar Delta. It served as a seasonal winter home and farmland for the Kayenta Anasazi who lived here 900 years ago.

These people left the canyon around 1150 A.D. Please use caution when crossing the road to see these ancient Indian ruins.

Cape Royal area: The National Geographic book “The 10 Best of Everything – National Parks” ranked Cape Royal and Angels Window in the Grand Canyon as Number 1.

Angel's Window is a large natural arch that eroded out of a large rock that juts out into the canyon. We stop to photograph it from a distance. From here, we can catch a glimpse of the canyon through the opening. Also, we can see the overlook that is above the arch. We drive to the Cape Royal parking area where we walk the path that travels across the top of the arch to a viewpoint.

NPS Exhibit Sign

Cape Royal is a good place to be at sunrise and/or sunset.  It is the southern most view point on the North Rim. A paved trail leads to the overlook where we find the widest panorama of any Grand Canyon overlook along with a few recognizable landmarks..   

Vishnu Temple

Wotan's Throne

While we are sitting on a bench and admiring the view, I notice the late afternoon sun is casting shadows - including ours.  I can't resist taking a shadow selfie of us.

If we had a longer visit, we would have spent more time hiking some of the trails. If you are interested in hiking opportunities at the North Rim, you can find information by clicking on the following link:    

Hit The Trail - North Rim

The day is getting late and we need to drive to our next American southwest destination. For information on other parks and popular attractions in this area, I invite you to view my blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Denice's Blog Post - Zion NP

Denice's Blog Post - Arches NP

Denice's Blog - Canyonlands NP

Denice's Blog Post - Bryce NP

Denice's Blog Post - Capitol Reef NP

Denice's Blog Post - Cedar Breaks NM

Denice's Blog - Scenic UT-12

Denice's Blog Post - Utah's Burr Trail

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, please click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below:

Plan Your Visit - Grand Canyon's North Rim