Is North Rim as good as South Rim?

Though both the North and South Rims provide spectacular views of the canyon, the two sections of the park couldn't be more different from one another. The north rim is all about solitude and peace in nature, while the south rim is full of amenities and family-friendly activities.



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Which rim of the Grand Canyon should you visit? The South Rim is a place everyone should visit at least once because it has iconic views. But the North Rim is a place you'll want to return to again because it provides more solitude and better sunsets.

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There is a good reason people flock to the South Rim; it's the more popular part of Grand Canyon National Park; it's stunningly beautiful; it's more developed by way of visitors centers and services; there's more lodging nearby; you can hike, backpack and camp; it's easier to access and is more centrally located for ...

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Many consider the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to be the authentic Grand Canyon experience. It features vast, expansive views often seen in popular media. From the South Rim, you can experience close to two-dozen unique views of the Grand Canyon, many with sweeping views of the Colorado River.

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Many consider the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to be the authentic Grand Canyon experience. It features vast, expansive views often seen in popular media. From the South Rim, you can experience close to two-dozen unique views of the Grand Canyon, many with sweeping views of the Colorado River.

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At a 1,000 foot greater elevation, the North Rim offers what are considered the best three comprehensive views of the Canyon; Toroweap, Point Sublime, and Cape Royal. You will get a park map when you enter the park at one of the entrance stations.

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Why the Grand Canyon North Rim Is Less Touristy. One of the main reasons why the North Rim is less touristy is that is more remote and harder to access than the South Rim. It is only accessible by car or shuttle bus, which can limit the number of visitors.

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The South Rim is the most popular and heavily visited area, with millions of visitors each year. However, the North Rim is much less crowded and can provide a more peaceful and relaxing experience. The West Rim, also known as Grand Canyon West, falls between the North and South Rims in terms of popularity.

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The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cool and crowds are thin. If you decide to visit during the summer (the park's peak season), be prepared for hordes of tourists and very limited lodging availability.

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Although the Grand Canyon North Rim is a bit off the beaten path, I think it's definitely worth a visit for the beautiful views and time spent in nature. I'd plan to spend two days here to allow enough time to explore, drive, hike, and enjoy the views.

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Since the South Rim is more accessible from several large cities, it makes it a perfect day trip. Easily accessible viewpoints make it simple to enjoy the famous Grand Canyon views. The Grand Canyon South Rim is open all year long, so are the food courts and restaurants.

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The average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles, however, the drive between the park's South Rim Village and the North Rim Village is about 212 miles and takes about 4 1/2 hours to drive. It takes time, planning, and effort to visit both rims in one trip.

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The South Rim of the Grand Canyon attracts over 5 million visitors each year and by far is the most visited side of the Canyon. That's because it is the most accessible and provides the most amenities.

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Only a fraction of the visitors to Black Canyon of the Gunnison make the trip to the North Rim. Those that do are rewarded with a wonderfully quiet, uncrowded experience and views that beat those from the South Rim. Similar to the South Rim, you can drive the rim road, stopping at overlooks along the way.

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How long does the North Rim Parkway take to drive? This 43-mile drive should take you an hour to drive, but you may want to allow a longer time so you can stop to hike the numerous trails available along the way.

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The town of Tusayan, which is just 15-20 minutes away from the main Visitor Center on the south rim, has a great selection of places to stay. Grand Canyon Junction (formerly known as Valle) is further out (about 30 minutes to the rim), but is another good option. If you want a hotel, stay in Tusayan, which has plenty.

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If you're starting from Las Vegas, it probably makes the most sense to see the West Rim. Just a 3.5 hour drive (122 miles) from the glittering desert oasis lies Grand Canyon West, home of the Skywalk and dozens and dozens of tour options.

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Most people hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim starting on the North Rim, taking the North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground. From here, you have a choice to make. The Bright Angel Trail is the more popular and wiser choice, with less elevation gain, more shade, and several water stations on the trail.

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Recap of the Best Canyons in the US
  • Zion Canyon, Utah.
  • Glen Canyon, Arizona.
  • Canyon De Chelly, Arizona.
  • Buckskin Gulch, Paria Canyon, Utah.
  • Santa Elena Canyon, Texas.
  • Palo Duro Canyon, Texas.
  • The Grand Canyon, Arizona.
  • Waimea Canyon, Hawaii.


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