North or South Rim

If you have the time, do both.

I'll just add this to the debate. The North vs South rim is like going to Hawaii. The first time we went to see all the touristy stuff so we could check that off of our list. The next time we went to Kuai just to relax and snorkel. I think the North vs South rim is the same thing. If you've never been, go to the South rim and see what most people see when they think of the Grand Canyon.

The North rim would be a good trip the next time you go. The tourists will be thinned out this time of year.

msmith1199 wrote:
I've never been to the North rim. I recall researching the idea once and I thought I recall that you had to drive quite a distance on gravel roads to get to the canyon on the north side. Am I wrong on that?

It is quite a drive. The main road to the lodge is paved. Lots of gravel and dirt roads to go exploring all along the canyon.

Executive wrote:
South Rim...forget the train ride from Williams..waste of money. The Trailer Village is a good campground. Two caveats: One, the ravens will peck holes in your sewer hose so only put it out when you're dumping or encase it in PVC. Two, don't be alarmed if you feel a 'bump' on one of your windows and look out into the eyes of a moose. They roam the campground and aren't too afraid of people. The south rim has IIRC, 5 shuttles that take you throughout the park. Their routes overlap so you can easily take them everywhere. Their website shows the routes. Be sure to see a sunrise and a sunset. You can get on or off the shuttles as you like. They're free, and you can pick one up at Trailer Village so you won't need your car. At Bright Angel, there's a easy hiking trail if that's your thing. Finally, take plenty of water. At the higher elevations, even though you may not feel thirsty, you'll still dehydrate if you don't drink. Enjoy the trip....Dennis

Matter of opinions on the train ride I guess. We took our grandkids on that train ride, ages 5 to 14, and they are still talking about it two years later. They would like to go again.

South Rim...forget the train ride from Williams..waste of money. The Trailer Village is a good campground. Two caveats: One, the ravens will peck holes in your sewer hose so only put it out when you're dumping or encase it in PVC. Two, don't be alarmed if you feel a 'bump' on one of your windows and look out into the eyes of a moose. They roam the campground and aren't too afraid of people. The south rim has IIRC, 5 shuttles that take you throughout the park. Their routes overlap so you can easily take them everywhere. Their website shows the routes. Be sure to see a sunrise and a sunset. You can get on or off the shuttles as you like. They're free, and you can pick one up at Trailer Village so you won't need your car. At Bright Angel, there's a easy hiking trail if that's your thing. Finally, take plenty of water. At the higher elevations, even though you may not feel thirsty, you'll still dehydrate if you don't drink. Enjoy the trip....Dennis

I prefer the N rim but it is more primitive. To me that is part of the charm.

Desert Captain wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
I've never been to the North rim. I recall researching the idea once and I thought I recall that you had to drive quite a distance on gravel roads to get to the canyon on the north side. Am I wrong on that?

Yes you are. From its intersection with 89A highway 67 runs due south from Jacob Lake dead ending at the North Rim. It is a beautiful drive over excellent road. If you're lucky you may even see buffalo along the way. The CG's at the North Rim are tight, not big rig friendly and reservations are a very good idea. A lot of folks just stay at the USFS CG at Jacob Lake and use the TV/Toad for an easy 47 mile(each way), day trip down to the North Rim.

The drive on 89A from 89 up to Jacob Lake is spectacular. The CG at Jacob Lake makes for a nice jumping off site for Zion which is just a couple of hours away. For the record there is no "lake" at Jacob Lake. It is just a muddy pond down a dirt road a few miles from the highway.

:C

Thanks. After I thought about it, I recall it was a quad trip I was planning. I don't recall the location now but there was a place you could only get to on quads or 4x4's and it was at the north rim. I recall it was quite a distance on 4x4 road. Never did do the trip otherwise I would have remembered this.

Buster52 wrote:
Out of the 2 sides of the Grand Canyon, witch is the better of the 2 for site seeing? Is there camping allowed for RVers (hook-up)while visiting. And would it be worth it to go all the way around it. My plan on staying in Las Vegas before heading east to Kentucky.

Thanks

Buster

We once visited the W rim while camped in Las Vegas and driving a rental car via Hoover Dam. It's the one with the sky walk and not all that far of a drive. You could swing north afterwards and stop by the N rim as well, on the way home. I hear it's one of the best and not so commercialized like the S wall, which we visited on another trip, staying in Flagstaff. There are however, campgrounds near and on the S rim itself, inside the park.

msmith1199 wrote:
I've never been to the North rim. I recall researching the idea once and I thought I recall that you had to drive quite a distance on gravel roads to get to the canyon on the north side. Am I wrong on that?

Yes you are. From its intersection with 89A highway 67 runs due south from Jacob Lake dead ending at the North Rim. It is a beautiful drive over excellent road. If you're lucky you may even see buffalo along the way. The CG's at the North Rim are tight, not big rig friendly and reservations are a very good idea. A lot of folks just stay at the USFS CG at Jacob Lake and use the TV/Toad for an easy 47 mile(each way), day trip down to the North Rim.

The drive on 89A from 89 up to Jacob Lake is spectacular. The CG at Jacob Lake makes for a nice jumping off site for Zion which is just a couple of hours away. For the record there is no "lake" at Jacob Lake. It is just a muddy pond down a dirt road a few miles from the highway.

:C

been to both. I preferred the north rim. It is not a tourist trap.