North Rim Grand Canyon

[LittleJimsSon]

Headed to the North Rim campground in August. Reservation in hand. Any "tricks" or unique things we need to know? I'm aware it is dry camping. Thanks for any insights.

[Lauren]

It is beautiful without question - but only a fraction of the Grand Canyon.

[Busskipper]

profdant139 wrote:
If you are mountain bikers, the Rainbow Rim trail is wonderful. There is great boondocking available out in the Kaibab National Forest.

If you hike, don't miss the Widforss Trail:




And bring a sweatshirt -- the evenings on the North Rim can get pleasantly chilly in August.

Just looks so small (the GC) from the North side - where are all the people? :W

As always love your Pic's.

Busskipper

:thumb:

[avan]

2Gypsies. I know. I saw your initials "2G" carved into a stump.:) You weren't around though. No one around. I think I saw two rigs about 5 miles down during my whole week last summer.

[padredw]

We have always enjoyed the North Rim. Here are some photos from our trip there in 2005:

North Rim Visit

Click on thumbnails for larger view

[2gypsies1]

Hey Avan.....you're in our spot! 🙂 Love the boondocking at the North Rim!!!

[avan]

I've done both several times. My preference is the South rim once and the North rim every other time. Do stop at the ranger station at the Jacobs Lake. They can give you a map of all the back roads, trails etc (gotta be close to a 1000 of them mapped out) and point out some good boondocking spots.


My last Kanab site amongst the trails, trees, meadows and white rock superimposed on Google earth location.

[dewey02]

Agree with those who talked about camping at USFS campgrounds on the north.

We did both sides in our trip a few years ago. While I wouldn't have wanted to miss the South Rim, the North Rim was by far the more enjoyable and awe-inspiring vist. It had just rained and fog clouds were rising up out of the canyon. It felt like the world was being born just then. We were there in August. Very few people on the norh rim, and enjoyable temperatures.

The south rim was more the typical National Park tourist stop. Lots of people, lots of pavement, lots of tour busses. Still a great view, but not nearly as enjoyable as the north rim. Also, just the drive getting to the north rim is great. Lots of forests, and a nice USFS visitor center along the way. The NPS visitor center on the edge of the canyon was very nice and again...NOT crowded.

It all depends on what you want. Some people like being with crowds, we don't.

[profdant139]

If you are mountain bikers, the Rainbow Rim trail is wonderful. There is great boondocking available out in the Kaibab National Forest.

If you hike, don't miss the Widforss Trail:




And bring a sweatshirt -- the evenings on the North Rim can get pleasantly chilly in August.

[LittleJimsSon]

Thanks to you all for the great ideas and insights. We'll do our best to live up to your experiences. Travel safely!

[Golden_HVAC]

Strabo wrote:
Must be hot in angust

It is actually pretty cool at 7500' elevation all summer. There is several feet of snow there each winter, and many times it takes until mid-may to have it all melt, before they open the roads.

Allow the first day to get used to the higher elevations. You will need to breath in a lot more air to get the same amount of oxygen!

I loved staying in the National Forest, where you can dry camp for free in the meadows, many times without seeing another vehicle!

I drove my dune buggy to Marble Canyon, just east of Grand Canyon. It was the location of a proposed Marble Canyon dam, that was never built. It would have created a lake to nearly the exit of Lake Powell. It is a interesting area - if you have the time to see it, and like to look at rocks. Much of the area was searched looking for Uranium during WW2.

Have fun there, Wish I was there too.

There is one arch on the road to the point. So stop at all the viewpoints.

Fred.

[Dick_B]

The North Rim used to have Ranger talks; haven't been there in a few years however.

[Busskipper]

LittleJimsSon wrote:
Headed to the North Rim campground in August. Reservation in hand. Any "tricks" or unique things we need to know? I'm aware it is dry camping. Thanks for any insights.

The only Trick/Advice I give is to try to enjoy an early Breakfast at the Buffet. and then as many say just Stare - Cooler - Less Crowded - Higher - Different than the South Rim.

Many considered it to be the better of the two but the truth is (IMHO) that it is just a different EXPERIENCE than the South Rim. In the summer because it is a little higher in elevation it is a little cooler, It offers many wild hikes and just a different experience - just remember if you hike down it will be hotter and it is a longer way back up.

Having been to both side many many times it is just more ME. In August I will guess you will still have some warm days but if you turn in late you will not miss the lack of A/C in a dry camp spot. But sometimes it is still warm or still at night and a battery powered fan might be nice.

Enjoy your trip and try to remember to let us all know how you liked it.

BOL,

Images look good to me.

[timandsusan]

We did this in 2007, go to the Forest Service office in Jacobs Lake, get advice on Forest service roads, if OK, get a map and drive to the Grand Canyon on your own--NO RIG. We were the only people at the North Rim site via the forest service roads. The roads in 2007 were gravel and in excellent condition. Also we stayed at the RV park near Jacobs Lake and it worked out very well.

[knshook]

We love the south rim but also enjoyed seeing north rim for a very different perspective. We also took some of the back roads and ended up literally at the edge of the canyon. It was awe inspiring. It's been a few years since we were at the north rim but if I remember correctly the drive, beyond Jacobs Lake area, is beautiful!