North vs South Rim Grand Canyon?

[patperry2766]

Starting to plan for the summer and possibly considering the G.C. for about a week. Will be traveling in pop up with 2 adults & 2 kids( 15 & 7 Y.O.) plus my sister and her pack will be tent camping.

I have looked at North Rim & Mather CG's and like the fact that both have bathroom & shower facilities...but basically it boils down to where will be get the "best" experience? Mather CG has significantly more sites, but does that detract from the grandeur in any way or would be better served to stay at the North Rim for a less touristy experience?

Which side, N or S offers the better access to the G.C. is so far as trail & hiking, etc, weather, scenery, photo opportunities, wide open spaces withing the campgrounds, etc??

[ORbiker]

patperry2766 wrote:
Starting to plan for the summer and possibly considering the G.C. for about a week. Will be traveling in pop up with 2 adults & 2 kids( 15 & 7 Y.O.) plus my sister and her pack will be tent camping.

I have looked at North Rim & Mather CG's and like the fact that both have bathroom & shower facilities...but basically it boils down to where will be get the "best" experience? Mather CG has significantly more sites, but does that detract from the grandeur in any way or would be better served to stay at the North Rim for a less touristy experience?

Which side, N or S offers the better access to the G.C. is so far as trail & hiking, etc, weather, scenery, photo opportunities, wide open spaces withing the campgrounds, etc??

I don't see the dates you are thinking about, but if it's during the busy time you better get your reservations very soon.
I agree with everyone. Do the South Rim or both.
The shuttle is great. The showers are a long ways away from most sites and can be busy. Laundry room too.

[dewey02]

Not sure I can add anything that others haven't said, but I'll relate our experiences.

We've been to both sides.
South Rim has the more "classic" views. Impressive. Crowded. People everywhere.
North Rim left us absolutely stunned with its beauty. It had just been raining. The fog, mist and low lying clouds were rising up from the canyons in places but the views were amazing - it seemed like God had just formed the world. It was truly awe inspiring. Few people, nice observation points, the visitor center and dining were very nice and not at all crowded.

My suggestion: Do both. They are radically different. It would be sort of like asking "Should I go to Yellowstone or should I go to Yosemite?"

[TenOC]

agesilaus wrote:
@TenOC I get a 404 error msg on both those links

Sorry about that. See if the link in my Signature works. Grand Canyon should be the 3 or 4 folder . I see that my signature vanished. It may be when Google changed to google pictures. I will need to work on this later.

I will try again to post.

South

North

[4runnerguy]

For first timers, I'd recommend the south rim. More activities and more trail selection.

You might also think about shortening the time from a week to three or four days. Take the other days and head to Flagstaff to visit Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon. Unless you are serious hikers, it just takes a few days to do the trails and drive to all the over looks along the canyon. It would take even less time on the north rim.

[Carlos___Ranae]

This past September we went to both sides. The South is more commercialized with all kinds of amenities. We found the North side to be tranquil, with a very special ambiance.

Since we do most of our meals in the RV, we packed a lunch for the day and enjoyed the views without worries for conveniences, thus, we prefer the North side.

[2gypsies1]

For a first-time visitor and staying a week or more I'd recommend you go to the South Rim.... just expect crowds during the main part of the day but mornings and late afternoons/evenings are perfect. The busloads of tourists will be gone along with those that stay outside the park.

We've done both sides multiple times and now prefer the North but just for the quietness. I think you would be bored after a week as there is so much more to do on the South Rim.

Mather is a very nice campground and it's shaded - very similar to the North Rim. A big plus, especially with a multi-person family outing is the free shuttle bus system. Everyone can go when and where they want. You don't have to stay together.

You'll have lots of choices of hiking and you can go for miles on a mostly flat Rim Trail viewing the canyon the whole way. When you get tired, pick up the next shuttle bus. There are many restaurant choices, a well-stocked, expensive store, a nice Visitor Center and ranger-led talks/hikes and campfire programs.

Hiking to the bottom of the canyon has to be a well-thought-out project and would require a stay overnight so don't press yourself to do it. However, definitely do a 'teaser' hike down the Bright Angel Trail if only for 1/8 or 1/4 mile or so. It will give you an altogether perspective of the canyon from below the Rim. Take lots of water for everyone, even a short hike and remember, you have to hike up and out, too! It's very steep but a good trail.

While there, take the car eastward to the Desert View section of the park. The shuttle doesn't go there but it's well worth the short drive.

Yep... the South Rim is for you! Have a good trip. Here are some campsite photos and don't forget to check the official web site for this and all national parks. They'll give you ideas for things to do, camping and road information.

http://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/Mather

https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

[familyfive]

I say go "IN". We did a week long river rafting trip from one end to the other 278 miles this summer. Absolutely fantastic experience for my three teenagers (I did it as a teenager myself in '88). You can even do 2 or 3 day experiences. By far the best view you will ever have of the Grand Canyon!

[patperry2766]

We're gonna be there a week, but since we have a pop-up and sister & BIL are tent camping...it's an ordeal to set up camp for only a couple of days and then have to pack everything back in and move out.

If I had a hard sided camper, then it would be a different story, but our camping style is more to find the best place possible and see it thru to the end, and it has worked well for us so far.

Temp wise, I understand that it's cooler on the northside due to the higher elevation, but is the southside bearable during the day without A/C or fans?

I have only looked at these two campgrounds, but are their others that I should be looking at as well?

[Busskipper]

NCWriter wrote:
Since you have a whole week, why not divide your time and see both?

Some good points raised here. Both are great, and from there it's what appeals to an individual.

Been to the south numerous times. I loved the North Rim - reminded me of the way I remember the National Parks from the 1950s and 1960s. I loved having dinner in the old lodge with windows overlooking the canyon, and sitting in the sun room and out on the sun porch. Incredible views!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Follow this advice - We love them both - But if you are able to do this in the shoulder season or off season - the North side is just special - we have been when you could count the number of People on your hands - nothing open and Almost Heaven!

I always suggest to folks to try to eat in the park Buildings - the North side Breakfast Buffet is Awesome at 7:00 - and the sun is just unbelievable at Sunset.

JMHO,

[NCWriter]

Since you have a whole week, why not divide your time and see both?

Some good points raised here. Both are great, and from there it's what appeals to an individual.

Been to the south numerous times. I loved the North Rim - reminded me of the way I remember the National Parks from the 1950s and 1960s. I loved having dinner in the old lodge with windows overlooking the canyon, and sitting in the sun room and out on the sun porch. Incredible views!

[agesilaus]

@TenOC I get a 404 error msg on both those links

[naturist]

Been to both, and they are very different.

South side is more popular, in part because most of the year, the sun illuminates the North wall, and somewhat shades the South wall so photos from the South are less shadowed. Also, North side is at 2,000 feet higher altitude, thus cooler/colder. South side has free hop-on/hop-off shuttle buses that go everywhere along with more development.

Which you will like better is very much a matter of personal preferences. I loved both.

[Jayco-noslide]

Loved the north side with a pop-up in the main Nat'l Park campground. South is great too but the north is more like a pine, north woods atmosphere.

[TenOC]

If you want to view the canyon from "view points" to the the South Side.

If you want to view the canyon by hiking trails and see other than "standard" views go to the North.

Almost all the photos you see are from the south side.

A week on the North Side.


A week on the South Side

[Bumpyroad]

been to both sides. south side much more developed, North side sort of congested at one location. see the same rocks from either side.
can take a train up to the south side if desired. shuttle service to far reaches.
we visited the North side in the toad, left RV at the lake at Page. got on waiting list for a cabin for the night and stayed there that night so we took our toothbrushes. 🙂
bumpy