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??

[patperry2766]

Thanks for all the replies so far. It has given me a lot to think over. Please keep them coming.

[bpounds]

Plenty of boondocking opportunities on the north side. Nothing like this on the south side.

This was just a few minutes from the park gate.

[goldsp8]

We have been to both. More times to the South. This past summer we spent 4 days at the North middle June. We will not return to South. At the visitor center, I commented on the lack of crowds. The lady said "it is a big difference between the 500,000 people we handle each year vs the 5,000,000 the South handles. We were able to book the mule ride 4 months out instead of two years. Lots of good trails to hike, places to explore. We could not get into the campground in the park, we camped in the NFS campground just outside of the entrance. Just depends on what experience you are looking for. JMHO

[bpounds]

crosscheck wrote:
Your comment about hiking down into the canyon is by permit only is confusing. The only time we needed a permit was when camping in the canyon on the Escalante route and Beamer trail. We never had a permit for day hikes even in the busy spring time and we have hiked every trail from the Little Colorado to the Boucher rapids, sometimes multiple times.

Dave

Yes, you are correct. Sorry. I was thinking of hiking to the river and back. Which for most people will mean overnighting. Permits are required for overnight hikes in the canyon.

[crosscheck]

bpounds wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
IIRC the mule rides on the south rim are limited to folks of 250 lbs. or less. or at least were.
bumpy

Less than that I think. Because I've never weighed that much, but I weighed more than the limit. I was thinking 180# max, but don't quote me.

Also, if you're thinking of hiking down into the canyon, it is by permit only, and you'll need reservations far in advance for the peak spring/summer months. Perhaps a year in advance.

On edit: It is 200# or 225#, depending.
Mule Ride into Grand Canyon

Your comment about hiking down into the canyon is by permit only is confusing. The only time we needed a permit was when camping in the canyon on the Escalante route and Beamer trail. We never had a permit for day hikes even in the busy spring time and we have hiked every trail from the Little Colorado to the Boucher rapids, sometimes multiple times.

Dave

[2gypsies1]

Here's Grand Canyon's averages but we all know that you can't predict weather.

As far as the 7-year-old hiking, get a trail guide and the trails are marked by difficulty but any of them below the Rim are extremely difficult - even for adults. The child could go down perhaps 1/4 mile to 1 mile but I'd be leery about any farther, especially if you're not accustomed to desert and elevation. The Rim Trail is very doable and is a beauty. Also, the South Rim would have more hiking possibilities than the North Rim. Lots and lots of water is essential for everyone to carry - plan on more than you're accustomed to drinking.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm#CP_JUMP_2664461

[bpounds]

Bumpyroad wrote:
IIRC the mule rides on the south rim are limited to folks of 250 lbs. or less. or at least were.
bumpy

Less than that I think. Because I've never weighed that much, but I weighed more than the limit. I was thinking 180# max, but don't quote me.

Also, if you're thinking of hiking down into the canyon, it is by permit only, and you'll need reservations far in advance for the peak spring/summer months. Perhaps a year in advance.

On edit: It is 200# or 225#, depending.
Mule Ride into Grand Canyon

[Bumpyroad]

IIRC the mule rides on the south rim are limited to folks of 250 lbs. or less. or at least were.
bumpy

[profdant139]

If you have mountain bikes, there is some great riding on the North Rim, out in the Kaibab National Forest -- this is the Rainbow Rim trail. Here is a blog link that may contain some useful tips:

Boondocking on the North Rim

Even though we prefer the North Rim, if you have never seen the South Rim, I would go there (unless you hate crowds and heat). The South Rim is what people think of when they say "Grand Canyon."

[bpounds]

We have been to the north and south rims multiple times. It's pretty close to us in So Cal.

If you're choosing one rim, and this is your first visit, I think you would want to do the south rim. It is the traditional experience.

It's a full day drive between south and north. You could do both in a week, but that would be stretching the experience I think. If you could add even a couple of days, you might do both. But you'll probably be fully sated of looking down into a giant canyon by the time you're done a week on the south side.

I prefer the north rim, but it requires more time driving. You can actually get off on some dirt roads and visit remove viewpoints, with very few if any other people around. That's not really possible on the south side. So save the north rim visit for your next trip.

[Busskipper]

patperry2766 wrote:
Thinking about the 2-3 week in July.

Will the temps be manageable during the day?

Can an active 7 Y.O. handle a lot of the trails and hikes?

We have been to Yellowstone, Destin, Mt Rushmore/Custer area so we're use to the being around crowds, will it be comparable?

Manageable but Hot, and warmer still as you hike down into the Canyon.

As with any 7 year old they usually will outlast you - but - if they are not having fun they tend to get tired FAST.

If you need to be away from the crowds - get up early - and once the crowds show up head East - as I recall not as many People the further you get from the Main Entrance, and IMHO, every minute there is Amazing.

If you have been to Yellowstone, you can likely handle the crowds.

BOL,

[D_E_Bishop]

There are so many perfectly stated reasons for seeing both sides. They are two different areas with totally different features and I think it is impossible to have a preference. You really need to see both.

There is one really outstanding feature of the NR, Jacobs Lake Cookies. Ask anyone who has had them. I have my own recipes for cookies and wouldn't even try to duplicate what they bake.

A little know site and very interesting is North a bit from JL. Pipe Spring Wells. See the film in the visitors center and if possible talk to Benn about life there. He is a Southern Ute and I would consider him a Elder. Great talking to him.

[agesilaus]

North Rim is cooler, and there are trails there a youngster can manage.

[patperry2766]

Thinking about the 2-3 week in July.

Will the temps be manageable during the day?

Can an active 7 Y.O. handle a lot of the trails and hikes?

We have been to Yellowstone, Destin, Mt Rushmore/Custer area so we're use to the being around crowds, will it be comparable?

[timandsusan]

We have been to both North and South sides, flown over the GC in a helicopter, and finally floated down the Colorado River thru the GC--we loved it all. For a photographer, I like the views from the North Rim -- one reason is that the North Rim is about 1000 feet higher in elevation. Also don't forget the Nat. Forest roads on the North Rim--we drove them without our RV--in our truck--some will take you to the edge of the Canyon. Get a map at the Nat. Forest Office in Jacob Lake.
We really enjoyed the South Rim Ranger programs--lots of great info. What we experienced on the South Rim was that after the train pulled out the crowds dropped off.
Enjoy the visit!