Grand Canyon North Rim Tours and Tickets

If you can, visit the North and South Rim because you’ll see different landscapes and ecosystems. The South Rim has iconic desert views and is often more crowded year-round. However, The North Rim has cooler weather, making it more pleasant in the hot Arizona summers.

Driving the North Rim takes around an hour, but stopping off and doing some hikes along the way is worth it. There are several overlooks like Bright Angel Point, Walhalla Overlook, Uncle Jim Point, and more, so make sure to factor in time to see these. A full day could be around 16-20 hours.

The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are the spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) if you want to avoid hot summer temps and large crowds. It’s also difficult to secure your stay in the summer, so you’ll have many more options during the other seasons.

Keep your eyes peeled for bison, deer, and turkeys roaming the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. There’s plenty of room to wander in the alpine meadows and forests between maple and aspen trees. Occasional black bears are spotted on the North Rim, but these are rare, so don’t worry.

You need a backcountry permit to stay overnight in the Grand Canyon North Rim. To obtain a backcountry permit for the Grand Canyon's North Rim, you need to apply through the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Information Center. You can only access this area by cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking at this time.

If you're visiting spontaneously, you can obtain a permit in person at the Backcountry Information Center. However, availability is highly limited, especially during peak seasons. You must also pay an entrance fee to any area of the Grand Canyon during any season—around US$20-US$35. Credit and debit cards are typically accepted.