Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon National Park is an iconic American must see. Stretching 277 miles along the Colorado River, it’s over 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep & it’s a destination that should be on everyones bucket list.
On our last trip to Utah we found some extra time to sneak down to Arizona to the North Rim. While most visitors explore the South Rim, many don’t even realize that there is an entire other side of the park with lots to see and do. North Rim is equally as stunning and way less crowded. A real hidden gem.
Grand Canyon National Park: Getting there and what to expect.
We entered the park through the North Rim entrance station. We had been in Utah for several days exploring and hiking around Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion. This was the closest entrance in proximity to our location in the southwest corner of Utah. For a detailed map of the Grand Canyon National Park click HERE.
You need a parks pass to enter Grand Canyon National Park. Purchase a pass beforehand online or pay upon arrival thru the entrance gate. You can look HERE for current park pass pricing.
The annual parks pass is what we get each year. It’s well worth it even if you only plan to see a couple parks within the year. See all of the pass options HERE.
Exploring the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim.
Whether you are rafting, horseback riding, taking a scenic drive, doing an overnight backcountry camping trip, a short day hike, or a ranger lead activity the North Rim of the Grand Canyon provides an unparalleled experience that’s sure to please the whole family. Visit the NPS.Gov/GRCA for more info on trip planning to tailor to your liking.
Plan ahead for what activities you want to do. Factor in how much time you have in the park before choosing your activities. Cell service and WIFI is limited and the visitors center/lodges are open from about 8 am-6 pm daily. There are a couple places to grab food in the park as well.
Prepping for your visit.
Be prepared for your trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim.
- Research and chose activities in advance.
- Know your health and fitness levels.
- Make sure to check on closures, permits and weather forecast.
- Pack water/snacks and hiking accessories.
- Wear hiking shoes and dress appropriately for the terrain and temperature if you plan set out to hike.
- If backcountry hiking, visit go.nps.gov/grca-backcountry
- For a list of things to pack on your day hike see my blogpost HERE.
Hiking the North Rim Area
We opted for a short scenic hike since our time in the park was limited, Bright Angel Point Trail.
The walls of the grand canyon are expansive structures. It almost felt like we had the North Rim all to ourselves, much less crowded than the popular South Rim.
You know those unreal views that make you say, “pictures just don’t do this place justice”? Welp, that’s what the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will have you saying that the entire time you’re visiting. We hiked around, snapped a bunch of pictures and soaked up the views.
Bright Angel Point Trail Information
- TRAIL: Bright Angel Point Trail
- DISTANCE: 0.9 out and back
- LOCATION: North Rim, Arizona. Drive southward along the North Rim Parkway from the North Rim Entrance Station. The trailhead Lies on the western side of the parking area near the Grand Canyon Lodge.
- ELEVATION GAIN: 144 ft
- DIFFICULTY: easy/beginner
- Follow me on the All Trails App – Jennifer Lee
Check out All Trails for more detailed pictures, reviews and trail conditions for Bright Angel Point Trail North Rim Grand Canyon, AZ HERE.
Grand Canyon National Park Summary
Grand Canyon’s North Rim is a must see hidden gem. The canyon itself is an extreme and vast environment. Pretty unexplainable until you’ve viewed it in person.
Pre-plan visit. Whether you’re there for a couple hours (like us) or a couple days there’s plenty to see and do. Remember to stay together, follow your itinerary, leave no trace and stay safe. Remember to put down the phone for a few minutes and really take in the views the canyon has to offer. This is one of those places on Earth that makes you feel small — but in a good way.
Our brief visit wasn’t nearly enough time to see the Grand Canyon in detail but we were able to quickly explore and enjoy and American icon in person. Rim-to-rim sounds right up our alley, but until we can find time for that you can find me in Ohio working on my endurance. LOL — Happy Hiking!
