Can’t-Miss North Rim Grand Canyon Hikes

December 26, 2021
By foxintheforest

The Grand Canyon sees over six million visitors per year (yup million). One little-known fact is that the North Rim only gets about 10% of those visitors. That’s why some of the North Rim Grand Canyon hikes are home to some of the most secluded views of the mighty canyon.

The sweet-sweet solitude is hard to come by with so many visitors, but the north rim is truly where it’s at. With a fraction of the crowd comes solitude along some of the best hikes on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon sits high above the more popular South Rim in an alpine environment. If you’re seeking solitude on the Grand Canyon, check out Grand Canyon’s best hikes along the North Rim.

About this Guide to the Best Hikes on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

I write about hiking around the world for a living, and as such, I’ve spent quite a bit of time exploring the Grand Canyon. North Rim Grand Canyon hikes offer a fantastic and unique way to see the mighty Canyon.

You’re high up and can really grasp just how big the Grand Canyon really is. Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide to the best Grand Canyon North Rim hikes:

Reasons to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
How many days to spend at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
When to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
The best Grand Canyon North Rim hikes
Where to stay
Free camping along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Quick tips for hiking in the desert
Additional desert destinations

Why Visit the North Rim?

Aside from seeing a fraction of the visitors (read: we saw one tour bus during our entire stay), the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers more drama.

You’re 1,000 feet higher with 1,000 times the views. The sheer drops may not be as impressive, but you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the canyon system that the South Rim simply can’t deliver.

How Much Time Do I Need?

To hit the highlights of the North Rim, you’ll want at least one full day here, two days will give you plenty of time. Plan on spending two to three nights. Opt to spend one of those nights in the park for the fullest experience.

This amount of time will let you experience the best Grand Canyon North Rim Hikes and all of the best Grand Canyon viewpoints too. For visitors who want to take their time, or are planning to link this trip with the south rim, you may want an extra day or two.

When to Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Due to the excessive elevation (the highest point is 8,803 feet), the North Rim closes each year. High elevation means alpine terrain. This contrast creates incredible viewpoints.

The drawback? Temperamental weather and plenty of snow. The North Rim Visitor Center closes on October 15^th and the roads are no longer maintained. Things open up again on May 15th (weather depending), so be sure to plan your visit between May and October 15th.

I visited the North Rim at the beginning of October. We had a particularly wet fall, and the weather in the canyon reflected that. It was below freezing at night and windy.

As we drove out of the park, sleet and snow began to fall. Was it worth it? Absolutely. If you aren’t a fan of cold weather, September is an ideal time, since kids will be back in school, but the weather hasn’t gone totally sour.

best day hikes on the grand canyon cape royal

The Best North Rim Grand Canyon Hikes

There is a wide variety of activities along the north rim and some of the best hikes in the Grand Canyon are found on the North Rim.

The hiking on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is primarily wooded with breathtaking canyon views. Most hikes above the rim are fairly accessible and not too long in distance.

You can link trails or hike from viewpoint to viewpoint to make it tougher. The viewpoints along the north rim are stunner, so plan some time at a few of the best hikes on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Be Happy. Hike More. Here’s how:

Easy North Rim Grand Canyon Hikes

These leisurely north rim Grand Canyon hikes deliver you the best bang for your buck. Expect stunning views for minimum effort.

Watch the Sunrise at the Highest Point in the Grand Canyon

Okay, so this technically isn’t a hike (maybe 0.1 miles total), but this early wake-up call takes your breath away. For an alpenglow for the history books, greet the day at the highest viewpoint in the canyon for photography.

Point Imperial offers impressive views and is hands-down the best spot for sunrise. This ephemeral experience is little-known, only six other people joined us for the show. It’s easily accessed, so if you’re a photography geek, bring your tripod.

Pro Tip: A lesser-known hiking trail leads north. So catch the sunrise then wander north along the easy Point Imperial Trail for more views.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.1 Miles or continue north for another 4.9 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 22 feet or 472 feet for the whole loop.

hiking the north rim of the grand canyon

Soak in Incredible Views at Cape Royal

Hike out to a point and experience several different vantage points of the canyon. This is one of the most stunning Grand Canyon North Rim trails. There are even a few areas where you can get close to the edge if you dare. Cross Angel’s Window, a natural bridge out to 270-degree views.

Continue down the accessible path towards Cape Royal itself for some of the best accessible hiking on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There are a few areas where you can hike on a path out towards barrier-free canyon views if you dare. Hike Cape Royal after sunrise to avoid the busiest crowds.

Difficulty: Easy, partially paved for accessibility
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation: 65 feet

Great Grand Canyon North Rim Trails at Bright Angel Point

Located right at the North Rim Visitor Center (well worth a visit too) and the Grand Canyon Lodge – a luxury lodge right on the rim, you’ll find the famous Bright Angel Point.

Yet another easy trail the delivers big views, you’ll want to wander around this area for an incredible panorama of the Grand Canyon. It’s one of the best hikes on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The North Rim Visitor Center is bustling with activity. However, there are several unique vistas if you still can’t get enough. If the weather turns, you can find well-kept bathrooms and an indoor café here. Cap off a day well-spent with a drink at the saloon, or relax on rocking chairs right by the rim.

Difficulty: Easy, partially paved for accessibility
Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation: 144 feet

The Best Camp Spot on the Rim: Cape Final

This is my absolute favorite of all north rim Grand Canyon hikes, and one of the best places to camp on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Before heading out to visit the canyon, I obtained a permit to backpack into Cape Final and camp on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

I filed for a lottery six months in advance. The permit dictated my entire trip (a two-week tour-de-desert). We encountered burly weather with 30mph winds and driving rain all night. It was still worth it.

The two-mile hike to the single-permit campsite meant we had the entire area to ourselves. Cape Final is the best Grand Canyon North Rim trails for secluded views and no barriers. This quiet spot boasts several different vantage points with uninterrupted views of the Grand Canyon, including a chance to scramble down into the canyon.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation: 495 feet

grand canyon best hikes — Do yourself a favor and camp at Cape Final

Cliff Springs Trail

A tiny pull-off marks the spot for this lesser-hiked trail. The trail starts like most North Rim Grand Canyon hikes, in an unassuming wooded forest. Call me crazy, but the forested part of the hike is what makes the North Rim so special – you just don’t think that there is a gigantic canyon out there!

The short, easy trail makes its way to a group of stunning cliffs with canyon views. You’ll get to spot the famous Angels Windo and Wotans Throne at the end of the trail. Certainly watch your footing, as some of the trail can have loose rocks.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.1 miles
Elevation: 308 feet

Moderate Grand Canyon North Rim Trails

Looking for a bit of a challenge? Check out this list of moderate Grand Canyon north rim trails for a bit of a challenge and plenty of eye-popping scenery.

Transcept Trail

If you’re into canyon views, then the Transcept Trail is one of the top hikes at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Make your way from the Visitor Center to the North Rim Campground along this well-marked trail. Be on the lookout for the Puebloan ruin about halfway through the hike.

The trail wanders through wooded areas with peeping canyon views and the occasional awesome lookout point. It’s a great way to wander the busier area of the North Rim without the people around sunset.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation: 282 feet

Widforss Trail

Wander the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and enjoy sprawling vistas with a fraction of the people on the Widforss Trail.

This unique trail skirts along the rim then winds its way around a point until terminating at an amazing view of the cascading canyon below.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9.1 miles
Elevation: 1,036 feet

Challenging North Rim Trails in the Grand Canyon

If you’re up for a challenge you could spend a lifetime exploring the mighty Grand Canyon. But these unforgettable challenges are some of the best hikes in the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

The North Kaibab Trail or Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon Hike

The North Rim Visitor Center marks the terminus of the South Kaibab Trail (rim-to-rim). Typically, the Rim-to-Rim hike takes 3 nights one-way. Moderate day hikers can make it as low as Supai Tunnel Overlook.

Advanced permits are required if you’re looking to do the entire rim-to-rim hike. It’s one of the biggest bucket list hikes in America, so certainly plan well in advance. As one of the best Grand Canyon North Rim hikes, the South Kaibab Trail is on every avid hiker’s tick list.

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 19.3 miles
Elevation: 5,469 feet

The Nankoweep Trail

Experienced backpackers should check out the Nankoweep Trail. Touted as one of the most difficult named North Rim of the Grand Canyon trails in the park, this trail is littered with steep drops, narrow trail, and daunting terrain.

However, if you’re skilled you can almost reach the canyon floor in a day. Water stashes are essential and be sure to really examine what you are getting into. Most people backpack the entire trail in two to three days, depending on skill level.

Keep in mind, you’ll need permits to spend the night. During the high season, get your permits well in advance.

Difficulty: Difficult. The most difficult trail at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Distance: 28.3 miles
Elevation: 7,814 feet

Quick Tips for Hiking in the Desert

There are several things you should know before hiking in the desert. This harsh environment isn’t for everyone. In fact, it’s quite difficult to hike in the Grand Canyon during the summer and you should take care. Here are a few quick tips:

Come prepared, know what you’re getting into. If you’re dipping below the rim, remember, the return journey is uphill
Pack plenty of water and stash some in your car too! You’ll easily need 2-4 liters in the summer.
Seek shade. Pay attention to the sun’s path and plan you’re hiking day accordingly. Temps easily reach over 120 degrees in the Grand Canyon.
Stay on the trail! This is a delicate ecosystem, treat it with respect.
Poop in bags. It’s a requirement here. If there’s no bathroom, a bag is your only choice.

Where to Stay on the North Rim

Your options are limited on the North Rim, but that’s a small price to pay for quiet trails and jaw-dropping viewpoints. You can stay in the town of Kanab, which is approximately an hour and a half drive to the rim.

Alternatively, there are a few spots that have cabins near the north entrance, as well as paid camping. Inside the park, you can stay at one of three campgrounds along the main road of the park, Grand Lodge (pricey) or get a permit for Tuweep, a camping area accessible by high clearance, 4WD vehicles only right on the rim.

Planning an epic desert road trip? Here are a few desert road trip tips and tricks for your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hikes on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

You’ve got questions about north rim hikes? I’ve got answers!

Can You Hike the North Rim of the Grand Canyon?

Yes absolutely! There are LOTS of hikes on the north rim of the Grand Canyon (duh, you just learned that). But if you’re looking for a hike that goes along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon then the best trail to take would be the 9.7-mile one-way Ken Patrick South Trail (you can take this one north too). Keep in mind, it’s one-way and the going is a bit rough in spots thanks to the forested landscape along the rim.

Can You Hike to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon from the North Rim?

Absolutely! In fact, the North Kanab Trail drops down to the Colorado River and makes up part of the Rim to Rim hike – a famous multi-day hike across the Grand Canyon. This trail is exceptionally difficult and steep – it’s not recommended to do in one day, so plan on getting an overnight permit.

The Nankoweep Trail is the most difficult marked trail in the Grand Canyon and also goes to the bottom. Most people take 3 days to make this journey as it’s exposed, difficult, and requires you to carry your water.

How Long Does it Take to Hike Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon?

The Rim to Rim hike is a huge undertaking – only the most advanced hikers and trail runners should even think of attempting this grueling hike in one day. But if that’s you, then expect the journey to take 12 to 15 hours of pretty much constant movement on steep terrain along the North Kanab to South Kanab Trail.

For those that want a more relaxed approach, most people backpack the route via the North Kanab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail over the course of 3 days. You’ll need to sign up for the permit lottery to do this route.

Free Camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Kanab National Forest borders the rim and offers plenty of free camping. Simply hop on Google Earth and check out the dirt roads just outside the park. Beware, most accessible camp spots were full, even in October, so plan accordingly. Some roads close due to fires, so call the ranger station before heading out.

Camping in the desert? Read this first:

Overall, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is well worth a visit. If you’re looking for quiet wilderness and breathtaking views, be sure to plan at least a day hiking on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

More Desert Travel Resources

Get the most out of your trip to the American Southwest with these local, expert resources:

The Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park
Tips for Visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (coming soon)
Moab’s Most Amazing Hiking Trails