Grand canyon which rim to visit

While high elevation and heavy snow keep the North Rim closed during the winter months, this less-traveled area—far away from the crowds of Grand Canyon Village—is a remote, relaxing place to enjoy the beauty of the canyon in solitude. Usually accessible from mid-May to October, the North Rim offers visitors a campground, general store, and camper facilities.

Additional campgrounds, lodging options, and stores are available at the Jacob Lake Inn year-round, approximately 45 miles north, outside the entrance to the park. Welcome to Grand Canyon West , home to the Skywalk. Sitting 4, feet above the Canyon floor, the glass-bottom Skywalk is truly a modern marvel.

Hiking is available from Guano Point. For overnight accommodations, guests can enjoy the Hualapai Ranch at the Rim or Hualapai Lodge, located on Historic Route 66 , just over an hour from the rim. All river guides are certified and provide narrations on Hualapai culture and history during your unforgettable journey.

First-Timer's Guide to the Grand Canyon. For those making their first trip to the Grand Canyon, here's an expert take on when to go, where to stay, and how to get around. Packed with attractions, adventures and activities, this three-day itinerary in Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim covers all the must-see Learn more about what each region offers to make your decision easier!

This area features some of the most world-recognized sights of the striped canyon walls and deep rock gorges. The South Rim is surrounded by the lush Kaibab Forest, which is home to elk, mule deer, mountain lions, rock squirrels, and endangered California condors.

Nestled along the canyon rim is the historic Grand Canyon Village, which offers visitors a variety of dining and shopping options, as well as several antique hotels and significant pieces of architecture.

Here, visitors will enter a more desert landscape that creates a different canyon landscape. This region is the home of the famous Skywalk Bridge, whose glass floor provides views straight to the canyon floor. Additionally, helicopter tours operating daily at the West Rim allow passengers to land at the very bottom of the canyon. The South Rim can be reached most conveniently via car from Flagstaff, Arizona.

The West Rim is approximately a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas and a 3. Despite its location deep in the Arizona desert, the South Rim experiences a great variety of weather patterns due to its high elevation. The Skywalk is cool though a bit gimmicky. However combine your West Rim experience with a ranch stay, and the trip is definitely worth it. Those seeking photos that will make family and friends back home exceedingly jealous should opt for Grand Canyon South Rim.

Hire a car, and consider booking a night in Kingman or Flagstaff to allow enough time for a full experience you will never forget hotel suggestions below. While the Northern and Eastern Rims of the Canyon may not offer the same iconic view of the South, these areas see substantially fewer crowds, and are well worth the detour if spending an extended amount of time exploring Arizona State.

Luke Durbin works a regular job, and his salary he calls his travel fund. He and his wife spend most of their time in negative annual leave due to this expensive yet incredibly rewarding hobby. Luke travels for 3 reasons: becoming immersed in a different culture, finding the less obvious attractions, and for hectic bragging rights back home.

Photo credits: Featured header by Joe Jiang. Pinterest image by Karla Villaizan. Skywalk by Leonardo Stabile. South rim by Joe Jiang. I am so jealous you got to live in AZ with such beautiful scenery!

Thank you for this guide! I had no idea there were multiple options like this, but it totally makes sense. I remember going there about 20 years ago and would have to check with my parents which rim we were at. It was spectacular wherever we were! I have some photos with the Grand Canyon in winter on my blog — they are simply amazing.

My friends were there in that time of the year and, even if it was rather cold outside, it was a wonderful perspective:. Glad you enjoyed the article Sammi! The Grand Canyon truly is just one of those amazing forces of nature!

I will have to say that for first timers I would recommend the South Rim. This is the real deal and even though it is five hours drive it is well worth it. You can spend the night in a motel and spend the day in the South Rim.

Also note if you are driving make sure you stick with the speed limit, we did get a hefty fine! Thanks for the tip on the speed limit — great point to keep in mind!

I have not been to the east rim yet and was thinking of making a road trip, I will wait until I can combine it with something else — thanks for the tip! South And East Rims should be visited together because they are so close to each other and between the two are several breathtaking lookout points that give a more complete view of the awesome canyon! Wow the ranch looks really amazing. I love the fact that it gives a lot of privacy and space to enjoy the gorgeous view!

Thanks for the post and I totally agree with you. I have been to the Grand Canyon different rims and I had the same conclusion. Admittedly there are locations where the canyon is as much as 29 km wide according to Wikipedia. Thanks for the heads up about the Skywalk not allowing cameras — completely defeats the purpose, I agree!!

Sadly I can see that being the reason. Thanks for the heads up re staying in Tusayan :. The Grand Canyon is such a wonderful and stunning phenomenon of nature, that all of the rims provide absolutely out of the world experiences. But my favourite is the North Rim, it is simply scintillating.