ALL HIKERS

NORTH RIM VISITOR INFORMATION

 

The North Rim entrance station looks pretty much like it did when it was built in 1928.  It is approximately 30 miles from Jacob Lake, Arizona, to the entrance station and another 14 miles from there to the canyon rim.  The North Rim is generally only open from May 15 to October 15.  Advanced reservations for lodging and camping are highly recommended .

 

The North Rim Lodge is located right on the edge of the rim.  The original lodge was completed in 1928, but was destroyed by fire in 1932.  The present lodge was rebuilt in the same location and completed in 1937.  It offers great views of the inner Canyon from the back side of the lodge.  The lodge has a large dining room with good views of the Canyon and a smaller deli-snack bar on the front side near the parking lot.  The view of the inner Canyon from the Veranda is fantastic.  The lodge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.  It has changed little since its completion and architectural historians consider it the most intact historic rustic lodge complex remaining in the National Park system.

 

The Visitor Center is located between the parking lot and the lodge.  It is an excellent place for information and history about the North Rim.  It also has a good selection of gifts and curios.

 

All overnight accommodations are in the various cabins located just north of the lodge.  Rim view cabins are $121 per night; Western cabins are $111 per night; Pioneer cabins are $101 per night; and Frontier cabins are $92 per night.  Call Xanterra at 888-297-2757 for reservations or go to:  http://foreverlodging.com/lodging.cfm?PropertyKey=181

 

The General Store is located next to the campground.  It is a full service grocery store, but on a much smaller scale than the South Rim store.  It does have a small selection of camping and hiking items as well as a nice gift and curio section.  The campground check-in office is in a new building in the parking lot just north of the General Store.

 

The old Backcountry Office used to be located in a temporary trailer shown at the left while their new building was being completed.  They have now moved into the new Administration building shown on the right.

 

Showers and a laundry are located just north of the General Store.  Showers cost $1.50 (6 quarters only) for a five minute shower.  The attendant, if there, will provide the quarters necessary for the coin operated shower.  Otherwise you can get change at the General Store.  You must bring your own towel, soap and wash rag.  Washers and dryers are available in the same building.  An ice machine is right outside the door.  Located just north of the showers building is the gas station, which now offers diesel fuel in addition to gasoline.

 

The trail to Bright Angel Point begins on the east side of the lodge.  It is paved, one-quarter mile each way to the point, and relatively flat.  Bright Angel Point offers great views of the inner canyon.

 

At 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest point in the Grand Canyon.  It offers fantastic views of Mount Hayden.  Click on the image of Mount Hayden to the right for a photo gallery of pictures of this magnificent feature of the Grand Canyon.

 

The first pull-off on the way from Point Imperial to Cape Royal is Vista Encantada.  It provides an interesting view of Mount Hayden from the back side.

 

The next pull-off on the way to Cape Royal is WalHalla Overlook.  It provides more views of the inner canyon and the Colorado River.

 

The drive to Cape Royal is twenty-three miles on a paved road and is well worth the time.  There you will find the huge rock structure called the Angel's Window.  A short walk from the parking lot and you reach the main viewing area.  From here you can see the Colorado River by looking through the window in the rock.  After another short hike, you can actually walk out on top of the window.  A very short walk to the south brings you to Cape Royal Point, where there are good views of Wootans Throne and the Vishnu Temple.  Rest rooms are provided in the parking area.

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