North Rim

Description:

The information facilities on the north rim resemble a desk more than a center. Within the Grand Canyon Lodge at the end of North Rim Drive is an information center with a Ranger on duty during business hours. A schedule of ranger-led activities is available at this site as well as trail conditions. A ranger office lies north of the lodge near the campground and backcountry permits can be obtained there during the early morning hours or in advance from the Backcountry Office on the south rim.

Description:

This short loop trail leads five miles along the head of Roaring Springs Canyon to a loop trail. The loop provides views of the upper North Kaibab Trail and the canyons to the east and south. This route allows for an escape from the summer heat in the cool forests of the north rim.

Begin the hike from the Ken Patrick Trailhead and hike northeastward. The track contours the northern end of Roaring Springs Canyon allowing for views southward along the drainage. Approximately one half mile from the trailhead the route crosses a drainage and continues northeastward. In one mile you'll reach a trail junction. Turn right at this junction to begin the loop to Uncle Jim Point.

A short distance from the Ken Patrick Trail/Uncle Jim Loop junction is another junction. This is the beginning of the loop. Both sides of the trail will lead you to the point. From Uncle Jim Point finish the loop and retrace your steps back to the Ken Patrick Trailhead. Information available at North Rim Visitor's Center.

Description:

Experience the Grand Canyon from its most peaceful perspective: the North Rim. Perched atop Bright Angel Point and well hidden from the summer crowds, the Grand Canyon Lodge offers motel rooms and rustic efficiency cabins for the ultimate escape. Rooms and cabins include private baths. Cabins include sitting areas. The main lodge features a dining room where guests enjoy home-cooked meals and conversation in front of enormous picture windows with panoramic canyon views. Lodging is available May 15th through October 15th.

Description:

This trail leads 14 miles one way from the head of Roaring Springs Canyon to the Colorado River. It is the most heavily used rim to river trail on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. There are several developed sites along the route. A picnic area lies at the mouth of Roaring Springs Canyon and two toilets lie en route along this drainage. In Bright Angel Canyon hikers will find Cottonwood Campground, open seasonally, and Bright Angel Campground. The Phantom Ranch site lies close to Bright Angel Campground near the Colorado River. It provides full ranch-style facilities complete with bunkhouse accommodations and a yearlong waiting list.

Begin your hike from the North Kaibab parking area approximately 11 miles south of the North Entrance Station to Grand Canyon National Park. The route leaves the southern side of the parking area and descends steeply through Roaring Springs Canyon. The trail switches back crossing the stream several times before reaching Supai Tunnel, where you'll find restrooms.

The descent continues along Roaring Springs Canyon. From the Supai Tunnel the trail crosses the stream and parallels the western bank of the drainage for approximately one mile, before beginning the second series of switchbacks. These switchbacks end at the mouth of Roaring Springs Canyon, where it empties into Bright Angel Canyon. A picnic area with restrooms and drinking water lie at this confluence.

The North Kaibab Trail leads to the right at this confluence entering Bright Angel Canyon. Hiking left or up stream from this confluence will put you on the Old Kaibab Trail. This route was used in the early tourist days of the Grand Canyon. It is no longer maintained by the park service and would make an interesting trip for individuals who want to test their route finding skills.

The confluence of Bright Angel Canyon and Roaring Springs Canyon lies almost five miles from the trailhead. From this point the grade of the route lessens considerably. The trail descends close to 3,500 feet in Roaring Springs Canyon and another 2,000 feet through Bright Angel Canyon.

The North Kaibab Trail crosses Bright Angel Creek and parallels the eastern bank of the waterway for the next nine miles to the Colorado River. Approximately one half mile after entering Bright Angel Canyon the trail passes the mouth of Manzanita Creek. A mile and a half beyond this creek crossing the route reaches Cottonwood Campground. This site lies at 4,000 feet slightly north of the mouth of Wall Creek. At this facility you'll find drinking water, toilets, campsites and an emergency phone.

Walking downstream from Cottonwood Campground the you'll cross Wall Creek and two other small drainages before reaching the spur trail to Ribbon Falls. A footbridge crossing Bright Angel Creek leads to a short spur trail and Ribbon Falls.

Continuing along the main route the path leads through Bright Angel Canyon as it becomes increasingly more narrow with steeper walls. Immediately before reaching Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch the route passes through a deep gorge along Bright Angel Creek. This area is known as The Box. Within The Box the Clear Creek Trail forks to the left leading eastward on a platform above the river. Shortly after the end of the narrows the track make a sweeping turn eastward along the Colorado River to Phantom Ranch. Fourteen miles from the trailhead the North Kaibab Trail reaches the Kaibab suspension bridge.

Description:

Experience the Grand Canyon from its most peaceful perspective: the North Rim. Perched atop Bright Angel Point and well hidden from the summer crowds, the Grand Canyon Lodge offers motel rooms and rustic efficiency cabins for the ultimate escape. Rooms and cabins include private baths. Cabins include sitting areas. The main lodge features a dining room where guests enjoy home-cooked meals and conversation in front of enormous picture windows with panoramic canyon views. Lodging is available May 15th through October 15th.

Description:

This trail leads ten miles northeastward from North Kaibab Trailhead parking to Point Imperial. It crosses several drainages and Cape Royal Road before contouring the Nankoweap Canyon to Point Imperial. The route is difficult to follow between Uncle Jim Trail and Cape Royal Road, so bring your topo map and compass. Point Imperial provides an excellent view into the northern reaches of the Grand Canyon and Nankoweap Creek.

Begin this hike from the Ken Patrick Trailhead on the eastern side of the North Kaibab Trail parking area. The trail skirts the northern reaches of Roaring Springs Canyon then crosses a the southern edge of the north rim for several miles. Approximately one mile from the trailhead the Uncle Jim Trail breaks off from Ken Patrick Trail leading southward. Follow the track to the left.

After the Uncle Jim Trail junction the route becomes somewhat obscure as it leads through the forest. This is where your compass and map will serve you well. Continue through an area of blown down trees heading in a northeasterly direction. Approximately three miles from the trailhead is a junction with the Bright Angel Canyon Trail. This route leading through the Bright Angel drainage has been abandoned for the more popular North Kaibab Trail. Continue along the northern rim of the canyon from this junction.

A mile and a half beyond the head of Bright Angel Canyon the trail crosses Cape Royal Road. On the eastern side of the road the Ken Patrick Trail turns northward contouring the western reaches of Nankoweap Creek. One mile from the road crossing the route begins a sweeping curve eastward and begins the final two miles to Point Imperial. The last three miles of the route parallels the road around the rim of the canyon. Information available at North Rim Visitor's Center.

Description:

Point Imperial is the highest overlook in Grand Canyon National Park at 8,800 feet. The overlook lies west of Mt. Hayden and Nankoweap Creek. From Point Imperial visitors will be able to view landmarks in the eastern canyon including Marble Canyon. The cliffs, known as Desert Facade, east of Nankoweap Mesa, on the southern side of Marble Canyon are also visible from this viewpoint. Trails lead north and south from Point Imperial and picnic facilities are available.

Description:

Experience the Grand Canyon from its most peaceful perspective: the North Rim. Perched atop Bright Angel Point and well hidden from the summer crowds, the Grand Canyon Lodge offers motel rooms and rustic efficiency cabins for the ultimate escape. Rooms and cabins include private baths. Cabins include sitting areas. The main lodge features a dining room where guests enjoy home-cooked meals and conversation in front of enormous picture windows with panoramic canyon views. Lodging is available May 15th through October 15th.

Description:

This North Rim trail was named after Gunnar Widforss, an artist who worked, lived, and died here in the early 20th Century. If you're looking for something to do on the North Rim, the Widforss Trail offers a memorable and meandering hike through ponderosa pines, aspen, spruce, and white fir trees, with possible wildlife sightings, including squirrel, deer, bobcat, wild turkey, and mountain lion. The first miles of this self-guided, 10-mile hike are moderately steep, but a walk along Widforss Trail is well worth the effort, especially if you're seeking a serene escape from South Rim crowds. The trail follows the North Rim closely for about two-and-a-half miles, then diverges into a forest to emerge at Widforss Point. To get to the trailhead, take the dirt road one-quarter mile from Cape Royal Road for one mile.

Description:

Experience the Grand Canyon from its most peaceful perspective: the North Rim. Perched atop Bright Angel Point and well hidden from the summer crowds, the Grand Canyon Lodge offers motel rooms and rustic efficiency cabins for the ultimate escape. Rooms and cabins include private baths. Cabins include sitting areas. The main lodge features a dining room where guests enjoy home-cooked meals and conversation in front of enormous picture windows with panoramic canyon views. Lodging is available May 15th through October 15th.