North Rim
Date filmed:2024-07-20
Number of sites:90
GPS:36.2102778, -112.0605556
Max vehicle length:22 Feet
Check in:12:00 PM
Check out:11:00 AM
Quiet hours:10:00 pm - 6:00 am

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
RVs
Tents
Accessible Sites
Showers
Laundry
General Store
Flushing Toilets
Fuel
Food
Utility Sink
Fire Wood
Trash Collection
Tent Pads
Shade
Water Spigot
Activities
Hiking
Biking
Scenic Driving
Picnicking
Scenic Overlooks
Wildlife Viewing
Photography

Things to Do

The Former North Rim Campground

A Nostalgic Facility Review

Featured: Demotte, North Rim

Looking to camp at the Grand Canyon’s chill side? Join us as we explore the North Rim Campground—cooler temps, epic views, and all the amenities. Plan your trip with our full guide! Looking to experience the Grand Canyon without the crowds? Come along as we explore the North Rim Campground—our favorite way to enjoy one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Nestled high on the Kaibab Plateau at 8,000 feet, the North Rim offers cooler temperatures, greener forests, and a much more relaxed vibe than its southern counterpart. In this video, we’ll give you a full walkthrough of the North Rim Campground, from shaded tent and RV sites to water access, bathrooms, and more. You’ll also get insider tips from our own camping experiences to help you prepare for your visit. But that’s not all—we’ll show you what amenities are nearby, like a general store, showers, laundry, and even a gas station, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Plus, we cover top things to do in the area, including unforgettable overlooks like Cape Royal and Point Imperial, and scenic hikes like Uncle Jim Trail. Whether you're planning your first Grand Canyon adventure or coming back for a quieter experience, this guide will help you make the most of your North Rim trip.

Exploring Stops Along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Get a Taste of Things to See

Featured: Demotte, North Rim

Visiting the overlooks at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs and vast canyons. With fewer crowds, the rugged beauty of this remote area provides a serene, unforgettable experience. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers a more secluded, peaceful experience compared to the busier South Rim. Higher in elevation and more remote, it provides cooler temperatures and stunning, panoramic views of the canyon's vast expanse. With only a small portion of visitors making the journey to the North Rim, it offers a tranquil escape into the natural beauty of one of the world's most iconic landscapes. Cape Royal is one of the premier viewpoints on the North Rim, offering sweeping views of the canyon. As the southernmost point accessible by road, Cape Royal offers an almost 270-degree view, including the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers. The trail leading to Cape Royal is short and paved, making it easily accessible to most visitors. Along the way, you’ll find Angel's Window, a natural rock arch framing a stunning view of the river far below. From the top of Angel's Window, you can look out over the canyon, capturing a unique perspective that feels both grand and intimate. Just beyond Cape Royal, the Walhalla Overlook provides a glimpse into the ancient human history of the canyon. This viewpoint offers a spectacular panorama and overlooks a site where ancestral Puebloans once lived, known as Walhalla Glades. The overlook provides interpretive signs that describe the history and significance of this archaeological site, where ancient peoples farmed, hunted, and gathered food. Point Imperial, the highest point on the North Rim at over 8,800 feet, offers a stunning view of the Painted Desert and the eastern section of the Grand Canyon. From here, the contrast between the brightly colored canyon walls and the lush forests of the Kaibab Plateau is particularly striking. Point Imperial provides a unique perspective, as the views include the dramatic shift in geology where the canyon opens up to the wider landscapes beyond. Each of these overlooks on the North Rim provides a different vantage point, offering breathtaking views and an experience that connects visitors not only to the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon but also to its deep history. Whether you’re looking for panoramic vistas, fascinating geology, or a quiet place to reflect, the North Rim's overlooks offer an unforgettable journey into one of the world’s greatest wonders.

Hunting Overlooks

Exploring North Rim Grand Canyon

Featured: Demotte, North Rim

Have you ever wondered how the overlooks at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park compare to those of the South Rim? Then this video is the one you want to watch! We drive along Cape Royal Road and make stops at Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook, Angels Window, and Cape Royal Point. The views are not to be missed! The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park stands at a higher elevation than the South Rim and offers gorgeous views of Bright Angel Canyon, the Grand Canyon, numerous plateaus as well as the San Francisco Peaks. Due to the nature of the North Rim's remoteness, there is no shuttle service and travel to the overlooks must be done by your own vehicle.

Sunset at Cape Royal

Best Time of Day at the North Rim Grand Canyon

Featured: Demotte, North Rim

Grand Canyon National Park has many overlooks on both the north and south rims suitable for viewing a sunset. Cape Royal is often noted as being one of the best places to do so, and we went for ourselves to find out if this is true. Wondering where to go for the best view of sunsets at Grand Canyon National Park? We know we have! Today we visited Cape Royal Point at the Grand Canyon North Rim seeking that out. And we found it! Due to the nature of the North Rim's remoteness, there is no shuttle service and travel to the overlooks must be done by your own vehicle. It may take a while to get there - 45 minutes by car from the North Rim Visitors Center - but the travel is worth it. You won't see views like those at Cape Royal anywhere else in the park! From the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking lot, a short 0.8 mile (round trip) out and back paved trail will lead to Cape Royal Point. Railing protects visitors at the Cape Royal Point which looks over the canyon at 7865 feet in elevation. Cape Royal Point boasts a wide 270-degree panorama overlooking many features east, south, and west. You will have excellent views of Freya Castle and Wotan's Throne.

The Uncle Jim Trail

Hiking a Secluded North Rim Trail

Featured: Demotte, North Rim

If you ever get the chance to visit Grand Canyon National Park North Rim and want to ditch the crowds, you may want to consider checking out the Uncle Jim Trail. If you do, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the canyon and will likely have a scenic overlook all to yourself, if you know where to look! There are many things to do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you are limited in time, knowing what you can fit in is important. Perhaps you want to hit all the major overlooks by car and do a hike. Because seeing the main overlooks by car can be done in about a half-day, the Uncle Jim Trail could be the perfect pairing since it also occupies about half a day. And best of all, the Uncle Jim Trail offers a unique bonus: its very own, unique overlook, not accessible by vehicle, meaning you will almost certainly avoid crowds and get to enjoy some seclusion while you take in a very spectacular view. In fact, on our hike, we did not see a single soul and enjoyed the overlook all to ourselves for the entire duration of being there. Try to achieve that at the other overlooks in the park! The Uncle Jim Overlook is very easily missed if you don't know where to look! In fact, we almost passed it by ourselves! Upon finding it, we ran into two other hiker groups who also were totally oblivious to the overlook's existence, and fortunately, we were able to direct them to it. If you do find it, you will get to enjoy a vista that includes being able to see the South Rim, the San Francisco Peaks in the distance, as well as a good view of Bright Angel Canyon, the North Kaibab trail down to Roaring Springs, as well as other beautiful features of this section of the canyon. We found that going to this overlook is excellent for being able to survey the North Kaibab Trail as you can clearly see it wind its way down towards Roaring Springs and can survey many sections of the trail. You might be able to make decisions about if you want to undertake the North Kaibab trail by viewing it first from the Uncle Jim Overlook. The trail itself is not very strenuous. It is about a 5-mile hike, and has a few small hills to climb, but is relatively flat most of the time. It is also very nicely shaded most of the way, as the majority of the trail passes through the beautiful forest regions of the North Rim. We hiked this in early fall, and some of the aspens in the area were starting to show their golden fall colors, so this trail could be ideal for getting a taste of autumn in Arizona. You will also want to be aware that you catch the trail starting at the North Kaibab trailhead parking lot, but you actually need to begin by finding the Ken Patrick trail, not the Uncle Jim Trail. Our video shows you how to do this as we could not find any clear signage directing us to it. We found that the description of the Uncle Jim trail in the National Park information pamphlet did not clearly explain this, although the map clearly shows it. Also, note that sections of this hike are not truly a loop. Some are essentially out and back, including the section of the Ken Patrick trail you take, as well as a short section of the Uncle Jim Trail itself.

The North Rim Campground

A Look Back

Featured: Demotte, North Rim

This video was recorded before the large fire of 2025, so this look back is more one of nostalgia than practical, but who knows, maybe one day it will reopen in a similar form. For today's video, we went someplace new to us - the North Rim of the Grand Canyon! We stay at and tour the North Rim Campground and show its many amenities, take a quick hike to Bright Angel Point, and visit the Grand Canyon Lodge. North Rim Campground is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This lesser-visited side of the Grand Canyon holds great amounts of beauty and is perfect for those wanting to experience a bit more hiking, nature, and quiet than the more crowded South Rim side. Be prepared and plan well as there are fewer facilities and lodging can book up to a year in advance. Due to the difference in elevation between the North Rim and South Rim, the North Rim has a shorter season - lodging and restaurants are open from May 15th to October 15th - and closes during winter months. It is said that only 10% of all Grand Canyon visits are to the North Rim which means 90% are missing out on all the beauty that the North Rim has to offer! North Rim Campground has 90 campsites, all of which have a picnic table and fire ring with an attached grill. Water spigots are conveniently located throughout the campground along with restrooms with running water.

Campground Overview

North Rim Campground – Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

North Rim Campground is (or has been) the primary developed campground inside Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, set among tall pines and spruce at over 8,000 feet on the Kaibab Plateau. Located just a short distance from the North Rim Visitor Center and lodge area, this campground has long served as a quiet, cooler alternative to the busier South Rim, with forested sites, dark skies, and easy access to canyon overlooks and rim trails.

Important: According to the most recent National Park Service updates, the North Rim Campground is closed until further notice due to damage and loss from the Dragon Bravo wildfire. Conditions and facilities may change as repairs and future plans develop, so always check the official Grand Canyon National Park website for current status before planning a trip.

Location & Setting

The campground is located off Arizona Highway 67 near the end of the road at the North Rim developed area, within walking or a short drive of the North Rim Visitor Center and Bright Angel Point. Forested campsites sit back from the rim along Transept Canyon, a side canyon that eventually drains into the main Grand Canyon. At over 8,000 feet in elevation, summer temperatures are generally much cooler than the surrounding deserts, and nights can be crisp even in peak season.

Campground Overview

In typical operating seasons, North Rim Campground has offered dozens of individual sites plus several tent-only and group sites. Sites are nestled among mature conifers, with a mix of shaded forest spots and a handful of locations near the canyon’s edge that have partial views into Transept Canyon. The layout historically accommodated both tent campers and a range of small to mid-sized RVs and trailers, with pull-through and back-in pads and a generally quiet, national park–style atmosphere.

Amenities

Traditionally, the campground has provided picnic tables and fire rings at each site, along with potable water, flush toilets, and access to coin-op showers and laundry near the entrance. A dump station and water fill have supported RV campers, and there have been no electrical hookups at the campsites themselves. Nearby services in the North Rim developed area have included a general store, dining at the lodge, and fuel, though many of these facilities were affected by the recent wildfire and may be rebuilt or reconfigured over time.

Activities & Nearby Attractions

When open, North Rim Campground offers one of the best positions in the park for exploring the North Rim. Classic viewpoints like Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial, and Cape Royal are within a short drive, and several trails begin near the campground or the nearby visitor area. Rim-side walks, photography, wildlife viewing, ranger programs, and simply enjoying the cool forest air have all been part of the North Rim camping experience. The Kaibab Plateau itself offers additional opportunities for scenic drives, meadows, and high-country forest exploration beyond the park boundary.

Summary

North Rim Campground has long been a favorite base camp for visitors seeking a quieter, cooler Grand Canyon experience amid tall pines and dramatic canyon scenery. At present it is closed until further notice due to wildfire damage, and future seasons may bring changes to its layout, amenities, or operating dates as the National Park Service evaluates restoration and rebuilding plans. If and when it reopens, it will once again offer an exceptional forest-and-rim setting for exploring the Grand Canyon’s North Rim from right inside the park.

Nearby Campgrounds