North of South rim at Grand Canyon ?
Mar 14th, 2016, 04:20 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
North of South rim at Grand Canyon ?
We will be on a family road trip in early August and part of the itinerary will be a visit to Grand Canyon. My husband and I visited the South Rim 15 years ago but the kids have never been.
We can´t decide between the North och the South rim. People seem divided as to which side is the best. I have read that the South side offers the best views but we are afraid that the crowds in early August will spoils the views and the experience. On the other hand we want the kids to get a wow experience out of the visit. The kids are 10 and 13 and we do realise that they may not be as interested in the views as we are but we hope it will still be memorable to them ! Whick side should we go for ??
We can´t decide between the North och the South rim. People seem divided as to which side is the best. I have read that the South side offers the best views but we are afraid that the crowds in early August will spoils the views and the experience. On the other hand we want the kids to get a wow experience out of the visit. The kids are 10 and 13 and we do realise that they may not be as interested in the views as we are but we hope it will still be memorable to them ! Whick side should we go for ??
Mar 14th, 2016, 05:01 AM
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All you have to do to avoid crowds is simply spend the night. Once all the day-trippers leave (and there will still be plenty of daylight in August), it will be much less crowded.
Which rim you choose depends on where your road trip takes you. It's a long way from rim to rim by car, so if you're in Utah, it makes more sense to visit the North Rim. If you're going to Flagstaff, it makes more sense to visit the South Rim. But you might also make your decision based on the availability of lodging. Also, the North Rim will be a bit cooler in August if that matters.
Which rim you choose depends on where your road trip takes you. It's a long way from rim to rim by car, so if you're in Utah, it makes more sense to visit the North Rim. If you're going to Flagstaff, it makes more sense to visit the South Rim. But you might also make your decision based on the availability of lodging. Also, the North Rim will be a bit cooler in August if that matters.
Mar 14th, 2016, 09:13 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The iconic views you see everywhere of the grand canyon are from the south rim. There are many more lodging and dining choices at the south rim. Last October, we took a 2+ week trip through all five of Utah's national parks, the Grand Canyon south rim and monument valley. In recent years we have been to many more national parks and of all the places we have been - the Grand Canyon South Rim and Yellowstone are the only places we really felt the crowds. It is true that there will be less crowds after 5 PM or so when many of the tour busses depart with their hoardes. However, you will likely want to site see during the day and won't be able to avoid them(as well as early and late when there will not be the daytrippers). The north rim only has one hotel and books up very quickly. If that is where you chose to go, I would try to book it right away. It's really not close to anything but can allow a much more quiet experience than the south rim. I am not advocating one over the other - there are pros and cons of each and it really depends on what you want.
Mar 14th, 2016, 09:51 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,983
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The way to avoid the crowds at the S. Rim is to get below the rim hiking.
With 10 & 13yr olds you could hike 1hr down, 2hrs up on either the Bright Angel trail - you'll still be around a lot of crowds, or better yet, the S. Kaibab trail.
The latter is much less crowded. You can virtually walk both of these trails on Google maps street view if you want to get a feel.
The BA trail does have a water source (perhaps 1 to 1.5hr hike down depending on your pace). S. Kaibab has none. Both of these trails can be strenuous hikes due to the elevation gain on the way back. Not a Sunday stroll in flip flops with one 1/2 empty soda bottle in hand (as you will see many people) - you need real walking/hiking shoes, 2 liters of water per person, and food.
But definitely worth the effort!
With 10 & 13yr olds you could hike 1hr down, 2hrs up on either the Bright Angel trail - you'll still be around a lot of crowds, or better yet, the S. Kaibab trail.
The latter is much less crowded. You can virtually walk both of these trails on Google maps street view if you want to get a feel.
The BA trail does have a water source (perhaps 1 to 1.5hr hike down depending on your pace). S. Kaibab has none. Both of these trails can be strenuous hikes due to the elevation gain on the way back. Not a Sunday stroll in flip flops with one 1/2 empty soda bottle in hand (as you will see many people) - you need real walking/hiking shoes, 2 liters of water per person, and food.
But definitely worth the effort!
Mar 15th, 2016, 02:03 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good idea with the hikes. Think boys will like that. Just a bit worried about the crowds at South Rim. How bad does it get? Will there be double rows of people queueing to get to the front to look over the rim? Will the walking along rim mean one long packed line of people ?
We are flexible w the route we will take so I think both North and South rim would work. Plan to visit both Bryce and Zion too either before or after GC, and we will arrive either from the Las Vegas side or from Monument valley. Have not decided on exact itinerary yet
We are flexible w the route we will take so I think both North and South rim would work. Plan to visit both Bryce and Zion too either before or after GC, and we will arrive either from the Las Vegas side or from Monument valley. Have not decided on exact itinerary yet
Mar 15th, 2016, 04:10 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In October, walking the rim was basically walking through a packed line of people. This was true from around 10 am - 5 PM. For us, the crowds weren't an issue in Bryce, Zion, or Monument Valley (or other places but those are the ones you mentioned). The Grand Canyon was a different story though. That's not to say we didn't enjoy it - but we did find the other places to be much more enjoyable for us.
Mar 24th, 2016, 08:29 PM
#9
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The south rim is simply that.
Meanwhile, North Rim has many other tourist areas.
Pink Sand Dunes, Kaibab Forest with many overlooks of the canyon, Lees Ferry, river rafting,famous The Wave (google it), White Pockets (google it), etc.
Go to amazon.com and search: Kindle north rim
Vaga
Meanwhile, North Rim has many other tourist areas.
Pink Sand Dunes, Kaibab Forest with many overlooks of the canyon, Lees Ferry, river rafting,famous The Wave (google it), White Pockets (google it), etc.
Go to amazon.com and search: Kindle north rim
Vaga
Mar 26th, 2016, 12:29 PM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The north rim has only a handful of viewpoints that are accessible by car, whole the south rim has probably 20 named viewpoints and about the same number of good places to stop for views along the road.
While the south rim is crowded, it is definitely not wall to wall people, particularly later in the day after the tour buses have left. The viewpoints along the east rim road will be much less crowded, since the free shuttle goes only a short way down that road.
Not that many people walk the rim trail, once you get away from the Village. So if you are real hikers, there are plenty of places to get away from the crowds.
Hiking part way down, the Bright Angel Trail will be much more crowded than South Kaibab because BA starts right at the rim lodge area.
Bottom line -- don't worry about the crowds at the south rim, it isn't that big an issue.
While the south rim is crowded, it is definitely not wall to wall people, particularly later in the day after the tour buses have left. The viewpoints along the east rim road will be much less crowded, since the free shuttle goes only a short way down that road.
Not that many people walk the rim trail, once you get away from the Village. So if you are real hikers, there are plenty of places to get away from the crowds.
Hiking part way down, the Bright Angel Trail will be much more crowded than South Kaibab because BA starts right at the rim lodge area.
Bottom line -- don't worry about the crowds at the south rim, it isn't that big an issue.
Mar 27th, 2016, 08:09 PM
#11
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mike is correct on view points within North Rim, but does not consider the multitude of viewpoints within Kaibab Forest. We have been to every view point at South and North Rim including spectacular Tuweep.
However, Kaibab and Tuweep requires high clearance vehicles. That may be the limiting factor. Google: Tuweep overlook.
Mt. Haden is the highest point in the Grand Canyon; sunset is spectacular. -
http://www.shutterstock.com/s/mt+hayden/search.html
Point Sublime is the best Canyon overlook, in our opinion. Access is from either Kaibab Forest or Grand Canyon. High clearance is absolutely required. https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...&fr=hp-avast-s
Vaga
However, Kaibab and Tuweep requires high clearance vehicles. That may be the limiting factor. Google: Tuweep overlook.
Mt. Haden is the highest point in the Grand Canyon; sunset is spectacular. -
http://www.shutterstock.com/s/mt+hayden/search.html
Point Sublime is the best Canyon overlook, in our opinion. Access is from either Kaibab Forest or Grand Canyon. High clearance is absolutely required. https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...&fr=hp-avast-s
Vaga
Mar 28th, 2016, 11:36 AM
#12
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Correct, Vaga, I was trying to just point out that there are not many viewpoints at the NR that are accessible driving a car on paved roads. Yes, with a high clearance vehicle, or by hiking, you can get to more.
Mar 28th, 2016, 04:40 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just at the south rim last week. By mid day the waits for the shuttle bus were about an hour long. It would go past stops without stopping because it was full. The parking lots were totally full, people making their own 'spots' along the side of the roads which then made it hard to drive. Bright Angel Trail (as far as you could see, we didn't go down it more than a few minutes) was packed. I got up for sunrise at Mather Point and there were over 200 hundred people there (and it was 40 degrees out). There were lines and waits for all the restaurants. We were told that in March there are less than half the number of people that are there in June-August.
Having said that, the walks between view points going west towards Hermit's Rest were not too bad, especially before about 11 am. Also,the Desert View Drive and lookouts were not that bad.
If you do go to the south rim I suggest staying in Maswick Lodge, it's at the edge of the village so a little less crowded.
By comparison, the north rim in August a few years ago was delightful. What you expect a national park experience to be. Here's my photos from the trip to the north rim. All were taken from paved roads or very short hikes from them.
http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/arizona
Having said that, the walks between view points going west towards Hermit's Rest were not too bad, especially before about 11 am. Also,the Desert View Drive and lookouts were not that bad.
If you do go to the south rim I suggest staying in Maswick Lodge, it's at the edge of the village so a little less crowded.
By comparison, the north rim in August a few years ago was delightful. What you expect a national park experience to be. Here's my photos from the trip to the north rim. All were taken from paved roads or very short hikes from them.
http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/arizona
Mar 28th, 2016, 07:16 PM
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Isabel
Congratulation, you saw the buffalo! In April of 2015, they were at a meadow near the entry. We returned in October. They moved along the road to Point Sublime (from park not from Kaibab Forest entry) along with some wild turkeys
If you enjoy ancient rock art, petroglyphs and pictographs, I highly recommend a hike down Snake Gulch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krs5L2zWAXA
Vaga
Congratulation, you saw the buffalo! In April of 2015, they were at a meadow near the entry. We returned in October. They moved along the road to Point Sublime (from park not from Kaibab Forest entry) along with some wild turkeys
If you enjoy ancient rock art, petroglyphs and pictographs, I highly recommend a hike down Snake Gulch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krs5L2zWAXA
Vaga
Mar 31st, 2016, 03:07 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still very much undecided about North or South. Thank you for many good suggestions and views !!
We might be leaning towards North Rim. We have found availability at the lodge at the North rim and according to some responses it seems to be a pleasant place to stay over. We are planning to visit Bryce and Zion as well and I guess the North rim will be more suitable.
It would be great with some some detalis about the viewpoints at the North Rim. It is doubtful we will rent a car with high clereance. Is there no way to get to Point Sublime and/or other good viewpoints without high clearance vehicles? We don´t mind hiking, not full day hikes though, but a couple of hours round trip would be fine with kids ( I hope !)
We might be leaning towards North Rim. We have found availability at the lodge at the North rim and according to some responses it seems to be a pleasant place to stay over. We are planning to visit Bryce and Zion as well and I guess the North rim will be more suitable.
It would be great with some some detalis about the viewpoints at the North Rim. It is doubtful we will rent a car with high clereance. Is there no way to get to Point Sublime and/or other good viewpoints without high clearance vehicles? We don´t mind hiking, not full day hikes though, but a couple of hours round trip would be fine with kids ( I hope !)
Mar 31st, 2016, 06:26 AM
#16
In that case then my $0.02 is grab that availability at the lodge and just go to the North Rim. The views right from the lodge are pretty darn good. An example here, standing right next to the lodge:
http://nelsonchenkin.zenfolio.com/p4...6469#h39256469
Besides the standard driving viewpoints there are several short and easy trails that leave from the lodge for memorable views, there is a outdoor patio where you can have a drink looking over the canyon, and the lodge dining room is excellent.
The drives that you can do with a regular vehicle will keep you occupied for a day or two, if that is your plan. Here is the official NPS page, scroll down for North Rim for links to maps and activities:
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
Have a great trip.
http://nelsonchenkin.zenfolio.com/p4...6469#h39256469
Besides the standard driving viewpoints there are several short and easy trails that leave from the lodge for memorable views, there is a outdoor patio where you can have a drink looking over the canyon, and the lodge dining room is excellent.
The drives that you can do with a regular vehicle will keep you occupied for a day or two, if that is your plan. Here is the official NPS page, scroll down for North Rim for links to maps and activities:
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
Have a great trip.
Mar 31st, 2016, 07:32 PM
#18
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Clarification
1. At the north rim PARK, all roads are paved in excellent condition.
2. Kaibab forest roads should be driven with high clearance vehicle like a SUV
3. High clearance is absolute required from the Park or Kaibab Forest
4. North Rim park has many easy hikes and one that goes down to the river. Strenuous on the way up. This site has a complete list. http://www.hitthetrail.com/north-rim-day-hikes/
If your computer can download e-books (download an ap), suggest downloading this book as it has complete information of this area.
http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Staircas...case+escalante
Vaga
1. At the north rim PARK, all roads are paved in excellent condition.
2. Kaibab forest roads should be driven with high clearance vehicle like a SUV
3. High clearance is absolute required from the Park or Kaibab Forest
4. North Rim park has many easy hikes and one that goes down to the river. Strenuous on the way up. This site has a complete list. http://www.hitthetrail.com/north-rim-day-hikes/
If your computer can download e-books (download an ap), suggest downloading this book as it has complete information of this area.
http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Staircas...case+escalante
Vaga
Apr 1st, 2016, 07:59 AM
#20
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok you got me on that one.
Reference Trails Illustrated Map titled: "Grand Canyon National Park."
Sublime is shown as a white lined (not asphalt) road. For decades it was closed to motor vehicles. All others are shown as dotted-black (asphalt). The better of the two access roads to Sublime is from Kaibab Forest although it is a longer route.
Main road to the park is from Jacobs Lake (named after Mormon pioneer and Indian Ambassador Jacob Hamblin)is highway 67 - it is paved.
The other road to the park is Forest road 22 from Fredonia. It joins 67 about 5 miles north of park border. First 20 miles are paved. Thereafter, it is a wide gravel road that is occasionally graded. This is the road that leads to many canyon overlooks and hiking trailheads. High clearance is not required unless after rain/snow storm. The best map is sold by National Forest Service titled: Kaibab National Forest, North Ranger District. It can be purchased at Fredonia or at Jacobs Lake Forest Visitor Center.
Does that 'make sense'?
Vaga
Reference Trails Illustrated Map titled: "Grand Canyon National Park."
Sublime is shown as a white lined (not asphalt) road. For decades it was closed to motor vehicles. All others are shown as dotted-black (asphalt). The better of the two access roads to Sublime is from Kaibab Forest although it is a longer route.
Main road to the park is from Jacobs Lake (named after Mormon pioneer and Indian Ambassador Jacob Hamblin)is highway 67 - it is paved.
The other road to the park is Forest road 22 from Fredonia. It joins 67 about 5 miles north of park border. First 20 miles are paved. Thereafter, it is a wide gravel road that is occasionally graded. This is the road that leads to many canyon overlooks and hiking trailheads. High clearance is not required unless after rain/snow storm. The best map is sold by National Forest Service titled: Kaibab National Forest, North Ranger District. It can be purchased at Fredonia or at Jacobs Lake Forest Visitor Center.
Does that 'make sense'?
Vaga
