Need To Know – North Rim

North Rim Planning / By

Location & Directions | Open & Close | Cost & Pay Stations | Parking  | Permits

Location & Directions:
Grand Canyon North Rim is located in northwest corner of Arizona, about 30 miles from Jacob Lake, Arizona and approximately 80 miles from Kanab, Utah and the state line. The North Rim does not have an airport and the only way to access the Park’s entrance is by car or motorcoach.
BY CAR
From Phoenix – 6 hours

  1. Take I-17 North toward Flagstaff
  2. At Flagstaff, take US-89 North
  3. Follow US-89 North until Bitter Springs
  4. Take US-89A North
  5. Turn left onto AZ-67 South and follow to entrance to Grand Canyon National Park – North Rim

From Las Vegas – 4 ½ hours

  1. Take I-15 North toward St. George
  2. At St. George, take Hwy 9 toward Hurricane
  3. Merge onto Hwy 9 East/State St
  4. Turn right on Main street and take left onto UT-59 South/US-100 South
  5. Follow UT-59 South and enter Arizona
  6. Take AZ-389 East until a right onto AZ-89A South
  7. Turn right onto AZ-67 South and follow to entrance to Grand Canyon National Park – North Rim

From Salt Lake City – 6 ½ hours

  1. Take I-15 South
  2. Turn US-89 South toward Kanab and Page
  3. Turn right on US-64 West/US-180 West
  4. Straight into Tusayan and entrance to Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim

From Grand Canyon South Rim – 4 ½ hours

  1. Take Highway 64 east to Cameron, AZ.
  2. From Cameron, take Highway 89 north to Bitter Springs, AZ.
  3. From Bitter Springs, take Highway 89Alt west to Jacob Lake, AZ.
  4. From Jacob Lake, take Highway 67 south to the North Rim.

 

BY PLANE
There is no airport at Grand Canyon North Rim. The closest airport is Kanab, UT, approximately a 2 hour drive away.

BY BUS SERVICE
There is a shuttle from the North Rim to the South Rim and return provided by the Trans-Canyon Shuttle. This is a great way to hike from one rim to the other and take a shuttle to retrieve your car. It takes about 4 ½ hours to drive from one rim to the other. See www.trans-canyonshuttle.com Phone: 877-638-2820

Open/Close & Seasons
The North Rim is open from May 15 to October 15 each year due to winter conditions. After October 15, the North Rim is open for day use only until December 1 or the weather conditions close Highway 67.  During the open season, the entrance station is open 24 hours. The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost & Pay Stations
The Park Pass is good for 7 days and there is no refund for inclement or bad weather. Park passes can be purchased at the National Park Entrance or at authorized pre-pay stations.

$25 per vehicle
$12 per person by motorcycle, bicycle or foot
$50  – Grand Canyon National Park Annual Fee, valid for twelve months and unlimited visits
$80  – America the Beautiful – Annual Pass, valid for twelve months and unlimited visits for Federal Recreation sites
$10 per person for America the Beautiful – Senior Pass, lifetime pass available for US citizens or permanent residents 62 years or older
FREE – Annual pass for active US military personnel and dependents
FREE – America The Beautiful – Access Pass, lifetime pass available for any US citizen or permanent resident with permanent disabilities.

The National Park Service offers FREE entrance on specific days

  • January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
  • February 15-17 (Presidents Day Weekend)
  • April 19-20 (Opening weekend of National Park Week)
  • August 25 (National Park Service Birthday)
  • September 27 (National Public Lands Day)
  • November 11 (Veterans Day)

Parking & Shuttle Services
There is limited parking at the North Rim but parking is available at the Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim campground. It is recommended that vehicles longer than 30 feet (9m) travel on the roads to Cape Royal or Point Imperial.

Permits
Permits are required for the following activities:

  • Backcountry hiking, camping and horseback riding
  • Non-commercial Colorado River trips
  • Special use – weddings, First Amendment activities, scattering of cremation ashes
  • Filming & Photography
  • Scientific Research
  • Commercial Use for Tour Operators

Further information and permit requirements can be found at https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm