After a routine six month closure for winter, the North Rim officially opens on May 15. The “other side” historically gets a fraction of the visitation that the South Rim enjoys; but most agree that this is primarily a function of proximity to major highways and urban centers.
There are great rewards for those willing to make the extra effort to reach this high-altitude paradise. Smaller crowds, loftier scenic overlooks, more challenging hiking, and a forest much more lush and diverse than its South Rim counterpart, all make a compelling case for the additional drive time. So plan early (rooms fill quickly) and expand your horizons by visiting what the neighboring Paiute Indians refer to as the “mountain lying down.”
About Mike Buchheit
