Grand Canyon, North vs South Rim: Everything You Need to Know

Which Rim is Which?

With four rims to look at, it can all get a bit confusing. The north, south, and west rims are where visitors can see the Grand Canyon in all its glory, while the unofficially named “east” rim does not overlook the Grand Canyon. 

What people call the East Rim is generally a mix of sites that includes the famous Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

Some of these are held by the federal government and others by the Navajo Nation. To learn more about the “East Rim,” check out our travel guide.

The north and south rims are federally operated, while the west rim is privately owned by the Hualapai people. This guide will focus on comparing the north and south rims that make up the famous Grand Canyon National Park.

Where are the North and South Rims

While the distance between the north and south rims is only about 20 miles, traveling from rim to rim will require a 5-hour drive, a shuttle, or a full day of backpacking.

Most people will only visit one rim during their trip. Both of the rims are located in northern Arizona.

Pro Tip: Want to visit both? No worries! To learn more about how to hike from rim to rim, check out our rim-to-rim guide.

North vs South Rim

Though both the North and South Rims provide spectacular views of the canyon, the two sections of the park couldn’t be more different from one another.

The North Rim is all about solitude and peace in nature, while the South Rim is full of amenities and family-friendly activities.

All About the North Rim

Nearby Towns - Time and Driving Distance

Page, AZ - 2:00, 107 miles
Jacob Lake, AZ - 35 min, 31 miles
Fredonia, AZ - 1:05, 61 miles
Kanab, AZ - 1:15, 67 miles

Nearby Parks and Side-Trips

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument- 50 min, 42 miles
Zion National Park - 1:45, 95 miles
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park - 1:30, 80 miles
East Rim’s Horseshoe Bend - 1:55, 105 miles
Bryce Canyon National Park - 2:40, 144 miles
Escalante National Monument (Interagency Center) - 3:25, 187 miles

Weather and Environment

Because the North Rim is more than 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) above sea level, it is several degrees cooler than the South Rim, which is about 1,000 feet lower. Snow and evening freezes can last well into mid-June.

You’ll also notice that the North Rim is significantly greener and shadier than the south and is covered by thick Ponderosa pine forests.

It also rains slightly more on the north than on the south. Be prepared for high-altitude weather variability and dress for cooler weather or in layers.

Writer’s Note: When I first visited the North Rim, I absolutely fell in love. The South Rim is full of energy—people, buses, bucket lists—but the North Rim? It’s quieter. Calmer. It feels like you’ve stumbled into a secret club, reserved for those who are truly in the know.

 

There’s space to breathe, time to really feel the canyon. And the people? At the South Rim, it’s a mix—families on summer vacation, road-trippers passing through, travelers checking off a must-see. But at the North Rim, most folks are there for one reason: a deep, shared love of the Grand Canyon.

Opening Season

Due to heavy snowfall, the North Rim is closed from October 15th to May 15th.

Attractions

Some attractions near and on the North Rim include:

Best Trails

The North Rim has a plethora of fantastic hiking trails to choose from, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. Some of the more popular day hikes include:

• The Point Sublime Trail
• Cape Final Trail
• Roosevelt Point Trail
• Uncle Jim Trail
• The North Kaibab Trail

Check out our North Rim itinerary and hiking guide for more information.

Best Views and Photography

There’s one big plus to taking photos on the North Rim—no photobombs! In fact, you’re more likely to get an unexpected condor in your picture than a tourist.

The views from the North Rim are beautiful and panoramic, but because the North Rim is higher in elevation, you see less of the opposite rim. This means the view is more aerial but less immersive.

Some of the North Rim’s most popular viewpoints are Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, Cape Royal, and Bright Angel Point. 

Camping

For RV camping inside the park, you have only one option: the North Rim Campground. Fortunately, it’s a great one. It’s scenic, shady, and full of amenities. There are several more camping options outside the park.

The NPS website will have the most up-to-date information on campground availability.

Special considerations: Some places on the North Rim, such as Cape Final, require either a hike or a 4WD vehicle. If you’d like to take some of these roads-less-traveled, consider renting one for your trip to the North Rim.

All About the South Rim

Nearby Towns- Time and Driving Distance

Tusayan, AZ - 8 min, 4 miles
Cameron, AZ - 30 min, 30 miles
Williams, AZ - 55 min, 54 miles
Tuba City, AZ - 55 min, 55 miles
Flagstaff, AZ - 1:15, 75 miles

Nearby Parks and Side-Trips

Wupatki National Monument - 50 min, 51 miles
Sunset Crater National Monument - 1:04, 68 miles
Walnut Canyon National Monument- 1:22, 84 miles
Slide Rock State Park- 1:54, 104 miles
Montezuma Castle National Monument-2:06, 135 miles
Sedona, AZ- 2:07, 111 miles (Going to Sedona? Check out our Shaka Guide Sedona tour.)
Petrified National Park- 2:50, 184 miles

Weather and Environment

The South Rim is about 1,000 feet (305 meters) lower in elevation than the North Rim, with an average elevation of around 7,000 feet.

Even in summer, mornings and nights can be cool, but the South Rim heats up quickly, and temperatures can quickly soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The heat can be especially dangerous if you plan on going below the rim into the canyon. The canyon bottom may be around 20 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) warmer than the top.

Expect a lot of direct sun exposure because the south rim is much more barren and open than the north.

Opening Season

The South Rim is open year-round, although select services and restaurants may close during the off-season. Check the NPS page for more information.

Attractions

Best Views and Photography

The South Rim is the place to be for Grand Canyon photographers and everyday admirers alike. This is where you’ll get those iconic canyon views and snapshots.

With the North Rim as a banded, multi-colored backdrop and the blue-green Colorado River snaking its way out from between the red buttes below, it's more of a point-and-click camera situation.

Beautiful photos are all but guaranteed. For more advice on where to go for the best views and photos, check out our guide on sunrise and sunset on the South Rim.

Camping

For RV camping inside the park, you have three options: the Mather Campground, the Desert View Campground, and Trailer Village.

All of these tend to be fairly competitive and fill up well in advance. The NPS website will have the most up-to-date information on in-park availability.

Writer’s Note: The South Rim makes a fantastic first trip to the Grand Canyon. With a wide variety of activities, museums, gift shops, and easy access to restaurants and nearby attractions, it’s a great place to dip your toes in.

Whether you’re a hiker, history buff, sightseer, or people-watcher—there’s something for everyone.

The Scorecard

So, who wins in our rim-to-rim standoff? Well, that’s all a matter of perspective. Check out this match-up below to see who comes out on top in each category, and then decide what’s most important to you.

Whatever rim you decide to visit, you won’t be disappointed by a trip to the Grand Canyon. My number one recommendation? Make your trip the complete package with one (or both) of our amazing Shaka Guide Grand Canyon tours.

Really, it’s all a matter of perspective. For nature lovers, the peace, quiet, and sense of connection might even nudge the North Rim ahead.

But for families with kids, shopping enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a little more action, the South Rim still wins out.

So which is our favorite? 

Both. Yup. Both are best. 

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