Grand Canyon's North Rim opens May 15; expect some construction noise

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park opens for summer 2019 on May 15, though the experience may not be quite as peaceful as usual because of construction work.

Work begins this summer to replace a water line, a project that will at times take place in the campground, near the lodge, along access roads and in employee housing areas. Expect noise, dust and detours during the excavation and replacement of the pipe after the long winter closure. The North Rim is closed Oct. 15-May 15 each year.

Yet the construction won't interfere with the North Rim's special look and feel, from its relaxed atmosphere to rarely crowded overlooks.

At 7:30 a.m. May 15, the gate to the North Rim will open, launching a five-month season at an area that attracts less than a tenth the number of tourists who visit the South Rim (500,000 compared to 6 million).

MORE:Grand Canyon North Rim: Hotels, camping, hiking and scenic drives

Lodging, camping at the North Rim

The focal point is Grand Canyon Lodge, perched on the edge of the rim and offering panoramic views from the lobby and restaurant. It’s the perfect place to relax when the occasional storm rolls in.

Guests have a choice of motel rooms (few) or cabins (dozens) scattered not far from the lodge, though vacancies are few since most reservations are made a year in advance. If you can’t get in this season, book for next year at www.grandcanyonforever.com/lodging.

The same is true at the campground. Only a handful of sites remain for the 2019 season. They can be booked at www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232489. 

In addition to the lodge and campground, North Rim visitors will find a grocery store, restaurant, coffeehouse/saloon and gas station. There also are a visitor center, bookstore and backcountry information office.

How to book a mule ride

The North Rim mule rides also start up May 15. Trips range $45-$90 per person and can be booked at grandcanyon.com/tours/north-rim-tours/grand-canyon-mule-rides-north-rim.

Why you should visit the North Rim

Visitors going out of their way to see the North Rim (it’s about seven hours from Phoenix, as opposed to the four-hour drive to the South Rim) are rewarded with experiences that can be more personal. Point Imperial and Cape Royal are relatively quiet compared to the throngs who line the South Rim’s most popular views.

Unlike the South Rim, the North Rim has a variety of hiking trails that are flat to gently rolling. Only hikers on the North Kaibab Trail have to contend with steepness.

The North Rim's abundance of trees also provides far more shade than on the South Rim. Those who visit in late September or early October will enjoy the varied colors of fall.  

The weather also is cooler, since the North Rim sits 1,000 feet higher than the south. Temperatures typically are 10 degrees lower to the north, with highs rarely reaching into the 90s.

Have any tips on relatively unknown, must-see destinations in Arizona? Reach the reporter at scott.craven@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-8773. Follow him on Twitter @Scott_Craven2.

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