North Rim of the Grand Canyon AZ

The journey from the south rim to the north rim of the Grand Canyon takes about 5 hours but is very scenic, involving a 215 mile route that descends from the pine-covered Coconino Plateau near the canyon into the flat, empty but very colorful Painted Desert in the Navajo Indian Reservation, up US 89 past the Echo Cliffs, across the Colorado River near Lees Ferry, then south alongside the Vermilion Cliffs, before climbing steeply into the Kaibab National Forest and to the small community of Jacob Lake. Basic visitor services are available here - a gas station, lodge, campground, general store and restaurant. From the village, AZ 67 provides the only paved route to the north rim. As with US 180 approaching the south rim, the road passes through lush Alpine meadows and forests of fir and pine for 50 miles (part of the Kaibab Plateau), with only occasional signs of development. The road has recently been designated the Kaibab Plateau - North Rim Parkway, and the NPS has installed many informative notices at laybys along the route.

We had a great trip and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is beautiful. It was much cooler at the the North Rim is 1000 feet higher than the South Rim.