Grand Canyon North Rim: 2026 Visitor Guide

Originally written by Tony Subia

Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on August 22, 2026.

The Grand Canyon North Rim offers a quieter, higher-elevation experience with sweeping viewpoints, forested drives and access to some of the park's most dramatic scenery. The North Rim reopened for the 2026 season after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire, but visitors should expect a more remote experience with limited services while recovery and rebuilding continue.

Highway 67, Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road are open for the 2026 season, providing access to Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook and Angels Window. The North Kaibab Trail has also reopened for foot traffic, although several other trails remain closed because of post-fire damage.

Visitors should bring plenty of food and water. Potable water is not available from park water systems on the North Rim during the 2026 season, although bottled water can be purchased at the General Store while it is operating.

• 2026 North Rim Status
• North Rim Quick Facts
• Best Viewpoints
• Hiking & Trail Status
• Visitor Services
• Lodging
• Camping
• Park Fees
• Best Time To Visit
• Directions
• North Rim Map
• Visitor Tips
• FAQ

Grand Canyon North Rim 2026 Status

The North Rim reopened for the 2026 season on May 15 following extensive damage from the Dragon Bravo Fire in 2025. All paved park roads have reopened, including Highway 67, Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road.

The historic Grand Canyon Lodge and much of the surrounding cabin district were destroyed by the fire. There is no overnight lodging inside the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park during the 2026 season.

The North Rim Campground reopened June 1, 2026, but potable water and RV hookups are not available. Visitors should arrive prepared for limited services and check current National Park Service conditions before traveling.

Grand Canyon North Rim Quick Facts

• Location: Northern side of Grand Canyon National Park
• Main access: Arizona Highway 67 from Jacob Lake
• Entrance station: Approximately 30 miles south of Jacob Lake
• 2026 opening: May 15
• Main scenic roads: Highway 67, Point Imperial Road and Cape Royal Road
• Highest viewpoint: Point Imperial at 8,803 feet
• In-park lodging: None during the 2026 season
• North Rim Campground: Open June 1 through October 15, 2026
• Potable water: Not available from park water systems during 2026
• Fuel: Pay-at-the-pump gas and diesel available seasonally
• Best known for: Remote scenery, Point Imperial, Cape Royal and North Kaibab Trail

Best North Rim Viewpoints

Bright Angel Point: Bright Angel Point has traditionally been one of the North Rim's signature overlooks, but the Bright Angel Point Trail is closed during the 2026 season because of damage associated with the Dragon Bravo Fire. Visitors should respect all closures and check current park conditions before approaching this area.

Point Imperial: At 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest viewpoint on the rim of Grand Canyon. It overlooks the eastern canyon where Marble Canyon begins widening into the Grand Canyon and offers distant views toward the Painted Desert.

Cape Royal: Cape Royal provides one of the broadest panoramic views on the North Rim. A short paved trail leads toward the overlook and Angels Window, a natural opening in the rock that frames portions of the canyon below.

Roosevelt Point and Walhalla Overlook: Both are accessible along Cape Royal Road and provide additional scenic stops for visitors driving the eastern North Rim.

Several additional backcountry viewpoints can be reached by rough forest roads, but road conditions and fire-related closures can change. Visitors planning remote four-wheel-drive travel should verify current National Park Service and Kaibab National Forest conditions before leaving maintained roads.

Current North Rim Information

Because North Rim access, trails and visitor services are changing during post-fire recovery, use the current National Park Service North Rim status page and 2026 North Rim Pocket Map when planning your visit. Check again shortly before traveling because temporary closures can result from fire recovery work, storms, rockfall or other hazards.

Getting Around & Visitor Services

Private vehicles are the primary way to reach developed North Rim viewpoints. There is no South Rim-style network of free park shuttle buses serving the North Rim scenic roads.

The 2026 season has limited services because recovery from the Dragon Bravo Fire is continuing. The General Store near the campground sells dry goods, grab-and-go food and bottled water, while the nearby service station provides pay-at-the-pump gasoline and diesel.

Backcountry information staff are available seasonally near the North Rim Campground. Transportation services provided by private companies can change from year to year, so visitors needing rim-to-rim transportation should confirm current availability and schedules directly with the operator before making plans.

North Rim Lodging

There is no overnight lodging inside Grand Canyon National Park on the North Rim during the 2026 season. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge and much of its surrounding cabin district were destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025.

Travelers seeking lodging should look outside the park. Seasonal options are available near Kaibab Lodge and Jacob Lake, with Jacob Lake providing year-round lodging, dining, groceries and fuel.

North Rim Camping

The North Rim Campground reopened June 1, 2026 and is scheduled to operate through October 15, conditions permitting. Reservations are available, and a limited number of walk-up campsites may also be offered.

There are no RV hookups and no potable campground water during the 2026 season. Campers should bring their own drinking water or purchase bottled water at the nearby General Store while it is open.

Campground showers and laundry are not operating during the 2026 season. Current fire restrictions also prohibit wood and charcoal fires, so campers should review current fire regulations before arrival.

Grand Canyon National Park Entrance Fees

• Private vehicle: $35, valid for seven days
• Motorcycle: $30, valid for seven days
• Individual entering on foot or bicycle: $20, valid for seven days
• Grand Canyon Annual Pass: $70
• America the Beautiful passes: Accepted according to current federal pass rules

Best Time To Visit The Grand Canyon North Rim

The main North Rim visitor season generally runs from May 15 through October 15, although snow and road conditions can affect exact opening and closing dates. Highway 67 normally closes to vehicle traffic for winter beginning December 1.

Summer offers the greatest access to scenic roads, campgrounds and trails, but afternoon thunderstorms are common during the monsoon season. Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing aspen foliage, while late spring can still bring cold nights and occasional snow.

Because the North Rim sits at elevations of roughly 8,000 feet and higher, temperatures can drop sharply after sunset even during summer.

How To Get To The Grand Canyon North Rim

The North Rim entrance station is approximately 30 miles south of Jacob Lake on Arizona Highway 67. From the entrance station, the developed rim area is roughly another 14 miles south.

From Flagstaff: Travel north on U.S. Highway 89, continue west on U.S. 89A toward Jacob Lake, then turn south onto Arizona Highway 67 for the drive to the North Rim.

From Zion National Park: Travel toward Kanab, Utah, then follow U.S. Highway 89A south toward Jacob Lake and continue south on Arizona Highway 67.

Check weather and road conditions before traveling because Highway 67 can close because of snow, wildfire recovery work or other hazards.

Grand Canyon North Rim Directional Map

North Rim Hiking & 2026 Trail Status

The North Kaibab Trail reopened for foot traffic in May 2026, although maintenance work, post-fire hazards and weather can cause temporary delays or closures. Stock use is suspended during the 2026 season.

Open trails currently include Cape Royal Trail, Cliff Springs Trail, Cape Final Trail, Roosevelt Point Trail, Point Imperial Trail and the eastern section of the Ken Patrick Trail.

Bright Angel Point Trail, Widforss Trail, Transept Trail, Uncle Jim Trail and portions of the Arizona and Ken Patrick trails remain closed because of fire-related damage. Always verify current conditions before beginning a hike.

Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Tips

• Bring more drinking water than you expect to need because park water systems are unavailable in 2026.
• Check the current North Rim status page before leaving for the park.
• Do not assume Grand Canyon Lodge, restaurants or traditional visitor services are operating.
• Stay out of closed trails and burned areas because unstable trees, rockfall and debris flows remain possible.
• Check the weather carefully during monsoon season because burn scars increase flash-flood and debris-flow risk.
• Carry warm layers even during summer because temperatures fall quickly at high elevation.
• Vehicles over 22 feet are not permitted on the Point Imperial and Cape Royal scenic roads.
• Reserve North Rim Campground sites in advance when possible.
• Fill your fuel tank before remote travel and do not rely on cell service throughout the area.
• Allow extra travel time because the North Rim is much farther by road from the South Rim than it appears across the canyon.

Grand Canyon North Rim FAQ

Is The Grand Canyon North Rim Open In 2026?

Yes. The North Rim reopened May 15, 2026, although access remains more limited than before the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire.

What Happened To Grand Canyon Lodge?

The historic Grand Canyon Lodge was largely destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025. There is no overnight lodging inside the North Rim of the park during the 2026 season.

Is Bright Angel Point Open?

The Bright Angel Point Trail is closed during the 2026 season because of fire-related damage. Visitors should check current National Park Service conditions for future reopening information.

Are Point Imperial And Cape Royal Open?

Yes. Point Imperial Road and Cape Royal Road reopened for the 2026 season, providing access to Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook and Angels Window.

Is There Water At The North Rim?

Potable water is not available from park water systems during the 2026 season. Bottled water can be purchased at the General Store while it is operating, but visitors should arrive with sufficient water.

Is The North Rim Campground Open?

Yes. The North Rim Campground reopened June 1, 2026 and is scheduled to operate through October 15, conditions permitting. There are no RV hookups or potable campground water.

Is The North Kaibab Trail Open?

Yes. The North Kaibab Trail reopened for foot traffic in May 2026, although maintenance work and post-fire hazards can cause temporary closures or delays.

How Much Does It Cost To Enter Grand Canyon National Park?

The standard entrance fee is currently $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle or $20 per person entering on foot or bicycle, with each standard pass valid for seven days.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The North Rim?

The main visitor season is generally mid-May through mid-October, when Highway 67, scenic roads and visitor services are most likely to be available.

How Far Is The North Rim From The South Rim?

The rims appear close across the canyon, but driving between them requires a long trip around the canyon. Visitors should allow roughly five hours for the approximately 220-mile drive.

Grand Canyon North Rim Maps

The Spectacular Grand Canyon