Grand Canyon’s North Rim to Reopen Soon for the Summer

The less-visited North Rim of the Grand Canyon will reopen for the summer season next week, allowing travelers to explore even more of the breathtaking park.

The North Rim, which closed to overnight visitors in October and closed its entrance gate about a month after that, will once again welcome visitors at 6 a.m. on May 15, according to the National Park Service. The opening will include multiple visitor services, like camping, lodging, retail, food and beverage services, and the gas station.

The Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim will also open on May 15. The lodge dining room will welcome visitors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with reservations required for dinners.

“Get ready to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim as we kick off the 2024 season on Wednesday, May 15 at 6 a.m.!” the NPS wrote in a Facebook post. “Mark your calendars — the 2024 season runs until October 15, so make sure to plan your visit before then!”

Once open, the North Rim will remain available for day use until Nov. 30 or until “winter conditions prevail,” the NPS noted. The Backcountry Information Office will remain open through Oct. 31.

The park will also feature daily Park Ranger programs at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk until Oct. 15.

The North Rim sits near the Arizona-Utah border and receives far fewer visitors than the more accessible South Rim. From the North Rim, travelers can visit picturesque lookout points like Bright Angel Point and the Redwall Bridge. 

Once it closes for the season, visitors can still access the North Rim for backcountry camping with a backcountry permit, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. 

The more crowded South Rim is open year-round.

Last year, the opening of the North Rim was delayed due to record-setting snowfall totals after the park received more than 250 inches of accumulated snowfall.