North Rim Grand Canyon
Bright Angel Point and Point Imperial gave us a quieter, higher perspective on a canyon we thought we already understood.
Why drive to the North Rim?
The North Rim is not simply another angle on the same overlook. It sits more than 1,000 feet higher than much of the South Rim and feels quieter, cooler and more forested. We liked the contrast after seeing the canyon from the South Rim.
Bright Angel Point: short walk, enormous view
When we visited, Bright Angel Point was a quick, easy-feeling walk from the developed North Rim area. The paved trail is about a half mile round trip with roughly 200 feet of elevation change. It ends at 8,148 feet.
One of the coolest details is Roaring Springs. On quiet days, NPS says you can hear it gushing from the canyon about 3,100 feet below the rim. Water from Roaring Springs has historically supplied both rims through the park’s water system.
We could also look across the canyon toward the South Rim, which helped make the scale feel even more ridiculous.
Point Imperial: our other must-stop viewpoint
Point Imperial is the highest viewpoint at Grand Canyon at 8,803 feet. The drive itself winds through high-elevation forest before opening onto views toward the eastern canyon and Painted Desert.
This is exactly the kind of stop we like: very little hiking required, but a viewpoint that feels meaningfully different from the classic South Rim scene.
Is the North Rim worth the drive?
Yes, if you have the time. We would not sacrifice a first South Rim visit or a hike below the rim just to say we saw both sides. But for a longer Grand Canyon trip, the North Rim adds a quieter, higher-elevation perspective that feels genuinely different.
In 2026, North Rim access has been especially changeable after the Dragon Bravo Fire and later weather impacts. Paved roads to Point Imperial and Cape Royal reopened for the season, while some trails—including Bright Angel Point at times—have remained closed. Check the NPS North Rim status page before planning around a specific trail.