"The Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven wonders" Grand Canyon by 850prc

Grand Canyon Travel Guide: 926 reviews and 3,050 photos

Two sides to the story

Actually, there are two basic sides to the canyon, namely the North Rim and the South Rim. The South Rim is much more famous and more developed, with respect to tourist infrastructure.

Some will say that the South Rim is more beautiful as well, but I don't necessarily agree. Whereas the South Rim is flashy, bright and warm (or more correctly hot), the North Rim is darker, quieter, more brooding and blessedly cool. The difference isn't the 100 miles or so between the two areas so much. It's more a case of the North Rim being about 1500 feet higher in altitude.

Both sides are beautiful and amazing, and you've got to spend time on both sides to do the Canyon. Only when you do as Joni Mitchell wrote, "looking at life from both sides now", can you really be completely fulfilled by your Grand Canyon visit.

The sedate and secretive North Rim

As mentioned above, the North Rim is the quieter and lesser-known side of the magical Grand Canyon. But for my money, it's the place that you really want to spend some time. Only at the North Rim can you drive away from the (ONLY) hotel into the woods and see deer and other wildlife on any almost any night. The North Rim is peace and quiet and cool mountain breezes. The North Rim is tall stands of Ponderosa pine stretching, it seems, to the clouds. Staying at the North Rim cabins is a pleasing step back into the wilderness travel of the mid to late 1930s.

True lovers of nature and solitude will become North Rim lovers in short order.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:It's the Grand Canyon....there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
  • Cons:At the South Rim, it may seem like there's nobody anywhere ELSE in the world. It's crowded.
  • In a nutshell:Everyone's first impression is usually a gasp.
  • Last visit to Grand Canyon: Jul 1998
  • Intro Written Apr 22, 2003
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Reviews (4)

Comments (25)

  • monica71's Profile Photo
    Dec 14, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    it looks like you had a great time here. there are so many places to explore in the canyon, it is hard to hit them all in just one visit. i hope to visit the west rim one day, it's been on my places to go to list for a quite a while.

  • JLBG's Profile Photo
    Jan 29, 2009 at 12:58 PM

    Your page reminds sweet memories from my visit to this outstanding location !

  • mtncorg's Profile Photo
    Aug 1, 2008 at 8:21 AM

    I agree that the North Rim is a better bet! That is, unless you are on the river below! ;-]

  • TheWanderingCamel's Profile Photo
    Sep 26, 2007 at 5:05 AM

    The canyon in midwinter - white, white snow on the rainbow f the rocks - unforgettable. leyle

  • Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Jan 8, 2006 at 7:03 AM

    I've just been reading about the history of the Grand Canyon Railway, from Williams to the South Rim. Have you ever taken it or seen it, by any chance?

  • grandmaR's Profile Photo
    Aug 12, 2005 at 2:03 PM

    North Rim Campground and Lodge is a category under Grand Canyon National Park - Hotels & Accommodations and there aren't very many tips in that location.

  • EllenH's Profile Photo
    Jan 19, 2005 at 9:29 PM

    i used to work on the south rim, (1982) and I never did see the north. It looks wonderful.

  • JetlagCity's Profile Photo
    Oct 15, 2004 at 3:57 PM

    Great comparison & info! I'm a big fan of the North Rim, & the North Kaibab trail. Truly an awe-inspiring place!

  • karenincalifornia's Profile Photo
    Jul 20, 2004 at 8:06 PM

    Pete, great tips on Grand Canyon. North Rim IS best. Very nice family pic in front of the cabin 91. The subtitle on your intro page makes me think of "Both Sides Now" for some reason.

  • Faiza-Ifrah's Profile Photo
    Jun 24, 2004 at 2:18 PM

    nice illustration of difference bewteen south and north rims. wheter 200 pounds or not, i won't mount those mules. very helpful tips. and btw, a very happy birthday to u.

850prc

“Proud visitor to all seven continents! Presently giving thought to the eternal question.... where to next? ”

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