The Grand Canyon is called “Grand” for a reason—the place is freakin’ massive. It takes about four hours to drive from one rim to the other. Due to the sheer scope of it, you might ask yourself, “Which rim of the Grand Canyon should I visit?” Here, we go over the best rim of the Grand Canyon for your needs, whether they be hiking, biking, visiting with small children, or taking a flight. Equipped with this information, you will be able to figure out if you should visit the North Rim or South Rim. Or, hey, it could be both!

If you want to contain small children in a stroller…

Visit the South Rim. While the North Rim can be visited with small children using a hiking carrier (for more tips, see this article on the Grand Canyon North Rim with kids), there aren’t any trails that we would consider stroller-friendly. The South Rim, on the other hand, has the flat, fully-paved Rim Trail that is perfect for small children in strollers. You can stroll along with your buckled-in children and relax, knowing that they won’t be able to somehow catapult themselves to their demise, which, unsurprisingly, makes the whole thing rather enjoyable. Paths in the Desert View (east) side of the canyon, accessible from the South Rim via Hwy 64, are also paved and stroller-friendly.

If You’re Looking for a Scenic Campground…

Look no further than the North Rim. Mather Campground on the South Rim is nice, but cannot compare to the spectacular views available at the North Rim Campground. For $25 a night, you can pitch a tent overlooking the canyon with the ability to watch the sunset and sunrise without needing to take a hike or drive somewhere else. Cook out, read, and relax with the canyon as your backdrop. If you choose to get an $18 campsite that is not on the rim, you’ll still be within short walking distance to the Transept Trail that runs along the rim 1.5 miles to Grand Canyon Lodge.

IF You Want To Ride Your Bike…

Ring that bell on the South Rim. The lack of paved and bike-allowed trails on the North Rim do not make it suitable for those who want to bike. Luckily, the South Rim boasts a few bike-friendly trails, making it the best option for you.

If You want To hike below the rim…

Breathe easy on the South Rim. You can definitely hike below the rim on the North Rim via North Kaibab Trail; however, the best trail for anyone hiking below the rim would be Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim. Hike down 1.5 miles to the aptly-named 1.5 Mile Resthouse. Make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen and bring plenty of water and snacks as the hike drops you down 1120 feet into the canyon and you are expected to return the same way you got down. It is a strenuous hike for sure, but worth it if you feel you can handle it.

Most people are used to tough hikes up and easy hikes down, but remember: this is the opposite. Take your time and know your limits. You cannot camp below the rim without a permit, which usually has to be secured well in advance (check the backcountry permit office for any cancellations), so only go down as far as you know you can go up. And for those of you who think they can hike down to the Colorado River and back in one day, well, don’t be like this guy:

If you’re looking for a lot of Simple hikes above the rim…

Hit the trails on the North Rim. There is really only one trail on the South Rim that is simple and scenic, which is the Rim Trail. On the North Rim, you have several options.

The Transept Trail follows along the canyon’s rim from the lodge to campground (1.5 miles from lodge to campground with an option to go further if desired).
While not especially scenic at parts, another option from the campground to the main North Rim village, the 1-mile Bridle Trail (can make it longer) will take you to…
Bright Angel Point Trail, a short (.5 miles roundtrip) but stunning (and steep at times) viewpoint which will give you a better visual on how the canyon was shaped.
Widfoss Trail, an almost 10-mile flat walk through forest for the most part. While it’s long, going in even one or two miles will be rewarding.

Our thoughts? The best hikes exist to the east of the North Rim Visitor Center. From the entry point of Grand Canyon North Rim on Highway 67, turn left onto Cape Royal Rd. Along that road, you will find:

Cape Royal Trail, a .8-mile roundtrip jaunt along the rim that allows you to see the Colorado River and the awesome rock formation, Angels Window. Cape Royal is also an excellent place to view the sunrise or sunset.
Cliff Springs Trail, another .8-mile roundtrip trail that dips slightly below the rim and features a natural spring and incredible views, along with an ancient Native American granary.
Roosevelt Trail, a .2-mile roundtrip woodland loop with benches and views.

Other good options for slightly longer hikes on the rim include Point Imperial (5.4 miles roundtrip and easy) and Uncle Jim Trail (4.7 miles roundtrip).

If You’re Traveling with Your Pet…

“Woof it” to the South Rim. The South Rim has a kennel available for day and night stays (check closures due to Covid-19 and make reservations ahead of time). Not only that, but pets are allowed in Yavapai Lodge guest rooms (the only lodge in the Canyon where they are allowed). Campgrounds on both rims allow leashed pets, but on the North Rim, only the Bridle Trail allows them. On the South Rim, leashed pets are allowed on all above-rim trails, and the Rim Trail remains a great option for walking your pupster and letting him get an excellent view of the world’s best place to bury a bone.

(That is, if he were allowed below the rim, which he is not. But you know if that if could get down to the bottom of that canyon, he’d bury alllll the bones there.)

If you want to Meet a lot of foreign travelers…

You must go to the South Rim. We get it—sometimes being surrounded by a bunch of Americans can be boring. While a number of foreign travelers hit the North Rim, it’s less popular as the South Rim is much more accessible via I-40, a major interstate. Many tours go to the South Rim as well. Also of note: some tours from Las Vegas also visit the West Rim, if you’re looking for something different.

If you Prefer Seclusion…

The North Rim is the rim for you. Not only does the Grand Canyon North Rim receive far fewer visitors per year than the South Rim, it is also miles away from any cities. In fact, the closest “city,” Page, AZ, is about 2.5 hours away and has a population a little over 7,500. The next closest city, St. George, UT, is 2.75 hours in the opposite direction. The North Rim’s lodging and camping capacities are a fraction of those at the South Rim, so you will certainly find fewer people here. You might only run into a couple other people on some of the North Rim’s least-trafficked hikes, so enjoy the peace and serenity that being alone can offer!

If you’re Traveling To the Grand Canyon in Winter…

Hit the South Rim. The North Rim is only open from May 15-October 15 due to snowy conditions making the roadways unsafe and impassable, so your best bet is the South Rim if you’re traveling any time in late fall through early spring. You are still likely to see Grand Canyon snow on the South Rim, though, so prepare for that if you’re going to visit the Grand Canyon during winter. Try to avoid traveling during snowfall; however, viewing Grand Canyon snow can be very beautiful. There are fewer people and Hermit Road is open to the public, so plenty of opportunities exist for “grand” pictures and even grander memories.

If you want to satisfy YouR Inner Foodie…

Get your eats on the South Rim. The South Rim has quite a few good dining options, from El Tovar Dining Room to Maswik Lodge Food Court to Fred Harvey Burger (which also offers food truck options for those on the go), there is something for everyone. Closer to the Yavapai Lodge and Mather Campground, you will find outdoor gastropub dining at Yavapai Tavern, with delicious brews, burgers (including vegan options), and pizzas to satisfy those cravings you had on the trail all day…with reasonable prices. Mmmmmm.

IF you want to start a rim-to-rim hike…

Start with the North Rim. As already stated, the elevation of the North Rim is about 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, so it makes sense that you’d want to go down (rather than up) this side of the canyon. The North Kaibab trail (shuttles from the North Rim village are available) descends into the canyon, following along the Inner Gorge and meeting up with either the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail to complete the hike up the canyon on the South Rim. The rim-to-rim hike is 23.5 miles and requires planning and preparation (along with a backcountry permit for camping) and, as exciting as it sounds, should not be attempted on a whim.

North Rim, South Rim, or both, one thing is clear: you will be stunned by the natural beauty and magnitude of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy!

North Or South: Which Rim Of The Grand Canyon Is For You?