North Rim Visitor Center — Attraction in Four Corners States

If you’re concerned about Covid and construction, maybe come next year.

If you come on a weekday, Cape Royal Road is closed. This week when we drove past it, it was gravel. It’ll be awhile before that’s done. This limits you, and every other visitor, to the area around the visitor center, which is closed. The lodge is only open to those staying there. But you can go on the patio/deck and enjoy the gorgeous views!

Even around the visitor center, a big section of the parking lot is being repaved, so that limits parking. And they’re doing water system updates, so there’s construction all over. It’s a bit noisy and messy.

The only bathrooms available are port-a-potties by the visitor center and lodge. Not fun, but better than nothing.

Also, mask compliance and social distancing are at a minimum. On the Bright Angel Point trail, about 15% of ppl had masks. And these people do not social distance. On the North Rim the paths are much more narrow and there’s less space to spread out. In many places it’s impossible to social distance and I was surprised how few people at the north rim were clearly not concerned about covid.

Even on the patio, people were standing right next to us and behind us, when there was plenty of space. Covid aside, we saw way more rudeness at the north rim than the south rim. Like Bluetooth speakers blaring music on trails, people hogging viewpoints (which are much smaller than on the south rim), and so many people on phone calls.

We were able to find secluded trails (Transept trail to the Nature trail) and even see deer! We found a table on the deck by the lodge to watch the sunset from, and it wasn’t as crowded as I was expecting, which was great! A group of rude people took the table next to us, stood within 2 feet of us, talked on their phones, and didn’t even look at the sunset. We just kept our masks on when that were around, but luckily they didn’t stay long.

You can buy food at the lodge, which smelled great, but we brought our own food.

The views are spectacular and we had a wonderful time. But I felt I should warn anyone going anytime soon about the construction, bathroom situation, and lack of covid concern by most of...

I have visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon several times in all seasons and it’s safe to say that it is a lot more crowded than the North Rim in any season. While the South Rim is more easily accessible, the North Rim afforded me the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views in a drastically less crowded environment. We began our visit at the North Rim Visitor Center to pick up a map and brochure and talk with the rangers and staff who as always were polite and offered suggestions on what to see and do during our visit. One thing that you should Keep in Mind is the North Rim is only open seasonally. Usually closing around mid to late November and re-opening in the spring. Located adjacent to the Visitors is the Grand Canyon Lodge and Restaurant. If you are looking for something less formal and quick you can visit the Deli in the Pines or the Roughrider Saloon. We had a quick lunch at the Deli in the Pines. The Prices of the Sandwiches and Beverages were inflated, which is to be expected, but they were not as high as what we found in some of the other National Parks. While we are discussing prices, I used my National Park Senior Pass which allow me to enter the Park free of charge. The Visitor’s Center is well stocked with the usual souvenirs were reasonably priced for a National Park. This area around the Lodge and Visitor Center is the hub or the North Rim and it was here that we encountered the largest crowds. But with that being said, it was less crowded than the South Rim. Our group had allotted about 4-hours here and we used and enjoyed every minute...

This was just plain disappointing. Here's what's going to happen.... you will drive for at least ONE HOUR EACH WAY with absolutely nothing to see or do, except maybe wonder at the apocalypse like destroyed hills as you enter. This place epitomizes everything I hate about tourist traps. Once you finally get there, you will blindly drive around looking for a spot....any spot....not knowing you'll have to walk a mile to something....anything... through a maze of tightly packed unsightly cabins... with no view in sight....anywhere. But don't fret.... these people had to drag all of their luggage around at one point to find their space in this giant ant mound like motel... because there's no parking anywhere. Then, when you finally find some obscure ranger office... you get directed to walk farther....and still yet no view...anywhere....just zombie like tired people wandering aimlessly. When and if you finally make it to the lodge, no food available (btw), 3 glass panes and tree obscured decks are all that allow for a view. You have to take a hike if you want to see something.....anything ..... because the lodge view is not worth the ride or the entrance fee. The bison herd, however, was. Terrible tourist trap.... with little reward for effort. Just drive through Staircase Escalante... and views are far more beautiful and hiking more...