We're kicking around the idea of a trip to the Grand Canyon this summer (mid-July). From what I've read so far, the North Rim is much quieter and less touristed. Are the views just as spectacular? What about the lodging on the North Rim? Any other pros and cons on north vs. south? Thanks for any input! Elizabeth

I've had friends go to the North Rim and loved it. It was quieter and less "invaded". But the lodgings are fewer, I understand. We stayed at the El Tovar lodge on the South Rim a few years ago. It's lovely and quaint, having been built many decades ago. The area, by late June, was very busy and the traffic awful. You may be too late to get lodging on either rim at this date; we'd made our reservations for June in January and were told we were almost too late. This area is a National Park and uses a separate service for reservations. I'd advise you not to waste a moment!

How's this for a coincidence? Just this morning, I was looking at photos taken by a friend while hiking the North Rim in September. Judging from the photos, the scenery is breathtaking. He was on a hiking/camping trip into a very remote area, but did stay one night in the large lodge in the park.

Amy in MA
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

This posting is probably too late since by now you probably should have had reservations at the N. Rim should you decide to go there. The N. Rim is considerably higher than the S. Rim, fewer lodging possibilities, so I am told since I have never been to the S. Rim, great views and the all day mule ride, which should not be missed if you are physically capable, does not go to the canyon floor. I am told that from the S. Rim one can take a mule ride and overnight at Phantom Ranch and ride out. I have a 63 y.o. female friend who has done it twice ( I intend to Pdq). Hint: if you take a mule ride and are not accustomed to horseback riding, take a couple of ibuprophen before the ride and the saddle soreness wil be easier to get over. The N. Rim is a little more difficult to get to by car (We drove from Las Vegas) but on the way you can visit other canyons. Good luck. (Listen to Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite particularly "On the Trail" if you decide to take the mule ride.

the South Rim is to the North Rim like Disneyland is to a quiet walk in the woods

they can both be fun

but they are different

the South Rim is very crowded

the North Rim is very low key

but the Noerth Rim is not prehistoric, or anything, you can sit on the veranda, watch the canyon and order a beer from a passing waitress - it doesn't get much better than that, eh?

I'd say go to the South if you can't get reservations at the North

I just stayed in a cabin on the North and it was excellent

the food is fair, but fairly priced

the wine is grossly overpriced (even by restaurant standards)

typically, in the Northern Hemisphere, the views of a given object are better looking north than they are looking south - it has to do with where the sun is in the sky. If you are looking to the south, you are looking into the sun.

Did I get that right?

if you stay at the North Rim, enjoy the drive across the meadows and into the park, before you get there - it's a pretty one, but easy to ignore if you are just looking forward to getting to the rim. Notice the curiously bent aspen. Enjoy the meadow. The wildflowers are great right now