Grand Canyon North Rim Lodging

Lodging at the Grand Canyon North Rim Gets You Away From It All

Although it takes a longer to reach, staying at Grand Canyon North Rim lodging is worth the effort of the roughly 5-hour drive north from the South Rim.

The spectacular North Rim sits atop the equally spectacular Kaibab Plateau, rising 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level, offering a completely different Grand Canyon experience.

This cabin is perched right on the edge of the North Rim

Each Grand Canyon North Rim lodge is tucked into the cool, fragrant pines and firs that cover the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park. The verdant meadows and stands of the white-backed aspens make this region look more like the Rocky Mountains than the Arizona desert.

Because the North Rim is at a higher elevation than the South Rim, it is cooler year-round.

Heavy snow closes this side of Grand Canyon National Park during the winter, generally from about mid-October to mid-May.

While the North Rim is easy to get to from southern Utah, it is more remote from the rest of Arizona and, as a result, far less crowded than the South Rim.

There are no towns at the North Rim. The closest towns with lodging are Fredonia, Arizona, 73 miles northwest, and Kanab, Utah, 80 miles northwest of the North Rim.

Grand Canyon North Rim Lodging is much more limited than what is available at the South Rim.

There are just three Grand Canyon North Rim lodges. One is in the park at the edge of the North Rim.

The other two are outside the park in the Kaibab National Forest, which you must drive through in order to reach the park entrance.

As with the South Rim lodges, advance reservations are a must at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge in the park. For last minute reservations, try the Jacob Lake Inn.

Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim

First built in 1928 by the Union Pacific Railway, The Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim is a classic, beautiful park lodge made from local limestone rock and timber.

The original lodge burned to the ground in 1932 but was rebuilt in 1936 with some major changes from the original.

Unlike the lodges on the South Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge is perched dramatically at the very edge of the North Rim, offering wonderful views of the canyon from both inside and out.

This is the only Grand Canyon North Rim lodging inside the park and is only open when the park is, from about mid-May to mid-October (weather permitting).

There are a variety of accommodations spread out over the Grand Canyon Lodge complex, including three types of cabins.

Frontier cabins have one double bed and one single bed and sleep a maximum of 3 people. These cabins have a standard (non-rim) view only.

The larger Western cabins have two queen size beds, a full bath and a front porch.

The two bedroom Pioneer cabins were remodeled in 2009 and have two bedrooms separated by a 3/4 bath with shower. They sleep up to 6 people and have a mini-fridge.

The Western and Pioneer cabins are available with a standard view or rim view.

Some of the cabins are right at the edge of the rim. Cabin 310 is considered to have the best view of any cabin at the North Rim, though the other cabins near it, like No. 306, have great views, too.

The Grand Canyon North Lodge motel rooms have one queen bed, a private bath and can sleep 3 people with the addition of a roll-away bed. The rooms are within easy walking distance of the canyon rim.

If you can’t get a room here, have a meal at the Lodge Dining Room. During ours, we enjoyed the magnificent views from the giant windows overlooking the canyon. The food is a mix of American and Southwestern favorites such as steaks, Navajo tacos, roasted chicken, chili and pasta.

Other dining options include the Deli in the Pines and the Coffee Saloon (open mornings only), which becomes the Roughrider Saloon the rest of the day. All are located inside the main lodge.

During the summer, the Grand Canyon Cookout Experience is an outdoor chuck wagon dinner with entertainment (available June 1 – September 30).

What to Know Before You Go: There are no TVs or air conditioning in any of the accommodations at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge; Reservations should be made far in advance as possible, especially for rim-side cabins; The Lodge Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Reservations are required for dinner. Call (928) 638-2611. The Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge is managed by the concessionaire, Forever Resorts.

Amenities: general store, campground, mule rides, on-site guest self-laundry.

Rates: Cabins $118 - $182, Motel rooms $113

Phone: for reservations (877) 386-4383

Pet Friendly: No

Forever Resorts Terms & Conditions:

• Rooms may be booked at least 13 months in advance of planned arrival date.
• A deposit equal to the first night's room charge plus applicable taxes is required for each room at time of reservation.
• Children 15 and under are free in all accommodations.
• The base rate is for two guests in the Western Cabins, Frontier Cabins, and Motel Rooms, and four guests in the Pioneer Cabins. Each additional guest, up to the room maximum, is $10.00.
• Rates do not include Arizona State and Local taxes.
• Room rates include a Utility Pass-Through Surcharge, as well as a $1/night voluntary contribution to National Park Foundation. Guests may elect to have the $1 contribution removed from their invoice at check-in.
• Cancellation must be received no less than 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival for a full refund. Cancellations received less than 72 hours from scheduled arrival will be subject to forfeit of total deposit.

Address: Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86052

Location: North Rim of the Grand Canyon inside the park.

Kaibab Lodge

This Grand Canyon North Rim lodging is just 5 miles north of the park entrance and 18 miles from the North Rim.

The rustic Kaibab Lodge is set back from Arizona State Route 67 in the Kaibab National Forest at the edge of a large meadow.

It is the closest Grand Canyon North Rim lodging outside the park.

The Kaibab Lodge offers a variety of cabin style buildings a short walk from the main lodge.

There are no phones or TVs in the cabins, but there is a pay phone and satellite TV at the main lodge.

Most cabins have double beds with a private bathroom, and smoking and non-smoking units are available.

Some cabins have only one unit while others have two units per building. The Eastview cabins have 4 units per building.

Depending on the size, units can accommodate from one to six people.

The lodge’s North Rim Country Store sells groceries, ice, firewood and maps.

The Kaibab Lodge also has a restaurant, gift shop, and a fuel station selling both gas and diesel.

What to Know Before You Go: Open during the summer from about mid-May to mid-October. The Kaibab Lodge stays open until the roads are shut down by the state of Arizona because of heavy snow.

Amenities: coin-operated, on-site guest self-laundry.

Rates: Cabins $85 - $175

Phone: Reservations are by phone only (928) 638-2389

Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are allowed in some rooms.

Address: AZ 67, Jacob Lake, AZ 86022

Location: About 18 miles from the North Rim.

Jacob Lake Lodge

Set at the beginning of Arizona State Route 67, Jacob Lake Inn is a full service oasis of amenities in the middle of vast stretches of forest, canyons and high desert.

It has been owned and operated by the Bowman family since 1923 and over the years they’ve added everything a traveler needs including overnight accommodations, a gift shop, bakery, restaurant, country store and service station.

The Jacob Lake Inn features a variety of Grand Canyon North Rim lodging options.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here in one of the cabins.

The various cabin sizes sleep anywhere from two to six people. Each has a shower, heater, bed and outdoor deck, but no TV, no phone and no internet access.

Older motel rooms have a shower, heater, and air conditioner, but no TV, no phone and no internet access.

Newer motel rooms have a shower, heater, air conditioner, cable TV and internet access (when available).

All Grand Canyon North Rim lodging options here include a place to sit outside.

During our stay, we loved sitting on our deck in the evening, surrounded by the clean, fragrant forest.

The Jacob Lake Inn has a great restaurant with a lunch counter and dining room. The food was tasty and had a home-cooked style. There are also baked goods made on-site.

Inside the country store is a café counter where you can get custom-made shakes, malts and sundaes.

Because the Jacob Lake Inn is located at the intersection of US 89A and AZ 67, it is able to remain open all year, even with winter snow.

When the North Rim Grand Canyon lodge is full, you may often find a vacant room at the Jacob Lake Inn. From Jacob Lake, the North Rim is about a 45-minute drive away.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is not the only destination for Jacob Lake visitors, however. To the north, in Utah, are Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, each offering unique and spectacular high desert landscapes to explore.

What to Know Before You Go: Smoking and non-smoking lodging is available. Pets are not allowed in newer motel rooms.

Amenities: camping facilities, RV park with no utility hookup, bike rentals.

Rates: Cabins $86 - $134, Motel $116 - $135

Phone: for reservations (928) 643-7232

Pet Friendly: Yes, pets allowed with a daily fee in some rooms.

Address: US 89A and State Route 67, Jacob Lake, AZ 86022

Location: About 45 miles from the North Rim.

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