You should know that it’s not accessible year round. This area is closed from mid-October to mid- May for their precarious winter season. Another thing to keep in mind is that your cell phone may not work most of the time. I’m able to get signal at Jacob Lake and then again near the Visitors Center but anything in between can be spotty if existent at all. Televisions are somewhat of an illusive creature in these parts as well so, if you’re rushing back to your room to watch your favorite show, you’ll be disappointed.

The good news is that the North Rim really has other charms -- in the sense that you can stay in a motel room or in a cabin and enjoy fine(ish) dining or you can rough it by camping with nothing but you and nature -- with options in between. (Reservations are definitely recommended at the Lodge if you’re wanting a nice dinner.) We have been going to the North Rim at least twice a year for over a decade and we still find new places to explore. Our early fall trip in 2019 treated us to the sight of a herd of bison milling about along the side of the road just past the entrance station.

One of our favorite places to visit while at the North Rim is Point Sublime. We just happened upon this 18-mile drive one Sunday morning on our way back home. Little did we know the adventure that awaited us! If you decide to take this unpaved trek, don’t be fooled by the paltry sounding distance so be sure to top off the tank of your high clearance 4x4 vehicle, check your tires and don’t forget water and lunch.  

Close to the North Kaibab Trailhead (where everyone else seems to be), you’ll come upon the unassuming Widforss Trail sign -- shortly before the North Rim Lodge & Visitors Center. Some of you hikers will enjoy this five-mile Widforss Trail that runs across the plateau. It’s not known to be a difficult trail but you’ll have to let me know what you think because we just stay in our Jeep and head past it toward our remote bliss.  

We usually take our time along this rough but scenic road so I’d estimate that we get to Point Sublime in around three hours from Highway 67. That is meandering with plenty of stops along the way. Once you get to Point Sublime, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Canyon -- usually with less than a handful (if any at all) other people there.

While you’re near Point Sublime, you can visit a couple of the other viewpoints -- Fire Point or Swamp Point. Or you can head back in time to make your dinner reservation in the dining room if you take the longer but less treacherous northern road that will get you there with less bumps.  

If you don’t require the spoils of running water and restaurants, I can let you in on another little-known secret. Indian Hollow Campground will put you next to the Canyon and you may just have the place to yourself. Equipped with picnic tables, fire pits and “hole in the ground” vault toilets, this campground only has three spots. It’s located at the end of Forest Road 232 in a primitive location that is not suitable for large RV’s. You’ll want to seek it out well before sunset.

Just past the Indian Hollow Campground, you can drive to the Thunder River Trailhead and take a short ¼ mile hike to the Canyon’s edge. The Trail goes on from there but this edge is a nice place to enjoy the view, not far from the campground.

I could go on and on about all the things there are to love about the North Rim. It is truly one of my favorite places. But alas, we don’t have the time or the space to give you the complete list. Besides, half of the fun is finding new places to explore! Check out the spectacular North Rim. I know you’ll fall in love with the Canyon allover again.