Distance from Las Vegas
~270 miles (435 km)
Drive time
5 to 5.5 hours one way
Route
I-15 N through St. George, then AZ-67 S
Entry fee
$35/vehicle (7-day NPS pass, same as South Rim)
Open season
Mid-May to mid-October
Elevation
8,241 ft (North Rim Visitor Center)
Only lodge
Grand Canyon Lodge (book 6 to 12 months ahead)
Nearest gas
Jacob Lake, AZ (44 miles before rim)
How long is the drive from Las Vegas?
270 miles.The route goes north-northeast from Las Vegas, crossing into Utah through St. George, looping east through Kanab, then south back into Arizona on the famous AZ-67 known as "the Road to the North Rim." Most of AZ-67 runs through the Kaibab Plateau in dense ponderosa pine forest.
No major traffic except the Las Vegas outskirts and occasionally St. George on summer weekends. Fill up in Kanab or at Jacob Lake; there is no gas at the rim.
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Step-by-step route and stops
- Las Vegas Strip: head north on I-15 toward Salt Lake City. Exit 8 (Tropicana) or continue to I-515 if coming from east Las Vegas, then merge onto I-15 North.
- Boulder City / Hoover Dam area (~30 min from Strip): optional 20-minute photo stop at Hoover Dam. The dam is visible from US-93 without paying; a parking stop adds time but is worth it if you have flexibility.
- Cross Nevada/Utah border (~1h from Las Vegas): continue on I-15 North.
- St. George, Utah (~1.5h): good breakfast and fuel stop. Last major services for a while. The red rock formations around St. George are a preview of the landscape ahead.
- Exit I-15 at exit 16 (Hurricane, UT): take UT-9 East through Hurricane and La Verkin toward the US-89 junction.
- US-89 South at Junction, UT: head south through open rangeland toward Kanab.
- Kanab, Utah (~3h from Las Vegas): the last good meal and fuel stop before the rim. Multiple restaurants, gas stations, and a small downtown. If you are doing an overnight trip, Kanab has several hotels and is a solid base (about 1.5 hours from the rim).
- US-89A South (Marble Canyon / Navajo Bridge): optional 10-minute stop at Navajo Bridge, a historic span over the Colorado River. Two bridges side by side: one original 1929 steel arch, one modern vehicle bridge. California condors often roost here.
- Jacob Lake, AZ (~4.5h from Las Vegas): LAST GAS STATION before the rim, 44 miles ahead. Fill up here every time without exception. There is also a small inn and diner at Jacob Lake.
- AZ-67 South through Kaibab Plateau forest (~45 min): one of the most scenic approaches to any national park. Dense ponderosa pine at 8,000 feet, wildlife common (mule deer, Kaibab squirrels, wild turkeys). The road is paved and in good condition.
- North Rim Grand Canyon National Park entrance: $35/vehicle, valid 7 days.
- North Rim Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Lodge (~5 to 5.5h from Las Vegas): your destination.
Is a day trip realistic?
Technically possible, but not recommended. The math is unforgiving:
- 5 hours driving each way = 10 hours behind the wheel
- Realistic departure from Las Vegas: 5am
- Arrival at the rim: approximately 10:30am
- To be back in Vegas by midnight: leave the rim by 6:30pm
- Time at the canyon: about 8 hours, if you do not stop
- But fuel, food, and rest stops absorb 1 to 2 of those hours
The honest verdict: you arrive tired, rush the viewpoints, and drive home in the dark. The North Rim is not a windshield-tour destination. It rewards time.
Overnight recommendation: stay one night at Grand Canyon Lodge or the campground, or in Kanab (35 minutes from Jacob Lake). Even a single night changes the trip entirely: sunrise at the rim is extraordinary and you can hike Bright Angel Point in morning light with the canyon quiet and cool.
What to see at the North Rim
Bright Angel Point Trail
0.5 miles paved, mostly flat, starting directly at the lodge. A narrow rocky peninsula with the canyon dropping away on both sides. Takes 20 to 30 minutes and is the single most dramatic short walk in Grand Canyon National Park. Do not skip it. The view from the end of the point is different from anything on the South Rim: you are surrounded by the canyon on three sides simultaneously.
Point Imperial
Accessible by road, 11 miles from the visitor center. The highest viewpoint in Grand Canyon National Park at 8,803 feet. Views extend across the Painted Desert and Marble Canyon to the east, with a completely different angle on the canyon than anything from the South Rim. Usually uncrowded even in peak season.
Cape Royal Road
A 23-mile scenic drive from the visitor center to Cape Royal, with multiple pullouts along the way: Vista Encantada, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook. Cape Royal itself offers a view of Angels Window (a natural rock arch) and a sweeping eastward panorama. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the full drive with stops.
North Rim Visitor Center
Small but well-curated, with ranger talks in season. The Rim Trail runs along the canyon edge from the visitor center and is suitable for all fitness levels. Rangers can advise on trail conditions for the Bright Angel Trail descent (permit required for overnight, 2 days minimum round-trip to the river).
Note: the mule rides down to the inner canyon from the North Rim have been discontinued. There is no equivalent of the South Rim day-mule experience here.
Where to stay
Grand Canyon Lodge (on-rim)
The ONLY accommodation directly at the North Rim. Rustic cabins and motel-style rooms with canyon views. Book 6 to 13 months in advance for peak season (late June through mid-August). Reservations: 877-386-4383. The lodge dining room has a panoramic window wall facing the canyon and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
North Rim Campground
87 sites, 0.25 miles from the rim. Reservable on recreation.gov; fills in summer. First-come sites available in shoulder season. Has water, flush toilets, and a camp store. No hookups.
Kaibab Lodge (Jacob Lake area)
About 45 minutes from the rim via AZ-67, in the Kaibab National Forest. More last-minute availability than Grand Canyon Lodge. Simple cabins and motel rooms in a forested setting. Good option for flexible travelers who did not book the rim lodging far enough ahead.
Kanab, Utah
About 1.5 hours from the rim (80 miles). Multiple hotels across all price ranges, restaurants, and a relaxed small-town atmosphere. The best base for a North Rim trip if you want flexibility and do not have Grand Canyon Lodge reserved. Kanab also puts you within range of Zion National Park (40 minutes) and Bryce Canyon (1.5 hours) for a multi-park itinerary.
North Rim vs South Rim
Both rims look into the same canyon, but they are very different experiences. The North Rim receives roughly 10% of South Rim visitor numbers, which means dramatically less crowding at every viewpoint.
| Feature | North Rim | South Rim |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Las Vegas | 270 miles, 5.5h | 280 miles, 4.5h |
| Season | May to October only | Year-round |
| Crowds | Very low | High (especially summer) |
| Views | Dramatic, different angle | World-famous, classic views |
| Easy trails | Bright Angel Point (0.5 mi) | Rim Trail (13 mi) and Bright Angel (to 1.5-mi resthouse) |
| Mule rides | Not available | Yes (book 13 months ahead) |
| Accommodation | 1 lodge and campground | Multiple lodges, hotels nearby |
| Visitor center | Small, seasonal | Multiple, large, year-round |
If this is your first Grand Canyon visit and you have a choice, the South Rim gives you more time at the canyon for the same drive distance from Las Vegas. If you have done the South Rim or want to avoid summer crowds, the North Rim is the right call.
For the full three-way comparison including Grand Canyon West, see our Grand Canyon complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon?
Yes, especially if you want to avoid crowds and have already visited the South Rim. The North Rim sits 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, giving a slightly different angle on the canyon. The ponderosa pine forest approach, the dramatic Bright Angel Point promontory, and Point Imperial are genuine highlights. The trade-off: open only mid-May to mid-October, fewer trails, and only one accommodation option.
Which rim of the Grand Canyon is closest to Las Vegas?
Grand Canyon West (West Rim) is the closest at 125 miles (about 2 hours). The North Rim is 270 miles (about 5.5 hours) and the South Rim is 280 miles (about 4.5 hours). Note that Grand Canyon West is NOT Grand Canyon National Park; it is Hualapai tribal land with separate fees.
Is it worth driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?
Yes, to the South Rim or North Rim. Both are fully paved and accessible in a standard rental car. The South Rim at 4.5 hours each way is the most commonly driven route and produces a far better experience than any bus tour. The North Rim at 5.5 hours each way requires an overnight to do it properly.
Can you drive from Las Vegas to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon?
Yes. The route is entirely on paved roads: I-15 North from Las Vegas through St. George, Utah; then US-89 South toward Kanab; then US-89A South to Jacob Lake; then AZ-67 South to the rim. A standard rental car handles the route without issues. Fill up at Jacob Lake (44 miles before the rim) as there is no gas at the North Rim.
How far is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?
About 270 miles by road, typically 5 to 5.5 hours of driving depending on stops. The route goes north through Utah and then south back into Arizona via AZ-67 through the Kaibab Plateau.
Can you do a day trip from Las Vegas to the North Rim?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Driving there and back takes 10 to 11 hours, leaving very little time at the canyon. Leaving Las Vegas at 5am gets you to the rim by 10:30am; to be back in Vegas by midnight you need to leave the rim by 6:30pm. An overnight stay, even a single night in Kanab, transforms the trip.
When does the Grand Canyon North Rim open and close?
The North Rim is open mid-May to mid-October each year. AZ-67 closes to vehicle traffic in winter due to heavy snowfall at 8,000 feet elevation. The exact dates vary slightly by year; check the National Park Service website (nps.gov/grca) for the current season's opening and closing dates.
What is the difference between the North Rim and South Rim?
Both rims offer views of the same canyon but from different angles. The North Rim sits about 1,000 feet higher, receives more precipitation, and is covered in dense pine forest. It is significantly less crowded (roughly 10% of South Rim visitor numbers). The South Rim is open year-round with more services, more trails, mule rides, and multiple lodges. The North Rim has one lodge, one campground, and a small visitor center.
Written by Diego Fresno, travel writer and independent publisher specialising in the American Southwest. North Rim route verified against NPS official sources and current operator listings in July 2026.. Verified quarterly — last review April 2026. About the author →
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