A view from the North Rim Of the Grand Canyon

A Little Background Info & A few Tips About Camping and Photography on the Mighty North Rim

As a resident of the state of Arizona for nearly 25 years, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona still remains one of my favorite locations in the Southwest to explore, camp, and shoot photos. I actually prefer the North rim of Grand Canyon National park to the South rim and will detail the many reasons why in another post. In this post I will provide some background info on the North Rim landscape and environment as well as providing some general camping and photography tips.

The one factor that overwhelming distinguishes the South rim from the North rim environmentally is the elevation. Because the North rim sits approximately 1,500 feet higher than the South rim, on average 8,500 feet vs. 7,000 feet, its climate is cooler by at least 10 degrees and it receives nearly double the amount of annual precipitation. This dynamic creates a more alpine environment that is ideal for sustaining vast forests made up of trees like Spruce, Quacking Aspen, and Douglas firs along with large open and grassy meadows. In short, I tell people that the heavily forested North rim reminds me more of Colorado than Arizona- especially come fall time when the abundant Aspen trees turn a brilliant and shimmering gold.

North Rim Developed Camping Options:

As far as designated camping options, if you want to camp in the Park campground near the visitor center and Bright Angel point, you need to make reservations online well in advance as it is very popular and is only open June to mid-October. The only other option for organized camping with basic amenities is the DeMotte Campground which is a few miles outside park off highway 67 and that is also only open seasonally. Personally, I prefer the setting at the smaller DeMotte Campground which borders a beautiful open meadow ringed by Aspen trees and is located near a general store with gas and beer.

The North rim generally receives quite a bit of snow starting late fall because of its higher elevation and that is why both campgrounds are only open seasonally. In fact, the road leading to the park entrance, highway 67, is also closed some time in late October because of winter weather.

Dispersed Camping On The North Rim & Kaibab National Forest

My preferred camping option is to camp in the many dispersed and primitive campsites found in the Kaibab National Forest and plateau outside the park. Of course, unless there is an organized and popular trailhead nearby, there is no readily available outhouses or drinking water with this option. But if you are looking for solitude and free camping this is a great option as many of the forest roads that transverse the forest and plateau have pull-offs leading to quiet and rustic campsites that often have a primitive fire ring. Even in the busiest time of year you would be hard pressed not to find a suitable but rustic camping site in the Kaibab Forest.

Photographer Tips

As far as general Photography tips, the best time to shoot not surprisingly is near sunrise or sunset to capture the dramatic colors and contrasts of the sky, canyons, and distant plateaus. Unfortunately, during these “golden hour” shooting times you will generally have plenty of company at popular overlooks like, Bright Angel, Point Imperial, and Cape Royal. The good news is the crowds of park visitors are considerably smaller on the North Rim vs. the South Rim because of its remote location. And occasionally, you will even find some solitude at these popular overlooks.

Favorite Overlook:

My favorite overlook on the North Rim by far is Cape Royal. It takes a little more time to get to it because of its distance from the park entrance and the winding and narrow road leading to it, but its well worth the effort. I guess the main reason I prefer Cape Royal is because it has a lot of different and dramatic viewpoints and angles to explore and shoot from. Its also an overlook that is well suited for both “sunrise” and “sunset” photography.

Camera Gear:

As far as camera gear, I guess its pretty obvious that having a sharp wide-angle lens (10 to 24mm) to capture the immense scale of the Grand Canyon landscape is very helpful. Although, I have also captured some of my favorite shots using a 50mm prime lens. As far as a tri-pod, I just finds it’s a little too tight with visitors at some of these popular overlooks to set one up as people are often jostling around a lot trying to get a shot. However, most of these overlooks like Point Imperial and Cape Royal have uncrowded side trails with great views that are much better suited to set up a tri-pod and shoot time-lapses, etc. In fact, some of my favorite captures come from overlook side trails away from the often-crowded main viewing area.

Anyway, below you can see some recent images I captured on the North Rim and surrounding Kaibab Plateau and National forest.

Please contact me if you have any special request, questions, or want to purchase an image or footage that is not linked. All images & video footage are copyrighted

Park visitors enjoying the view and some solitude at a view point at the stunning Cape Royal overlook.

A vibrant fall rainbow over the Kaibab Forest near the entrance of the park.

Ray taking in the view at the Point Imperial overlook area which is the highest point in the park at 8,803 feet or 2,683 meters. This view is from one of the less crowded side trails I mentioned in my narrative above.

Short time-lapse footage from Imperial Point.

Aspen Lined Forest Road In Kaibab Forest — This is one of the many beautiful Aspen lined forest roads on the Kaibab Plateau outside the park.

Cape Royal View Point North Rim Grand Canyon — Splintered sunlight fills the Canyon during late afternoon at a Cape Royal viewing area.

This is very scenic highway 67 that starts at Jacob Lake and leads to the park entrance at the North Rim. Its a beautiful 40 mile drive through a vast meadow system ringed by Quaking Aspens and Spruce trees. #aspentrees

Watch this short vide to see a panoramic view of the fall colors on the North rim and Kaibab Plateau. Best viewed in the 4K setting!