Get Ahead Of The Queue at Grand Canyon When North Rim Opens

The North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park offers amazing views with a quieter experience away from the crowds. Now, the North Rim is getting ready to open on May 15, marking the official start of the 2022 season. On the same date, Grand Canyon Trail Rides, the Grand Canyon Lodge and other operations will also be reopening.

North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park

While the South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park is open all year round, the more rugged and remote North Rim is closed for the winter. In fact, it normally closes due to snow around October each year, reopening in mid-May.

Put May 15 into your schedule as the date that the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park is set to open. Meanwhile, this also marks the official start of the 2022 season, when Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides are also set to reopen. On top of this, visitor services, including the campground and most commercial operations will also reopen on the same date.

The hits keep on coming, as another option opening on May 15 in the form of Kaibab Plateau. Of course, this is a major bonus for sightseers, mountain bikers, photographers and backcampers alike. Kaibab Plateau closed in September 2019 due to the Ike’s Fire but is now back in business.

Summer at Grand Canyon

As lovers of the Grand Canyon no doubt know, mid-May also sees the start of the summer season. As it can get pretty busy then, if you are planning to head to Arizona during peak season, make sure you plan your visit in advance. Due to crowds, you could find you have nowhere to stay and will have to face long queues to access the park. Read on to find out how you can avoid the longest queues and ensure your spot in Grand Canyon.

How to avoid the queues at Grand Canyon

Bear in mind that the park sees its longest waiting times to enter between 10 am and 4 pm during peak season. The park normally warns that the parking lots close to the visitor center, among the most popular places to park, can reach capacity by noon on busier days.

If you want to avoid the crowds at peak times, arrive before 9 am, or after 5 pm if planning to go by car. The park also recommends purchasing your park pass or day pass in advance to avoid disappointment. This can be done online, or at the Canyon Plaza Resort, IMAX Theater, Red Feather Lodge or Westwind Air Service in Tusayan, the town closest to the South Entrance of the park.

If you want to avoid the traffic altogether, take the train from Williams, Arizona. It leaves the depot in Williams at 9 am Arizona Standard Mountain Time daily, arriving at Grand Canyon at 11:45 am. According to the website for the train, this option gives visitors around three hours to explore the Grand Canyon before heading back to Williams at 3:30 pm (arriving there at 5:45 pm). If this option becomes popular, a second train may be laid on.

However, also note that this train takes visitors to the South Rim only. Tickets range in price depending on the class and experience level chosen. Roughly, they cost from $67 for adults, up to $226 for the Luxury Parlor Class.

Shuttle Bus

Alternatively, South Rim shuttle routes will continue on the spring schedule until May 27. Meanwhile, the Village Route (Blue Route), Kaibab Rim Route (Orange Route) and Hermits Rest Route (Red Route) are all running, starting at 4:30 am each day. The Hermits Rest and Kaibab Rim routes end an hour after sunset, while the Village Route runs until 10 pm each day.

Hikers’ Express Shuttle Bus

Meanwhile, the Hikers’ Express Shuttle Bus will be expanding its morning service this year. The one-way route leaves from Bright Angel Lodge. It then makes stops at the Backcountry Information Center and Grand Canyon Visitors Center on the way to South Kaibab Trailhead. The bus departs from Bright Angel Lodge at 5, 6 and 7 am in May and September. Meanwhile, in June, July and August, times are adjusted to 4, 5, and 6 am.

Meanwhile, the Tusayan Route, connecting hotels and services in Tusayan to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, reopens on May 28.

How to Access North Rim

Meanwhile, when North Rim opens on May 15, this can be accessed by car on State Route 67. However, hikers can also access the North Rim from the South Rim by using the inner canyon trails (23.9 miles). Alternatively, the North Rim can be accessed by hiking from Jacob Lake (45 miles) for more serious hikers.

Moreover, the North Rim Campground also reopens on May 15 and visitors can use this overnight if they reserve a background permit here.

Get ready for a fun summer season at the Grand Canyon in 2022. Breathe in that fresh air while enjoying the gorgeous scenery once again.