Grand Canyon Lodge
North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
The Grand Canyon Lodge stood on the North Rim at Bright Angel Point, a celebrated historic building designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood in 1928. Its sunroom…
What it's like here
The Grand Canyon Lodge stood on the North Rim at Bright Angel Point, a celebrated historic building designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood in 1928. Its sunroom was among the most prized interior views in the national park system, looking south across the canyon itself. The building was destroyed by wildfire in July 2025 and is no longer standing.
What remains is the setting that made it remarkable: Bright Angel Point and the rim trail leading out along the promontory, the view south across the canyon, and the North Rim's quieter, higher landscape of ponderosa pine and aspen forest. The North Rim sits roughly 300 metres higher than the more crowded South Rim, receives far fewer visitors, and feels genuinely different — cooler, more forested, and more remote despite being only 10 miles across the canyon (though a 4.5-hour drive around it).
Visitors come here for the viewpoints, the canyon views, and the contrast with the South Rim's busy atmosphere. The rim trail and surrounding area remain accessible, and photography is permitted. The elevation around 2,400 metres means it's worth allowing for the altitude. Sunrise and sunset can be particularly striking times to visit.
The North Rim operates seasonally, typically mid-May to mid-October, and closes entirely in winter when Highway 67 shuts under snow. Services on the North Rim have always been limited, and they are severely reduced following the fire. Park entrance fees apply. Before planning a visit, check current National Park Service notices — access and available facilities have been heavily affected by the wildfire.
The site is best suited to a half-day visit. It works for solo travellers, couples, and groups of friends who want to experience the canyon's quieter side and understand the history of early tourism architecture there, even if the building itself is gone.
Highlights
- Bright Angel Point and the rim trail with views south across the canyon
- Ponderosa pine and aspen forest on the Kaibab Plateau
- The site of Gilbert Stanley Underwood's 1928 lodge and its celebrated sunroom
- The North Rim's higher elevation and far fewer visitors than the South Rim
- Photography permitted at the viewpoints
Good to know
The lodge was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025. Check current National Park Service notices before visiting — access and services have been heavily affected. The North Rim is seasonal (typically mid-May to mid-October) and closes in winter when Highway 67 shuts under snow. It is about 4.5 hours' drive from the South Rim despite being only 10 miles away across the canyon. Elevation is around 2,400 metres; allow for the altitude. Park entrance fees apply.
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Questions people ask
Can I stay at the lodge?
No. The lodge was destroyed by wildfire in July 2025.
Is the North Rim open?
Access and services have been heavily affected by the fire. Check the National Park Service website for current status before travelling.
Why visit the North Rim instead of the South Rim?
The North Rim is higher, cooler, forested, and far less crowded, though it has fewer facilities even before the recent fire.
Attributes & facilities
Facilities
Time
Last verified: September 7, 2026