The Far Rim

Though the Colorado River proceeds roughly north to south, in Arizona it veers east to west, forming the two rims of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim, benefiting from its proximity to larger cities and transportation routes, is the more accessible of the two. Each year it receives roughly four million visitors, while the North Rim receives fewer than one million. Parking lots fill early, shuttle buses run continuously, and overlooks seldom stand empty. Across the Canyon, the cooler North Rim sits roughly 1000-1500 feet higher among green forests of pine and Aspen. Fewer roads lead to it, winter snow closes it for part of the year, and only a small fraction of canyon visitors make the journey. At many overlooks, the sound most likely to interrupt the wind is a raven passing overhead. The North Rim also has a greater variety of trails with a focus on backcountry exploration and self-guided exploration rather than guided tours.