Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway runs 44 miles from Jacob Lake south to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, crossing the high-elevation Kaibab Plateau through dense forests of ponderosa pine, spruce, fir, and aspen. This route provides the sole paved access to the Grand Canyon’s less-visited North Rim, which receives only a fraction of the traffic that floods the South Rim.

The drive begins at Jacob Lake, where a small inn and visitor center mark the junction with US Route 89A. From here, the two-lane road climbs gently through the Kaibab National Forest, passing through meadows where mule deer, wild turkey, and the endemic Kaibab squirrel — found nowhere else on Earth — are commonly spotted. The Kaibab squirrel, with its distinctive tasseled ears and dark body, evolved in isolation on this forested plateau surrounded by desert.

The route culminates at Grand Canyon Lodge, a historic stone and timber structure perched on the canyon rim at 8,200 feet elevation. The North Rim stands over 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, delivering cooler temperatures and a more intimate viewing experience. Bright Angel Point Trail, a short paved walk from the lodge, offers one of the canyon’s most dramatic overlooks.

The North Rim and this parkway are open from mid-May through mid-October, with the road closing at the first significant snowfall. Fall color peaks in early October when the aspen groves turn brilliant gold. Accommodations at Grand Canyon Lodge book months in advance, so early planning is essential.

Explore Nearby

• Kaibab National Forest — National Forest in Arizona
• Grand Canyon National Park Dark Sky Park — Dark Sky Site in Arizona
• Kanab Creek Wilderness — Public Land in Arizona
• Wupatki National Monument — Dark Sky Site in Arizona
• the Table Top Wilderness within the Sonoran Desert National Monument — Public Land in Arizona