“Out of the fire of time, a stronger nation must emerge" - Theodore Roosevelt

North Rim Closed - Now What? 6 Grand Adventures to Take Its Place

Howdy there, fellow trail wanderers. Today’s tale ain’t the one I was hopin’ to spin. I’d much prefer to regale you with stories of sunrises over pine-fringed cliffs and warm coffee sipped on cool lodge porches. But alas, fate had other plans.

The North Rim? Burned. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge? Reduced to ash. Forests blackened, gates locked, trails silenced. For those of you who had that lofty perch inked into your Grand Canyon itinerary, I know what you're thinkin': “Is my whole trip belly-up?”

Well, hold your horses and stow that despair—Mother Nature may have a ruthless streak, but she also deals in second chances. I’ve corralled six wild and wondrous alternatives that'll either set your boots back on the rim or plunge your spirit into the kind of awe only Northern Arizona can conjure.

So cinch up your saddle—this here blog’s your guide to makin’ new memories from the ashes.

1. The South Rim: Grand Canyon’s Crown Jewel

Top of the list—and rightly so—the South Rim. Now, it ain’t as quiet nor as pine-scented as its northern kin, but the views? Thunderous. You’ve got the mighty El Tovar Hotel, with its frontier elegance and canyon-facing windows that’ve framed sunsets since 1905.

Fancy a hike? The South Kaibab Trail offers panoramic vistas with names like Ooh Aah Point and Skeleton Point, while Bright Angel Trail tempts adventurers into the Canyon’s very veins. By the time you're readin’ this, corridor trails to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River may well be reopened, so pack your boots.

If you're ridin' in from Flagstaff, Sedona, or Phoenix, this detour’s a cinch. But for them comin’ from Vegas or Zion, reckon you’ll add a day to your route—unless, of course, you make the drive part of the story: swing by Peach Springs for a whitewater trip with the Hualapai River Runners, then loop ‘round to Cameron Trading Post, Lee’s Ferry, and the Navajo Bridge.

2. Grand Canyon West: Skywalk & Thrills

If more miles in the saddle ain’t your style and you’re startin’ from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West may be your Huckleberry. Sure, it’s run by the Hualapai Nation and technically not part of the national park, but what it lacks in officialdom it makes up for in heart-pumpin’ thrills.

You’ll find the famous Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge danglin’ 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. It's enough to make your spurs curl. There’s helicopter rides to the river below, zip lines, and rustic cabins with rim-side views.

And if you’re cravin’ cowboy campfires and a side of serenadin’, visit Grand Canyon Western Ranch nearby. Nothin’ beats a night under the stars with a guitar and some sizzlin’ chuckwagon fare.

3. Bar 10 Ranch: Canyon Cowboy Heaven

If you’re dreamin’ of the North Rim feel without the smoke, Bar 10 Ranch is your place. It’s a workin’ cattle ranch perched just outside the park boundary with all the fixin’s: ATV tours, horseback rides, and helicopter trips into the canyon’s depths.

Some river outfitters start or end their trips here, and daytrippers fly in from Vegas for a taste of cowboy livin’. If you’re comin’ from Zion or Kanab, it’s a haul, but you’ll be rewarded with clear skies, rugged peace, and stargazin’ that’ll humble even the most talkative tenderfoot.

4. Vermilion Cliffs & Highway 89: The Painted Desert’s Hidden Gems

Cravin’ solitude and surreal geology? Saddle up for Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Just off Highway 89 between Kanab and Page lies a treasure trove of adventures: the legendary Wave (if you can win that golden ticket permit), Buckskin Gulch (the deepest slot canyon around), and the otherworldly swirls of White Pocket.

You’ll also find the Toadstool Hoodoos and Bucktank Draw, both dreamscapes carved by time and tempest. Tour companies in Kanab or Page can get you there safe and sound—and with tales to tell.

5. Lake Powell & Page, Arizona: Sandstone Meets Surf

If cool water sounds better than desert dust, then point your compass toward Page. Horseshoe Bend is the headliner, but don’t let its fame fool you—there’s more to see.

Antelope Canyon’s slotted sandstone turns light into poetry, and lesser-known gems like Cathedral and Waterholes Canyon offer similar splendor without the foot traffic. Lake Powell’s got room for swimmin’, boatin’, fishin’, and paddlin’ around secret side canyons like Labyrinth and Face.

Hop a boat to Rainbow Bridge, one of the world’s largest natural spans, and you’ll see why some say this place could make you forget all about what’s burned.

6. Marble Canyon: Where the Canyon Begins

For that soul-soothing quiet you’d have found on the North Rim, allow me to whisper a name in your ear: Marble Canyon.

Here lies the headwaters of the Grand Canyon. The river cuts between walls of Navajo sandstone and whispers ancient secrets. Lee’s Ferry is the launch point for all river trips, but it’s also a historical site. Nearby, you’ve got Cliff Dwellers, the Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon Lodge, and adventures like Cathedral Wash or fly-fishin’ the Colorado.

It’s a pocket of peace where stories linger longer than the sunrise.

BONUS: Tuweep & Toroweap Overlook

Still longin’ for Grand Canyon National Park proper? Head to Tuweep. It’s a remote, rugged part of the North Rim that’s still open—and mighty glorious.

Toroweap Overlook offers one of the rawest, jaw-droppin’est sunrise views known to man. Trails like the Tuckup and Lava Falls will test your grit, and the road in? Let’s just say it’s not for the faint of vehicle. Bring high clearance, four-wheel drive, and nerves of steel—or book a pro tour from Kanab and let someone else take the reins.

Final Word: The Canyon Ain’t Closed—Just Different

Mule rides, Rim-to-Rim hikes, and the North Kaibab Trail will likely return in time. The Kaibab Lodge is already workin’ with the Park Service to make sure Rim-to-Rim hikers aren’t left high and dry.

So no, partner—your trip ain’t ruined. It’s just changed. And sometimes, the detour ends up bein’ the highlight.

Ready to make the most of it?

Then head on over to GrandCanyonPosse.com/itineraries where I’ve laid out the Canyon Cowboy’s finest one-day South Rim itineraries—step-by-step guides filled with sunrise spots, must-see lookouts, and a heaping side of wild west wisdom.