The ‘Most Nice 44 Miles In America’ Is An Idyllic Arizona Scenic Byway Into Grand Canyon Nationwide Park

Grand Canyon Nationwide Park encompasses 1.2 million acres over 1,904 sq. miles and welcomed almost 5 million guests in 2024. It’s arguably one of many main sights in Arizona, and tops many journey bucket lists — guests aren’t asking if they need to go, however when, and you will have to resolve on the ultimate time of year to plan your trip to the Grand Canyon since there’s a lot floor to cowl for each the North and South Rim excursions. A trek to the North Rim at over 8,000-foot elevation should be aptly timed, because it’s extra secluded than its southern counterpart. To achieve this extra secluded aspect of the 1-mile deep canyon, the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway is an idyllic scenic drive that leads into Grand Canyon Nationwide Park.

The Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway, generally known as Grand Canyon Freeway, is designated as a Nationwide Forest Scenic Byway and an Arizona State Scenic Byway alongside 44 miles of Arizona State Freeway 67 from Jacob Lake to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. It is affectionately earned the nickname of “essentially the most nice 44 miles in America” as a result of it travels by means of numerous landscapes, providing vacationers an up-close take a look at forests, lakes, and even wildlife. Whereas the official byway begins at Jacob Lake, guests could discover themselves beginning 30 miles north in Fredonia, the gateway to the Canyon’s North Rim that is prime for adventure with access to three national parks (and it is the closest city with full companies). This scenic drive requires a way of journey and a digital camera useful, and is greatest skilled Might by means of October. It is an excellent option to view one of many seven wonders of the World out of your automotive window if you cannot or do not need to stroll it.

As you start the byway in Jacob Lake, the lake and small city is your first vacation spot. A cease on the Kaibab Plateau Guests Middle will train you concerning the surrounding Kaibab Nationwide Forest and supply your first introduction to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. For those who’re itching to stretch your legs, take into account both the simple 2-mile round-trip Jacob Lake Path or the 1-mile loop Kai-Vav-Wi Nature Path. 

The Jacob Lake Recreation Space is a superb picnic spot and is dwelling to the Jacob Lake Campground, the place you’ll be able to sleep underneath the celebs. The Jacob Lake Inn is a tenting different and gives motel rooms, rustic cabins, a restaurant, and a small retailer. Eight miles south by means of the Kaibab Nationwide Forest, the smaller Murray’s Lake with a trailhead is up subsequent as you drive by means of a forest wealthy with ponderosa pines, firs, and several other different tree and flower species. Then The Meadow close to Crane Lake comes into view, usually awash with wildflowers within the spring; typically there’s even a herd of bison seen right here.

A more difficult hike, the Kaibab Plateau Path, lies about 26 miles south from Jacob Lake, heading 7.5 miles every method as a part of the longer Arizona Path. You’ll be able to entry it from the flip off for the East Rim Viewpoint off of Forest Highway 611. From this street, you’ll be able to veer off by means of the much less distinguished Saddle Mountain Nationwide Forest and the 8,419 foot excessive Saddle Mountain, which is the very best mountain in Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Many guests discover themselves grappling with which rim of the Grand Canyon offers the best hike for what you want, and for specialists the much less crowded North Rim gives 12-day hikes.

When you hit the far southern finish of this drive, you may end up at Vivid Angel Level and the Grand Canyon Lodge. A chosen Nationwide Historic Landmark, the Lodge is the one lodging and eating choices for these spending time alongside the much less crowded North Rim. On the park entrance station, you may have to pay the $35 entrance charge or present your annual go, and remember to make a cease on the Customer’s Middle for park info and maps. 

For those who select, you’ll be able to reverse course from the Lodge and entrance station to Cape Royal Highway which ends up in a fork at Level Imperial Highway and the Level Imperial Viewpoint, the very best view of the North Rim. Staying on Cape Royal Highway will result in extra scenic viewpoints and the half-mile Cape Royal Path, and potential for wildlife viewing. As one TripAdvisor user put it, the drive is “spectacular” and straightforward to fall in love with, they usually suggest to not bypass the North Rim.

You may have to plan your enterprise alongside the blissful byway fastidiously, as Freeway 67 is closed throughout the winter months as a consequence of potential heavy snow. Relying in your actions and entry to them, some parts could also be greatest for a excessive clearance or sport utility car. Lastly, with restricted companies on this distant area, remember to carry sufficient water and provisions and observe “no hint” ideas. You additionally could select to entry this drive from Flagstaff, the place you’ll be able to stargaze at the world’s first international dark sky city, or Kanab, Utah, a scenic laidback western tourist town situated in the middle of Southern Utah’s greatest outdoors.