ARIZONA | GRAND CANYON

Planning your trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim

By Susan Spano, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
05:51 PM PDT, October 25, 2007

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THE BEST WAY

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 540 miles east of L.A. I flew to Las Vegas, rented a car and drove the 270 or so miles. From LAX, American, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways fly to Las Vegas; restricted round-trip fares begin at $178.

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim, (928) 638-2611 or (888) 297-2757, www.grandcanyonnorthrim.com. (Note: The lodge is managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts; reservations, www.xanterra.com. As of Jan. 1, Forever Resorts will take over operations; reservations, www.foreverresorts.com.) This 70-year-old landmark has motel rooms and rustic cabins, starting at $103. The lodge has a dining room that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, a saloon and deli; open mid-May to Oct. 16. The North Rim section of the park is open for day use until snow blocks Arizona 67.

Kaibab Lodge, Arizona 67, about 18 miles from the North Rim; (928) 638-2389, www.kaibablodge.com. On the highway leading into the national park, the lodge has cabins that start at $85, a store and a restaurant; open May 15 to Nov. 2 (weather permitting).

Jacob Lake Inn, U.S. 89A and Arizona 67; (928) 643-7232, www.jacoblake.com, is about 45 miles north of the canyon's rim. It is open year-round and has a restaurant, store, gas station, cabins, and motel rooms starting around $80.

TO LEARN MORE

Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023; (928) 638-7888, www.nps.gov/grca. The North Rim Visitor Center and Bookstore is adjacent to the lodge.

For information about obtaining a permit to camp on the Powell Plateau, contact the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Information Center, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023; (928) 638-7875, fax (928) 638-2125, www.nps.gov/grca. (Requests for permits must be made in writing by fax, mail or in person.)