Epic Travel → North America → Mountain States → Arizona → Grand Canyon North Rim → Point Imperial

Location: Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim, Arizona

Time Required: 10 minutes at the viewpoint, longer if you’re hiking the trail (4 miles roundtrip)

Red Tape/Notes: A pass is required for each vehicle entering the park; it costs $35 and is good for 7 days. The North Rim is closed in winter (due to snow – it’s at over 8000 feet), and lodging, restaurants, and the visitor center are only open May 15 – October 15 (visitor center hours are 8am – 6pm). Visit the nps website for more info.

What’s Nearby?: Bright Angel Point Trail, Transept Trail

We had planned to hike the actual trail here, but a monsoon was setting in, so we only had time to walk out to the viewpoint and take a few pictures, then enjoy lunch in the picnic area as we watched the storm approach. But as viewpoints go, this is certainly a great spot and the winding drive to get here is scenic. Point Imperial is the highest point on the North Rim (at 2683 meters/8803 ft), and offers beautiful views of the Painted Desert and the eastern end of the canyon, with the rocky spire of Mt. Hayden prominent in the foreground.  It was pleasantly empty with only a handful of people there when we arrived, although that may have been due to the impending doom that was approaching in the form of dark thunderclouds throwing down lightning on distant mesas. Needless to say our car got a much-needed wash on the drive out.

Epic Travel → North America → Mountain States → Arizona → Grand Canyon North Rim → Point Imperial