Starting from May 15th, visitors will be able to access the North Rim of the Grand Canyon by car.
According to Thrillist, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has announced that it will lift the vehicle ban to the North Rim starting at 6 AM on May 15th. The North Rim, located approximately 45 miles from the entrance of the Grand Canyon, only allows vehicle traffic from May 15th to November 30th each year. All amenities and customer service centers will operate in line with the date when vehicle access is permitted.
The North Rim is steeper and more remote compared to the South Rim. It has fewer visitors, resulting in less damage and offering excellent views due to its higher elevation, but for safety reasons, it is closed to visitors from December 1 to May 14 each year. All vehicular access is prohibited, including snowmobiles designed to travel on snow.
Visitors who do not use vehicles can still access the North Rim during the off-season (December 1 to May 14). Tourists wishing to visit in the winter must obtain a Backcountry Permit from the South Rim Backcountry Information Center. With this permit, they can enter the North Rim on foot or by skiing. However, during the off-season, amenities such as lodging, restaurants, and gas stations are not available.
A representative from the National Park Service (NPS) recommended using the NPS mobile app to prepare for times when internet connectivity might be limited in remote areas. Tourists can use the NPS mobile app to view a complete map of the Grand Canyon and check the operating hours of various facilities.
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