The South Rim is lower by about 1K feet, and definitely more touristy. But it has better access to the actual rim at numerous viewpoints. The North Rim is higher, more remote, and less populated.
Both N and S rims are busy during the summer months, and even campgrounds are booked up months in advance.
My suggestion is to book two nights at the North Rim and two nights at the South Rim through the appropriate vendors. At the N rim there are cottages and "motel rooms" that stretch back a half mile into the woods. You want the "western" cottage (meaning it has a western style porch, but the westerns are right on the rim, and close to the lodge, restaurant, etc.
At the South rim you want a main floor room at El Tovar. If you're going to spend money for a room, don't settle for some chain dump outside the park. El Tovar is right there, the original "railroad" hotel, literally steps away from the rim. Grab a cup of coffee in the morning, stroll out to the rim, and watch the Condors soaring.
Here's what the bellman suggested: look online and see what's available for the time frame you have in mind. Check a couple of days in either direction. But don't book online. Call the front desk directly, explain what you want and when, and see what they have available. If nothing is available, don't panic. Call back a few days later--and a few days later. People cancel all the time.
For accomodations at the Canyon, do a search for "Grand Canyon Lodging" There are campgrounds both inside and outside the park boundaries, but nothing close to the rim--which is where you want to be.
Yes, definitely stop at the Cameron Trading Post on your way to the east entrance to the South Rim. DO NOT order a "full" Navajo Taco unless you're going to split with a family of four. Breakfasts and lunches are also great, but if there are more than two tour busses in the parking lot, be prepared for a wait. No problem, you can cruise through the post while waiting. Yes, they have Navajo Tacos for breakfast. There are motel rooms at Cameron, but this is definitely indian country. Lots of touristy farkles to look at, plus some hand made Navajo rugs. (take two aspirin and sit down before checking the prices)
There are some interesting backroads around and in the park. But they are time consuming. I'd suggest spending your time at the Canyon mostly as a pedestrian, and do some of those other really interesting dirty roads elsewhere, as mentioned by others.
pmdave
Both N and S rims are busy during the summer months, and even campgrounds are booked up months in advance.
My suggestion is to book two nights at the North Rim and two nights at the South Rim through the appropriate vendors. At the N rim there are cottages and "motel rooms" that stretch back a half mile into the woods. You want the "western" cottage (meaning it has a western style porch, but the westerns are right on the rim, and close to the lodge, restaurant, etc.
At the South rim you want a main floor room at El Tovar. If you're going to spend money for a room, don't settle for some chain dump outside the park. El Tovar is right there, the original "railroad" hotel, literally steps away from the rim. Grab a cup of coffee in the morning, stroll out to the rim, and watch the Condors soaring.
Here's what the bellman suggested: look online and see what's available for the time frame you have in mind. Check a couple of days in either direction. But don't book online. Call the front desk directly, explain what you want and when, and see what they have available. If nothing is available, don't panic. Call back a few days later--and a few days later. People cancel all the time.
For accomodations at the Canyon, do a search for "Grand Canyon Lodging" There are campgrounds both inside and outside the park boundaries, but nothing close to the rim--which is where you want to be.
Yes, definitely stop at the Cameron Trading Post on your way to the east entrance to the South Rim. DO NOT order a "full" Navajo Taco unless you're going to split with a family of four. Breakfasts and lunches are also great, but if there are more than two tour busses in the parking lot, be prepared for a wait. No problem, you can cruise through the post while waiting. Yes, they have Navajo Tacos for breakfast. There are motel rooms at Cameron, but this is definitely indian country. Lots of touristy farkles to look at, plus some hand made Navajo rugs. (take two aspirin and sit down before checking the prices)
There are some interesting backroads around and in the park. But they are time consuming. I'd suggest spending your time at the Canyon mostly as a pedestrian, and do some of those other really interesting dirty roads elsewhere, as mentioned by others.
pmdave