North Rim Scenic Byway
Jacob Lake to North Rim
Northern Arizona · Arizona · United States
Key measurements
- Distance
- 43.5 miles
- Elevation gain
- 2,234 ft
- Elevation loss
- 1,915 ft
- High point
- 8,848 ft
- Low point
- 7,914 ft
- Net change
- 317 ft (7,926 ft to 8,244 ft)
- Surface
- Paved
- Route type
- point-to-point
Route Overview
The Kaibab Plateau–North Rim Scenic Byway follows Arizona State Route 67 for 43.5 miles from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Carved across the Kaibab Plateau, the route climbs from about 7,900 feet to nearly 8,850 feet, passing through dense ponderosa pine, aspen, mixed-conifer forest, and open mountain meadows before ending abruptly at the canyon rim.
Key Segments & Geographic Transitions
Kaibab Plateau Highway — Miles 0.0–43.5
Beginning at an elevation of 7,914 feet near the northern junction with US-89A, the highway climbs steadily onto the backbone of the Kaibab Plateau. The early miles climb through thick ponderosa pine before reaching the route's high point of 8,848 feet around Mile 13.5. Here, the landscape shifts into high-subalpine terrain where dark firs and white-trunked aspen border broad, open grassy valleys. Around Mile 30, the route crosses into Grand Canyon National Park, sweeping through gentle forest curves before terminating at the North Rim visitor center area at 8,200 feet, where the forest abrupts at the canyon edge.
Seasonal & Environmental Context
Due to its high elevation, AZ-67 is strictly a seasonal highway. Heavy winter snowfall forces the full closure of the road and North Rim facilities from late autumn (typically mid-November) through mid-May.
During the open summer season, air temperatures are exceptionally mild compared to the low desert floor, often staying in the mid-70s°F. However, mid-summer (July through August) brings the North American Monsoon, introducing sudden afternoon thunderstorms, heavy downpours, hail, and localized lightning strikes. High-altitude drop in temperature occurs rapidly when storms roll through or after sunset.
Logistics & Services
Services along the corridor are minimal. Fuel and basic provisions are available at the northern terminus near the US-89A junction and near the southern end within the national park, but there are no fuel stations along the central 30-mile stretches of the plateau highway. Cellular service across the Kaibab Plateau is patchy and frequently non-existent once away from the route endpoints.
Important Considerations
Wildlife activity along AZ-67 is exceptionally high. The Kaibab Plateau is home to a dense population of mule deer and a free-ranging bison herd, both of which regularly graze in the open roadside meadows and cross the highway, particularly at dawn and dusk. Elevated vehicle wildlife strike risks exist along the entire 43.5-mile length.
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