Arizona's 'Gateway To The North Rim' Of The Grand Canyon Is A Small Town With Big Appeal

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic attractions in the United States, and for good reason. This 278-mile-long chasm in northern Arizona is known world over for its deep colors, jaw-dropping splendor, and rugged, otherworldly beauty. This especially goes for the canyon's relatively secret North Rim, which sees far fewer visitors than its southern counterpart. While hiking from rim to rim covers a distance of around 24 miles, driving requires a four-hour, 200-mile roundabout route, which helps guarantee the North Rim's isolation.

Despite its inaccessibility, there are a few towns that you can use as a base of operations for your exploration of this little-visited part of the park. One standout is Fredonia, which possesses enough charms to make it a destination in its own right. With just 1,000 residents, Freedonia has plenty of dusty, charming small town vibes with the kind of high desert beauty that northern Arizona is famous for.

Situated 75 miles north of the park near the border with Utah, Fredonia is not only within striking distance of the Grand Canyon, but also wondrous attractions such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Lake Powell. However, the town itself is the perfect spot to relax among the multi-hued arid landscape and sweeping desert sky, which is why this previously neglected hamlet is now on the radar of travelers wishing to bask in the sun-splashed glory found throughout the American Southwest.

As the largest town on the sparsely-populated Arizona Strip (the part of the state situated between the Colorado River and Utah), Fredonia has a unique history. The town was founded in 1885 by Mormon settlers from Utah who wished to set up a community where they could freely practice polygamy. Reflecting the harsh desert surroundings, they originally called the town Hardscrabble, though later changed its name to Fredonia.

While there are still some people who practice polygamy in the region, the days of marrying multiple wives are largely a thing of the past. Modern Fredonia is known more for its gorgeous natural surroundings — and the fact that it's within striking range of several of the nation's best national parks — more than anything else, which is why this dusty desert hamlet has now become a destination for those wishing to soak up this unique environment. 

While in town, make sure to stop in for a burger and a beer at the Buckskin Tavern. This friendly old-school cowboy boozer claims to have the longest bar in all of Arizona, and is the gathering place for locals and visitors alike. For accommodation in Fredonia, the Grand Canyon Motel offers charming, refurbished former hunting cabins, while the Country Rose RV Park and Campground has large sites for both RVs and tents, as well as clean facilities and an array of amenities.

Fredonia's proximity to so much outdoor wonder is surely its top selling point. First on the list is the nearby Kaibab National Forest — a 741,000-acre preserve that offers incredible opportunities for hiking, winter recreation, and camping amidst the rock formations and pines. Other local destinations include the multicolored Vermillion Cliffs and Pipe Springs National Monument, which serves as a time capsule into the Paiute tribal and Mormon settler cultures that shaped the history of the region.

The Grand Canyon, however, is the undisputed star of the show, and its North Rim sits just an hour and a half south of town. Embark on a scenic drive along the canyon's edge, or strap on your hiking boots and get down into the majesty of the canyon itself. That said, the Grand Canyon is one of the most deadly national parks in the U.S., so make sure you have plenty of water and sun protection, and never attempt a rim-to-rim hike in one day.

Other wondrous attractions lie north of Fredonia in Utah, including the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is just an hour east. Bryce Canyon National Park — known for its incredible, spire-like rock formations and amazing solar eclipse views — is 87 miles away, while the sheer red cliffs and mountain streams of Zion National Park are less than an hour's drive away. For more of Arizona's magnificent scenery, head out on this great winter road trip.