FIELD REPORT: OVERLANDING THE GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM: A 3-DAY ADVENTURE WITH 23ZERO

There is nothing quite like the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s more remote, less crowded, and offers some of the most ruggedly beautiful backcountry vehicle access in the Southwest.

We recently spent three days guiding Justin Dowey, the owner of 23ZERO USA, along the North Rim for a dedicated overland photography tour. The mission? Put some of the industry’s best rooftop tents and camping gear to the test in world-class environments, capture striking marketing content, and escape the daily grind for a few days.

If you're looking to plan a Grand Canyon overlanding trip or want a sneak peek at some incredible gear in action, here's a look behind the scenes of our three day trek.

TESTING 23ZERO OVERLAND GEAR ON THE NORTH RIM

When you are outfitting a rig for a remote backcountry tour, your choice of shelter and camping equipment matters. Justin brought along an impressive lineup of 23ZERO tents and gear to shoot in the field.

The rugged North Rim provided the perfect, demanding backdrop to showcase what this gear is built for. Between the high winds off the canyon and the dropping temperatures at night, it was a textbook demonstration of why premium gear is essential for self-sufficient travel.

But this trip wasn’t just a product shoot; it was a much-needed mental reset. Watching Justin unplug, unwind, and just enjoy the campfire over the course of three days was a great reminder of why we do this. The backcountry has an incredible power to hit the refresh button on your brain.

EXPLORING THE GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM: THE SECRET SLOT CANYON

While the main overlooks are breathtaking, the real magic of a Grand Canyon North Rim adventure happens when you dive down the lesser-known tracks.

During our tour, we took a break from the rigs to embark on a hidden slot canyon hike that navigates right to the absolute edge of the canyon. It’s a route very few people know about, winding through tight, sculpted sandstone walls before abruptly opening up to a massive, jaw-dropping drop-off that I affectionately call "The Big Hole!"

Standing at the edge of a secret vista, looking out over millions of years of geological history with no one else around for miles—that is the exact experience we strive to create on our guided tours.

CATCHING THE ULTIMATE GRAND CANYON SUNSETS

No expedition to the North Rim is complete without watching the light show at dusk. As the sun dips below the horizon, the canyon walls light up in brilliant shades of deep crimson, fiery orange, and purple shadows. It’s a photographer's dream and the absolute perfect way to end a day of trail riding.

We had an incredible time getting to know Justin, capturing some incredible content for 23ZERO, and revisiting some of our favorite hidden spots on the rim. If you'd like to join us on a Grand Canyon Adventure, check out our trip page for more details. Feel free to reach out, I'd love to tell you about it in depth.