The south rim can be a zoo during peak tourist season but the north rim has 10% of the visitation and it is 2000 feet higher in elevation and much cooler. The canyon views, in my opinion, are even more exquisite. Make the long, difficult trek out to Toroweap on the north rim, and you'll be fortunate if there is any one else there.

The Grand Canyon is actually pretty great, if you're physically able to hike several hours down into the Canyon. Once you're a couple miles down, the crowds thin way out, and you can get some peace and quiet. The number of people who go all the way to the river each day is quite small, compared to the number who just roam around the rim (on either side).