The Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing natural wonders in the world. At some point in our lives, many of us will be gazing in awe at the top of this mighty wonder and then the thought will appear ” Can I hike down there?” and the answer is YES! Yes, you can. However, this is not something that should not be taken lightly but with a little pre-planning, you can have the experience of a lifetime that you will never forget. I have been fortunate enough to log over 200 miles of Grand Canyon trekking and in this post, I will cover the best trails, what to pack, difficulty levels, the best time to go and a few other secrets I learned along the way.
Note: this post will only cover DAY HIKES in the Grand Canyon that you do not need a permit for. If you are looking for backcountry exploration please click here
Let’s start with a few Do’s and Don’ts to make your life a little easier
Do Not
Underestimate the physicality of any of these trails. Unlike most trails where you start at the bottom and summit at the top allowing your fatigued body a smooth downhill stroll back to your vehicle, every Grand Canyon trail is ‘ reversed summiting” meaning you start at the top and summit at the bottom. Remember whatever you go down or however far you go down you will have to walk back out of there.
Underestimate how steep the Grand Canyon is. In fact, it is so steep you will exert an incredible amount of energy walking downhill. Every one mile of Grand Canyon hiking feels like 2 on a regular trail. If you are someone who suffers from knee or ankle problems, I suggest you wear a brace, limber up, and take your time. You will need those ankles and knees to get you out of there. Also, slow your pace to reduce the risk of slipping and falling which may end your day early
If possible, avoid wearing cotton, wool, corduroy, denim, or flannel. These materials will absorb your sweat like a sponge and when that happens, they become heavier and do a poor job at regulating your body temperature. In addition, these materials dry slowly, which not only poses a problem for sweat but if it is raining outside that will compound your problems. There is no comfort in having a soggy, sweaty, heavy, slow drying, shirt on when the outside temperate drops or increases by 20 degrees. See my recommended hiking clothes here
Do
Carry plenty of water and check your trail for water fills. Some trails like the South Kaibab trail have no water stops and you will need to carry extra I recommend a minimum of 2 liters per person and if you are not a regular hiker I would suggest 3. Its also a good idea, since you probably know in advance when you are hiking the Grand Canyon, to hydrate heavily the day before.
Bring plenty of snacks/food but bring the right snacks/food. As with water you want to ” bulk up” before your hike. However, you don’t want to overeat 5 minutes before hitting the trail this might make you gag. Normally the day before a strenuous hike I will eat a lot of carbs like pasta and oats. Then an hour before the hike I will eat protein and carbs this will help you store energy. Try to avoid overly salty snacks that will make you thirsty. You can see my best-hiking food list here
Check the weather- The weather can change in an instant at the Grand Canyon. It is hot in the summer, ice-cold in the winter, prone to high winds, thunderstorms and snow. The temperature can vary as much as 20 degrees from the top of the canyon to the bottom. Also, start your hike early in Spring and Summer months to avoid the hottest times of the day. The temperatures in the spring and summer can exceed 110 degrees and there is virtually no shade in the Grand Canyon
In Grand Canyon Language ” What Goes Down Must Come Up”- Photo S Kaibab trail
More than 90% of Grand Canyon visitors only visit the South Rim We will start with hikes there
Rim Trail: Easy- The trail is paved and lined with markers to show you how far you’ve traveled both in feet and years (an earth-time line if you will). Also has types of rocks formed around the time marked on the trail
Bright Angel Trail – Hard The Bright Angel Trail begins just west of Bright Angel Lodge and offers day hikes that range in distance up to 12 miles (round trip). Some shade. Seasonal water subject to pipeline breaks. Check at the Visitor Center or Backcountry Information Center for water status.
View Bright Angel Trail Info Here
South Kaibab Trail – Hard The South Kaibab Trail begins south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. Access to the trailhead is by shuttle bus (Kaibab Trail Route). Offers day hikes that range in distance up to 6 miles (round trip). Best views for a relatively short hike. Steep trail, no water, little shade. Water available seasonally at the trailhead.
View South Kaibab Trail Info Here
Hermit Trail
(Steep) The Hermit Trail offers hikes to Santa Maria Spring, 5 miles (round trip), and Dripping Springs, 7 miles (round trip). Trail conditions are tougher than the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. The unmaintained steep trail requires caution. It begins 500 feet west of Hermits Rest. Water from springs must be treated before drinking. For experienced desert hikers.
View Hermit Trail Info Here
Grandview Trail
(Very Steep) The Grandview Trail offers hikes to Coconino Saddle, 2.2 miles (round trip), and Horseshoe Mesa, 6.4 miles (round trip). Trail conditions are tougher than the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. The unmaintained steep trail requires caution. It begins on the canyon side of retaining wall at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive (12 miles east of the village). For experienced desert hikers.
View Grandview Trail Info Here
Hiking From The North Rim
Bright Angel Point Trail
0.5 mi. / 0.8 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. A short walk on a paved trail to a spectacular view of the canyon. The trail begins at the log shelter in the parking area by the visitor center or at the corner of the back porch behind the lodge. Self-guiding nature trail pamphlets are available from a box along the trail.
View Bright Angel Point Trail Info Here
Transept Trail
3.0 mi. / 4.8 km round-trip; 1.5 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Follows the canyon rim from Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground.
View Transept Trail Info Here
Bridle Trail
This trail follows the road as it connects the Grand Canyon Lodge with the North Kaibab Trailhead, a distance of 1.2 miles / 2 km one-way. Pets on leash and bicycles are permitted on this hard-packed trail.
View Bridal Trail Info Here
North Kaibab Trail
Distance and hiking times vary. This is the only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim. Even a short hike to Coconino Overlook (1.5 miles / 2.4 km round-trip) or Supai Tunnel (4 miles / 6.5 km round-trip) can give you an appreciation for the canyon’s rich natural beauty and immense size. A hike to Roaring Springs and back is extremely strenuous and takes a full day (7-8 hours) – begin your hike before 7 a.m. Roaring Springs lies 3,050 feet / 930 m below the canyon rim and is 9.4 miles / 15 km round-trip. A day hike beyond Roaring Springs is not recommended. Many years of experience have shown that hikers who proceed beyond this point during the hottest parts of the day have a much greater probability of suffering from heat-related illness, injury, or death. This trail is also used by mules. NOTE: Round trip to the Colorado River is 28 miles / 45 km and trail descends almost 6,000 ft. / 1,800 m. Under no circumstances should you attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day! Do not hike during the hottest part of the day.
View North Kaibab Trail Info Here
Ken Patrick Trail
10 mi. / 16 km one-way; 6 hours approximate one-way hiking time. Winds through the forest and along the rim from Point Imperial to the North Kaibab Trail parking area.
View Ken Patrick Trail Info Here
Uncle Jim Trail
5.0 mi. / 8.0 km round-trip; 3 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Winds through the forest to a point overlooking the canyon and the North Kaibab Trail switchbacks. It begins at the North Kaibab Trail parking lot. This trail is also used by mules.
View Uncle Jim Trail Info Here
Widforss Trail
10 mi. / 16 km round-trip; 6 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Blends forest and canyon scenery. Even a short walk can be very satisfying. Take the dirt road 1/4 mile/0.4 km south of Cape Royal Road for 1 mile / 1.6 km to the Widforss Trail parking area. A self-guiding trail brochure is available at the trailhead.
View Widfross Trail Info Here
Arizona Trail
The Arizona Trail is an ambitious project that traverses the length of Arizona from the Utah border to Mexico. A section of this trail enters the park near the North Entrance and roughly parallels the highway until it connects with the North Kaibab Trail, a distance of approximately 10 miles / 16 km.
Cape Royal Trail
0.6 mi. / 1.0 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. An easy walk on a flat, paved trail providing views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. Markers along the trail interpret the area’s natural history. The trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area.
Cliff Springs Trail
1.0 mi. / 1.6 km round-trip; 1 hour approximate round-trip hiking time. Meanders down a forested ravine and ends where a chest-high boulder rests under a large overhang. The spring is on the cliffside of the boulder. Please do not drink the water as it may be contaminated. The trail begins directly across the road from a small pullout on a curve 0.3 miles / 0.5 km down the road from Cape Royal.
Cape Final Trail
4.0 mi. / 6.4 km round-trip; 2 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. A 2-mile walk from the dirt parking area to Cape Final. This trail offers a view of the canyon.
Roosevelt Point Trail
0.2 mi. / 0.3 km round-trip; 20 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. This trail is a short, secluded woodland loop with spectacular views. It offers benches for the relaxed enjoyment of the canyon.
Point Imperial Trail
4.0 mi. / 6.4 km round-trip; 2 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. This easy trail passes through areas burned by the 2000 Outlet Fire and ends at the north park boundary. From there, connections are possible to the Nankoweap Trail and U.S. Forest Service roads.
Here is bus schedule
trail rating
Best time to go
December-February:
This is by far the quietest season at the Grand Canyon. However, prepare yourself for cold and frosty temperatures ranging anywhere from the mid-40s down to the high teens. Because it can snow as much as 200 inches in the winter, the North Rim is closed to visitors, but many of the South Rim trails remain open. Just be sure to pack warm clothes and waterproof shoes.
March-May: Spring is excellent for hiking the Canyon. The temperatures are still quite cool in March and April and can be quite hot in May, but for the most part, the temperatures are moderate. Spring can still bring winter moisture, so be prepared for a variety of weather and possibly icy trails. Hiking on the main Corridor trails is fantastic as well as the more remote trails like Hermit, Grandview, New Hance, and Tanner. The North Rim does not open until May 15, so after that date the Rim to Rim becomes available.
June-August: Beware of hiking in the summer months, especially if you’re trekking on your own, without the expertise of a guide company. Stay on the main trails (South Kaibab, Bright Angel, and North Kaibab), carry lots of water, and eat an abundance of salty, sweet snacks. Temperatures can be 105+ degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. Do your hiking early in the morning and in the evening, and rest through the middle of the day (especially on backpacking trips). We strongly recommend joining one of our tours if you’re set on going this time of year. Also, this is the monsoon season so afternoon thunderstorms and flash flooding is possible.
September-November: Like spring, fall is amazing in the Canyon. One thing that sets fall apart from spring is that the North Rim is open, allowing the Rim to Rim hike to be done. Early September can still be quite hot with the possibility of heavy monsoon rains. November can get quite chilly, especially on the rims, and the North Rim closes after the first significant snowfall between mid-October and mid-November. Overall, however, fall is a wonderful time to hike the Grand Canyon!
BONUS: Additional Resources
What to pack on your day hike: My complete checklist and recommendations on what to take on your hike
Gear: A list of my favorite hiking and backpacking gear.
NPS info
