Hiking in Grand Canyon

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Trailhead: Multiple Entry Points
• Overview: With multiple start and end points throughout the 13-mile trail, this mostly flat, paved trail offers sweeping panoramic views of the canyon throughout the path. Enjoy small sections with breathtaking views, or walk the whole trail to take in Grand Canyon across the South Rim. Highlights along the trail include iconic viewpoints like Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Powell Point, and Hopi Point.

• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
• Trailhead: Near Lookout Studio, Kolb Studio, and Bright Angel Lodge
• Overview: The most popular trail in the South Rim, Bright Angel Trail is a well-maintained path to descend into the canyon. With multiple viewpoints and resthouses, this trail provides options for intermediate hikers or those seeking a shorter hike. Common turnarounds for this out-and-back descent include 1.5-Mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip), 3-Mile Resthouse (6 miles round trip), and Indian Garden (9 miles round trip).

• Difficulty Level: Challenging
• Trailhead: Kaibab (Orange) Shuttle to South Kaibab Trailhead
• Overview: The South Kaibab Trail offers some of the best open canyon views on the South Rim, making it a popular choice among hikers. This trail is steep and offers little shade throughout the descent, but has multiple photo-worthy viewpoints throughout the out-and-back trail. Common turnaround points include Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip), Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip), and Skeleton Point (6 miles round trip).

• Difficulty Level: Challenging to Very Challenging
• Trailhead: Hermit Road (Red) Shuttle to Hermits Rest
• Overview: Beginning at Hermit’s Rest, this trail is a steep descent trough rugged terrain that offers picturesque views with little crowds. Hikers can expect loose rocks along the path, and should be prepared with sturdy footwear, hiking poles, and plenty of water. This trail is a steep descent, and often the path is not paved, with sudden cliffs on the side of the path dropping into the canyon. Common turnarounds on this trail are the Waldron Trail (3 miles round trip) and Santa Maria Spring (5 miles round trip), though very experienced hikers can continue to Dripping Springs Junction before climbing back to the trailhead.

Image courtesy of NPS.

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Trailhead: Unmarked; between Pipe Creek Vista and Duck on a Rock Viewpoint
• Overview: This short, mostly flat walk through the forest offers solitude at a less-crowded overlook with panoramic views. With picnic tables and a pavilion at the end of the trail, this path is 1 mile each way and offers some of the best views of sunset or sunrise.

For experienced hikers and backpackers, Grandview Trail, Tonto Trail. Boucher Trail, and Tanner Trail offer a thrill-seeking challenge with rewarding canyon views throughout the descent. These trails are all steep and rugged, and often unmaintained. Hikers and backpackers are advised to use hiking poles and sturdy footwear, and to be prepared with food and water, as well as water purifying gear.