Top hikes in and around the Canyon

Our Local Expert Says:

This tropical paradise in the heart of the Grand Canyon is a strenuous day hike in. And reservations must be made months in advance. This is easily the most beautiful spot in the Grand Canyon.

Description:

Hike down to the famed blue green waterfalls, home of the Havasupai people who have called the Grand Canyon home for the last 800 years. Or take a mule, or take a helicopter! Camp or stay at the lodge located in the village of Supai. After a beautiful but strenuous 8 mile hike to the Village of Supai from Hualapai Hilltop, visitors can validate their reservations for the campgrounds, and from there it is a beautiful 2-mile hike next to the water. Passing Navajo Falls, a series of rippling waterfalls that feed a wide stretch of canyon, the campgrounds are nestled at the bottom, right after passing the wide-mouthed Havasu Falls. After a long day of hiking, it may seem temping to pitch a tent at the first empty campsite you see, however, there are some great places further down the trail that are even better! Another mile or two down the trail will lead you to the top of the majestic Mooney Falls, which drop 210 feet to the bottom. There is a trail that will lead hikers down a very scary, yet exciting rock corridor where hikers must rely on chains, ladders, and metal stakes driven into the Travertine rock. Beaver Falls, are located 3 or 4 miles from the bottom of Mooney Falls. Eventually the trail hit the Colorado River. The fee to visit is $35 per person and another $17 per person/ per night for the campgrounds.

Our Local Expert Says:

Angelic falls and a well-preserved pueblo village await your descent. Make reservations and don't underestimate the walk back up to the rim.

Description:

Here is where you'll find the trailhead to Havasupai Falls and the Havasupai Indian Reservation. This trail begins with a steep descent into the yellow and red dusted Havasupai Canyon. This is the main road for the Havasupai people to transport supplies, so it is very well traveled. Give mules the right-of-way and, particularly on the switchbacks, keep your back to the canyon wall as they pass. After an 8 mile walk through the canyon, mostly walking on the bed of the wash beneath towering canyon walls, hikers will begin to see lush green cottonwoods surrounding the clearest blue-green river you've ever seen, signifying your arrival at the Village of Supai, the campgrounds, and the beautiful falls that lie beyond. The Hualapai Hilltop is north of Peach Springs, off old Highway 66.

Description:

One of the most popular things to do at Grand Canyon National Park is to hike this popular, highly-trafficked South Rim trail that starts just steps away from the Grand Canyon Lodges, and ends at the bottom of the canyon. Day hikers, guests staying at Phantom Ranch, and mule riders all share this busy, scenic route, making for some interesting people- and animal-watching. Bright Angel Trail offers great views from the inner canyon--so great, in fact, that hikers can easily lose track of how far they've traveled. Although well-traveled and maintained, Bright Angel Trail is quite steep at some points, and hikers should expect to take twice as long to come back up. The 12-mile trail is not recommended for hikers seeking a one-day, round-trip adventure, but there are plenty of popular outlooks and switchbacks for easy turn-around.

Description:

This steep, well-traveled South Rim trail is one of the most popular with day hikers and mule riders at Grand Canyon National Park. Many visitors make the day hike to Cedar Ridge, which offers great, expansive views and is recommended for hikers who only have a short time to spend in the park. The trail is steep and well-defined with little shade--hikers are advised to bring along plenty of water. Thee are no private vehicles allowed in this part of the park, so to get to the trailhead, take the shuttle bus to Yaki Point Road.

Our Local Expert Says:

Experienced hikers should break out a good pair of boots for this trail. Water is available, but must be treated.

Description:

Give uphill hikers the right-of-way as you descend this steep, rocky trail. On the way back up, you'll appreciate it. The Hermit trail, which is not maintained, but does retain integrity, offers hikes to Santa Maria Spring, a quick 5-mile round trip and Dripping Springs, a 7-mile round trip. The Hermit Trail begins 500 feet west of Hermits Rest. Water from both of these springs is cool and tasty, but must be treated before drinking. If you don't have a water filter, which can be pricey, use iodine tablets. They can be purchased at any outdoors store for only a few dollars.

Our Local Expert Says:

Take this trail, which is one of my favorites, for a day hike or take your time and make a weeklong trip out of the Tonto. No matter how many times I walk this trail, I experience something new.

Description:

Gaze at the spectacular vistas jutting toward the sky in hues of red, purple, and white on the largest stretch of continuous trail in the entire canyon. Though the trail itself extends 70 miles throughout the canyon, many sections are used to form fascinating loop hikes from, to name some popular loops, South Kaibab to Bright Angel, Hermit to Bright Angel, and Red Canyon to Grandview. The sections of the Tonto Trail near Horseshoe Mesa were used frequently by miners at the turn of the century who extracted copper ore from the mines within the mesa. Much of the trail was reworked and altered as a result of the miner's burros. A great entrance to this trail is at the beach created at the mouth of Red Canyon.

Description:

South of Tanner Rapids is the Escalante Route that winds alongside the Colorado River and provides an up-close view of the geological features of Arizona canyon country. Hikers who wish to explore this area may wish to choose this hike over the more strenuous Tanner Trail hike. This trail, which is actually an extension of the Tonto Trail, is challenging enough for most people. Only experienced hikers should attempt this 11-mile route, as it requires some rock climbing and difficult pack maneuvering. Water is only available at the river; bring your own supply of nutrituous food and sufficient drinking water.

Description:

This trail leads 14 miles one way from the head of Roaring Springs Canyon to the Colorado River. It is the most heavily used rim to river trail on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. There are several developed sites along the route. A picnic area lies at the mouth of Roaring Springs Canyon and two toilets lie en route along this drainage. In Bright Angel Canyon hikers will find Cottonwood Campground, open seasonally, and Bright Angel Campground. The Phantom Ranch site lies close to Bright Angel Campground near the Colorado River. It provides full ranch-style facilities complete with bunkhouse accommodations and a yearlong waiting list.

Begin your hike from the North Kaibab parking area approximately 11 miles south of the North Entrance Station to Grand Canyon National Park. The route leaves the southern side of the parking area and descends steeply through Roaring Springs Canyon. The trail switches back crossing the stream several times before reaching Supai Tunnel, where you'll find restrooms.

The descent continues along Roaring Springs Canyon. From the Supai Tunnel the trail crosses the stream and parallels the western bank of the drainage for approximately one mile, before beginning the second series of switchbacks. These switchbacks end at the mouth of Roaring Springs Canyon, where it empties into Bright Angel Canyon. A picnic area with restrooms and drinking water lie at this confluence.

The North Kaibab Trail leads to the right at this confluence entering Bright Angel Canyon. Hiking left or up stream from this confluence will put you on the Old Kaibab Trail. This route was used in the early tourist days of the Grand Canyon. It is no longer maintained by the park service and would make an interesting trip for individuals who want to test their route finding skills.

The confluence of Bright Angel Canyon and Roaring Springs Canyon lies almost five miles from the trailhead. From this point the grade of the route lessens considerably. The trail descends close to 3,500 feet in Roaring Springs Canyon and another 2,000 feet through Bright Angel Canyon.

The North Kaibab Trail crosses Bright Angel Creek and parallels the eastern bank of the waterway for the next nine miles to the Colorado River. Approximately one half mile after entering Bright Angel Canyon the trail passes the mouth of Manzanita Creek. A mile and a half beyond this creek crossing the route reaches Cottonwood Campground. This site lies at 4,000 feet slightly north of the mouth of Wall Creek. At this facility you'll find drinking water, toilets, campsites and an emergency phone.

Walking downstream from Cottonwood Campground the you'll cross Wall Creek and two other small drainages before reaching the spur trail to Ribbon Falls. A footbridge crossing Bright Angel Creek leads to a short spur trail and Ribbon Falls.

Continuing along the main route the path leads through Bright Angel Canyon as it becomes increasingly more narrow with steeper walls. Immediately before reaching Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch the route passes through a deep gorge along Bright Angel Creek. This area is known as The Box. Within The Box the Clear Creek Trail forks to the left leading eastward on a platform above the river. Shortly after the end of the narrows the track make a sweeping turn eastward along the Colorado River to Phantom Ranch. Fourteen miles from the trailhead the North Kaibab Trail reaches the Kaibab suspension bridge.

Our Local Expert Says:

Experienced hikers should take this rocky but rewarding trail. Bring your own water, as none is available anywhere on or near the trail.

Description:

The Grandview trail offers a challenging hike through steep, rocky terrain beginning on the South Rim. Experienced hikers should take this trail, which is not maintained, and plan to reach Coconino Saddle in 2.2 miles and Horseshoe Mesa in 6.4 miles. Don't let the steep trail deceive you. The hike back up will take twice as long. Trail conditions are much tougher than the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. A good set of hiking boots with ankle support is recommended, as it is easy to twist an ankle on this rocky trail. The Grand View Trail begins on the canyon side of retaining wall at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive, which is 12 miles east of the village. There is no water available on this trail, so bring plenty.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a great way to gain a first impression of the canyon before deciding on a good day hike.

Description:

The Rim Trail on the South Rim is one of the most popular things to do for visitors just arriving at Grand Canyon National Park. It's easy to see why: this path is easy on the soles and represents a great introduction to the panoramic wonders of the park. The path follows the South Rim westward from Yavapai to Hermits Rest, and is paved and fairly level for the first few miles, making this one of the park's best wheelchair accessible trails. The canyon will unfold as you move west, and once you manage to pry your eyes away from the canyon below, you'll notice you are surrounded by ponderosa and pinyon pines, shrub oaks, and chipmunks and squirrels playing in the woodland. To get here, leave your car at the visitor center and take the free shuttle to Yavapai Point. You can return to the visitor center from several points along the trail, making it easy to customize your schedule from here.