Day Hikes

There's no better way to enjoy the canyon than by walking right down into it and seeing all those rock layers and plant and animal life up close. You can day-hike partway into the canyon on a number of trails.

Although hiking below the rims is the most inspiring way to experience the canyon, it can also be dangerous, especially at midday during summer. Don't underestimate the physical toll that heat and vertical distances take on even advanced hikers. If it's hot out or you aren't up to climbing, consider walking on one of the rim trails or on the new greenway being constructed on the South Rim. The rim trails are especially nice in the forests on the North Rim.

On the South Rim, the wide, lush Bright Angel Trail is the least difficult canyon trail for day hikers. It is well maintained, has shade and drinking water, and is less steep than other canyon trails. A few well-prepared hikers will be comfortable traveling 6 miles one-way to the end of the Plateau Point Trail, which departs from the Tonto Trail just north of where the Tonto crosses the Bright Angel Trail. If you go any farther on a day hike, there's a good chance that you'll run out of energy and/or daylight while climbing back to the rim. In the heat of summer, day-trippers should not hike farther than Indian Gardens before turning back.

Other popular day hikes on the South Rim include the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge, the Hermit Trail to either Dripping Springs (via the Dripping Springs Trail) or Santa Maria Spring, and the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa. Because it is steeper and has no water and little shade, the South Kaibab Trail is considered more strenuous than the Bright Angel Trail, but it offers panoramic views. The Hermit and Grandview trails, which are unmaintained and very steep in places, are more rugged than the South Kaibab.

On the North Rim the North Kaibab Trail, which has seasonal water and abundant shade, is the best option for day hikers descending into the canyon. Day hikers in good shape, as a rule, shouldn't go farther than Roaring Springs, 4.7 miles and 3,000 vertical feet below the trail head. Even strong hikers may have problems returning to the rim before sunset if they go past Roaring Springs on a day hike.

The trail descriptions cover many canyon paths, including turn-around points for day hikers. However, because of remote locations and/or rugged conditions, the South Bass, North Bass, Nankoweap, Tanner (which is especially steep), New Hance, Boucher, Thunder River, Bill Hall, and Deer Creek trails are not covered in this guide. You can ask questions about these trails and obtain free trail descriptions at the Backcountry Information Center (tel. 928/638-7875), located in the Maswik Transportation Center on the South Rim, and in the Backcountry Reservations trailer on the North Rim (located approximately 11 miles south of the North Rim entrance gate, and marked by a sign, no phone). More detailed descriptions can be found in guidebooks and individual trail guides sold through the Grand Canyon Association (tel. 800/858-2808).

Wherever you hike, carry plenty of water and know where the next water sources are. Eat and drink regularly so you don't create an electrolyte imbalance. If you hike into the canyon, allow yourself twice as much time for the trip out as for the descent, and remember that the mileage indicated represents, in large part, vertical miles. Always confirm with the visitor center or backcountry office the availability of water on the trails you intend to hike.

Note About Trail Descriptions--The trail descriptions in this guide are not detailed enough to be used for route finding. The Grand Canyon Association (tel. 800/858-2808) publishes a number of guides with more detailed trail descriptions of the most popular trails.

Shuttles for Hikers--Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Vista. In addition, a hiker's shuttle picks up hikers directly at the Bright Angel Lodge and the Backcountry Information Center and travels to the South Kaibab Trailhead at various times each morning. Consult The Guide for hours.

Recommended Hiking Distances

The following is a list of trails recommended for day hikers, and the farthest point that day hikers should try to go on them.

For Less-Experienced Hikers:

Rim Trail-eastbound 2.4 miles one-way

Rim Trail-westbound 8 miles one-way

Bright Angel Point Trail .3 miles one-way

Transept Trail 1.5 miles one-way

Widforss Trail 5 miles one-way

Bright Angel Trail to Mile-and-a-Half House 1.5 miles one-way

North Kaibab Trail to Supai Tunnel 2.7 miles one-way

For Fit, Well-Prepared Hikers:

South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge 1.5 miles one-way

North Kaibab Trail to Roaring Springs 4.7 miles one-way

Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden 4.6 miles one-way

-- or to Plateau Point 6.1 miles one-way

Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa 3 miles one-way

Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring 2.5 miles one-way

Hermit and Dripping Springs Trails to Dripping Springs 3 miles one-way