Day Hikes

The Rim Trail starts in Grand Canyon Village and travels both east and west along the rim, with the west-bound section of the trail journeying 8 miles to Hermits Rest and the east-bound part extending 3.7 miles past Mather Point to Pipe Creek Vista. Both sections can be very busy, especially near Grand Canyon Village. And both offer stunning canyon views while passing through rim-top scenery that is less than pristine. The east-bound section is paved, wide, and easy to walk on; the west-bound part is longer, more rugged, and has a few lonesome stretches. Unfortunately, much of it lies close to Hermit Road.

Heading West on the Rim Trail from Grand Canyon Village

Highlights: Beats riding the bus to all the overlooks, and you can get on and off the bus at any of the viewpoints and walk as long as you like. Drawbacks: Seeing and hearing the buses, and the crowds at the overlooks. Difficulty: One steep climb; tricky footing in isolated locations.

Don't let the name of this trail confuse you. The Rim Trail meanders along the South Rim of the canyon, from Pipe Creek Vista through Grand Canyon Village and all the way to Hermits Rest. (If you go looking for a west rim of the canyon, you may end up in Lake Mead.) In doing so, it parallels Hermit Road and passes through all the same scenic overlooks, described in the driving tour. Walking instead of driving along this stretch of road is a great way to see the canyon while putting some elbow room between yourself and the crowds at the overlooks. The 1.4-mile stretch from the village to Maricopa Point is paved, with one 200-foot vertical climb. Past Maricopa Point, the trail planes off somewhat and the pavement ends. For the rest of the way to Hermits Rest, the trail becomes a series of footpaths that meander through piñon-juniper woodland along the rim (when not crossing overlooks). Sagebrush roots and loose rocks make for tricky footing, but the scenery is lovely, and the crowds thin as you move farther west. The nicest stretch is between the Abyss and Pima Point. Here, the trail detours away from Hermit Road, going towards the canyon and away from the road. This is one of the few places on the trail where you won't hear an occasional bus.

As 16 miles might be too much hiking for 1 day, I recommend hiking out on this trail from Grand Canyon Village and taking the shuttle back (mid-Mar to mid-Oct). By hiking out, you can avoid revisiting the same overlooks on the shuttle ride back -- the shuttles stop at every turnout while en route to Hermits Rest, but only stop at Mohave Point and Hopi Point on their way back to Grand Canyon Village.

If you don't want to walk the whole 8 miles, here's a list of distances, which will help determine how far you've gone and whether you want to continue to the next lookout.

Trailhead to Trailview I: .7 miles

Trailview I to Maricopa Point: .7 miles

Maricopa Point to Powell Point: .5 miles

Powell Point to Hopi Point: .3 miles

Hopi Point to Mohave Point: .8 miles

Mohave Point to the Abyss: 1.1 miles

The Abyss to Pima Point: 2.9 miles

Pima Point to Hermits Rest: 1.1 miles

8 miles to Hermits Rest. Access: Rim-side sidewalk at the west end of Grand Canyon Village. Water sources at Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest, Park Headquarters, and Yavapai Point. Maps: Trails Illustrated Topo Map or Village Area Map (included in The Guide).

Heading East on the Rim Trail from Grand Canyon Village

Highlights: Paved, easy to walk on, and close to the edge. Drawbacks: More crowded than the west-bound section. Difficulty: A boulevard. The sidewalk is so wide, it's more like a road than a trail.

This smooth, paved trail connects Grand Canyon Village and Mather Point. Around the lodges, the path is a flat sidewalk teeming with people. The crowds dissipate somewhat between the east edge of the village and Yavapai Point. Near Yavapai Point, you'll find many smooth flat rocks along the rim -- great places from which to contemplate the canyon. Located 1.75 miles northeast of the Historic District in Grand Canyon Village, Yavapai Point has a historic (1928) observation station with large windows overlooking the canyon. From here, you can walk another .7 miles to Mather Point on a portion of the park's new greenway trail, and then on to Pipe Creek Vista. This 10-foot-wide, paved walkway usually travels within a few feet of the rim. It takes you away from the crowds and provides ever-changing canyon views. If you grow fatigued during your walk, you can catch shuttles at Mather or Yavapai points.

2.4 miles to Mather Point. Access: Grand Canyon Village, along the rim behind the El Tovar Hotel. Water sources at Grand Canyon Village, Park Headquarters, and Yavapai Point. Maps: Trails Illustrated Topo Map or Village Area Map (included in The Guide).