10 Best hikes and trails in Grand Canyon National Park

Hiking/
United States/
Arizona/
Grand Canyon National Park

Best trails in Grand Canyon National Park

4.6·85,646 reviews·United States
:
#12 of 60 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Grand Canyon National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 136 great trails for hiking, camping, and backpacking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 31 easy hiking trails in Grand Canyon National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 0 to 11,443 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Grand Canyon National Park.

Top trails

#1 - South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point

This "halfway" point to Cedar Ridge is a beautiful hike all in itself. This is the most accessible view of the canyon from the South Kaibab Trailhead and is best for families with young children. If you want to get away from the crowd at the top of the rim, but don't want to go on an all-day hike, this is a good option. Once you reach the end of the trail, you will understand why this lookout is named "Ooh Ahh" after seeing the incredible views.

#2 - South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

The South Kaibab Trail begins south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. This trail is suitable for a day hike to the mule-hitching post at Cedar Ridge. It offers incredible views for a relatively short hike, but it is steep and lacks water and shade. Seasonal water is available at the trailhead. In winter or early spring, the upper portion of the trail can be extremely icy, while summer months may bring thunderstorms. Notably, this is the only trail in Grand Canyon National Park that follows a...

#3 - South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

4.9(5054)

•Hard

•5.8 mi

This is a must-see viewpoint along the Grand Canyon South Rim and is perfect for a day hike. There are stunning views of the Colorado River from this viewpoint, as well as the beautiful desert canyon landscape. This trail is tough and gradually descends to Skeleton Point. Other incredible 360-degree vistas are located at Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge. On the way back, the hike is all uphill so save some energy and snacks! For those who wish to hike further along the South Kaibab Trail, you...

#4 - 1.5 Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail

This route travels along the Bright Angel Trail and ends at the 1.5 Mile Resthouse. This is one of the shorter routes in the canyon, and one of the most popular ones as well. The trail is challenging, with over 1,000ft of elevation gain along the way, therefore it is important to plan and prepare ahead of time. At some points of the day, the canyon walls provide some shade, however, there are also exposed areas so bring sun protection.

#5 - Bright Angel Trail

4.8(4696)

•Hard

•15.8 mi

The Bright Angel Trail is a challenging and adventurous route in the Grand Canyon. The trail begins in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, with several rest houses and water along the way. Since the trail is out and back, you can turn around whenever you want. It is not suggested that you do the full route in one day but rather in sections along a multi-day backpacking trip. The trail offers iconic views of the canyon and access to the Colorado River for those up to the challenge. If...

#6 - South Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail

4.9(5020)

•Hard

•16.6 mi

This is a combination of two extremely classic routes in the historic Grand Canyon National Park. Starting from the South Kaibab Trail, this easy-to-follow trail has awe-inspiring views along the rim and also leads to the Colorado River. There are many series of switchbacks leading up and down the canyon. It's challenging and sometimes steep, however, the adventure and views are worth the effort. If completing this trail as a day hike, it is best to start early. If backpacking this route,...

#7 - 3-Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail

4.8(3959)

•Hard

•6.1 mi

3-Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Grand Canyon and is one of several Bright Angel Trail hikes available. The route begins at the Bright Angel Trailhead. This route offers gorgeous views, so remember to stop often for photos. The earlier you begin the hike, the fewer crowds. The route ends at the 3-Mile Resthouse, but there are options for shortening and lengthening your journey. You may choose to stop at the 1.5 Mile Resthouse...

#8 - Rim Trail: Mather Point to Bright Angel Trailhead

The entire Rim Trail stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermit's Rest and is approximately 13 miles long. The trail is mostly paved and lined with markers to show how far you've traveled, both in feet and in years (an earth timeline). The trail is enjoyable and educational for families with kids. Mather Point is the closest Grand Canyon overlook to the visitor's center. While you can walk this section in under an hour, planning for a longer trip is recommended, as you'll want...

#9 - Rim-to-Rim: North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trails

4.9(3429)

•Hard

•23.3 mi

This multi-day route across the Grand Canyon will leave hikers speechless. While some may be able to complete this hike in a challenging one-day push, this route is best enjoyed along a four-day planned journey. When hiking this route, there are many points of interest worthy of stopping including Ribbon Falls, Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Camp, and Plateau Point. If planning on a four-day itinerary, each day's hike will be roughly six miles. When spending the night at Cottonwood Camp,...

#10 - South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch

4.9(2272)

•Hard

•14.3 mi

This route features a fantastic descent into the canyon with a difficult ascent back up. The trail is challenging and requires preparation, but it is a must-do multi-day trip in the park. From the trailhead, the path begins with switchbacks known as "the chimney" and descends steeply and narrowly through the canyon. Along the way, there are several stunning vantage points, including Ooh Ahh Point and Cedar Ridge. Wear sturdy footwear because the terrain can be uneven and rocky in some places....

Showing results 1–10 of 136

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Guides

Trail reviews for Grand Canyon National Park

Dede Wakem

Nov 17, 2024•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

November was a great time to hike this trail and being at the Grand Canyon! Awesome well maintained trail. Spectacular views. Some people used walking sticks, I didn’t feel the need to have them on this trail. It was a perfect weather day. Dressed in layers! 20-40 degrees during the day.

Difficulty: Moderate

South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point

antonio Volpini

Nov 13, 2024

Not crowdedGreat views

A great intro to the grand canyon. Not many people on it in November, really gorgeous views from a bunch of places. Take the shuttle out to hermits rest and walk back. If you time it right you can catch sunset at one of the middle lookout points!

Rim Trail: Grand Canyon Village to Hermit's Rest

Xiao Zhang

Nov 10, 2024•Hiking

It was snowing when we left Denver yesterday morning. But the weather in Grand Canyon is perfect for hiking. We left South Kaibab trailhead at 5:30am, got down to the river around 8:30am, then arrived North Kaibab trailhead at 3:45pm. There are three places to fill water: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, and Manzanita. The view at sunrise on the way down South Kaibab is great!

Rim-to-Rim: North Kaibab to South Kaibab Trailhead

Xiaohai Zhang

Nov 9, 2024•Hiking

Been there, done that! South Rim to North Rim and back to South Rim! The Grand Canyon’s scenery is absolutely stunning and almost feels unreal! In November, the temperature along with the chilling wind could be a problem. Hikers should bring multiple layers to put on and take off. This marks the conclusion of my main hiking push for the year, and I’m happy to report that my 2024 hiking statistics have already surpassed those of 2023 in every category. I was surprised by how much I hiked last year . Though I got a late start in 2024 (officially beginning on Memorial Day), it's been a challenge to beat the numbers from 2023. When it comes to long hikes, I face two main issues: food and hydration. I've managed to overcome my struggle with drinking while hiking—now I can consistently drink ginger tea or plain water with added electrolytes. But food continues to be a challenge. My body tends to reject most foods during strenuous hikes. For this trip, I had to rely on the food I ate before starting the hike for the entire 44 miles (I brought food with me, but couldn’t stomach any of it). By the end, I was low on energy, feeling sluggish and uncomfortable. I plan to work on solving this food issue next year.

Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim: South Kaibab, North Kaibab, Bright Angel

Kristoff Byrd

Nov 8, 2024

Great conditionsGreat views

Awesome views and a great overall experience hiking into the Grand Canyon. I truly appreciated the my surroundings during my time on this trail.

South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

Josh Scheinman

Nov 6, 2024•Hiking

Not crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

It rly is a Grand Canyon

South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Grand Canyon National Park is South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, which has a 4.8 star rating from 7,595 reviews. This trail is 1.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 685 ft.

What is the longest trail in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Grand Canyon National Park is Tuckup Trail. This trail is estimated to be 69.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Grand Canyon National Park?

There are 136 trails in Grand Canyon National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 85,646 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Grand Canyon National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Grand Canyon National Park has you covered. Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim: South Kaibab, North Kaibab, Bright Angel boasts the most elevation gain with 11,443 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Clear Creek Trail via South Kaibab Trail, which will get you 8,585 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 65 camping trails in Grand Canyon National Park and the most popular is Bright Angel Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 4,696 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 31 running trails in Grand Canyon National Park and the most popular is Rim-to-Rim: North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trails with an average 4.9 star rating from 3,429 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 biking trails in Grand Canyon National Park and the most popular is Grand Canyon Bridle Path with an average 4.5 star rating from 253 community reviews.