GRAND CANYON HIKE PICKER
Tell us your group size and ages — get the Grand Canyon hikes that actually fit, linked to full trail details. Free, no sign-up.
Your group
3 hikes that fit your group
Lookout terrace
easyGreenway
easyHayduke Trail #12
expertSuggestions are based on our trail database and grow as we add more hikes. Browse all Grand Canyon hikes →
Want the full breakdown on the park's most popular trail first? Read our Bright Angel Trail guide →
Grand Canyon Hiking FAQ
What is the easiest hike at the Grand Canyon?
The Rim Trail is the easiest option — a mostly flat, paved 13-mile path along the South Rim that you can join and leave anywhere, with no elevation loss into the canyon. Use the picker above with young kids in your group to see the gentlest hikes that fit, with full trail details.
What is the best Grand Canyon hike for families with young kids?
Stick to the paved Rim Trail rather than trails that descend below the rim — it's rated easy, kid-friendly, and lets you turn back anywhere. The Hike Picker filters to exactly those options when you add young kids to your group.
What is the hardest day hike at the Grand Canyon?
Hiking South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trail all the way to the Colorado River and back in a day is the marquee strenuous challenge — roughly 7,000 feet of combined elevation change and 7 to 13 hours, recommended only for strong, experienced hikers who start before dawn.
Do Grand Canyon hikes require a permit?
No day hike below the rim requires a permit — you can hike South Kaibab, Bright Angel, or any other corridor trail as a day trip with no reservation. A permit is only required for overnight backcountry camping below the rim, through the Backcountry Information Center lottery.