Hiking near Grand Canyon National Park

Trails, viewpoints, and hikes in and around Grand Canyon National Park

Hiking Into the Grand Canyon

The National Park Service is explicit about this: there is no easy way down to the Colorado River and back in a single day, and it actively discourages attempting a rim-to-river-to-rim day hike, especially in summer heat. Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail are the two maintained corridor trails from the South Rim into the canyon — both have no reliable water above certain points (Bright Angel has seasonal water stations; South Kaibab has none below the rim), and temperatures at the canyon floor regularly run 20-25 degrees hotter than the rim.

Overnight backcountry camping below the rim requires a permit, awarded through the park's own advance lottery/request system — Phantom Ranch itself (a bunkhouse rather than backcountry camping) uses a separate 15-month lottery shared with its lodging reservations.

The North Rim's trails are higher in elevation and open only roughly mid-May through mid-October, when the road and facilities are open; it closes for the season with the first significant snowfall, typically by early December.

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Sweeping Grand Canyon interior view showing layered red rock buttes, the Tonto Platform, and a clear blue sky.
ViewpointGrand Canyon interior

Tower of Set

A remote canyon butte named for an Egyptian god, seen from Hopi Point

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Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Trail 6 Ylw

An unmarked route in the canyon's rugged interior

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Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Trailer Village Crosswalk

A campground crossing point on the South Rim's paved Greenway Trail network

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A sweeping panoramic view of the Grand Canyon's layered red and purple rock formations from the South Rim overlook.
ViewpointGrand Canyon interior

Trailview Overlook

Where you watch the Bright Angel Trail disappear into the canyon

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Aerial view of Transept Canyon on the North Rim showing pine forest, fire-scarred trees, and layered canyon walls.
Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Transept Trail

A rim-hugging North Rim trail, closed by fire damage outside the campground

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Layered limestone buttes and autumn foliage frame a sweeping North Rim Grand Canyon overlook toward distant Arizona plateaus.
ViewpointGrand Canyon interior

Tritle Peak

A burnt-red sandstone remnant framed from a quiet North Rim overlook

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A sweeping aerial view of Grand Canyon's layered red rock walls and vast canyon depths under blue sky.
ViewpointGrand Canyon interior

Twin Buttes

A paired summit landmark on the North Rim skyline

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Aerial winter view of the Grand Canyon North Rim with snow-dusted ponderosa pine forest and canyon depths below.
Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Uncle Jim Trail

A North Rim overlook loop, closed for 2026 fire recovery

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An aerial view of the Grand Canyon's South Rim revealing dramatic layered red rock canyon walls and forested plateaus.
ViewpointGrand Canyon interior

Vesta Temple

A mythologically named temple rising above the Colorado River

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Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Village Greenway

An easy paved link between the Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Village

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Lookout Studio, a stone building on the South Rim edge in Grand Canyon Village, with visitors on its terraces
Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Village Loop

An easy paved stroll through the Village's historic buildings

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The rustic log exterior of Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim of Grand Canyon in winter.
Day HikeGrand Canyon interior

Village Loop Drive

The historic loop through Grand Canyon Village

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Grand Canyon Hiking FAQ

Can I hike from the rim to the river and back in one day?

The National Park Service actively discourages this — it's a serious, often dangerous undertaking, especially in summer heat, and is responsible for the majority of the park's search-and-rescue incidents. Plan an overnight instead if you want to reach the river.

Is there water available on the corridor trails?

Bright Angel Trail has seasonal water stations at several points; South Kaibab Trail has no water available below the rim at all. Carry more water than you think you'll need on either trail.

Do I need a permit for backcountry camping below the rim?

Yes — overnight backcountry camping requires a permit through the park's own advance request/lottery system, separate from day hiking, which needs no permit. Phantom Ranch's bunkhouse uses its own separate 15-month lottery, shared with its lodging reservations.

When is the North Rim open for hiking?

Roughly mid-May through mid-October, when the road and facilities are open. It closes for the season with the first significant snowfall, typically by early December, and the South Rim stays open year-round in contrast.