Cliff Spring seeps beneath a sandstone overhang on the North Rim, feeding a small moss-covered pool along the trail.
Day Hike

Cliff Spring Trail

A short forested walk to a hidden spring off Cape Royal Road

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Grand Canyon interior, AZ

About

Cliff Spring Trail is a short North Rim hike out to a dripping spring tucked under a rock overhang, reached from a pullout on Cape Royal Road about 0.3 miles before the Cape Royal parking area. It's an out-and-back of roughly 1 mile round trip with about 300 feet of elevation change, and most hikers cover it in 1-2 hours.

What to expect

The trail drops into a forested ravine, passing a marked archaeological site before cutting along the base of a cliff to a chest-high boulder resting beneath a large overhang. Water seeps from the rock above and collects in shallow pools on the alcove floor — it looks inviting after the walk down, but it's not safe to drink.

  • Trailhead pullout is on Cape Royal Road, a short drive from Cape Royal itself
  • The return climb is steeper and slower than the way in
  • Summer afternoons in the shade still top 100°F; go early or late
  • Winter ice can hide on the steep upper section — traction devices help

Cape Royal Road and the trail are open for the 2026 season as part of the North Rim's day-use access.

Best Time to Hike Cliff Spring Trail

Summer afternoons in the shade still top 100°F, so go early or late in warmer months. Winter ice can hide on the steep upper section, where traction devices help.

Trail Tips

  • The water in the spring's pools looks inviting after the walk down, but it's not safe to drink.
  • The return climb is steeper and slower than the way in — budget accordingly.
  • Cape Royal Road and the trail are open for the 2026 season as part of the North Rim's day-use access.

Getting to Cliff Spring Trail

The trailhead pullout is on Cape Royal Road, about 0.3 miles before the Cape Royal parking area — a short drive from Cape Royal itself, making it an easy add-on to that stop.

What to Expect on Cliff Spring Trail

Cliff Spring Trail is a short North Rim hike out to a dripping spring tucked under a rock overhang, an out-and-back of roughly 1 mile round trip with about 300 feet of elevation change. The trail drops into a forested ravine, passing a marked archaeological site before cutting along the base of a cliff to a chest-high boulder resting beneath a large overhang, where water seeps from the rock above and collects in shallow pools on the alcove floor.

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