Hermit Trailhead
A steep, historic descent into the canyon's Supai cliffs
About
Hermit Trailhead sits just west of Hermits Rest on the South Rim, at the start of one of the canyon's classic unmaintained corridor trails. The Hermit Trail drops nearly 2,000 vertical feet in its first 2.5 miles, working through steep, rocky switchbacks in the Supai Formation before easing into longer traverses below. Round-trip options range from a short out-and-back to Waldron Basin (about 3 miles) up to the full 19.4-mile push down to the Colorado River.
Know before you go
- The National Park Service rates this trail for experienced desert hikers only, calling conditions rockier and more demanding than the Bright Angel or South Kaibab corridor trails
- From March through November, day hikers must reach the trailhead by free shuttle bus — no personal-vehicle parking is available during that stretch; December through February the road opens to all traffic
- A spring-fed water station is at the trailhead itself; Santa Maria Spring (2.5 miles in) and Dripping Springs (about 7 miles via a side trail) are the next natural sources, and anything drawn from the canyon must be treated before drinking
The trail dates to 1911, built by the Santa Fe Railroad to reach its Hermit Camp tourist facility below the rim, which ran electricity, a tramway, and Harvey Company dining a decade before Phantom Ranch existed.
Best Time to Start Down
Time your visit around the shuttle schedule March through November, and plan an early start regardless of season to beat the heat on the exposed upper switchbacks.
Trail Tips
- A spring-fed water station is at the trailhead itself; Santa Maria Spring (2.5 miles in) and Dripping Springs (about 7 miles via a side trail) are the next natural sources.
- The National Park Service rates this trail for experienced desert hikers only, calling conditions rockier and more demanding than the Bright Angel or South Kaibab corridor trails.
- Round-trip options range from a short out-and-back to Waldron Basin (about 3 miles) up to the full 19.4-mile push down to the Colorado River.
Getting to the Trailhead
From March through November, day hikers must reach the trailhead by free shuttle bus — no personal-vehicle parking is available during that stretch; December through February the road opens to all traffic.
What to Expect at Hermit Trailhead
Hermit Trailhead sits just west of Hermits Rest on the South Rim, at the start of one of the canyon's classic unmaintained corridor trails. The trail dates to 1911, built by the Santa Fe Railroad to reach its Hermit Camp tourist facility below the rim, which ran electricity, a tramway, and Harvey Company dining a decade before Phantom Ranch existed. It drops nearly 2,000 vertical feet in its first 2.5 miles through steep, rocky switchbacks in the Supai Formation.
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