North Kaibab Trail

Best Time to Hike North Kaibab Trail

Water at Supai Tunnel only runs mid-May through mid-October, and the North Rim has no potable water available in 2026, so carry what you'll need regardless of season. Hiking the full trail to the Colorado River in a single day isn't recommended, especially in summer heat.

Trail Tips

• A section of trail between Redwall Bridge and Cottonwood Campground is scheduled to close for waterline construction starting October 15, 2026, through roughly February 2027 — check current conditions before planning a longer trip.
• Day hikers don't need to commit to the whole descent — pick a turnaround point that matches your fitness and time.
• This is the least crowded of the park's major corridor trails, a real draw for hikers who want fewer people on the trail.

Day-Hike Turnaround Options

• Coconino Overlook: 1.4 miles round trip, about 790 feet of descent, 1-2 hours.
• Supai Tunnel: 4.0 miles round trip, about 1,400 feet of descent, 2-4 hours.
• Redwall Bridge: 5.2 miles round trip, about 2,200 feet of descent, 4-6 hours.

What to Expect on North Kaibab Trail

The North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained corridor trail dropping from the North Rim into the canyon, starting at the North Kaibab Trailhead at 8,241 feet, about 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim's trails. It's also the least crowded and most demanding of the park's major inner-canyon routes. Past Supai Tunnel the trail cuts through blasted-out sections of Redwall Limestone with real exposure below the rim.