North Kaibab Trailhead
The North Rim's only way down into the canyon
About
North Kaibab Trailhead sits at 8,241 feet on the North Rim, about a mile north of the rim's main developed area, and it's the only maintained route into the canyon from this side. Every rim-to-rim hiker and Phantom Ranch-bound backpacker starts here, but you don't need a multi-day itinerary to use it — two well-marked turnaround points make it workable as a day outing.
What's at the trailhead
- Paved parking lot with year-round vault toilets, a trail information kiosk, and a seasonal water spigot
- North Kaibab Trail descends immediately below the rim into Roaring Springs Canyon
- Coconino Overlook is a 1.4-mile roundtrip turnaround; Supai Tunnel is 4.0 miles roundtrip
- Beyond that, the trail continues past Redwall Bridge toward Roaring Springs, Cottonwood Camp, and eventually the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch
Potable water along the trail is limited to the Manzanita Rest Area, so plan around that if you're going past Supai Tunnel. Road access to this trailhead is seasonal — State Route 67 typically closes for winter — and the North Rim itself is day-use only in 2026, with no in-park overnight lodging available.
Best Time to Start Down
Potable water along the trail is limited to the Manzanita Rest Area, so plan around that if you're going past Supai Tunnel, and start early in warmer months.
Trail Tips
- Paved parking lot with year-round vault toilets, a trail information kiosk, and a seasonal water spigot.
- Coconino Overlook is a 1.4-mile roundtrip turnaround; Supai Tunnel is 4.0 miles roundtrip.
- Beyond that, the trail continues past Redwall Bridge toward Roaring Springs, Cottonwood Camp, and eventually the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch.
Getting to the Trailhead
Road access to this trailhead is seasonal — State Route 67 typically closes for winter — and the North Rim itself is day-use only in 2026, with no in-park overnight lodging available.
What to Expect at North Kaibab Trailhead
North Kaibab Trailhead sits at 8,241 feet on the North Rim, about a mile north of the rim's main developed area, and it's the only maintained route into the canyon from this side. Every rim-to-rim hiker and Phantom Ranch-bound backpacker starts here, but you don't need a multi-day itinerary to use it — two well-marked turnaround points make it workable as a day outing.
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