Plateau Point
A long day's hike to a flat perch above the Colorado River
About
Plateau Point sits on a flat finger of the Tonto Platform roughly 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, and it's the payoff for one of the longer day hikes on the South Rim. You reach it via the Bright Angel Trail, descending about 4.5 miles of switchbacks to Havasupai Gardens before picking up the Plateau Point spur for the final stretch to the point itself — a round trip of about 12 miles with roughly 3,080 feet of elevation change, typically taking 9 to 12 hours.
What to expect
- The upper trail has natural shade and seasonal water at Three-Mile Resthouse, plus year-round water at Havasupai Gardens
- The spur out to Plateau Point itself is comparatively flat but fully exposed — no shade once you leave the gardens
- From the point, the view opens onto the river and the inner gorge, a genuinely different angle than the rim overlooks
Because of the distance and heat exposure, rangers don't recommend this as a casual day hike — it's a full-day commitment best started early. The Plateau Point Trail segment beyond the Tonto Trail junction had been closed for waterline construction and reopened at the end of June 2026, so check current conditions before you go.
Best Time to Hike to Plateau Point
Because of the distance and heat exposure, rangers don't recommend this as a casual day hike — it's a full-day commitment best started early. The Plateau Point Trail segment beyond the Tonto Trail junction had been closed for waterline construction and reopened at the end of June 2026, so check current conditions before you go.
Trail Tips
- The upper trail has natural shade and seasonal water at Three-Mile Resthouse, plus year-round water at Havasupai Gardens.
- The spur out to Plateau Point itself is comparatively flat but fully exposed — no shade once you leave the gardens.
- Budget the full 9 to 12 hours; this is not a hike to rush or underestimate.
Getting to Plateau Point
You reach it via the Bright Angel Trail, descending about 4.5 miles of switchbacks to Havasupai Gardens before picking up the Plateau Point spur for the final stretch — a round trip of about 12 miles with roughly 3,080 feet of elevation change, typically taking 9 to 12 hours.
What to Expect at Plateau Point
Plateau Point sits on a flat finger of the Tonto Platform roughly 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, and it's the payoff for one of the longer day hikes on the South Rim. From the point, the view opens onto the river and the inner gorge, a genuinely different angle than the rim overlooks.
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