A metal footbridge spans Bright Angel Creek along the Ribbon Falls Trail deep inside the Grand Canyon.
Day Hike

Ribbon Falls Trail

A hidden travertine waterfall along the North Kaibab Trail

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Grand Canyon interior, AZ

About

Ribbon Falls is a short detour off the North Kaibab Trail deep in the inner canyon, about 8.4 miles below the North Kaibab Trailhead and roughly 1.6 miles past Cottonwood Campground, at an elevation near 3,720 feet. The falls drop about 140 feet over a travertine spire built up by mineral-rich water, with a pool at the base and a smaller one about 50 feet up the formation — a green, mossy surprise in an otherwise dry stretch of Bright Angel Creek canyon. The site holds deep significance for the Zuni, who know it as Chimik'yana'kya Dey'a, a place tied to their emergence narrative.

Getting there

  • Reached via a short side trail off the North Kaibab Trail, well below the North Rim and north of Phantom Ranch — this is a backcountry hike, not a rim walk.
  • The bridge over Bright Angel Creek to the falls has been removed for damage; hikers currently need to find a safe spot to ford the creek, which runs high and fast with spring snowmelt.
  • Overnight backcountry camping en route requires an NPS permit; the route is exposed with little shade for most of its length.

Best Time to Visit

The creek runs high and fast with spring snowmelt, making the ford more hazardous in that season — check current conditions before planning your crossing.

Trail Tips

  • The site holds deep significance for the Zuni, who know it as Chimik'yana'kya Dey'a, a place tied to their emergence narrative — worth treating with real respect on your visit.
  • Overnight backcountry camping en route requires an NPS permit; the route is exposed with little shade for most of its length.
  • Check current bridge/ford status before your trip, since creek crossing conditions change with the season.

Getting to Ribbon Falls

Reached via a short side trail off the North Kaibab Trail, well below the North Rim and north of Phantom Ranch — this is a backcountry hike, not a rim walk. The bridge over Bright Angel Creek to the falls has been removed for damage; hikers currently need to find a safe spot to ford the creek.

What to Expect at Ribbon Falls

Ribbon Falls is a short detour off the North Kaibab Trail deep in the inner canyon, about 8.4 miles below the North Kaibab Trailhead and roughly 1.6 miles past Cottonwood Campground, at an elevation near 3,720 feet. The falls drop about 140 feet over a travertine spire built up by mineral-rich water, with a pool at the base and a smaller one about 50 feet up the formation — a green, mossy surprise in an otherwise dry stretch of Bright Angel Creek canyon.

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