Roaring Springs Trail
The North Rim's classic below-the-rim day hike, ending at the spring that waters the whole park
About
Roaring Springs is the turnaround point the National Park Service recommends for day hikers on the North Kaibab Trail, the only maintained route into the canyon from the North Rim. It's 4.7 miles one-way from the North Kaibab Trailhead (9.4 miles round trip), dropping from 8,241 feet at the rim to 5,220 feet at the springs — a loss of just over 3,000 feet that you have to climb back out. The trail is rated strenuous.
What you'll see
The route switchbacks steeply below the rim, passes potable water and toilets at Supai Tunnel (1.7 miles in), then threads a half-tunnel blasted into the Redwall Limestone cliffs before reaching the canyon floor. At Roaring Springs, water pours straight out of the rock face and cascades over moss and fern to form Bright Angel Creek — the source that supplies drinking water to the entire park via a pipeline buried under the trail.
- Potable water available at the trailhead, Supai Tunnel, and Roaring Springs during the open season
- Picnic tables and a restroom at the springs
- Park guidance: start well before dawn in hot months (May–September) and avoid hiking midday
Best Time to Hike to Roaring Springs
Park guidance: start well before dawn in hot months (May–September) and avoid hiking midday.
Trail Tips
- Potable water available at the trailhead, Supai Tunnel, and Roaring Springs during the open season.
- Picnic tables and a restroom at the springs.
- This is a strenuous 9.4-mile round trip with a loss of just over 3,000 feet that you have to climb back out — budget a full day.
Getting to Roaring Springs
It's 4.7 miles one-way from the North Kaibab Trailhead (9.4 miles round trip), dropping from 8,241 feet at the rim to 5,220 feet at the springs. The route switchbacks steeply below the rim, passes potable water and toilets at Supai Tunnel (1.7 miles in), then threads a half-tunnel blasted into the Redwall Limestone cliffs before reaching the canyon floor.
What to Expect on the Way to Roaring Springs
Roaring Springs is the turnaround point the National Park Service recommends for day hikers on the North Kaibab Trail, the only maintained route into the canyon from the North Rim. At Roaring Springs, water pours straight out of the rock face and cascades over moss and fern to form Bright Angel Creek — the source that supplies drinking water to the entire park via a pipeline buried under the trail.
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