The Tipoff
The last shade before the river on the South Kaibab Trail
About
The Tipoff is the decision point on the South Kaibab Trail, sitting roughly 4.4 miles and about 3,100 feet below the rim. By the time hikers reach it, the easy part is long over — reviewers consistently describe the climb back out as the real test, with one calling the return trip "orders of magnitude harder" than the way down. It's rated 4.8 stars from 50 reviews on Google, a reflection of views that hikers repeatedly call some of the most striking in the entire canyon.
What's there
The Tipoff has a pit toilet, an emergency phone, and a steel-mesh shelter for wind — but no water and no shade, so anyone continuing past it needs to be carrying enough for the return climb. Past this point the trail turns steep, with close-up views down to the Colorado River; some hikers push another 20 minutes or so for a clearer look at the water before turning back. Beyond that, it's roughly 2 more miles down to the river and Bright Angel Campground.
Good to know
- Distance from South Kaibab Trailhead: about 4.4 miles one-way (~9 miles round-trip)
- Elevation lost: roughly 3,100+ feet from the rim
- Facilities: pit toilet and emergency phone; no water source
- Access: open 24 hours, foot traffic only
The NPS points to Skeleton Point, about a mile before the Tipoff, as the recommended turnaround for a day hike — this stretch is for hikers in solid shape who understand the climb back is the hard part. For anyone going all the way to the river, splitting the trip with a night at Bright Angel Campground is worth serious consideration over trying it in a single day.
Best Time to Hike Here
The trail up top runs a narrow ridge with no shade, so by the time hikers reach the Tipoff they've already felt the exposure this trail is known for — an early start matters especially in warmer months.
Trail Tips
- A shelter with shade screens and benches, built in 2019 specifically because so many hikers were arriving overheated on this stretch.
- Two cisterns of non-potable water for cooling off are available here, not for drinking, plus pit toilets and an emergency phone.
- There's no reliable drinking water along this route, so anyone continuing past the Tipoff needs to be carrying what they'll need for the rest of the descent.
Getting to The Tipoff
Descend the South Kaibab Trail about 4 miles from the South Rim. As of this writing the South Kaibab Trail is open its full length, from the trailhead through the Tipoff down to Black Bridge and Phantom Ranch.
What to Expect at The Tipoff
The Tipoff sits about 4 miles down the South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim, roughly 2 miles above the Colorado River, at the point where the trail crosses the Tonto Platform and meets the Tonto Trail. It's the last real landmark before the descent steepens for the final push to the river and Black Bridge.
Reviews
See all on GoogleNo reviews yet for this listing.