World > North America > USA Southwest > Kaibab Trail

One of the best hikes in the world is the

KAIBAB TRAIL

Hikes in this area are called:

  • South & North Kaibab Trails
  • Bright Angel Trail
  • the Grand Canyon corridor trails
  • Phantom Ranch

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Many amateur hikers get in trouble in the Grand Canyon underestimating the elevation change, the sun and the time needed.

The red dot is GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona.

AT A GLANCE

  • a South Rim to North Rim adventure
  • real risk of heat stroke!
  • 3 days is ideal
  • 20.6mi (33.2km) plus sidetrips
  • it can be difficult to get a Backcountry permit
  • best hiking is Spring & Fall, summer is very hot
  • hard, steep hiking

Services & facilities on the North Rim are only open mid-May through mid-Oct. Offseason you can still hike out of South Rim, but not cross the canyon.

WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE

  • this is the only trail in the Park, including Bright Angel, maintained consistently
  • the hike crosses the only bridge spanning the Colorado
  • Grand Canyon's shuttle system, minimizing traffic
  • Phantom Ranch is great
  • hiking is inexpensive if you can get a Permit
  • Ribbon Falls sidetrip
  • few biting flies or mosquitos
  • visiting other great nearby Parks & attractions
  • we want to visit the Grand Canyon glass skywalk (opens 2006)
  • ... add a comment here

CONSIDERATIONS

Things can go badly wrong in the Grand Canyon:

  • Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon  - Myers & Ghiglieri, 2001 is sobering.
  • a fit 28-year-old man collapsed and died on the Bright Angel Trail in July, 2005 of heat related illness trying to cross rim-to-rim in a day. Details
  • heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke are your greatest worries
  • May - Sept are called danger months
  • you must carry water and / or electrolyte drinks
  • avoid hiking mid-day (11AM - 3PM) as much as possible
  • South Kaibab recommended for descending only as it has no shade, no water


  • this is a confusing hike to organize independently. If you get frustrated, consider one of the other nearby best hikes in the world
  • mobile phones normally will not work
  • snakes and scorpions, some poisonous, live here but careful hikers are rarely bothered. Wear good footwear. Be careful where you put your hands.
  • watch out for stinging red ants
  • store food safely away from mice and other moochers
  • over 250 people are rescued from the canyon each year and are invoiced for the cost
  • don't be one of those sick, debilitated and unprepared hikers.
  • you can hire a mule to carry your pack. We don't recommend it as you can no longer fix your own pace.
  • North Rim is over 8000ft (2438m) so you may be short of breath
  • no dogs below the rim
  • no campfires
  • no burning trash or toilet paper. Pack it out.
  • you must poop in a bag. (If you've never done it, you are in for an experience. Human/dog waste bags provided free of charge.)
  • vehicle entrance fee to the Park was US$20 for 7 days in 2006
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ROUTES

Trail runners cross the canyon in one day.

If mountain fit, you might be tempted to do it in 2 long days.

Our recommended comfortable itinerary is to do it in 3-days; one day down, 2 days up:

  • start from Yaqui Point, the South rim
  • descend South Kaibab Trail in one day to Bright Angel campground (alternatively, descend Bright Angel trail)
  • climb next day to Cottonwood campground (or Phantom ranch)
  • third day climb to the North rim

Reversing this itinerary has some advantages. Hiking north to south is convenient for catching the Trans-Canyon Shuttle (1:30PM departure) to get back to your vehicle parked on the North Rim. Also, the south rim is not nearly as high as the north rim — so you have less elevation to gain.

The second best itinerary is 2-days:

  • start from the South rim
  • descend South Kaibab Trail in one day to Bright Angel campground
  • climb Bright Angel Trail back up to the South Rim

You miss the rim-to-rim crossing — but getting back to your vehicle is no hassle.

Other itineraries are listed on the National Park site:

HIKING GUIDES

Joining a guided tour is a good idea. This is a difficult hike. Do not do it on your own unless you are fit and confident.

Browse the links above for options.

GETTING A BACKCOUNTRY PERMIT

To camp anywhere other than the car campgounds on the North Rim, South Rim, or Tuweep, you must obtain a permit from a Backcountry Information Center.

Each year Grand Canyon National Park receives approximately 30,000 requests for backcountry permits. The park issues 13,000 permits. The earliest you can apply for a permit is the first of the month, four months prior to the proposed start month (see table below).

Therefore, mark your calendar for the 1st of the month, 4-months in advance of your hike.

In 2006 you could still not apply on-line, only by mail, fax or in person. Our advice is to fax (928) 638-2125 the application just after midnight on the 1st of the month. Permit is US$10 / group plus $5/person/night camping.

Backcountry Permit Request Form  - Grand Canyon National Park

With questions, phone:
(520) 638-7875 afternoons

They do not answer email.

  • if you do not have a Backcountry Permit, you could take a chance on getting a last-minute spot. Be waiting at 8AM at either North or South Backcountry Information Center on the day you want to hike.
  • even better, check in the day prior to inquire about the wait list

If that still does not work, take a nice day hike into the canyon or along the rim.

NOTE: Reservations for overnight tent or RV camping in developed campgrounds on the canyon rims (Mather, Desert View, North Rim) are not obtained through the Backcountry Information Center. Nor is Phantom Ranch lodging. Those must be booked separately.

LOGISTICS

If you join a guided tour, logistics will be organized for you. This section is for independent hikers.

  • our recommended itinerary has you starting from South Rim
  • the closest major city is Flagstaff, AZ
  • for many it will be more convenient to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor airport
  • Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim is 233mi (375km), about 4.5hrs drive
  • Greyhound Bus service is available Phoenix - Flagstaff
  • South Rim Travel Shuttle Service takes you the rest of the way, Flagstaff to South Rim
  • alternatively, Grand Canyon Railway provides train service Williams, AZ to the South Rim
  • pick up last minute provisions at Babbitt's General Store
  • Mather campground, South Rim is recommended the night before you hike. Reservations (800) 365-2267 or online via the National Park Service Reservations Center - Mather
  • if you want to start at North Rim, the most convenient major airport is Vegas
  • Vegas - Grand Canyon North Rim is 270mi (435km), about 5.5hrs drive
  • for more information, check Getting to the Grand Canyon - GrandCanyonHiker.com


click for larger image  - Wikipedia

  • the big problem with a rim-to-rim hike is getting back to a parked vehicle. To cover the 10mi by road is 220mi (354km)!
  • if this is too much a hassle, simply descend South Kaibab & ascend Bright Angel (forget crossing the canyon)
  • if you have 2 vehicles, or a driver not hiking, logistics are not complicated
  • otherwise you should plan to take the rim-to-rim Trans-Canyon Shuttle which runs once a day each way. Alternately, a taxi service might be available.
  • another strategy, which we have actually done, is to swap car keys with a group hiking in the opposite direction. Then meet up later to swap vehicles.
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LOCAL INFORMATION

BEST HIKING GUIDEBOOKS

Compare the Adkison and Annerino guidebooks. You will need to discuss the pros & cons on the trail with others you meet.

BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS

OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS

BEST MAPS

On-line maps:

BEST WEB PAGES

BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS


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This page last modified Tuesday, December 25, 2007.