Are you looking for the Best Hikes in Grand Canyon National Park?
One of the best ways to experience Grand Canyon National Park is with your own two feet! These top trails in the park provide a kaleidoscope of sights and experiences. There is something perfect for every visitor and group to the Grand Canyon on this list!
From easy walks with stunning views to thrilling hikes down steep canyon walls, there’s something for everyone. Whether with family, or friends or on a solo trip, you’ll find the perfect trail here.
In this article, we’ve listed some of the best hikes in Grand Canyon National Park, from the shortest to the longest.
Also, for each of the long day hikes in the Grand Canyon, we’re giving you tips to enjoy a part of the trails with your children.
So, let’s dive in and discover the magic of the Grand Canyon through these amazing Frand Canyon National Park hikes!
ARE YOU READY FOR HIKING IN GLACIER NP?
📱 DOWNLOAD ALLTRAILS: AllTrails is our go-to app for looking at trail’ reports and seeing if the trail is kid-friendly. You’ll also find recent information about the status of the trail.
🥾 PACK THE RIGHT GEAR: Ensure you have the proper hiking gear for the Grand Canyon. Wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Proper hiking boots are essential as the terrain is rugged and slippery.
🌦️ PREPARE FOR THE CLIMATE: The Grand Canyon has extreme weather conditions. Summers are very hot, especially below the rim, and winters can be freezing with ice and snow. Check the weather forecast and be prepared for sudden weather changes.
⛰️ UNDERSTAND THE ALTITUDE: The high elevation can affect even the fittest hikers. It’s common to experience shortness of breath or fatigue. If you’re coming from a lower elevation, give yourself time to adjust before attempting long hikes.
⏰ START EARLY OR LATE: The sun is most intense in the middle of the day. To avoid the heat, start your hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Don’t hike between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during hot weather.
🎟️ PERMITS MAY BE REQUIRED: You must obtain a permit in advance for some areas, especially for overnight backcountry hiking.
🩹 DON’T FORGET A FIRST AID KIT: Keep your travel first aid kit somewhere accessible.
1. The Mather Point Trail
🥾 Mather Point Trail Technical Information
Length: 0.6 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 13 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 15 – 20 minutes
The Mather Point Trail is short and sweet, perfect for various abilities and ages. Mather Point is one of the most beloved and iconic overlooks on the entire South Rim! The effort-to-reward ratio is huge with this trail! It is also located right by the Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Village, which is convenient for accessibility purposes and parking.
Like the Shoshone Point Trail listed above, the Mather Point Trail is also another great family friendly, various-friendly, and various abilities-friendly hike. Bonus if you can catch a sunrise or sunset!
2. The Cape Royal Trail
🥾 Cape Royal Trail Technical Information
Length: 1 mile roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 65 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 20 – 30 minutes
The Cape Royal Trail is the perfect North Rim trail for families and varying ages and abilities due to its short distance, low elevation gain, paved trail, and huge reward waiting for you at the end of Cape Royal Point. The Cape Royal Trail is unique. It is almost like hiking on a canyon peninsula, surrounded by sweeping views of the canyon, the Colorado River below, and the nearby Angel’s Window formation. There are also informational signs along the trail all members of your group can enjoy learning more about this unique environment as they hike.
3. The Transept Trail
🥾 Transept Trail Technical Information
Length: 3.7 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 347 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 1.5 – 2 hours
The Transept Trail is another shorter trail, suitable for families and varying abilities. It is another trail showcasing the thick forest the North Rim is known for. While the Transept Trail does not contain as impressive canyon views as other trails, it provides an opportunity to appreciate the ponderosa pines, aspens, and majestic oaks along its path.
One other unique quality of the Transept Trail is there are slight remains of Puebloan ruins off the trail.
The Transept Trail also serves a practical purpose, as it connects the North Rim Lodge, Visitor Center, and North Rim Campground.
4. The Widforss Trail
🥾 Widforss Trail Technical Information
Length: 9.3 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,082 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 3.5 – 5 hours
The Widforss Trail is the best day hike in Grand Canyon National Park. At just under 10 miles roundtrip, it’s the ideal day hike distance. It is also special because you can enjoy the canyon rim views and the forest along this trail. There is something magical and welcoming about dappled sunlight peeking through the towering forest canopy of ponderosa pines, which dramatically fall away periodically along the trail to reveal panoramic views of the North Rim’s canyon!
The other endearing quality of the Widforss Trail is its “turnaround” spot or “destination”, Widforss Point. After hiking in thick forest for much of this trail, it is a dramatic change to have the forest fall completely away at Widforss Point for a completely unobstructed view of the canyon from atop this vista!
5. The Rim Trail
🥾 Rim Trail Technical Information
Length: 12.7 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 583 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 5 – 6 hours
For a South Rim trail that doesn’t involve inner canyon ascents but doesn’t sacrifice the views or experience, check out the Rim Trail, which runs almost 13 miles along the South Rim, from Hermits Rest in the east to the South Kaibab Trail in the west. In between, there are never-ending views on this flat, easy, and well-maintained trail, which also passes by Grand Canyon Village and multiple overlooks, like Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Hopi Point!
PRO-TIP for families: It is a great family-friendly option for all visitors, and you can choose just how much of it you want to hike or hop on and off the free park shuttle that stops at multiple places along the Rim Trail.
6. The South Kaibab Trail
🥾 South Kaibab Trail Technical Information
Length: 14 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 4,872 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 10 – 12 hours
The South Kaibab Trail shares many similarities with its South Rim sibling, the Bright Angel Trail. The South Kaibab Trail also traverses the entire South Rim wall, all the way to the bottom of the canyon and the Colorado River. You can hike the entirety of it, or adapt it to fit your needs by hiking a portion of it to one of many destinations overlooks.
The South Kaibab Trail, though a little less accessible from Grand Canyon Village and reached only by park shuttles or taxis, generally has fewer crowds and arguably contains more impressive views.
💡 PRO-TIP for families: You can shorten a hike on the South Kaibab Trail by turning around at the appropriately named Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, or the Tip-Off.
The South Kaibab Trail is shorter than the Bright Angel Trail but steeper, and no water sources are available on the trail. Due to these factors, it is not the most recommended trail for young children, but it may fit the bill perfectly for teenage children ready for a little more adventure.
Because there is no water on the South Kaibab Trail, for those looking to hike Rim to River, a popular solution around this is to descend South Kaibab to the Colorado River, where you can connect to and ascend the Bright Angel Trail.
7. The Bright Angel Trail
🥾 Bright Angel Trail Technical Information
Length: 19 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 4,478 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 10 – 12 hours
The Bright Angel Trail is arguably the toughest trail on the South Rim, but it is a park favorite among hikers for its accessibility, practicality, and thrill! It is in the heart of Grand Canyon Village, close to parking, facilities, shuttle stops, and amenities. There are numerous bathroom and water refill stations all along the trail. It is well-maintained and easy to follow.
The Bright Angel Trail has the unique ability to suit the needs of various visitors. For solo hikers, couples, or adult groups, take on the full challenge of the Bright Angel Trail by completing a Rim to River hike all the way down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the mighty Colorado River, and back up again.
For campers, enjoy the lush canyon oasis by camping at Havasupai Gardens Campground, midway down the Bright Angel Trail, or at the Bright Angel Campground, located within sight of the Colorado River!
Note: You’ll need a backcountry permit.
PRO-TIP for families: For hiking families and those with children, you can customize the Bright Angel Trail by hiking to one of many great “turnaround” spots, depending on the abilities of your group. Simply spending a few minutes hiking directly below the trailhead, as I have done with my infant son, is a great way to provide easy exposure to these stunning surroundings! A roundtrip hike to either of the Resthouses will cap your hike at under 6 miles. Turn around at Havasupai Gardens Campground for a longer day hike of 9 miles roundtrip.
8. The North Kaibab Trail
🥾 North Kaibab Trail Technical Information
Length: 27.4 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 6,620 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: Recommended overnight
The North Kaibab Trail is one of the most beloved hiking trails on the North Rim. It is the North Rim counterpart to the South Rim’s Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails and possesses all the best qualities of the North Rim!
The North Kaibab Trail is one of the toughest trails in the park, and hiking should be reserved only for the most prepared hikers.
PRO-TIP for families: taking some older and more experienced children or family members partway on the trail to turnaround points like Coconino Overlook or Supai Tunnel is possible, making for a very brief roundtrip hike.
If you continue down the North Kaibab Trail, expect to be treated to a completely different world of surprises, including stark red canyon walls, brilliant yellow aspens, “subway” tunnels, waterfalls, and a network of streams that criss-cross the bottom of the Grand Canyon, before arriving at the Colorado River, Phantom Ranch, and the Bright Angel Campground.
Due to its staggering roundtrip distance, it is recommended that hikers enjoy the North Kaibab Trail either as an overnight trek, by camping at Cottonwood Campground or Bright Angel Campground, or using it to connect to the Bright Angel Trail to complete a Rim to Rim hike from North to South!
Final Thoughts: Best Hikes in Grand Canyon National Park
From the breathtaking views on the Mather Point Trail to the challenging paths of the North Kaibab, there is a trail for everyone. These trails show us that every step is worth the stunning views, unique landscapes, and unforgettable memories.
Remember, the Grand Canyon’s beauty is a treasure, so let’s keep it safe and clean for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned hiker, these trails promise adventures you’ll carry in your heart forever. So, when will your Grand Canyon adventure begin?
P.S. Thank you to Yonderlust Ramblings for the help on this article.
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Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.