Grand Canyon Day Hikes

One of the best ways to get the most out of your visit to Grand Canyon is to embark on a guided day hike. Our professional Grand Canyon hiking guides will lead you on a journey to inspire and educate you about the many wondrous aspects of this World Heritage Site. Descend below the rim and experience the ever-changing environment around you or join us for a tour along the rim visiting the most spectacular viewpoints and learning the Canyon’s unique history.

If you’re looking to spend more time at the park and perhaps embark on a more ambitious, multi-day adventure, consider our Grand Canyon guided backpacking tours, basecamp adventures or lodge-based hiking tours .

South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab is the go-to trail for those visiting Grand Canyon for the first time. This trail is perfect for beginner to intermediate hikers and offers some of the finest views of the canyon. This is a popular trail that is relatively wide and well-maintained, with restrooms available at Cedar Ridge. Beginner hikers and families with younger kids will enjoy a hike to Cedar Ridge. This can be extended to Skeleton Point for the more adventuresome.

Trip Details

Distance: 3 miles round trip to Cedar Ridge, 6 miles roundtrip to Skeleton Point

Elevation Change: 1150 foot descent/ascent to Cedar Ridge, 2000 feet for Skeleton Point

Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

Cost:
1 to 4 Guests: $875
Additional Guests: $185 each

What is included?
A professional, knowledgeable, local guide licensed by Grand Canyon National Park, delicious picnic lunch, trail snacks, day packs, and trekking poles.

What should you bring?
Appropriate clothing for the weather (call us for details if unsure), water bottles or hydration bladder (3 liter capacity per person), hiking shoes/boots, waterproof jacket/poncho, hat & sunglasses, camera, sunscreen. During colder weather, warm hats, gloves, and scarves will be desirable. Guide gratuities are customary and greatly appreciated.

Joining a tour:
Our day hikes are private tours. To make a reservation, visit our Reservation Request page. Or call our office at 928-525-1552, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm AZ time.

Meeting Time and Place:
You will meet your guide at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center inside the park. The exact location will be arranged upon booking your reservation. Meeting times are largely dependent on time of year, though typically about 8am (October through April) or 6am (May through September).

Cancellations:
To guarantee your day hike reservation, we require a full payment.  A $100 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations greater than 7 days in advance of your scheduled hike. Between 7 days and 72 hours, cancellations will incur a 50% fee. Within 72 hours of the hike departing, cancellations will receive no refunds. There are no refunds for guests who arrive late or depart early from the hike.

Hermit Trail

This day hike is our Guide’s Top Choice! This is a great trail if you are looking to escape the crowds and enjoy more solitude. The trail was built by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1912 and abandoned in 1931. The steep, cobblestone trail is abundant with pinon pines & junipers, as well as some of the best fossilized reptile tracks in the park. The trail descends rather steeply before leveling off in Waldron Basin and then continuing  to Santa Maria Spring, complete with a pleasant, shady rest house and incredible views into the depths of Hermit Creek Canyon.

Trip Details

Distance: 5 miles round trip to Santa Maria Spring

Elevation Change: 1700 foot descent/ascent

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cost:
1 to 4 Guests: $875
Additional Guests: $185 each

What is included?
A professional, knowledgeable, local guide licensed by Grand Canyon National Park, delicious picnic lunch, trail snacks, day packs, and trekking poles.

What should you bring?
Appropriate clothing for the weather (call us for details if unsure), water bottles or hydration bladder (3 liter capacity per person), hiking shoes/boots, waterproof jacket/poncho, hat & sunglasses, camera, sunscreen. During colder weather, warm hats, gloves, and scarves will be desirable. Guide gratuities are customary and greatly appreciated.

Joining a tour:
Our day hikes are private tours. To make a reservation, visit our Reservation Request page. Or call our office at 928-525-1552, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm AZ time.

Meeting Time and Place:
You will meet your guide at the Backcountry Information Center inside the park. The exact meeting time will be arranged upon booking your reservation. Meeting times are largely dependent on time of year, though typically about 8am (October through April) or 6am (May through September).

Cancellations:
To guarantee your day hike reservation, we require a full payment.  A $100 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations greater than 7 days in advance of your scheduled hike. Between 7 days and 72 hours, cancellations will incur a 50% fee. Within 72 hours of the hike departing, cancellations will receive no refunds. There are no refunds for guests who arrive late or depart early from the hike.

Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa

This challenging trail, originally built in the late 1800s to access mining claims, follows an ancient Native American route. Offering fantastic views of Vishnu Temple, Navajo Mountain (109 miles away), Painted Desert and the Colorado River, this steep trail descends 2500 feet in 3 miles to Horseshoe Mesa. Enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of the inner canyon and learn about the rich copper mining history of the area. Recommended for fit hikers looking for a more demanding hike in a quiet part of the park.

Trip Details

Distance: 6.4 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 2520 foot descent/ascent

Difficulty: Advanced

Cost:
1 to 4 Guests: $875
Additional Guests: $185 each

What is included?
A professional, knowledgeable, local guide licensed by Grand Canyon National Park, delicious picnic lunch, trail snacks, day packs, and trekking poles.

What should you bring?
Appropriate clothing for the weather (call us for details if unsure), water bottles or hydration bladder (3 liter capacity per person), hiking shoes/boots, waterproof jacket/poncho, hat & sunglasses, camera, sunscreen. During colder weather, warm hats, gloves, and scarves will be desirable. Guide gratuities are customary and greatly appreciated.

Joining a tour:
Our day hikes are private tours. To make a reservation, visit our Reservation Request page. Or call our office at 928-525-1552, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm AZ time.

Meeting Time and Place:
You will meet your guide at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center inside the park. The exact location will be arranged upon booking your reservation. Meeting times are largely dependent on time of year, though typically about 8am (November through March) or 7am (April, May, September). This hike is not recommended in June through August.

Cancellations:
To guarantee your day hike reservation, we require a full payment. A $100 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations greater than 7 days in advance of your scheduled hike. Between 7 days and 72 hours, cancellations will incur a 50% fee. Within 72 hours of the hike departing, cancellations will receive no refunds. There are no refunds for guests who arrive late or depart early from the hike.

Rim Trail

This is the best way to see the canyon without having to experience the vertical challenges of hiking out. The constantly changing views make this trail one of the more breathtaking hikes in the canyon. The trail winds its way along the West Rim offering outstanding views in every direction and an occasional glimpse of the Colorado River in the canyon’s bottom. With convenient access to the shuttle bus, we can hike for a while & ride the shuttle when we get tired. Great flexibility!

Trip Details

Distance: Up to 9.7 miles one way (we will take the shuttle back)

Elevation Change: 200 foot ascent/descent

Difficulty: Beginner

Cost:
1 to 4 Guests: $875
Additional Guests: $185 each

What is included?
A professional, knowledgeable, local guide licensed by Grand Canyon National Park, delicious picnic lunch, trail snacks, day packs, and trekking poles.

What should you bring?
Appropriate clothing for the weather (call us for details if unsure), water bottles or hydration bladder (3 liter capacity per person), hiking shoes/boots, waterproof jacket/poncho, hat & sunglasses, camera, sunscreen. During colder weather, warm hats, gloves, and scarves will be desirable. Guide gratuities are customary and greatly appreciated.

Joining a tour:
Our day hikes are private tours. To make a reservation, visit our Reservation Request page. Or call our office at 928-525-1552, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm AZ time.

Meeting Time and Place:
You will meet your guide at the Backcountry Information Center inside the park. The exact location will be arranged upon booking your reservation. Meeting times are largely dependent on time of year, though typically about 8am (October through April) or 7am (May through September).

Cancellations:
To guarantee your day hike reservation, we require a full payment.  A $100 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations greater than 7 days in advance of your scheduled hike. Between 7 days and 72 hours, cancellations will incur a 50% fee. Within 72 hours of the hike departing, cancellations will receive no refunds. There are no refunds for guests who arrive late or depart early from the hike.

Sightseeing Rim Tours

Our Rim Tours are designed for those seeking more of a sightseeing experience rather than hiking. Spend the day touring the park without worrying about where to park and deciding which attractions are worth seeing. Our professional guides will take care of everything, stopping at the best views and attractions and providing an educational introduction to all things Grand Canyon. Highlights include Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Point and Geology Museum, Grandview Point and Desert View Watchtower. This tour also includes pickup at your hotel in Flagstaff, Tusayan or Grand Canyon Village and includes a picnic lunch.

Distance: minimal walking

Duration: ~6 hours

Difficulty: Beginner

If you are interested in multiple day hikes, you might consider one of our lodge-based or basecamping Grand Canyon hiking trips. These trips feature a series of hand-picked day hikes that highlight the Grand Canyon region.