Hiking The Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

If there were a Mount Rushmore for backtracking trips the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike would surely be carved onto it. Is there anyone with adventure in their heart who has not stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon and wondered, “What would it be like to hike to the other rim?” This is not just a hike – it is a descent into two billion years of history.

Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

The Rim to Rim hike in Grand Canyon connects two trails: the 14-mile North Kaibab Trail from the North Rim and the 9.6 mile Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim. That makes for a 24-mile hike, one-way. Most backpackers – like those of us at Four Seasons – tend to go from the North Rim to South Rim since you can camp at Indian Garden on your final night, breaking up the 4500 foot climb out of the canyon over 2 days. This is a bit more appealing than the 7-mile, 4400 foot climb that must be tackled in a single day if traveling south to north.

There are 3 campgrounds along the route: Cottonwood, Bright Angel and Indian Garden. Each camp offers its own charm. Cottonwood is relatively small and offers a wide open sky for stargazing. Bright Angel is a short troll from Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River. And Indian Garden is a 1.5 mile stroll from Plateau Point, one of the finest views of the whole hike.

What’s there to do inside the canyon for four days?

Studying the wonder of the rocks may be enough to sustain most explorers for four days. But the Grand Canyon also serves up watery oases, unexpected waterfalls and the sandy shores of the Colorado River. Near the confluence of the Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River is historic Phantom Ranch, the only lodge below the canyon rim. And toss in the impressive suspension bridges, the Black and the Silver, that span the river and make this trans-canyon adventure possible.

As you can imagine, planning for such an epic hike requires careful and timely preparations. There are backcountry permits, transportation arrangements, food and safety considerations, pre- and post-trip accommodations and more. We’ve been leading this hike since 1999 and even though we are still treated to sunsets and light shows we’ve never seen before, we are pros at mastering the nitty gritty details.