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.
