The Best Hiking Trips in Grand Canyon for Families
Key Takeaways
- The Grand Canyon offers family-friendly hiking adventures ranging from easy rim trails to challenging backpacking trips like Havasupai Gardens and the Hermit Loop.
- Havasupai Gardens Campground provides an ideal introduction to backpacking below the rim, featuring shaded campsites, water access, and close proximity to scenic spots like Plateau Point.
- For families with younger children, a rim-based summer tour offers cooler temperatures, forested trails, and breathtaking views at the North Rim without the physical strain of steep descents.
- Hermit Loop delivers a rewarding multi-day challenge for experienced families, combining solitude, canyon vistas, river views, and starlit campsites deep within the canyon.
- Booking with a guided tour company like Four Season Guides ensures expert planning, safety, and customized itineraries suited to your family’s fitness and adventure level.
Grand Canyon boasts beauty and adventure beyond compare. Hiking and backpacking at this world-renowned National Park is the best way to enjoy a fully-immersive experience with your family. Here are three of our favorites, and what we believe to be the three best hiking trips in Grand Canyon for families:
Havasupai Gardens Backpacking Trip
For those enjoy some adventure and are up for a relatively strenuous endeavor, a backpacking trip to Havasupai Gardens Campground is a great start. Located 4.5 miles and 3000 vertical feet down the Bright Angel Trail, Havasupai Gardens is perhaps the most easily accessible campground below the rim. Here you’ll find 13 campsites beneath the shady cottonwoods, toilets, drinking water and a nearby stream.
From this basecamp, you can day hike down to the banks of the Colorado River, stroll out to the epic views afforded at Plateau Point, or enjoy exploring along short stretches of the Tonto Trail. This is an excellent introduction to backpacking in Grand Canyon. Backcountry permits are required.
When the summer weather brings scorching temperatures to the bottom of Grand Canyon, the best choice is a rim-based adventure. Explore trails along and just below the South Rim before heading to Marble Canyon, the geographic halfway point between the North and South Rims.
Visit historic Lees Ferry, the official beginning of Grand Canyon, and dip your toes in the Colorado River. Then head up to the North Rim for a few days of hiking and camping. At over 8000 feet elevation, the North Rim offers gorgeous summer temperatures, beautiful forests along the rim, and unsurpassed views.
There are many great hiking opportunities to choose from, bother below the rim and along the rim.
This is also a perfect trip for families with younger kids or those not looking for something as physically demanding as backpacking down to the canyon’s floor.
For strong and adventurous families with older teens, the Hermit Loop is an amazing backpacking adventure to challenge everyone. Descend from the South Rim via the Bright Angel to its junction with the Tonto Trail before heading west for a few days and finally ascending the Hermit Trail.
Your family will experience the more rugged backcountry of Grand Canyon during this 4 or 5-day trek. Passing through numerous tributary canyons, you’ll experience astounding views, splash in quiet streams, witness thundering rapids on the Colorado River, camp beneath unbelievably starry skies, and enjoy a healthy dose of solitude, peace, and quiet within the canyon’s depths. This trip requires excellent strength and stamina and is only appropriate for very fit hikers, preferably with some previous experience.
Plan to carry up to 35 pounds in your backpack each day and hiking for 8 miles or more each day.
There is a trip for everyone with Four Season Guides. If you are looking for a specific type of guided tour, or a custom backpacking adventure for just you and your people, contact Four Season Guides at www.fsguides.com. An experienced guide will answer your questions and help you choose an adventure to best suit for your desires and ability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the best family-friendly hiking and backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon — from easy rim walks to multi-day backcountry adventures.
What are the best Grand Canyon hikes for families?
The Havasupai Gardens Campground, Hermit Loop, and North Rim trails are top choices. They balance adventure, accessibility, and scenic views, offering options for all skill levels — from rim hikes for young kids to challenging backpacking trips for older teens and experienced families.
Is Havasupai Gardens Campground good for beginners?
Yes. Havasupai Gardens is one of the most accessible campgrounds below the Grand Canyon rim. Located 4.5 miles down Bright Angel Trail, it offers shade, water, restrooms, and nearby day hikes, making it an ideal first backpacking experience for families.
Do you need a permit to camp at Havasupai Gardens?
Yes, a backcountry permit is required to camp at Havasupai Gardens. These are issued by Grand Canyon National Park, and it’s best to apply early since demand is high, especially during peak hiking seasons.
What makes the Hermit Loop Trail special?
The Hermit Loop offers a rugged, multi-day backcountry adventure with fewer crowds. Families experience dramatic canyon views, quiet streams, star-filled nights, and remote solitude. It’s suited for experienced, fit hikers ready for a physically demanding 4–5-day trek.
Which Grand Canyon area is best to visit in summer?
The North Rim is ideal for summer trips. Sitting over 8,000 feet in elevation, it offers cooler temperatures, forested trails, and incredible vistas. Rim-based hikes are great for families avoiding the heat of the canyon floor.
Can families hike to the Colorado River?
Yes, strong hikers can reach the Colorado River from Havasupai Gardens via day hikes down the Bright Angel Trail. It’s a rewarding journey with dramatic views, but families should prepare for a steep climb back up and bring plenty of water.
How difficult is backpacking in the Grand Canyon?
Backpacking in the Grand Canyon is challenging due to steep terrain, heat, and long distances. Families should be physically fit and prepared to carry up to 35 pounds for hikes of 8 miles or more per day. Guided trips can help ensure a safe experience.
Are guided hiking trips available for families?
Absolutely. Companies like Four Season Guides offer customized family trips, from gentle rim hikes to multi-day backcountry adventures. Experienced guides help match the route to your group’s fitness level and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience.
What should families bring for a Grand Canyon hike?
Essential items include plenty of water, snacks, sturdy hiking boots, sun protection, and layered clothing. For backpacking, add a quality backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and first aid kit. Always check trail conditions and weather before starting.
How can I plan a custom Grand Canyon adventure?
You can contact Four Season Guides through their website, www.fsguides.com. Their expert guides will help design a trip tailored to your family’s interests, hiking experience, and fitness level — whether it’s a relaxing rim hike or a multi-day canyon trek.
Four Season Guides, 506 N Grant St suite o, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States
+19285251552
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