In six easy steps, save time planning your Grand Canyon Rim to Rim thru-hike.

Hike the Rim to Rim Trail, a 24 mile point-to point hike in the Grand Canyon National Park.

• Hike from the South Rim to North Rim, or vice versa.

• A backcountry permit is required to camp overnight, apply online via Recreation.gov (new process put into place in 2024).

• Options for sleeping overnight at the park range from lodging, developed campgrounds (vehicles are permitted) and backcountry campgrounds (vehicles are not permitted).

Step 1: Pick a direction to hike

The Rim to Rim Trail can start from the South Rim to the North Rim, or from the North Rim to the South Rim.

There are pros and cons to each direction, however if you are looking for a shorter uphill climb (and more downhill hiking), you may prefer hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim.

In addition to the direction, you will also need to choose which South Rim route to take, as there are two trailheads to choose from.

1. South Kaibab Trailhead - South Kaibab Trail is 6.8 miles to Bright Angel Campground

2. Bright Angel Trailhead - Bright Angel Trail is 9.3 miles to the bottom of the canyon

NB: There is only one trailhead from the North Rim:

• North Rim Trailhead - North Kaibab Trail is 14.3 miles to the bottom of the canyon

Route 1: South Kaibab Trail.

Considered the more ‘rugged’ trail, this 6.8 mile descent to Bright Angel Campground follows a well maintained trail, with multiple switchbacks for the first 2 miles, leading to a natural ridge line that unravels all the way down to the Colorado River.  

Shorter than the Bright Angel Trail, there is limited shade, no water or toilet amenities available on the South Kaibab Trail.

Typically, most hikers take around 4 to 5 hours to reach Bright Angel Campground (on either trail).

Route 2: Bright Angel Trail.

The more popular trail for first timers, the 9.3 mile descent to the bottom of the canyon also follows a well maintained trail. The benefit of this trail is that you will have access to shade, toilets and water on the way down to the canyon.

In addition, you can stop at Havasupai Gardens around the half-way mark - the perfect place for a rest stop.

Elevation:

• South Kaibab Trailhead – 7,260 feet

• Bright Angel Trailhead - 6,860 feet

• Bright Angel Campground – 2,480 feet

North Kaibab Trail.

The most difficult part of the trail due to the extreme changes in elevation, the North Rim is often overlooked with only one in ten visitors venturing outside of the South Rim.  

At 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim and covering twice the distance, what it lacks in expansive 360 degree views it makes up for with a variety of ways - from the ecology and waterfalls, to bridges and wildlife.

The North Kaibab Trail will kick your butt, descending steeply into the valley via a series of endless switchbacks. This top portion of the trail (down to Roaring Springs) is the most challenging part of the hike as you descend almost half of the drop in the first 5 miles.

Elevation:
North Rim Trailhead – 8,241 feet
Roaring Springs – 4,800 feet
Colorado River – 2,425 feet

Rim to Rim Trail viewpoints

If you are looking for expansive, jaw dropping 360 degree views - the Rim to Rim Trail will not disappoint.

Both the South Rim and North Rim offer expansive views from a number of viewpoints, including Ooh Aah Point and Coconino Outlook.

Didn’t get a backcountry permit? There’s always next year. If you can’t wait, rest assured there are plenty of shorter day hikes to be enjoyed.

• South Rim - National Park Service recommend that you don’t go further than Skeleton Point.

• North Rim - National Park Service recommend that you don’t go further than Roaring Springs.

South Rim viewpoints.

North Rim viewpoints.

Step 2: Estimate how many days it will take.

As always, hike your own hike and take as long (or as little) time as you need.

The Rim to Rim trail is best hiked over two to three days, due to the significant changes in elevation.

Many people hike the trail in one to two days, however allow yourself (and your joints) enough time to stop, take a picture and fully immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Above all, enjoy this unique opportunity to experience a night under the stars at the bottom of the Grand Canyon!

Step 3: Decide when to go.

According to the National Park Service, you can hike the Rim to Rim Trail from mid-May* to mid-October.

Due to the extreme heat at the bottom of the canyon during peak summer months, it is wise to avoid June, July and August.

Overall, the best time to hike the trail is a small window from mid to end May, as well as mid-September to mid-October.

*North Rim Entrance Station closes every year for winter and is due to re-open on May 15, 2024.

Step 4: Select preferred lodging & camping options.

Attracting millions of visitors every year, only a lucky few get to sleep at the bottom of the canyon!

The final step before filling out the permit is to decide which backcountry campground you want to stay at and for how long.

In the backcountry, there are three campgrounds available - in addition to lodging at Phantom Ranch.

• Bright Angel Campground

• Cottonwood Campground

• Havasupai Gardens (previously known as Indian Garden Campground)

• Dormitories and cabins - Phantom Ranch

Step 5: Backcountry permit application

A backcountry permit is required for an overnight hike on the Rim to Rim Trail.

There is a limited number of camping spots at the bottom of the canyon and applications for backcountry permits are now available online via a lottery managed by Recreation.gov.

Permit applications open 4.5 months in advance and permits are in high demand.

• New permit application process implemented in 2024:

  • Backcountry permits now available online at Recreation.gov via a monthly lottery.

  • Applications open for a 2 week period with the lottery is run on the 2nd of each month.

  • You can apply no sooner than 4.5 months in advance of your preferred start date.

Due to the popularity of this epic hike, it is highly recommended to apply at the earliest consideration period (e.g. don’t miss the two week window to apply for the permit).

Please note: If you are camping in the developed campgrounds on the North Rim or the South Rim, you don’t need a permit.

Step 6: Start training, get the gear & research trail conditions

The appeal of the Grand Canyon reaches far and wide and the Rim to Rim Trail is a firm favourite on hiking trail lists all over the world.

Whilst this is a stroll in the park - the Grand Canyon National Park (!) - extreme elevation, permit requirements, diverse weather conditions and scarce water availability make this trail one that requires a lot of planning and preparation.

If you have trained properly, have the right hiking gear and researched trail conditions extensively, you will experience one of the most memorable hikes in the world.

Rim To Rim gear essentials

Helpful links - NPS website:

• Backcountry permit page

• Permit lottery via Recreation.gov

• Grand Canyon backcountry hiking brochure

• Trail Planner (PDF)

My Rim to Rim Trail.

I hiked the trail a few years ago (South Rim to North Rim) and then a 2nd time when I hiked the Arizona Trail in 2023 (North Rim to South Rim).

For my 1st Rim to Rim hike, I flew into Las Vegas and took a shuttle to the Grand Canyon National Park, camping at Mather Campground.

• Day one: Hiked the South Kaibab Trail to the bottom the canyon, camping at Bright Angel Campground.

• Day two: Hiked the North Kaibab Trail, camping at the North Rim Campground.

Tips:

> Take plenty of food and high-energy snacks. Once you start hiking, there are no facilities to buy extras (unless you booked in advance at Phantom Ranch).

> Take plenty of water - there is limited water availability in the backcountry and dependent on the location, it may be seasonal only (you will need to be prepared to treat all water).

> The hike is strenuous, due to significant elevation gains - it will take twice as long to hike up as it will take you to hike down. The last five to six miles on the North Kaibab Trail kicked my butt (!) and taught me that you cannot underestimate a hike based on the distance hiked.

> Make sure you take lots of layers - accommodate for diverse weather conditions.