Skip to main content
Best trails in Grand Canyon National Park

Best trails in Grand Canyon National Park

4.6(105,959 reviews)

·

United States
#12 of 60 national parks

Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona is an iconic destination at the top of many travelers' bucket lists. The highlight of the park, of course, is a gorge carved by the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon is the largest canyon in the United States, measuring up to %{18_miles} wide, %{277_miles} long, and %{6000_feet} deep! The Colorado River has been carving the canyon for more than 5 million years. The process has revealed rock layers that are much older — the youngest rock layer, the Kaibab Formation, is 270 million years old!

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience this amazing geological wonder, and the South Rim of the park offers a trail for everyone. Short, family-friendly hikes offer sweeping vistas of the canyon from viewpoints along the rim. For experienced hikers, there are several trails that descend into the canyon with epic views along the way. No matter which trail you choose, make sure you're prepared before setting out. Take enough food and water, and don't forget sun protection. Go slowly and know your limits. Hikes into the canyon can be especially deceptive — remember to save enough energy for the hike back up to the rim.

In addition to driving, there are other ways to travel to the South Rim. Grand Canyon Airport is about %{7_miles} from the South Rim, and you can take a flight there from the Las Vegas area and a few nearby cities. Buses are also available, including the shuttle from the nearby town of Tusayan, which operates from late May through early September. If you're interested in the scenic route, Amtrak offers service to Flagstaff, or you can take the historic Grand Canyon Railway from the town of Williams right to the South Rim!

Once you've arrived at the South Rim, there are lots of ways to get around the park. Guided tours are available by bus, bicycle, or even mule! If you want to explore the park at your own pace, the free shuttle is your best bet. There are 4 shuttle routes, and 3 of them operate year-round. The Hermits Rest (Red) Route operates from March through November, and the road is closed to private vehicles during that time. You don't need a ticket to ride the shuttle, and they arrive at clearly marked stops every 15 to 30 minutes.

The best time to visit the Grand Canyon is in spring and fall when the weather is mildest. The South Rim of the park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, though it can be quite busy in summer. If you've visited the South Rim before and are looking to shake the crowds, check out some less-traveled hikes on the North Rim!

There is an entrance fee to visit the park, which you can pay online in advance or in person at various locations in and around the park.

Top trails

Showing results 1–10 of 137
Explore more trails

Visitor info

Hours & contact
Passes & fees
Starting at $20
Accessibility
South Rim - South Entrance
Every day • Open 24 hours
South Rim - Desert View (East Entrance)
Every day • Open 24 hours
Phone
(928) 638-7888
Entrance pass
Motorcycle

Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its passenger(s).

$30
Per Person

Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.

$20
Private Vehicle

Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers, up to a 15 person passenger van. Organized non-commercial groups over 16 passengers require different charges. Commercial groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.

$35
Annual pass
Park

Available to the general public for purchase for unlimited visits to Grand Canyon National Park only. This is an annual pass, valid one year from month of purchase; it is non-transferable.

It admits the pass holder and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, or foot).

$70
All U.S. national parks

Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

No entrance pass required on these days:

Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Overview

The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.

The North Rim Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, and Tusayan Museum are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. All the bookstores and gift shops are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, except for South Rim’s Kolb Studio and Desert View Watchtower. Orientation films include open captioning.

Loaner wheelchairs are available at Bright Angel Bicycles and the North Rim Visitor Center. Tandem bicycles are available for rent at Bright Angel Bicycles.

Many ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call 928-638-7888 or email grca_information@nps.gov at least 3 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.

Additional information about accessibility at Grand Canyon National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.

Transportation

All park shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate manual or motorized chairs under 48 inches long and 30 inches wide (122 by 76 cm). However, most motorized scooters cannot be accommodated on the shuttle buses.

A Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit is available at the entrance gates and service centers for visitors with mobility disabilities. It allows access to some areas not open to public traffic, but a state-issued parking placard is still required for parking in wheelchair accessible parking spaces.

Facilities

The North Rim Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, and Tusayan Museum are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. All the bookstores and gift shops are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, except for South Rim’s Kolb Studio and Desert View Watchtower. Orientation films include open captioning.

All hotels have wheelchair accessible rooms.

There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Hermits Rest, Hopi Point, Grandview Point, and Buggein.

Camping

Mather and North Rim Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites.

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Visitors must check in at the Backcountry Information Center to take service animals into the canyon.

Parks

Headed to a park?

Take AllTrails with you

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Grand Canyon National Park is South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, which has a 4.8 star rating from 10,215 reviews. This trail is 1.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 685 ft.

What is the longest trail in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Grand Canyon National Park is Tuckup Trail. This trail is estimated to be 69.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Grand Canyon National Park?

There are 137 trails in Grand Canyon National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 105,959 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Grand Canyon National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Grand Canyon National Park has you covered. Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim: South Kaibab, North Kaibab, Bright Angel [CLOSED] boasts the most elevation gain with 11,443 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Clear Creek Trail via South Kaibab Trail [CLOSED], which will get you 8,585 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 75 camping trails in Grand Canyon National Park and the most popular is Bright Angel Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 5,186 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 18 running trails in Grand Canyon National Park and the most popular is Shoshone Point with an average 4.9 star rating from 2,775 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Grand Canyon National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 biking trails in Grand Canyon National Park and the most popular is Grand Canyon Greenway Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 182 community reviews.

What are the best summer hikes in Grand Canyon National Park?

What are the best winter hikes in Grand Canyon National Park?

What are the best spring hikes in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with waterfalls in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with picnic areas in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with archaeological sites in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with cliffs in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with rivers in Grand Canyon National Park?

Yes, there are 5 trails with rivers in Grand Canyon National Park, including The Confluence from Supai Village, Havasu Canyon Trail, Tanner and Beamer Trail, Little Colorado River Float, and Lava-Chuar Trail.

Are there any trails with springs in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with river rapids in Grand Canyon National Park?

Yes, there are 4 trails with river rapids in Grand Canyon National Park, including Soap Creek Canyon to Soap Creek Rapids, Tanner and Beamer Trail, Tanner Trail to Beamer Camp, and Lava-Chuar Trail.

Are there any trails with weather shelters in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with beaches in Grand Canyon National Park?

Are there any trails with historical ruins in Grand Canyon National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with historical ruins in Grand Canyon National Park: Walhalla Ruins [CLOSED].