Best paved trails in Grand Canyon National Park

The entire Rim Trail stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermit's Rest and is approximately 13 miles long. The trail is mostly paved and lined with markers to show you how far you've traveled both in feet and years (an earth-time line if you will). There is no water available along the trail but there are areas of shade. Also has types of rocks formed around the time marked on the trail. Very fun for kids and educational too. Mather Point is the closest Grand Canyon overlook to the visitor's center. Dogs are allowed on-leash on the Rim Trail but not on the shuttle busses so plan accordingly. Accessibility: There are is a paved parking lot at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center with designated handicapped-accessible spaces. There are wheelchair-accessible shuttle stops close to the trail and parking lots along the trail to access it at different points. The trail is paved, smooth, typically at least five feet wide, and has a lot of flat stretches, but the most accessible portion of the trail is the first 1.3 miles. After about 1.3 miles, there are several steep and very steep sections. Due to the grade after about 1.3 miles, wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users may need assistance or to turn around at this section. The trail may be slippery due to snow in the winter or thunderstorms in the summer so use caution. Show more

This trail is the entire Rim Trail, stretching from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermit's Rest, approximately 13 miles long. The trail is mostly paved and lined with markers to show you how far you've traveled both in feet and years (an earth-time line if you will). There is no water available along the trail but there are areas of shade. The section between Monument Creek Vista and Hermit's Rest is also called the Hermit Road Greenway Trail. A mostly flat walk with stunning views of the canyon. There are several shuttle stops along the way, allowing you to pick and chose the areas you want to explore. Leashed pets are allowed on the trail, but not on the shuttle busses so plan accordingly. From many of the overlooks, you will have unrestricted views to the other side of the canyon, and sometimes as far as 40 miles along the canyon. If you are looking for a place to stop to watch the sunset, try Hopi point (although if it is too crowded, try nearby Mohave Point). The Canyon is best seen during the golden hours (the hour after sunrise and before sunset) when the light is low and the canyon walls turn into amazing shades of red and orange. Accessibility: The trail is mostly paved, typically at least four feet wide, and has a lot of flat stretches but there are some steep places where the grade is 8 - 12% or over 12% that may not be accessible for wheelchairs/mobility equipment or strollers without assistance. Stroller and wheelchair users may have difficulty navigating the very steep (over 12%) section leaving the Grand Canyon Village towards Hermit's Rest at about 5.1 miles. Other steep sections are at about 0.7, 3.9, 5.8, 7.9, 10.3, and 11.7 miles when going west. Between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista the trail is a three-foot-wide dirt trail. There are wheelchair-accessible shuttle stops close to the trail such as Powell Point and Hermit's Rest, and parking lots along the trail to access it at different points. Please note, these two shuttles run between March 1 and November 30.Show more

Cape Royal is a long peninsula extending from the North Rim out over the Grand Canyon. It offers a phenomenal view, perhaps the most sweeping view of any Grand Canyon vista. Take the short stroll to the end of the cape and to the promontory on the window. It's an easy walk less than a mile on a flat, paved trail providing views of the canyon, Angel's Window, and the Colorado River. Markers along the trail interpret the area's natural history. The trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area. With seemingly unlimited vistas to the east and west, it is popular for both sunrise and sunset. The sweeping turn of the Colorado River at the Unkar Delta is framed through the natural arch of Angel's Window. Look for the Desert View Watchtower across the canyon on the South Rim. Angel's Window can be viewed from Angels Window Overlook at the Cliff Springs Trailhead. The trailhead parking area is at the end of the paved Cape Royal Road, which circles northeast and then south from the main road leading to North Rim VC and lodge. Accessibility: There is not a designated handicapped-accessible parking space at the Cape Royal Overlook, although the trail is paved and typically at least five feet wide. Users should be aware of a couple of steep sections where the grade is estimated to be between 8% and 12% at about 0.2 and 0.5 miles. The rest of the trail has a gentle grade less than 3%. There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms by the parking lot.Show more

Note: As of 11/20/2020 South Rim Open— East Entrance is Closed — North Rim Open for Day Use. The SR 64, East Entrance to the park at Desert View via Cameron, is CLOSED. You must use the South Entrance near the town of Tusayan, AZ to enter & exit the park. The North Rim is open for dawn-to-dusk day use. Trails and footpaths are icy at this time, so please be careful. Show more

Mather Campground Trail is great for walking, biking, and scooters. No views of the canyon, but you might see some elk roaming around.Show more

This paved pathway for walking or biking is a great way to take in some of the sights at this popular destination. Biking or walking along the greenway is a relaxing way to get to some of the best lookout points and trailheads in the park. Accessibility: There are multiple designated handicapped-accessible parking spaces with multiple striped access aisles in the parking lot off of Canyon Plaza Lane. The trail surface is paved asphalt, smooth, and typically at least six feet wide. The estimated grade is mostly gentle, all 5% or less except for a couple of moderately steep sections (estimated between 5% and 8%).Show more

This paved trail heads from the South Rim Grand Canyon Visitor Center west to the Grand Canyon Village and Train Depot. Accessibility: There are at least 10 designated handicapped-accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of South Entrance Road at the Visitor Center at the east end of the trail. All of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is asphalt and typically at least 4 feet wide. The estimated grade is moderately steep (8% or less) except for steep (8-12%) downhill sections at about 0.3 and 1.2 miles when going outbound west. Wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users may need assistance in the steeper sections or to avoid them for safety. There are benches along the route for resting.Show more