Hike Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Arizona

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Hiking the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona provides an up-close and personal perspective of the iconic gorge carved into the earth’s crust over the past 17 million years. The depth of the iconic canyon reaches more than a mile (1,800 meters) in places. Among the seemingly unlimited options for hiking in and around the Grand Canyon is the challenge of covering the entire span between the North and South rims of the canyon. Using Roaring Springs Canyon at the North Rim and Bright Angel Trailhead at the South as coordinates the trek in either direction covers approximately 23 miles (37 kilometers). Although some intrepid hikers make the one-way trip in a single day the recommendation is to consider spreading the adventure out over a multi-day period to soak in the majesty of the canyon and enjoy the varied experiences along the path. Proponents of one such adventure suggest that hikers find their way to the Canyon’s South Rim, where the majority of tourist installations are located and then riding the Trans-Canyon Shuttle to the North Rim where the hiking commences in an evergreen forest at Roaring Springs Canyon. Once the trail is set-upon the evergreen forest quickly gives way to the classic Grand Canyon desert environment. The first five mile (8 km) or so of the trail is quite steep, delivering hikers deep into the Canyon’s mouth. Hikers move from Roaring Springs Canyon to Bright Angel Canyon with a number of options for overnight camping available along this first section of the route as well as further along the trail. Hikers then follow Bright Angel Creek for almost the rest of the journey which can span multiple days, depending on the constitution and timelines of the hikers, with must-see diversions along the way such as Ribbon Falls, Phantom Ranch, the Colorado River crossing at Silver Bridge, Pipe Creek Canyon, the challenging switchbacks of The Devil’s Corkscrew and the oasis at Indian Garden from where the herculean climb back out of the canyon begins ending at Bright Angel Trailhead. Summer heat can be fierce in Northern Arizona and Winter is known to deposit good amounts of snow, especially on the North Rim. The optimum time for making this trek is either in late Spring (mid-May to Mid-June) or in the Fall (mid-September to mid-October). The trails are well marked and popular with the likelihood of meeting plenty of other hikers along the way. Alternatives that include starting at the South Rim as well as a complete circle from Rim to Rim to Rim are also popular along with the challenging day hike option. Your dream trip to see the geological wonder of the Grand Canyon of Arizona would be that much more special if you could spend a number of days covering the expanse of the canyon from rim to rim. Include the dream to Hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim on your list and start working on your plans to make it happen.

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