Located in the northwestern corner of Arizona, the Grand Canyon brings visitors from all over the world to marvel at its beauty and wonder. It’s the most visited National Park in the states and one of the mighty Seven Wonders of the World! The mile deep canyon walls display beautiful red rock and geological wonders that formed millions of years ago. Travelers come to experience the diverse community in and around the Grand Canyon. From walking, hiking, swimming, rafting, to food, art and history, the Grand Canyon is a destination that everyone needs on their bucket list. Continue reading for The Best Day Hikes Grand Canyon: South Rim.
Whether you going to the canyon directly or have a stop planned on a trip, we have you covered with hiking, viewpoints, and how to manage your time wisely in the park.
The Grand Canyon is a trip for all skill level of adventurers. I highly recommend planning a hike while you’re there. Hiking is a great way to truly experience the incredible sights the Grand Canyon has to offer.
As you read, you can be flexible towards the order of activities since it will depend on how you enter the park, and how much time you have to explore.
Starting the day (Parks Pass, Campgrounds, Stays, Shuttles, Visitor Centers)
- National Parks Pass/ Fee: To enter the park you will need a National Parks Pass or pay the $35 entrance fee for one vehicle. There are 5 days a year the park is open free to the public, but those days are likely to be pretty crowded. To learn more about fees and how to get a parks pass visit the National Parks Website.
- Campgrounds: South Rim Campgrounds
- Places to Stay: Check out lodging accommodations inside the park at www.grandlodges.com, there are great options at the south rim to stay right next to beautiful canyon views. If you are staying outside the park, check out stays through Airbnb, with a variety of options for all group sizes.
- Shuttles: A shuttle service is available throughout the park, this is great if you are short on time and want to see several lookout points. For more information on the shuttle, check out the Shuttle Service Website, masks are currently required. There is also the Trans-Service shuttle that can take you from South Rim to North Rim. The North Rim is closed in the winter so be aware of those dates if you are planning a longer trip.
Best Day Hikes Grand Canyon: South Rim (Easy, Moderate, Hard)
For your own one day hiking in the Grand Canyon experience, you can customize your hiking for all levels of difficulty, and how long you would like to be on the trails. Options below range from easy to hard, and from under 2 hours to up to 8 hours. There are also ways to stop or hike to other points along the trail, if you choose another route. Be sure to pack necessary hiking gear, snacks and enough water.
1. Easy-Rim Trail (Mules to Mather Point)
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. This makes it a great choice for families and kids will have fun learning and exploring. Also, Mather Point is the closest Grand Canyon overlook to the visitor’s center so there will be options close for restrooms, food, and shopping.
Trail: All Trails Info
Best Time to Visit: Year-Round
Location: South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Length: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 413ft
Time to Complete: About 2 hrs 42 min
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes on leash
2. Moderate-South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point
The South Kaibab Trail is a great option for hikers that want to go down into the canyon, but may not have enough time to spend the day hiking. Taking just over an hour, this hike will provide you with exceptional view. While giving you time to explore other parts of the park.
This is a very popular trail in the canyon so expect crowds on busy days. If you plan to go during the off-season, you can have a more private experience. Ooh Aah point is rightly named and gives you an inspiring view of the red rocks walls and grandeur of the canyon, if you would like, continue down the trail to Cedar Ridge or Skeleton Point.
Trail: All Trails Info
Best Time to Visit: Year-Round (icy in winter)
Location: South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Length: 1.8 miles, Out and back
Elevation Gain: 685 ft
Time to Complete: About 1 hr and 10 min
Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Friendly: No
3. Hard-Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point
Bright Angel Trail offers access to Indian Gardens and a gorgeous view of the Colorado River from Plateau Point. The hike is rated hard and rightly so, even for experienced hikers. The starts at Bright Angel Trailhead, which is just west of the Grand Canyon Village.
If you choose to do this hike, be aware that this will take most of the day (just under 8 hours). Bring plenty of food and water. Also, if you would like to spend more than one day in the park. This hike can be broken into parts. You can get a permit in advance to camp at Indian Garden for a night or two and do a day hike to Plateau Point from the campsite.
Trail: All Trails Info
Best Time to Visit: Year Round, but best times are September through May
Location: South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Length: 13.3 miles, Out and back
Elevation Gain: 3,402 ft
Time to Complete: About 7 hrs 40 min
Difficulty: Hard
Dog Friendly: No
Ending the Day (Visitor Centers/Museums, Sunset Lookout Points, Food/Drink, )
- Visitor’s Center/ Museums: Check out the Visitor Center info for information about the park and the many museums to explore.
- Sunset Lookout Points: The Grand Canyon has many lookouts points for incredible sunset views. Click here for more information.
- Food/Drink: To find more information on where to eat and drink in the park, check out Trip Advisor.
Enjoy The Best Day Hikes Grand Canyon: South Rim adventure, and if you are looking for another in the area, check out our blog all about Buckskin Gulch in Southern Utah!
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