Can you hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in one day?

The Bottom Line Making your way to and from the bottom of the canyon isn't a cake walk but it is absolutely possible to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in one day. With a little effort, courage, and preparedness, you can smoothly make the trip!



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Many will ask us the time it will take to complete a Rim to Rim hike, especially hikers that plan on taking it on in one day. The time varies based on one's overall conditioning, route taken, food and water breaks, weather, etc. but on average a Rim to Rim hike of the Grand Canyon takes about 12-15 hours to complete.

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On this epic Grand Canyon hike, you'll leave from the North Kaibab Trail on the North Rim, challenging your personal limits as you descend 14.3 miles and 6,000 feet to the bottom of the canyon before connecting with the Bright Angel Trail and climbing 4,500 feet and 9.6 miles back out again to the South Rim.

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Fall. If only ideal conditions will do, autumn is your best time to hike Grand Canyon.

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Guided day hiking - South Rim - $110 per person. Guided backpacking for 3 - 7 days - South Rim - $800 - $1500 per person. River rafting (motor) 1 day - West Rim - $375 per person.

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If you are in Grand Canyon and in good condition, you should do South Kaibab Trail from top to the bottom.

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The Grand Canyon's Most Difficult Named Trail Much of the Nankoweap Trail skirts cliffs that are hundreds of feet high. Here, Dewey Surby hikes one of the safer sections. Waterless. Not suitable for anyone with a fear of heights.

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Nestled at the Bottom of Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch is the only lodging below the canyon rim, and can only be reached by mule, on foot, or by rafting the Colorado River. Have questions about the lottery process? Click here for the lottery schedule, additional information and/or FAQs regarding the Phantom Ranch Lottery.

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Nearly five million people visit the canyon annually, but as we later learned, only about one percent of them hike all the way to the bottom, as we planned to do. Our chosen route was the South Kaibab trail. Created in the 1920s, the trail winds down 7.1 miles to our destination – Phantom Ranch – at the bottom.

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View Grand Canyon Safely A trip to Grand Canyon can be both fun and safe by keeping these few tips in mind. Stay on designated trails and walkways and always keep a safe distance if at least six feet (2 m) from the edge of the rim. In areas where there is a railing or fence, do not climb over the barrier.

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Nearly five million people visit the canyon annually, but as we later learned, only about one percent of them hike all the way to the bottom, as we planned to do. Our chosen route was the South Kaibab trail. Created in the 1920s, the trail winds down 7.1 miles to our destination – Phantom Ranch – at the bottom.

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About 12 deaths happen each year at the Grand Canyon, including from natural causes, medical problems, suicide, heat, drowning and traffic crashes. On average, two to three deaths per year are from accidental falls over the rim, park spokeswoman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski says.

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Hiking in the Grand Canyon is a bucket list experience, and being a beginner shouldn't stop you. Make sure you bring along the gear you need and enjoy the great outdoors. The five hikes we mentioned above will offer the chance to see the canyon in all of its glory.

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Considered the premiere hike in the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden is one of the most popular in the park. This 8.8 mile, 2,080 feet elevation gain out-and-back takes you past 2 billion years of geology and rock towers made of layers of red, rust, rose, and white.

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Well, yes, you can get to Africa from the Grand Canyon. You cannot walk to Africa from the Grand Canyon though unless you go up through Alaska then into Russia and all the way through Central Asia and into Africa.

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The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cool and crowds are thin. If you decide to visit during the summer (the park's peak season), be prepared for hordes of tourists and very limited lodging availability.

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