How long does it take to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon?

Distance-wise, it's about 9.5 miles (15.5 km) each way but with an elevation change of over 4,300 ft (1300+ m) and it's really that elevation change that makes it a tough hike. The hike down generally takes 3-5 hours while the hike up, after a good overnight rest, will typically take 5-9 hours.



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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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Carved by the Colorado River and other geological forces, it is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. 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.

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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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With just one day at the Grand Canyon South Rim, you can see several viewpoints and even hike into the canyon. Unless you want a super relaxed Grand Canyon vacation on the rim or an adventurous rafting trip down below, one to three days at the Grand Canyon is usually enough time for the highlights.

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Overnight lows can still drop near to below freezing occasionally on the North Rim, although typically low temperatures range from the 40s and 50s (4-15°C) at the South Rim to the 60s and 70s (16-26°C) at Phantom Ranch.

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As air sinks down into a lower elevation, it gets compressed, compressed air releases heat as energy. This caused the air mass to become even warmer. “This is why you can see temperatures in the 90's at the top of the Grand Canyon but temperatures 20-30 degrees hotter at the bottom of the canyon,” Brink says.

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Can you take a helicopter to the bottom of the Grand Canyon South Rim? Helicopters are not permitted to fly to the bottom of the South Rim. However, Papillon does offer helicopter tours that land at the bottom of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.

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The South Kaibab Trail is the shortest route to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, about six miles from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch.

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Camping at the Bottom of Grand Canyon Camping underneath Grand Canyon is one of the unique experiences in America. Bright Angel camping ground provides drinking water and a toilet. Backcountry camping is also allowed for more rugged places; however, you will have to provide permits.

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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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There are now ONLY 10 mule saddles daily available to take you to the bottom of the Grand Canyon for an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch. These are the ONLY Grand Canyon Mule rides that go to the BOTTOM of the Grand Canyon. An overnight trip, staying the night at Phantom Ranch, a rustic oasis nestled deep in the Canyon.

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How many days should you spend in the Grand Canyon? If you're visiting the South Rim, you'll want 2-3 days. For the North Rim, plan on visiting for 1-2 days. If you want to see both rims, give yourself 4-5 days!

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