How long does it take to hike down and up the Grand Canyon?

in general, a trip to the river from the South Rim will take about 5 hours down, and about 15 hours back up. However, a descent from the North Rim will take close closer to 8 hours to the river, and may take 20+ hours back to the rim depending on fitness.



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There's a lot to cover for hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up in a single day. The park rangers will say you should not do this. If you have to wonder if you can do it, you probably shouldn't. This is only for endurance hikers who can endure a long day on the trail.

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No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is a fabulous hike in the Grand Canyon for you. The best easy hikes in Grand Canyon National Park are the Trail of Time, Bright Angel Point, Ooh-Ahh Point, the Lower Tunnel, and the Coconino Overlook.

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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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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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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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The great depth of Grand Canyon produces a variety of conditions between the South Rim and Phantom Ranch. Temperatures usually vary by 20 ºF (11 ºC) between the top and the bottom.

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Wear well-fitting and broken-in hiking boots. Bring a small lightweight flashlight and a change of batteries and bulb. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring a map, compass, signal mirror or whistle, first aid kit, and water purification tablets.

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Spring (March-May) Spring and fall (the “shoulder seasons”) are often considered the best times of year to visit the Grand Canyon because daytime temperatures are typically lower and crowds are generally thinner.

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

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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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Prefer coming mid-week or at the beginning of the week: not surprisingly, weekends are the busiest at the Grand Canyon. Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the least busy days, followed by Wednesdays.

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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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Mobile Phones However, cellphone coverage remains weak or nonexistent outside the South Rim, although some will be able to pick up a weak signal on the North Rim if they are located near the rim itself. Coverage does not generally exist within the canyon, so don't expect to use your phone on any hikes below the rim.

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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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Hands down, the South Rim is THE place to visit at the Grand Canyon. It's often described as the real Grand Canyon and it's the part of the National Park that you've undoubtedly seen in movies, photographs and magazines.

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