What are the less crowded trails at the Grand Canyon?

Grand Canyon trails for the less touristy hiker
  • GRAND CANYON, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Grand Canyon National Park is a hiker's dream. ...
  • Hermit Trail – Moderately strenuous.
  • · Waldron Basin – 1.5 miles; 1,240 ft change in elevation from Hermit's Rest.
  • · Santa Maria Spring – 2.5 miles; 1,680 ft change in elevation from Hermit's Rest.




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Grand Canyon trails for the less touristy hiker
  • GRAND CANYON, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Grand Canyon National Park is a hiker's dream. ...
  • Hermit Trail – Moderately strenuous.
  • · Waldron Basin – 1.5 miles; 1,240 ft change in elevation from Hermit's Rest.
  • · Santa Maria Spring – 2.5 miles; 1,680 ft change in elevation from Hermit's Rest.


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Short answer: The North Rim is the least touristy side of the Grand Canyon. Long answer: There are several reasons why the North Rim draws in the least amount of tourists to the Grand Canyon. These reasons could influence your decision of whether or not to visit it, so let's take a look.

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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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6 Easy Hikes in Grand Canyon
  • Hike to Shoshone Point, Grand Canyon South Rim. ...
  • Hike the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, Grand Canyon South Rim. ...
  • Hike the Cape Royal Trail, Grand Canyon North Rim. ...
  • Hike the Widforss Trail, Grand Canyon North Rim. ...
  • Hike the North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook, Grand Canyon North Rim.


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Bright Angel Trail is considered the most popular hiking trail in the park. Well-maintained and graded for stock, it is fairly easy to walk down. This can be a blessing or a curse. Wide views of the inner canyon and distant formations often distract hikers from just how far down the trail they've walked.

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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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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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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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The town of Tusayan, which is just 15-20 minutes away from the main Visitor Center on the south rim, has a great selection of places to stay. Grand Canyon Junction (formerly known as Valle) is further out (about 30 minutes to the rim), but is another good option. If you want a hotel, stay in Tusayan, which has plenty.

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The Grand Canyon's Best Scenic Viewpoints
  1. Mather Point, South Rim. ...
  2. Redwall Bridge, North Rim. ...
  3. Hopi Point, South Rim Trail. ...
  4. Plateau Point, Bright Angel Trail. ...
  5. Shoshone Point, South Rim. ...
  6. Desert View. ...
  7. Angel's Window, North Rim. ...
  8. Black Bridge or Silver Bridge view from the River.


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The South Rim is at a lower elevation which allows you to get a better view of the walls of the opposite rim. The sheer magnitude of the Grand Canyon is much more visible from the South Rim. The South Rim is more “user friendly” with paved paths along the rim. In the winter, The South Rim is covered in snow.

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Scenery: Both sections have dramatic, incredible Grand Canyon scenery. The upper has the younger rock layers that one gets to experience up close and personal. There are also expansive rim views on one day of the upper.

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Most of the viewpoints are just several yard from the parking areas, with the exceptions being Desert view and Hermits Rest. So it isn't like you would have to walk 1/4 mile or more to look into the canyon. If he is fairly fit, it will be no problem.

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Located in the Grand Canyon, Bright Angel Trail sees more rescues and 911 calls than any other trail in the state and is considered the most dangerous hike in the Grand Canyon. Between its length, elevation, and lack of shade, this popular hike is a perfect storm of perilous factors.

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It really depends on what you want to see and do! Some visitors stop by a couple of viewpoints and arrive and leave within a day but there are so many more fantastic things to do at the Grand Canyon. We recommend spending at least one full day at the Grand Canyon South Rim and ideally two if time permits.

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If you are only visiting one rim of the Grand Canyon, make it the South Rim. The South Rim is located inside Grand Canyon National Park and offers the best views, best hiking, best activities, and best lodging at the Grand Canyon.

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If you're searching for a cultural tourist destination jam-packed with adventure, the West Rim is the place for you. If you're looking to take in a traditional tourist experience, the South Rim is for you.

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People from all over the world come to northern Arizona to see the vast, mile-deep, 277-mile-long canyon. Grand Canyon National Park tends to be the most crowded from late May to early September, when children are out of school and families are more apt to take summer vacations.

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With only one day at the Grand Canyon, you can check out a few viewpoints, hike into the canyon or on the Rim Trail, and catch the sunset. A Grand Canyon itinerary for 2 days allows extra time for a longer hike or bike ride and more lookout points.

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Q: How long will it take to get to the bottom from the South Rim? A: The South Kaibab Trail is 6.8 miles to Bright Angel Campground and the Bright Angel Trail is 9.3 miles. It will take most hikers between 4 and 5 hours to get to the campground on either trail.

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With less elevation gain and a slightly longer trail, the hike up Bright Angel is easier than South Kaibab.

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Grandview Trail can be quite rugged, narrow, and steep, often with a drop-off on one side. First used by Native Americans who gathered mineral paints on Horseshoe Mesa and later by copper miners, the Grandview Trail is a rocky, exposed, strenuous trail requiring experience and caution.

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The South Kaibab Trail is one of the hardest hikes in the Grand Canyon National Park and makes for an unforgettable challenge if you're up to the task! You'll be provided with incredible views over the park for most of the way and then enjoy some backcountry camping at the scenic Bright Angel Campground.

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