Is hiking the Grand Canyon on your bucket list? Specifically hiking Rim to Rim? This guide will teach you all that you need to know.
Trails
First let’s identify the trails. When hiking Rim to Rim, you will be hiking along the corridor trails. There is one main trail from the North Rim called North Kaibab (NK). There are two trails from the South Rim—Bright Angel (BA) and South Kaibab (SK). All the trails intersect at the bottom of the canyon at the Colorado River. There are plenty of water stops and vault toilets along the trails. With the exception of the South Kaibab Trail. There is no water along the South Kaibab trail. It is not recommended to ascend SK in the heat.
R2R2R in two days
R2R2R means Rim to Rim to Rim. You start on either the north or the south. You hike to the opposite rim and then return to the same rim that you started at. When doing it over two days, you will stay overnight at either the North Rim or South. There are more lodging options on the south rim, so it is logistically easier to start on the North Rim, hike to South Rim, and stay the night on the South Rim. On the next day, hike South rim to North. My suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive near North Rim. Many accommodation options in Kanab. (Can book Comfort Inn on points.) Closer accommodations to the North Rim are at Jacob Lake and Kaibab Lodge. The closest is the Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim. Eat and sleep well and prepare your pack.
Day 2: Drive to North Kaibab Trail. Plan to arrive early. Between 6:00 am – 6:30 am. Park in the parking lot or along the road (do take note of no parking zones and park within the white line).
Hike! Stop at Phantom Ranch. You can buy postcards and mail them here. You can also purchase ice, lemonade, and other snacks here. This is a good place to refill water as well. Eat lunch at the tables or find a place along the river to eat, relax, and soak your feet.
After Phantom Ranch follow signs for the Bright Angel Trail. You will cross the Colorado River. Keep hiking until you reach the Bright Angel Trailhead on the South Rim.
At the South Rim, celebrate your successful hike and head to dinner and your lodging.
Lodging options in the park:
Maswik (closest option to the Bright Angel Trailhead), Thunderbird, Kachina, El Tovar, Bright Angel (grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/)
I booked the Yavapai Lodge through the Chase travel portal. It’s a good way to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred $50 hotel credit. This would be an excellent way to use the Capital One Venture X $300 travel credit too. Book through the Cap One Travel Portal to take advantage of that. (Venture X Referral).
Day 3: Start early and take the free shuttle in the park to the South Kaibab Trailhead. There is no parking at this trailhead.
Hike down. The views from the South Kaibab trail are the iconic views of the Grand Canyon. Take plenty of pictures. You’ll be down to the Colorado in no time. If the Colorado is green, I recommend a stop at Boat Beach after crossing the bridge. Dip your feet to feel refreshed then continue to Phantom Ranch.
After Phantom Ranch, continue hiking toward the North Rim. Highly recommend taking a small detour to enjoy Ribbon Falls.
After enjoying Ribbon Falls, get ready to ascend to the North Rim. You are hiking towards your car, so you don’t have to worry how long it takes. Arrive at your car and continue to your lodging for the night.
If you have people in your party that want to see some of the Grand Canyon but don’t want to hike the R2R2R, they could be support crew and meet you at the South Rim with your overnight items and food for the next day.
If you are carrying all your items. Pack as light as possible. You will need layers. Use the same warm layers for both days. Pack fresh shorts and top for second day. Pack most or all of the food that you will need. You can purchase things on the south rim, but you don’t know what will be available.
Confirm the hours of dinner options as well. You should plan 10-16 hours for one direction. If you arrive quite late on the South Rim, the dining options could be closed.
In October 2023, we started on the North Rim Trail around 6 am and arrived at the South Rim at 8 pm. We had a friend in our group that didn’t hike who picked us up and took us to Yavapai. We ate there, and we all really enjoyed the food.
R3
Rim to Rim to Rim in one go. No overnight lodging. If I were to trail run this. I would do South Kaibab to North Kaibab to Bright Angel (South, North, South). Stay and park on the South Rim. Take the early shuttle or taxi to the South Kaibab Trailhead.
R2R
Easiest way to accomplish R2R is to have a driver drop you off at one rim and pick you up at the other. It is around 4 hours to drive from one rim to the other.
The next best way is to reserve a shuttle. The cost per person is $120.
Or if you have enough people, split your group into two groups. One group starts at North, one group starts at South. Trade keys along the trail and continue to opposite rim.
R2R—North to South using Shuttle, 24 miles
Day One: Arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim.
Take afternoon shuttle to North Rim and stay the night (Kaibab Lodge or Grand Canyon Lodge). You will need to also book the hiker shuttle to get to the trailhead in the morning ($25).
Day Two: Hike through the Canyon North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trailhead to your parked car.
R2R—South to North using shuttle, 21 miles
Day 1: Arrive at North Rim. Take afternoon shuttle to the South Rim. Stay the night at the South Rim.
Day 2: Hike South Kaibab Trail to North Kaibab Trail. The trailhead is about 2 miles from the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge. Send the strongest in your group for the car. Or you could book the shuttle and plan to arrive at the North Rim by the shuttle time.
Which way is better or easier?
If you have to pick one way, for the views I would pick South Kaibab to North Kaibab with a stop at Ribbon Falls (21 miles).
For the easier route, I would recommend North Kaibab to Bright Angel (24 miles).
Sometimes the route you choose will be determined by the lodging that’s available or the trails that are open. The earlier you book lodging, the more likely you will find availability. But there are usually cancellations, so make a plan and a plan B and look for lodging for your preferred route.
When should we go?
The summer heat in the canyon is stifling. And it isn’t recommended to hike during the hottest part of the day. If you are tackling R2R in one day, it’s best to go in the cooler months.
The North Rim lodge and services close from October 15-May 15. The road to the North Rim closes November 30th and reopens May 15th. Late September through October are great times to hike through the Canyon. In October the early morning temperatures at the rims can be near freezing, but the temperatures in the canyon will be pleasant.
Who can do this?
I was amazed at all the different kinds of people we saw accomplishing this trail. I saw a man that had only one leg. I saw college athletes and retired people. I saw a group of teenagers. I think this trail is best for ages 12 and older. If you have a desire to do the trail, you probably can. Meet with a professional if needed to make a training plan. You need to be able to hike/walk for long distances, and you need to be able to ascend and descend giant steps.
If you live in a low elevation, take note that the higher elevation might affect you.
What do I need?
Backpack 22-24 L
Water bottles and/or bladder
Food
Electrolyte (my favorite are ReLyte by Redmond and LMNT)
Water filter (I didn’t need but I had one)
Sun protection
Water shoes for Ribbon Falls
Poles (optional)
Trail running shoes
Extra pair of socks
First aid kit
What about camping in the canyon?
This guide does not include information about camping. Camping in the canyon requires a back country permit that you must apply for in advance. Information about the back country permit is found here.
What about staying at Phantom Ranch?
You can find information here about Phantom Ranch.
