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View Trail Map in AppAccessing this route requires a Grand Canyon National Park entrance fee or a valid interagency pass. The North Rim, including State Route 67 and all visitor facilities, is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter, typically from December 1 to mid-May.
While day hiking does not require a permit, any overnight camping at Cottonwood Campground or in the backcountry requires a backcountry permit from the National Park Service.
The footbridge across Bright Angel Creek to Ribbon Falls is washed away. Accessing the falls requires wading through the creek, which can be hazardous during high water or spring runoff. Hikers should verify seasonal water availability at Supai Tunnel, Manzanita Resthouse, and Cottonwood Campground prior to departure, as pipeline failures are common in the inner canyon.
Path Type
There and Back
The North Rim to Ribbon Falls route is a challenging 18.2-mile out-and-back hike in Grand Canyon National Park that descends from the high-altitude forests of the North Rim into the inner canyon. Winding along the North Kaibab Trail, this hike showcases dramatic geologic layers, steep canyon walls, and unique ecological transitions from subalpine forests to desert riparian zones. The destination is Ribbon Falls, a desert oasis featuring a waterfall cascading over a giant moss-covered spire.
Starting near the North Rim Campground, the trail connects to the North Kaibab Trailhead and begins a steep, continuous descent. Key landmarks along the descent include the Supai Tunnel, the red rock formations of the Redwall Bridge, the refreshing oasis of Manzanita Resthouse, and Cottonwood Campground. Approximately 8.3 miles from the trailhead (roughly 9.1 miles from the campground), hikers take the marked spur trail to Ribbon Falls. The footbridge across Bright Angel Creek is washed away and no longer there, requiring hikers to wade across the creek to reach the falls.
After visiting the lower falls, a short and steep trail leads up to the upper falls, offering a different vantage point of the canyon. The return trip involves a grueling climb of over 5,800 feet back to the North Rim, peaking at an elevation of 8,353 feet. Due to the intense heat and steep terrain, this route requires careful preparation, physical fitness, and proper hydration strategies.
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Arizona Trail Passage 39: Grand Canyon - North Rim
Arizona Trail Passage 39: Grand Canyon - North Rim
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