Near Rim Trail
Grand Canyon National Park: Bright Angel Trail - Sunset
Near Rim Trail
Coming down Bright Angel.
Near Rim Trail
Viewpoint along the South Rim Trail.
Near Rim Trail
Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon.
Near Rim Trail
The Grand Canyon is stunning from any spot on the rim.

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Hike Route

Rim Trail

4.6 (78 Ratings)
A fantastic trail along the Grand Canyon south rim with views, shade, and low grades.
12.9
mi
Distance
586
ft
Gain
easy
Difficulty
ADA AccessibleBirdingFamily FriendlyViewsWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
NO water directly along the trail. Water is in the Grand Canyon Village area and at Hermits Rest.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
12.87mi
Distance
586ft
Elevation Gain
1,115ft
Elevation Loss
60%
Max Grade
7,195ft
High Point
6,666ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Begin from any viewpoint in Grand Canyon Village or along Hermit Road. You are also able to access the trail from many of the shuttle bus stops.The Rim Trail stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermits Rest, a distance of approximately thirteen miles (21 km), most of the trail is paved. Between Pipe Creek Vista and Bright Angel Lodge, only a few short sections of the trail have grades that exceed accessibility standards. West of Bright Angel Lodge, the Rim Trail narrows and climbs the Bright Angel Fault to viewpoints along Hermit Road. Between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista, the trail is a three-foot wide dirt trail. The section of the Rim Trail between Monument Creek Vista and Hermits Rest is also known as the Hermit Road Greenway Trail.There is shade along the Rim Trail, which is great on a hot summer day. Most of the trail is paved and makes for excellent walking with quiet views of the inner canyon, or just for visitors who desire an easy hike with minimal elevation change. However, please beware of lightning during summer thunderstorms.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Jesse Weber