Grand Canyon Trails – Hike the Grand Canyon

More than 270 miles (435 km) long and averaging 10 miles in width, the Grand Canyon reaches depths of 5700 ft and passes through five of the seven temperate zones at which different species flourish.

Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails

Two maintained trails – Bright Angle and Kaibab descend into the canyon. A supply of water is essential for venturing out on either one, as temperatures routinely exceed 37 degree Celsius at the bottom.

Indian Gardens

Get up early if you plan an all-day hike to Indian Gardens – a verdant oasis 4 ½ miles and 3100 ft below the rim.

Colorado River

Most people are content with day hikes, but the more adventurous types an arduous backpacking trip along the Colorado River is just the thing. To stay overnight below the rim, you must have a reservation either at the fairly primitive Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon or at a designated camp ground.

Hermits Rest

The road along the South Rim ends in the west at Hermits Rest, named for an early prospector, Louis Boucher, whose discovery of copper and silver were profitless as it cost too much to transport even precious metals economically from the site. Some attractive but unmaintained trails fan out from Hermits Rest.

Topocoba Hilltop Trail

One difficult and lengthy unmaintained trails from Hermits Rest leads to Topocoba Hilltop Trail, which in turn leads to Havasu Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

Havasu Canyon

At Havasu Canyon, the creek splits into three and plunges down the cliff in a series of waterfalls. There is a campground and a small lodge at Havasu.