Best trails in Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park pretty much speaks for itself; anyone who has been there will know this. For those yet to go, the spectacular views of the Grand Canyon will consistently make your jaw drop, even for seasoned veterans of the park. It is no wonder it is one of the country's most popular National Parks.
Top trails
Visitor info
Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its passenger(s).
Individual ($20 valid for 7 days): for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians.
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers, up to a 15 person passenger van. Organized non-commercial groups over 16 passengers require different charges. Commercial groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.
Available to the general public for purchase for unlimited visits to Grand Canyon National Park only. This is an annual pass, valid one year from month of purchase; it is non-transferable.
It admits the pass holder and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (train, shuttle, bicycle, or foot).
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The North Rim Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, and Tusayan Museum are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. All the bookstores and gift shops are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, except for South Rim’s Kolb Studio and Desert View Watchtower. Orientation films include open captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs are available at Bright Angel Bicycles and the North Rim Visitor Center. Tandem bicycles are available for rent at Bright Angel Bicycles.
Many ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call 928-638-7888 or email grca_information@nps.gov at least 3 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Grand Canyon National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
All park shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate manual or motorized chairs under 48 inches long and 30 inches wide (122 by 76 cm). However, most motorized scooters cannot be accommodated on the shuttle buses.
A Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit is available at the entrance gates and service centers for visitors with mobility disabilities. It allows access to some areas not open to public traffic, but a state-issued parking placard is still required for parking in wheelchair accessible parking spaces.
The North Rim Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, and Tusayan Museum are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. All the bookstores and gift shops are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, except for South Rim’s Kolb Studio and Desert View Watchtower. Orientation films include open captioning.
All hotels have wheelchair accessible rooms.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Hermits Rest, Hopi Point, Grandview Point, and Buggein.
Mather and North Rim Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Visitors must check in at the Backcountry Information Center to take service animals into the canyon.
Trail reviews for Grand Canyon National Park
These are the pictures of all the viewpoints and and some of your stops on the west rim trail to Mojave point from the Grand Canyon village and back!
Hiked the Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5 mile water station and back. 12 of us. Fantastic views, lots of wildlife, sun and shade. My first time at the Grand Canyon
We started on the north side, and by the time we got to the south the sun had already set. Would love to go back and start on the south to enjoy the classic Grand Canyon views!!
Cut it short to make a flight. 5.5 miles because I accidentally paused it. Breathtaking views and tiring going up, but not as bad as I expected at all. I’m so glad I made it to the Grand Canyon. Will have to run it again to hike to the bottom with South Kaibab.
Grand Canyon Rim trail has stunning views.
Trail was very clean and well maintained. Due to recent fires in the North Rim, canyon was filled with smoke. Pls be mindful and decide whether or not you should do it. I started around 3 pm which caused me to keep moving continuously except for food/water-fill/ toilet at Havasupai Gardens, and few pics/videos along the way to return before sundown. My moving time and total time are messed up because I must have accidently paused and did not not unpause for a short period on my way back up. Total time including moving time was around 5 hours. It was my first time at Grand Canyon. For preparation, I hiked 2 miles down 2 days ago to access time it would take me to do the hike. I strongly suggest same to other first time hikers in the Grand Canyon. As you can see from my splits, my last mile got lot slower. Unless you are used to elevation, pls ascend at pace that allows you to breath without getting out of breath. Otherwise it will lead to headache. Maintain dynamic body position to optimally use energy/oxygen. With chest out, breath deeply. I need to engage mouth along with nose to be able to get maximum oxygen into lungs. Refrain from thinking how far up it is and whether you will make it. Create rhythm that works for you and continue the ascent. As beautiful the scenery is pls do not take eye off the trail when you are moving. A fall may result in rescue operation. Stop to take in the grand views. If you have fear of heights like me, coming down can be challenging as well. Even without fear of heights, coming down is hard on your knees and body especially if you are carrying lot of weight. Lastly, even though there are water sources, pls carry extra water incase the water source becomes inoperable or you have to return part of the way or you have an accident and have to wait for rescue. Due to smoke, I did not encounter anyone coming back up.