Best trails in Grand Canyon National Park
Immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery of Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world's most impressive natural wonders. Located entirely in Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Visitors can take in unmatched vistas from the more accessible South Rim or the more secluded North Rim, which is typically open seasonally. Activities abound, from hiking and scenic drives to mule trips and guided tours. The South Rim offers a free shuttle bus service, allowing visitors to park and explore without a car. Be prepared for a high-desert environment and check for current conditions and closures before your trip.
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
August 31, 2025 Grand Canyon National Park 0.8 mi 39 ft elevation gain 20 m
August 31, 2025 Grand Canyon National Park 4.3 mi 308 ft elevation gain 1h 42min
August 31, 2025 Grand Canyon National Park 2.2 mi 184 ft elevation gain 46 m
WOW! What an adventure. My dad did this hike 50 years ago and recommended it to me for my visit to Grand Canyon. It did not disappoint. The terrain is rough and not for the inexperienced hiker. Loose rock, boulders, some loose dirt, and multiple rock and drift wood staircases. The hike begins with the 2500k descent to the mesa with very little flat trail. Trekking poles made my descent much easier. I took the descent fairly slow to avoid falling and to take in the views, which start out magnificent and only get better as you weave around the canyon. This is when you should take pictures, because the climb back to the top is exhausting and you’ll want to put your head down and power through without stopping for photos. 3 liters of water was good for me where the temps ranged from mid 60s-high 70s from rim to mesa, maybe you could get away with 2, but nothing less. A sun hat is also a must because much of the hike is in direct sun. The biggest appeal of this hike over others in the park is that it is gorgeous and lots of fun without crowds. Saw just a handful of friendly hikers and there were long stretches where I saw no one and could have sworn I was in the wilderness. If you are experienced and prepared, don’t miss this one!
This is my second time to the Grand Canyon & it will never lose its splendor. Magnificent views. I now live & work here, so I'll be seeing a lot of this place.
Awesome hike! We set off to just do Tip Off and back but then decided to continue Tonto Trail up Bright Angels trail! Did take a 20-30min break at Tip Off and a few short breaks along the way. Trail is moderate but depending on weather can make this a really challenging hike at ~22.5km. Definitely go with at least 5L of liquids, but you can refill at two spots along the way. So glad we did this hike! Feel like we’ve done the Grand Canyon without doing the massive R2R.