Going Beyond the Rim: Venturing into the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in the world. Visitors come from all over to catch a glimpse of the massive, technicolor chasm carved into northern Arizona.

While the parks beauty and awe-inspiring landscape are well known, less than 1% of all visitors to this magnificent park venture below the Canyon rim.

While not everyone is looking for an infamous Rim to Rim hike, there are a few fantastic options that will get you to truly experience the Grand Canyon in all its glory from beyond the rim!

The unmistakeable landscape of Grand Canyon National Park

.South Kaibab Trail

There are 2 types of trails at Grand Canyon National Park: The Rim Trail and everything else! The Rim Trail is a paved walking path that runs along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It offers incredible vistas throughout, a stable and flat walking surface, and minimal fall exposure.

But for those that really want to experience the awe and magnitude of the Grand Canyon, you need to take a few steps into it! The South Kaibab trail is a 6+ mile (out-and-back) round trip hike that will bring you from Rim to River and back. Please note it is highly discouraged to go Rim to River and back in a single day as many hikers have needed emergency services when attempting such a hike.

Working down the Chimney of the South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab trail, like most trails entering the Canyon, has significant elevation gain (well over 4000 feet if going to the river) and is considered a strenuous hike. To get a taste of getting into the Canyon, its best to select a view point along the way as your turn-around point. For us, we chose Ooh-Aah Point, which results in a 2 mile round trip hike with about 800 feet of elevation gain.

Amazing views throughout the South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab Trail offers a relatively packed dirt surface with obvious exposure throughout the trail. Our kids had no problem with this hike, but beware that the hike back up will take 2x as long as the hike down. At least 1 L of water is recommended for each hiker…you dont want to run out of gas on the South Kaibab Trail!

The aptly named Ooh Aah Point on the South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab trail offers unrivaled beauty and exhilaration throughout the trail, but also has virtually zero shade. Be sure to take the trail as long as you can go while being confident you can make the return hike. The steepness of the trail on the way up, especially near The Chimney section at the upper portion of the trail is especially steep, but the feeling of accomplishment will stay with you forever!

Heading back up from Ooh Ahh Point on the South Kaibab Trail

Looking down towards The Chimney of the South Kaibab Trail

Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail into the Grand Canyon. It offers water stations, toilets, and some shade (which is hard to find in the park) throughout the trail. Hiking down to the river from the Bright Angel Trail is a 12+ mile hike with over 5000 feet of elevation gain, and should not be attempted as a day hike.

There is no mistaking where the Bright Angel Trail begins

The Bright Angel trailhead begins at Grand Canyon Village and is clearly marked. For those not looking to hike to the river, there are a variety of points along the trail that can be used as obvious turn around locations to create a shorter out-and-back hike.

For those will little kids, the first tunnel may be an excellent stopping point creating a short 0.1 mile hike with minimal elevation gain. For others the second tunnel (2 mile round trip) or one of the Rest house’s (3-6 miles) are great options.

A pack of mules climbing up the Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel trail has a consistent dirt surface with the occasional log steps. As with any trail into the Grand Canyon, expect to double your hiking time for the hike up, and be sure to carry more water than you normally would.

The Bright Angel Trail offers stunning views with far less exposure and much more shade when compared to the South Kaibab trail. Be sure to check with park rangers if the rest house’s are open and if water is available before you begin your hike into the Grand Canyon.

Epic views of the Grand Canyon from the Bright Angel Trail