Walking even a short way below the rim changes how you see the Grand Canyon: the walls rise around you, the silence deepens and the scale becomes real. But the canyon is an upside-down mountain — the easy part comes first, and the hard part, the climb out, comes when you are tired and the day is hot.
The best day hikes from the South Rim
| Hike | Round trip | Elevation change | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rim Trail (any section) | 1–13 miles | Minimal | As long as you like | Mostly paved; free shuttles back |
| South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point | 1.8 mi / 2.9 km | about 600 ft | 1–2 hours | No water; great views |
| South Kaibab to Cedar Ridge | 3 mi / 4.8 km | about 1,100 ft | 2–4 hours | No water; very exposed |
| Bright Angel to 1.5 Mile Resthouse | 3 mi / 4.8 km | about 1,100 ft | 2–4 hours | Seasonal water |
| Bright Angel to 3 Mile Resthouse | 6 mi / 9.7 km | about 2,100 ft | 4–6 hours | Seasonal water; summer limit for most |
| South Kaibab to Skeleton Point | 6 mi / 9.7 km | about 2,000 ft | 4–6 hours | Not in summer heat |
| Bright Angel to Plateau Point | 12 mi / 19 km | about 3,100 ft | 7–9 hours | Strenuous; experienced hikers, cool season |
Guided hike from US$225 Grand Canyon: South Kaibab Sunset Hike with Guide
A guided late-afternoon hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge — the classic short day hike below the rim — timed so you watch the canyon walls change colour at sunset. Remember that the climb back up is the hard part; the guide sets the pace. A newer listing with few reviews so far.
- Hike below the rim on the South Kaibab Trail
- Views from Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge
- Walls changing colour as the sun sets
River float trip from US$150 Page: Horseshoe Bend Colorado River Half-Day Rafting Trip
The easiest way to get onto the Colorado River in canyon country: a serene half-day trip on the river that passes through Horseshoe Bend itself, with a stop to see petroglyphs. A completely different view of the bend from below.
- Raft through Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River
- Ancient petroglyphs
- Wildlife spotting
Guided kayak and hike from US$103 Antelope Canyon: Kayak and Hike Tour
An active way to see Antelope Canyon: kayak in from Lake Powell between towering walls, then hike up the winding canyon with a guide.
- Paddle between narrow canyon walls on Lake Powell
- Hike up the winding canyon
- Optional swim
Guided open-air vehicle tour from US$139 Grand Canyon National Park: 2-Hour Small-Group Hummer Tour
A two-hour guided drive to South Rim viewpoints in an open-air Hummer, with a guide who explains the rock layers, the wildlife and the people of the canyon. A good option if you have half a day, do not want to deal with parking, or are travelling with people who cannot walk far.
- Small group in an open Hummer
- Rim viewpoints with a guide explaining geology and history
- Easy way to see a lot in a short time
Guided day tour from US$191 Grand Canyon Classic Sightseeing Tour Departing Flagstaff
A well-rated full-day tour from Flagstaff, about an hour and a half from the South Rim. The guide handles the driving and explains the geology as you work along the rim from viewpoint to viewpoint.
- Full day at the South Rim with a professional guide
- Explanations of how the canyon formed
- Several viewpoints along the rim
Guided jeep tour from US$165 Tusayan: Grand Canyon Desert View & South Rim Pink Jeep Tour
A three-hour guided drive in one of the well-known pink jeeps along Desert View Drive, the scenic road that runs east along the rim to the Desert View Watchtower. Your guide explains the geology on the way and leaves time for photos at the tower.
- Desert View Drive with a guide
- Visit to the Desert View Watchtower designed by Mary Colter
- Geology stops along the eastern rim
Distances and elevations are approximate, based on National Park Service figures. Water at resthouses is seasonal and can be shut off for pipeline repairs — always check at the visitor center or backcountry office.
Heat, water and food
- Start at dawn in the warm months and avoid being below the rim between 10 am and 4 pm in summer.
- Turn around when you have used a third of your water or a third of your time — the climb back takes about twice as long as the descent.
- Eat salty snacks as well as drinking. Drinking lots of water without food can cause hyponatremia (low blood sodium), which is as dangerous as dehydration.
- Soak a shirt or hat in water to keep cool, rest in the shade, and know the signs of heat exhaustion: nausea, headache, dizziness.
Overnight hikes, permits and Phantom Ranch
To camp below the rim you need a backcountry permit from the park, applied for months ahead; popular campgrounds such as Bright Angel Campground by the river are in high demand. Phantom Ranch, the lodge at the bottom, is allocated by an online lottery run by the concessioner more than a year in advance. Rim-to-rim hikes (about 21–24 miles between the North and South Rims) are only possible when the North Rim is open — check its status after the 2025 fire.
Mule rides
Riding a mule into the canyon has been a Grand Canyon tradition for more than a century. On the South Rim, the park’s concessioner has offered shorter rides along the rim and overnight rides down to Phantom Ranch. These are booked far ahead directly with the concessioner, have weight, height and age limits, and their availability and routes change — check the concessioner’s current offer. If you meet mules on the trail, step to the uphill side and wait quietly until they pass.
Rafting the Colorado River
Multi-day rafting trips through the national park are run by licensed outfitters, mostly from April to October, and are typically booked a year or more ahead. For a taste of the river without the commitment, take the calm half-day float through Horseshoe Bend near Page, or a helicopter-and-boat trip at Grand Canyon West. See our Colorado River guide.
Winter hiking
In winter the upper parts of the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails are often covered in packed snow and ice. Microspikes or similar traction devices make a huge difference, and are sold in the village. The inner canyon is pleasantly mild.
