How to Hike the Grand Canyon in 2024
Your Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Guide*
*Updated and revised for 2024!
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. It has been called "the eighth wonder of the world" because of its sheer size and beauty.
Hiking the Grand Canyon is a great way to experience all that the park has to offer.
Here’s just a taste of what you should know if you are considering hiking it rim to rim…
Can you see the Bright Angel Trail snaking down from the South Rim?
Choose A Route That's Right For You
There are several different routes through the Grand Canyon. Each route offers something unique.
If you're just looking for a short trek with amazing vistas, consider taking the Bright Angel Trail down and up from the South Rim — one of the most popular Grand Canyon hikes. OR, take the South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail on the south rim — both routes provide access to some of the canyon's most beautiful views while staying on the south rim.
But, if you are an avid hiker looking for an epic bucket list adventure, chances are you are leaning towards hiking the Grand Canyon from the south rim to north rim.
Or maybe you want to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim! Say what?!
We trained for 12 weeks and then hiked it both directions. We can show you how.
There are 2 Rim to Rim Hiking Routes
South Kaibab to North Kaibab (south rim to north rim)
North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail (north rim to south rim)
NOTE: All services on the North Rim are expected to re-open on May 15th, 2024 (subject to change). Last year, they did no reopen until early June, due to more snow than usual.
Obviously, you can hike both routes above in reverse. Both routes require careful planning, training, and logistics months in advance.
While we cover nearly everything you can think of to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime journey into the Grand Canyon — we updated our guide in March 2024! — continue reading below for a small taste of what you should be thinking through as you plan for this arduous hike of a lifetime!
Your hike into the Grand Canyon will start early, before the sun is up
Start Early And Stay Late
When hiking the Grand Canyon, it is important to prepare to start early and stay late. That means getting up at least two hours before sunrise and staying until sunset.
This will give you plenty of time to see the canyon's colors change throughout the day. Nothing compares to sunrise in the Grand Canyon as you descend into her layers.
We cover timing, trail waypoints, and trailhead shuttle logistics in our Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Guide.
Pack Lightly
Since you will be on your feet for well over 20 miles while hiking rim to rim, make sure you pack light. You'll need water, food, sunscreen, first aid kit, blister care, and many other essentials.
You should bring extra layers of clothing in case temperatures drop unexpectedly. Anything is possible in the Grand Canyon.
We cover EVERYTHING you should pack in our Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Guide.
Our Osprey 24 L backpacks, designed with awesome ventilation back panels, were filled with everything we needed for the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim hike
Bring Water
It gets HOT down in the Grand Canyon. And you will be hiking ALL DAY.
Don't forget to bring plenty of water with you when you go hiking. Even though the air temperature might feel comfortable, you still need to drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
We cover how much water to bring, water purifying solutions, and where you can get water in the Grand Canyon in our Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Guide.
We also talk about food on the trail.
Train for Your Hike
This hike is no joke. And it is not for everyone. In fact, many rangers don’t recommend it.
You will hike long miles and cover thousands of feet in elevation change. What goes down, must come up in the canyon.
You are wise to train for at least 12 weeks ahead to prepare for hiking the Grand Canyon.
If you don’t train, then your body, and possibly your friends hiking with you, will pay for your lack of training — it could lead to serious natural consequences if you don’t prepare your body well.
Your 12 Week Rim to Rim Training Plan
We added a full 12 week training plan to Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim guide. Physical and mental preparation are key to making this a memorable hike. Our 12-week plan outlines daily workouts.
Rather than piece meal training, follow this simple daily plan (rest days included!).
Included in the 12 week plan are:
· Specific exercises for stronger core, arms and legs
· Cardio workouts including mileage and pack weight
· Weekly hike distances
Designed for the beginner backpacker and long-distance hiker, this step-by-step plan included in our full Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Guide takes the guesswork out of how to train.*
*We updated our guide in March 2024!
We used this plan for our own Grand Canyon training and thoroughly enjoyed the hike.
DO NOT SIGN YOURSELF UP for hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim if you are NOT willing to seriously train and plan.
Training for both going down, down, down and up, up, up for long miles in the Grand Canyon are equally important.
Plan Ahead - Logistics
There is so much to plan for when it comes to hiking rim to rim in the Grand Canyon. You need to answer these questions and more:
When is the best time of year to go and why?
Who are you hiking and training with? Do not hike this alone.
Where will you sleep the night before the hike?
Who will shuttle you to the trailhead(s)?
Where will you stop for breaks on the trail?
Should you take the side jaunt to Ribbon Falls?
Where can I get lemonade down in the Grand Canyon?
Where will you go to the bathroom in the Grand Canyon corridor?
Who will pick you up at the end of the hike?
Are you emergency aware and do you have a Plan B if your hiking plan goes awry?
Who has first aid training? You must know the signs of altitude sickness and heat exhaustion.
What are my SOS options? And so much more.
We share everything we did to prepare logistically in our Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Guide.
“I can’t tell you how valuable [this guide] was! I spent hours pouring over it, the links, your gear reviews, and it was SO helpful. I just wanted to say thanks for being a big contributor to our success.”
Your Guide for Hiking the Grand Canyon
We wrote a 52 full page guide for hiking the Grand Canyon to take out the guesswork, just for you!
After months of training and preparing, we hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim both directions. What an epic trip — that required loads of planning.
Five days, four overnights, and three full days exploring the Grand Canyon trekking two hiking routes across the Colorado River between the south rim and the north rim — all in one jaw-dropping American national park.
We gathered up ALL of the helpful information in one tidy place: a printable PDF eBook guide you can download today.
This includes a 12 week Rim to Rim fitness training plan! Our guide is up to date as of Marh 2024.
Even if you just want to embark on the south rim day hike from South Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail, this guide will help, showing you all the waypoints and more.
We show you how to Hike the Grand Canyon in our Rim to Rim Hiking Guide
Basically, we did your homework for you.
Nerdy? Maybe. Total Time Saver? YES!
Might be a life saver too, as we help you consider all of the challenges of the rim to rim hike.
Hiking the Grand Canyon was an adventure trip of a lifetime!
Ribbon Falls: a short, worthwhile spur while hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
Endless thanks to our friend Susan, who’s completed the rim to rim Grand Canyon hike 20+ times — WOWZA! We joined her in May 2021.
We’ve laid it all out for you - from where to sleep, how to get shuttled to the trailheads, how to train for 24+ mile hiking days, the right gear for long days in the canyon, the right snacks for the trail, and even what to do nearby after the big hike.
“My dad (64), husband and I (both 28) found your guide to hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim during our 9 month training for the hike. The guide was so helpful not only in being able to prep for the day of, but also knowing how to get our bodies in canyon shape. All of us are athletic but we were not long-distance hikers before we started this training. We felt like we knew what was around every corner because of this guide and we knew how to mentally and physically get ourselves to the next rest stop.
I read EVERY blog and article on the internet about this hike, and this was by far the most thorough and complete guide to the hike. All 3 of us finished the hike in 1 day, unscathed and feeling very accomplished! Thank you to Melody and Tanya for putting in the legwork of getting this info out there for hikers like our group!”
EVERYTHING WE LEARNED to successfully complete and enjoy this unique Grand Canyon hiking trip is gathered up all in one place in this downloadable eBook.
This guide shows you how to plan, how to pack, and how to train for the Grand Canyon rim to rim (to rim). We even show you what we ate on the trail.
Save precious time and learn all the nitty gritty details for before, during, and after your adventure trip.
Let’s Talk.
Got questions about this bucket list hike? Book a one hour call with us and we will answer your questions and unpack the nitty gritty logistics for hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim.
Nearing the north rim along the North Kaibab Trail
Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
We updated the guide in March 2024 and do our best to keep it current with new information and links.
What This eBook Covers:
Introduction and General Park Info
Getting to the Park
Personal vs. Hired Shuttles after Your Hike
Where to Stay on the South Rim
Where to Stay on the North Rim
Camping and Lodging Below the Rim
12 Week Training Plan to Get Fit for the Rim to Rim to Rim Hike
5 Rim to Rim Insider Hiking Tips
How to Dress and What to Pack from Head to Toe
Sample Schedule and Route
Hike #1: South Kaibab to North Kaibab Trails with Waypoints
Hike #2: North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail with Waypoints
Pro Mother Hiking Tips
Rim Activities and Food
Things to Do Nearby
Rim to Rim Planning Checklist
Packing Checklist, including food for the trail
Trail Map Links and Elevation Maps
Signs of Altitude Sickness - what to know
Buy and download this eBook guide today to make sure this once-in-a-lifetime hiking trip will be one for the books. If it’s not helpful, we will refund your money.
Stay safe and eliminate the guesswork while planning your Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike.
We trekked it two ways! Our 52 page eBook (PDF download) shows you how to prepare logistically and train for the rim to rim Grand Canyon hike in 2024, including a full 12 week training plan. RIGHT NOW IT’S 30% OFF. We show you how to hike the south rim to the north rim via the Kaibab Trails, then head back again a second day via the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails. Checklists and details are included for planning this epic Arizona trip. See how to train for 24 to 50 miles of hiking and up to 10,000’ in elevation changes, should you hike one or both routes. This updated Grand Canyon hiking guide covers all the nitty gritty details, plus how to pack, what to wear on the trail, how to refuel, where to sleep, and so much more for a successful rim to rim experience. Tell me more about the guide.
This eBook provides 52 packed full pages of helpful planning tips and training tips for hiking the Grand Canyon, most of which is NOT covered in our separate blog posts about the two rim to rim hikes we completed.
COHH Pro Tip: Do not sign yourself up for the Grand Canyon rim to rim hike if you are NOT willing to seriously train and plan. Let us show you how to plan for the trip ahead of time and how to train for at least 12 weeks out.
CoHH Tip: May, September, and October are the ideal months to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim. Do not try this hike in the summer as the canyon is dangerously hot. People have died trying. We are not kidding.
All services on the North Rim are expected to re-open on May 15th, 2024 (subject to change). Last year, they did no reopen until early June, due to more snow than usual. Check for current updates on the North Rim.
Over on the blog, we cover the two different day hikes we successfully completed in the Grand Canyon corridor:
First, we hiked from the south to the north rim via the South and North Kaibab Trails.
Following a rest day on the north rim, we headed back. Retracing our steps on the North Kaibab Trail, we connected with the Bright Angel Trail at the Colorado River to finish the second rim to rim route.
View of Grand Canyon’s North Rim on Day 1