Summary:
From the forests of the North Rim, descend steeply into Roaring Springs Canyon along ledges carved into the sheer limestone cliffs.

The North Rim is 1,000 ft higher than the South, which accounts for its more extreme winter climate and higher precipitation – it receives more than twice the snow and rainfall. This extra moisture supports dense forests of spruce, fir, pine and aspen – lush vegetation that adds to the scenic grandeur of this immense gorge.

The North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained route into the Canyon from the North Rim. It descends steeply into Roaring Springs Canyon along ledges carved into the sheer limestone cliffs of the Redwall Formation, with spectacular canyon views along the way. It is not unknown for rock-falls to sometimes cover the track, and care should be taken given the long drop-offs.

Coconino Overlook is reached after 1.5 miles, and Supai Tunnel 0.5 mile after that. It is another 2.7 miles before the trail finally meets Bright Angel Creek. Here are several swimming holes, very welcome in the heat of summer, and from the cliff above surges Roaring Springs. It originates as precipitation on the rim, which seeps through the limestone and re-emerges when it reaches less porous rock.

The trail continues in a more gradual descent alongside Bright Angel Creek, eventually reaching the canyon floor. For very fit and experienced hikers, it would be possible to continue on for 3.7 miles, past Cottonwood Campground, to the beautiful oasis of Ribbon Falls. This return trip would total 16.8 miles/27 km, with an extremely tough climb out of over 4,200 ft/1,280 m – not a task to be undertaken lightly.

For most day hikers, Roaring Springs marks the turning-round point. Even so, do not underestimate the hard work to come. The 4.7-mile climb back up to the rim is very steep, and easily the most difficult section of the entire North Kaibab Trail.

Other day hikes at the North Rim

Widforss Trail. Combines forest and canyon scenery as it skirts the edge of Transept Canyon before ending at Widforss Point. This spectacular and secluded viewpoint overlooking Haunted Canyon is inaccessible by road. 10 miles/16 km out and back. Trailhead: 1 mile along a dirt road, 0.25 mile south of the junction with the Point Imperial/Cape Royal road.

Ken Patrick Trail. A 10-mile one way trail that winds mainly through forest to the North Kaibab trailhead. The first section, which hugs the rim from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, is the most spectacular (and popular) – about 5 miles/8 km out and back.

Lava Falls Trail. Lava Falls is actually a ferocious rapid, usually run by rafters at mid-morning. It can be reached by a precipitous, rugged, unmaintained trail, which drops 2,500 ft to the Colorado in just 2 miles. The difficulty of reaching this section of the North Rim beyond remote Tuweep just adds to the seclusion (be sure to check current trail conditions at the Ranger Station in Tuweep). Trailhead: Toroweap Overlook. Leave Route 89 at Fredonia, 30 miles north of Jacob Lake, and take Route 389 west towards Pipe Springs National Monument. After 9 miles, turn south onto the 70-mile, unpaved, isolated road via Tuweep to Toroweap Overlook.

Directions: US 89 to Jacob Lake, then Route 67 south (closed in winter) for 30 miles to the Park entrance. The 67 continues south for 14 miles to Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim.

Trailhead: 0.8 mile south of the junction with the road to Point Imperial and Cape Royal, 2 miles north of the lodge. A hiker shuttle runs to the trailhead from the lodge – fee charged.

Length: 9.4 miles / 15.0 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: -3,400 ft / -1,037 m
Very strenuous ascent on return.

Duration: 6 hours

Trail Condition: Maintained but very steep, and rocky in places.

Features: Limestone cliffs and other formations, creek and springs, canyon views.

Climate: Trail closed in winter due to snow. Hiking best in late spring/early summer or autumn. Mid to late summer brings high temperatures inside the canyon and afternoon thunderstorms.

Accommodation: Although far less busy than the South Rim, reservations for the Park lodge and campground on the North Rim must still be made well in advance. Other campgrounds and limited lodging 5 miles north of Park entrance and at Jacob Lake.

Trail Notes: Heavy snow closes the North Rim from November to late May. Take plenty of water when hiking into the Canyon.

Summary:
Descend into the world’s largest chasm to the very edge of the Inner Gorge.

Bright Angel Trail follows a route used for hundreds of years. The Bright Angel Fault created a natural break in the immense limestone cliffs, used by prehistoric Indians to reach the springs at Indian Gardens. It is a popular trail, which hikers share with mule trains, so expect company.

Pinyon-juniper forest characterizes the upper part of trail. Just after the First Tunnel, look out for some Indian pictographs above and to the left, unfortunately now covered in graffiti. Pass a small seep where Douglas fir grows, through the Second Tunnel, and descend a number of tight switchbacks before arriving at Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, 1,131 ft/345 m below the rim.

The trail swings tightly to the right at Two-Mile-Corner – there are more pictographs on the cliff walls above. Continue descending switchbacks before the trail straightens as it runs along red (iron oxide) and back (iron or manganese) cliffs to Three-Mile Resthouse. At this point you have descended a total of 2,112 ft/644 m. Below is the Redwall Formation, a layer of almost pure limestone up to 500 ft high – the distinctive color is due to iron compounds from the formations higher up. Behind the Resthouse is a viewpoint over the Redwall and your destination – Indian Gardens and Plateau Point.

The trail continues down a break in the sheer cliff created by the Bright Angel Fault. Switchbacks known as Jacobs Ladder descend to the base of the Redwall and on towards the upper Tonto Plateau. In places you will see the pipeline that crosses the canyon, carrying water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim. 1.6 miles and a further descent of close to 1,000 ft from Three-Mile Resthouse, you reach Indian Gardens. The springs here were used in prehistoric times, and later by Havasupai Indians who farmed this area. The cottonwood trees are more recent additions, planted during the early 1900s.

Bright Angel Trail continues to the right on its way to the Colorado River. You keep left, taking the Plateau Point Trail that branches off north over the arid Tonto Plateau. It is a relief to finally be on a relatively flat trail – the 1.5 miles to Plateau Point from Indian Gardens has an overall descent of just 120 ft.

Plateau Point, on the edge of the Tonto Plateau, has a dramatic view of the Inner Gorge. Massive buttes rise in the distance and 1,300 ft below is the Colorado River, the first and only time you see the river on this day hike. This is also the turning-round point, and the start of the long climb back up to the rim.

Other day hikes at the South Rim

West Rim Trail. Roughly parallels the West Rim Drive, allowing easy access via the summer shuttle to many points along the trail. Spectacular views into the canyon but expect lots of company, especially at the overlooks and on the paved first section to Maricopa Point. As with all canyon trails, be aware of steep drop-offs. 8 miles/12.8 km one way from Grand Canyon Village to Hermits Rest, elevation change 200 ft/61 m.

South Kaibab Trail. Follows ridge lines, allowing unobstructed views for most of its length (unlike Bright Angel Trail). A descent to Cedar Ridge makes a great short hike. 2.8 miles/4.5 km out and back, elevation change -1,450 ft/442 m. Trailhead: Near Yaki Point on East Rim Drive.

Grandview Trail. Take extra care on this steep unmaintained trail to Horseshoe Mesa on top of the Redwall Formation. 6 miles/9.6 km out and back, elevation change -2,600 ft/793 m. Trailhead: Grandview Point on East Rim Drive.

Hermit Trail. Another unmaintained trail requiring extra care. 6 miles/9.6 km out and back to Dripping Springs, elevation change -1,350 ft/412 m. Trailhead: Near Hermits Rest, at the end of West Rim Drive.

Directions: From the south, the quickest approach is to leave I-40 at Williams and take Route 64 north for 53 miles to the south entrance. From the north, take US 89 south to Cameron, then Route 64 west for 31 miles to the east entrance at Desert View. Grand Canyon Village is 3 miles beyond the south entrance and 22 miles beyond the east entrance along the East Rim Drive.

Trailhead: Grand Canyon Village, just west of Bright Angel Lodge and Kolb Studio.

Length: 12.2 miles / 19.5 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: -3,220 ft / -982 m
Strenous ascent on return.

Duration: 7.5 hours

Trail Condition: Wide and well-maintained.

Features: Limestone cliffs and other formations, springs, canyon views.

Climate: Hiking possible year-round, but best in spring and autumn. Summer brings extreme heat and thunderstorms. Snow and cold temperatures in winter, crampons may be necessary.

Accommodation: Reservations for lodging and campsites inside the National Park should be made well in advance. Tusayan, just outside the south entrance, has further options.

Trail Notes: Water available at Indian Gardens, and at the Resthouses from May to September (but confirm with the visitor center in Grand Canyon Village before setting out). Temperatures get hotter the further you descend – consider starting at mid-day or later so that your climb out will be in cooler evening temperatures (take a flashlight just in case).