Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to River in one day is truly an epic adventure!! And the best part?!… you do NOT need special permits or reservations to do it! Everyone likes to talk about hiking Rim-to-Rim or Camping in the Grand Canyon… BUT both of those require WAY in advance planning just in the ~hopes~ that you might be the lucky winner of a permit and/or campsite. Therefore, the best way to explore the Grand Canyon’s inner canyon is to do it Rim to River in one day!
FULL DISCLOSURE: This adventure requires a significant amount of physical fitness. The trail involves tremendous elevation changes, extreme temperature fluctuations, and demanding trail conditions. DO NOT ATTEMPT without understanding what the trail involves as well as your personal limits. DO talk to a ranger if you have any apprehension about attempting this trail.
Check out what to pack for a day hike so you don’t forget any of the 10 essentials!
OKAY let’s get to it!
Contents
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Rim to River Stats
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Distance: 18 mi point to point
- Descent: 4,900 ft elevation los
- Ascent: 4,700 ft elevation gain
Rim to River Route
The Rim to River Route starts on the South Rim AND ends on the South Rim.
The route involves two main trails: the South Kaibab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail. You can ~technically~ hike it either direction, but I would HIGHLY suggest starting (descending) on the South Kaibab Trail and finishing (ascending) on the Bright Angel Trail.
Why this way?
FOR ONE, the South Kaibab Trail is steeper than the Bright Angel Trail, making it much more suitable for a downhill hike than an uphill climb. But the main reason is that the Bright Angel Trail has 3 water sources along the trail which are super NECESSARY when you’re on your 4k uphill climb in the hot desert sun.
Route:
The first 6 miles will be spent descending the South Kaibab Trail. The trail follows a series of steep switchbacks all the way until the bottom of the canyon where you will meet the Colorado River! Then you will cross the Colorado via the first suspension bridge where you’ll have the option to do an extra 0.5-mile hike to get to Phantom Ranch.
Phantom Ranch is a historic lodge located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The ranch has a small general store that sells snacks, drinks, and limited supplies. We didn’t feel the need to make the extra 1-mile round trip to see it, so we just continued onward towards the second suspension bridge!
Once you cross the second suspension bridge it will be time to start your long, hard, uphill trek back towards the South Rim. The uphill is a mild grade but doesn’t ever let up. Even if you get an early start, you WILL be hiking in the mid-day heat of the inner canyon. You should NOT underestimate this portion of your day.
Best Time of Year to Hike Rim to River
Summer, July-August
The hike can technically be done year-round, ALTHOUGH it is not recommended to go during summer as the temperature below the rim frequently gets above 100 deg F creating very dangerous hiking conditions.
Spring & Fall, May-June & September-October
Spring and Fall are usually the best times to attempt your Rim to River hike as the temperature swings are mild. The highs are around 60-80 F and the lows anywhere from 30-50 F.
May & October
Winter is do-able, but the temperatures can drop pretty low during this time, so you would need to be prepared with appropriate layers.
What to Pack for Rim to River
Shoes: We LOVE these Salomon’s in women’s and men’s!
Pack: A good day pack makes ALL the difference! We both use this 30L Ortovox pack. It’s the perfect size for day hiking and we love that it unzips all of the way down the front!
Sun protection: a brimmer hat and sun hoodie (women’s and men’s) are essentials in the desert sun!
Cooler: Keep a few snacks and drinks cool in the car with this affordable soft sided cooler! It’s a game changer for when you finally get off the trail!
Water: Be sure to bring a water bladder for your daypack. Plus this packable water cube and a reusable water bottle are great to keep in the car!
Snacks: Make sure to pack some trail snacks too! We love these meal replacement bars (although we use them as a snack not a meal!)
First aid kit: Just this standard first aid kit should suffice if anything were to happen on the trail!
Light: A headlamp and extra batteries are important to carry in case you are out hiking later than you suspect.
Getting to the Trailhead
The closest parking area to the South Kaibab Trailhead is about 0.5 mi from the trailhead itself. It is VERY limited in the number of parking spaces, so it is best to utilize the shuttle system. The shuttle system is much easier than you would expect because the Grand Canyon Park Service runs a shuttle specifically for this hiking route called the “hikers express” shuttle. Hiker’s Express only runs in the early morning hours and takes hikers from the Bright Angel Lodge to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Hiker’s express also makes stops at the backcountry information center and the visitor center shuttle bus center, therefore you can park at any of these locations and catch the bus.
BUT, if you park at Bright Angel Lodge, then your car will be waiting for you at the end of your hike! 10/10 recommend.
**Always be sure to check the official NPS website for updated shuttle times.
Water Sources on the Rim to River Trail
There are 4 main water sources along the Rim to River Route. The first water source can be found at the bottom of the canyon. There is a water spigot with potable water between the two suspension bridges where you can fill up before you begin the ascent back up to the South Rim. The next 3 water sources are along the Bright Angel Trail and are spread out pretty evenly along the trail. The water sources are located at:
- Bright Angel Campground/Indian Garden
- Three Mile Resthouse
- 5 Mile Resthouse
These water sources are usually turned on from Early May to Early October, BUT it is not always guaranteed that water will be available. ALWAYS bring a backup water source like a lightweight water filter.
***There are no water sources along the South Kaibab trail, therefore you will want to start with at least 2 liters of water. That should be plenty suitable for the downhill portion.
Rim to River Tips
- Make sure you are physically prepared. Due to the nature of the route descending into the canyon FIRST, many people feel fine hiking down and then are unable to get themselves back out. There have been many rescues that involved hikers attempting Rim-River who were ill-prepared.
- Wear and bring appropriate gear. Always carry your 10 essentials as well as appropriate clothing for the varying temperatures and weather you’ll encounter.
- STAY HYDRATED! I cannot stress this one enough. It is so easy to get dehydrated in the desert sun. Sometimes you don’t even realize it’s happening until too late. PLEASE keep your body hydrated!
- Take salt/electrolyte tabs. Along with staying hydrated, you’ll need to replace your sodium and other electrolytes. We use these from REI and love them!
- Know you’re route! Download the offline map from alltrails just in the off-chance you get lost.
