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    Home » Travel » Outdoor Adventure » Arizona

    South Kaibab Trail

    Published: Sep 29, 2019 · Modified: Nov 4, 2023 · 2 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Are you planning to hike into the Grand Canyon? We hiked the South Kaibab Trail all the way to the Colorado River. Here's how it went!
    Are you planning to hike into the Grand Canyon? We hiked the South Kaibab Trail all the way to the Colorado River. Here's how it went!
    Are you planning to hike into the Grand Canyon? We hiked the South Kaibab Trail all the way to the Colorado River. Here's how it went!
    Are you planning to hike into the Grand Canyon? We hiked the South Kaibab Trail all the way to the Colorado River. Here's how it went!

    Are you planning to hike into the Grand Canyon? We hiked the South Kaibab Trail all the way to the Colorado River. Here's how it went!

    The South Kaibab Trail
    The South Kaibab Trail

    We hiked the South Kaibab Trial in both 2016 and 2017, and to this day it's one of the prettiest hikes I've ever done in my life.

    It's also one of the hardest.

    The Kaibab trail is one of two corridor trails in the Grand Canyon, and runs from the South Rim down to the Colorado River and back up on the North Rim.

    The trail from the South Rim to the Colorado River is the South Kaibab Trail, and from the Colorado to the North Rim is the North Kaibab Trail.

    Are you planning a hiking trip to the Grand Canyon? Read more about hiking in the Grand Canyon, plus check out my tips for training to hike the Grand Canyon and hiking food ideas for the Grand Canyon.

    How Hard Is the South Kaibab Trail?

    The South Kaibab Trail is very strenuous, but the views are worth it.

    There is no water along the trail (except at the very beginning and end), and little shade.

    Bring plenty of drinking water!!!

    Most of the trails inside the Grand Canyon run along inner canyons, but the South Kaibab runs along the main canyon ridge line and offers some of the best views of the canyon.

    The trail is 7 miles long (one direction) from the trailhead to the Bright Angel Campground with an elevation change of 4,760 feet, and then you still need to hike back out of the canyon.

    The National Park Service does not recommend hiking all the way to the Colorado River and back in one day, so if you plan to hike all the way down the trail, you should plan on camping inside the Grand Canyon.

    If you'd rather turn this into a day hike, you can hike 1.5 miles to Cedar Ridge for a 3-mile round-trip hike, or 3 miles to Skeleton Point for a 6-mile round-trip hike.

    We hiked to Skeleton Point and back the first time we ventured onto the South Kaibab Trail.

    I highly recommend using a trekking pole on this hike.

    Make sure to check out my recommended gear for the Grand Canyon National Park!

    Getting to the Trailhead

    There's no parking lot near the South Kaibab Trailhead.

    Instead, go to the Visitor Center the day before your hike (or early the day of) and check the bus schedule.

    Both times we hiked the trail, we parked at the Visitor Center, took a bus to the trailhead, and then rode a bus to get back to the car later.

    Buses at the Grand Canyon run frequently (at least during peak tourist season).

    South Kaibab Trail

    Once you reach the trailhead, you'll immediately begin descending a series of switchbacks.

    Apparently some people have tried to create trail shortcuts by bypassing the switchbacks and climbing down the side of the canyon. Don't do that.

    Signs in the Grand Canyon
    Signs in the Grand Canyon

    Hiking to Ooh Aah Point

    Ooh Aah Point is 0.9 miles past the trailhead.

    I recommend hiking to Ooh Aah Point in the early morning and stopping here to watch the sunrise.

    ooh aah point sign
    Ooh Aah Point
    sunrise at ooh aah point
    Sunrise at Ooh Aah Point

    Day Hikes in the Grand Canyon: Cedar Ridge + Skeleton Point

    Continue along the trail, watching your footing carefully.

    Always step carefully on this trail.

    Views of the Grand Canyon

    As you walk, you will see mule trains.

    Sometimes they're carrying people, sometimes they're carrying supplies.

    Either way, you need to move towards the wall of the canyon and let the mules pass.

    Look at it as an excuse to pause and take a break.

    Mules on the South Kaibab Trail
    Mules on the South Kaibab Trail
    Mules on the South Kaibab Trail
    Mules on the South Kaibab Trail

    Soon, you'll come to my favorite spot on the trail – the first glimpse of O'Neill Butte.

    At this point, the trail moves away from the edge of the canyon, giving you sweeping views from every direction.

    Trail near the O'Neill Butte
    Trail near O'Neill Butte
    The O'Neill Butte
    O'Neill Butte

    One and a half miles into the trail, you'll arrive at Cedar Ridge.

    If you're doing a day hike, this is a good spot to evaluate your hike.

    Take a moment to check your energy levels, remembering that the hike back up often takes as twice as long as the hike down.

    If you decide to keep going, you'll pass O'Neill Butte, see more gorgeous canyon views, and eventually you'll reach Skeleton Point.

    Flowers in the Grand Canyon
    Flowers in the Grand Canyon
    South Kaibab Trail
    South Kaibab Trail
    Skeleton Point
    Skeleton Point

    At Skeleton Point, take a moment to walk over to the viewpoint just off the trail.

    This is a perfect place to stop, eat a snack, and listen for the roar of the Colorado River down below.

    Views Near Skeleton Point
    Views Near Skeleton Point
    Views Near Skeleton Point
    Views Near Skeleton Point
    Views Near Skeleton Point
    Views Near Skeleton Point

    If you're doing a day hike, turn around and go back the way you came.

    If you're hiking all the way down, keep walking past Skeleton Point.

    Views of the Grand Canyon
    Views of the Grand Canyon

    As you walk, you'll pass the Tonto Trail junction, and then the Tipoff – the steepest part of the trail.

    Keep going.

    If you have knee problems, take this section of the trail very seriously. It's hard on your knees even if you don't have knee trouble.

    The South Kaibab Trail
    The South Kaibab Trail
    The South Kaibab Trail
    The South Kaibab Trail

    At this point, with the canyon walls looming all around, I started to realize just how deep we were inside the canyon.

    We also started to see more green plants!

    The South Kaibab Trail
    The South Kaibab Trail
    Hiking along the Grand Canyon Ridgeline
    Hiking along the Grand Canyon Ridgeline

    The Colorado will get closer and closer (and louder!).

    As you hike, make sure to take time to look at the rocks on the canyon walls.

    View of the Colorado River from the South Kaibab Trail
    View of the Colorado River from the South Kaibab Trail

    When you see the River Trail sign, you are SO CLOSE!

    Keep going!

    River Trail Junction
    River Trail Junction

    Next, you'll walk through a short tunnel, and arrive at the Black Kaibab Suspension Bridge.

    kaibab suspension bridge
    On the Kaibab Suspension Bridge at the Bottom of the Canyon

    Keep walking to arrive at the Bright Angel Campground, and spend the night in a camp spot or at Phantom Ranch.

    What Next? Where to Go After Hiking South Kaibab Trail

    To get out of the canyon, you can (of course), go back the way you came.

    If you choose to hike up the North Kaibab Trail, remember to arrange a ride back to your car on the South Rim.

    However, most hikers go up the Bright Angel Trail, which has both water and shade.

    Whichever way you travel, pace yourself, eat lots of snacks, drink plenty of water, and enjoy your hike!

    Want to try another epic hike in the Grand Canyon? Check out these 21 Tips for Hiking Havasu Falls from Meghan the Traveling Teacher.

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    1. Lauren Hillquist says

      September 13, 2021 at 10:21 am

      This is one of the, if not THE, best articles about hiking in the Grand Canyon I have ever seen!
      Well written and to the point. Throw in great photography and it puts it first class Plus! We have done this hike years ago but age and age related limitations have taken over. In retirement I have become a professional photographer and have taken many photographs of the Grand Canyon... some award winning. All behind my wife and I now but with great memories. Thank you so much for your article / photos. 📷 God bless... be safe!

      Reply
      • Alisha Trenalone says

        September 13, 2021 at 12:39 pm

        Travel memories are the best! 🙂 Thank you so much for getting in touch, we really appreciate your kind words.

        -Alisha at Champagne Tastes

        Reply
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