Hi! I’ve seen a few really experienced GC hikers on here and am looking for some feedback and to ensure I’m doing the right research/planning/looking in the right places. I got permits for my dream hike for my birthday this year!!!

I’m heading down South Kaibab trail to BA camp and then Havasupai to BA Trail August 31-Sept

My plans: -3 days at Mather Campground to acclimate to elevation/weather -light hiking on the 3 acclimation days depending on tolerance -start hiking before dawn with a headlamp, with goal of being to camp by 10-11a. -relax during the head of the day -Reservations at Phantom Ranch night 1/morning 2 -Lots of water + hydration pack + electrolytes and salty snacks -a night at Havasupai on night 2 to break up the hike out. -Out BA trail -Planning for monsoons/heavy rains -Hiking poles for the way down (save the knees some) -Cancel the hike entirely if weather looks dangerous or acclimation is not going well. This hike IS my dream hike and I’d like to complete it, but living to hike another day is more important.

My research: Reddit, general websites, Falcon Guide, GC website, Nat Geo Maps, articles I can find (I am now afraid of big horn sheep after one haha) I’ve researched for a few months and understand August is not an ideal time but is unfortunately the only time I can get away from work. I am hoping the last day of August into Sept may bring the average temps down and make it a little safer with thorough planning.

My prep: several backpacking trips with the best elevation I can get (I live near a mountain range) during the heat of the summer days (I live NEast Coast, so humid but not nearly as hot esp once I hit the peaks but best I can do)

I’m in fairly decent shape and have a small group going with me that seems to be taking my preparation recommendations seriously (or they will be unceremoniously uninvited). I have been designated unofficial group leader and was just looking for some feedback if there’s any other places I should be considering to research or tips/plans to prepare.

I’m not sure what my backpacking experience is considered in the grand scheme of things: few years weekend warrior type deal but all on the East Coast/AT.

Sorry so long, just figure y’all seem very well experienced and might have some advice or considerations I’m missing.

Hello guys, ill be in vegas mid may and would like to know which Rim of the grand canyon is the best to see. Ill be driving down from vegas to the grand canyon!

Hi all! My group of four planned to hike North to South Rim in May 2023, but got our permits cancelled due to heavy snowfall causing the North Rim not to open until June last year.

In our disappointment of not being able to go last year, I entered the Phantom Ranch lottery and was able to get a hiker cabin for one night in June 2024. We are so excited to get to go this year and to stay at Phantom Ranch!

Some notes on our current itinerary:

• We are hiking North-to-South rim in two days, descending on the North Kaibab trail one day and ascending on the Bright Angel trail the next day.
• 3/4 of us have hiked a portion of the South Kaibab trail before, which is which I chose Bright Angel for the ascent
• I booked dinner reservations for our one night at Phantom Ranch and breakfast the next day. Skipped the sack lunch as I wasn’t terribly excited by the offering and we want to do a few trail meals.

For anyone who has done this hike before, any and all tips are welcome! Will we have any time to explore the canyon at all, or will be be rushed to get down and back up since we only have one night in the canyon?

Also looking for advice on what to bring/not to bring from your experience. We are not the most experienced backpackers, so we are glad to stay at Phantom Ranch and lighten our packs a bit.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has 2 extra permits. Just trying out my luck here. Already have 3 but need 2 more. Help 😭

My 9yo is obsessed with junior ranger badges and activity books and I just read that the South Rim Visitor Center will be closed when we are there. Is there another place to pick up the junior ranger stuff? Or learn more about the geology of the Grand Canyon?

What about restaurants?

Thanks

Need support planning this trip for mid May. Fly into Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon and have to be back in phoenix by noon Saturday. Want to see both the Grand Canyon and Sedona, if possible, and need help to make it happen. Initial thoughts are below. Please don't be shy to chime in with any advise.

I'd like to spend more time at the grand canyon but I feel like it's important to get early starts on hikes so I end up only spending one night at the grand canyon and two nights in Sedona. Thoughts?

Wednesday Arrive Phoenix Wednesday afternoon. Drive straight to the grand canyon and arrive there Wednesday night. Overnight Grand canyon. Leaning towards wander camp glamping. Seems kinda cool

Thursday 530am-6pm- Explore Grand canyon. Drive to Sedona in the night. Overnight Sedona

Friday All day Sedona

Saturday Drive Sedona to Phoenix

Updated itinerary!! 😎 Let me know your thoughts Booked two nights at Red feather Lodge

Wednesday Arrive in GC. Overnight at the red feather lodge

Thursday All day Grand canyon. Overnight at red feather lodge

Friday 6am morning drive to Sedona and rest of the day in sedona

Saturday 8am drive back to Phoenix

Hi guys,

I'm planning my first trip to the South Rim during mid-May, was wondering if this itinerary is realistic and if there's possible to get parking at the visitor's centre considering i'll only be embarking on these hikes in the middle of the day

1:30 PM - Park at 2/4 South Rim Visitor Centre

1:40 PM - Take Orange Route shuttle from Visitor Centre to South Kaibab Trailhead (SKT)

Hike from SKT -> Ooh Ahh Point -> Cedar Ridge > SKT

4:00 PM - Drive from Visitor Centre to BA Trailhead Parking

4:15 PM - Take Hermit Road (Red) shuttle to Hopi Point

Trying to catch the sunset at Hopi Point

7:30 PM - Take Red shuttle back to BA Trailhead Parking

​

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice!

​

I'm planning a trip in a week or so to Grand canyon, West Rim, do you have any advice on how early you should get there to avoid the crowds? any tips in general are appreciated!

1. Is there any ice at the top of South Kaibab trail that would require spikes? Concerned because I've seen posts on All Trails from people warning recently: "Icy at the beginning this time of year still! Wear proper shoes. It’s a lot longer than it looks Absolutely amazing" and "There were icy patches at the top but we navigated with just poles. Saw that people with crampons were sliding too so not sure they would've helped us much."......I'm afraid I'm going to drive all the way out there and then freak myself out and back out if the trail is extremely narrow with sheer drop offs, super crowded, and/or icy.
2. Is the first bus to South Kaibab trailhead at 6:00 AM usually packed or does the bus come frequently enough that it never get extremely crowded? I'm planning on getting to the bus stop at 6:00-6:30 AM
3. Thinking of doing: South Kaibab Trail to Tip Off. I'm a very experienced hiker and pretty sure I can do it. Wanted second opinion on it though.
4. If weather states it will be 70 degrees at bottom of trail, how how will it be down near Tip off?
5. How much water would you bring? I was going to bring 5L of water with me.

The South Rim trail near the geology museum has years numbered on the trail and then samples of rock from that long ago in the canyon. It takes no time to look at and is really interesting. When we walked the trail I felt like everyone was missing out bc they just didn’t realize what it was.

Anyway if that kind of thing interests you make sure to pay attention to the year markers and rock samples.

My grandson misplaced his Go Pro at the Grand Canyon Park/Village most likely on April 10. We have already checked with Lost and Found and filed a report, but no one has turned it in yet. Just on the off chance that someone has found it and not turned it in yet, I thought I would post here.

We had just walked the Rim Trail and then ate dinner at the Arizona Steak House on Wed, April 10. He remembers having it there. We then walked back to Maswik Lodge, but didn't discover it missing until we were on the South Kaibab Trail on the 11th.

Thanks!

I'm doing a little self discovery and am planning to hop in my truck and see the grand canyon along with a few other bucket list items. Im not looking to hike or lodge, but was wondering if anyone knows any areas nearby to park overnight. TIA

Hi all! My boyfriend and I are from Michigan and we applied to Grand Canyon National Park. We applied together, mentioned each others names etc, I just had my interview today and his is tomorrow. I was told on the phone that while Grand Canyon National Park DOES accommodate for couples housing; it’s unavailable currently and we would need to be put on a waitlist. Here’s the catch, we can’t be put on the waitlist until arriving to the park and being assigned a temporary room with a different roommate. I guess we’re both curious as to how long we would be on the waitlist-we’re planning to do seasonal work from May-October and we would hate to go the entire time without being able to see one another at the end of the night. Any help/information or even tips would be greatly appreciated; we’re trying to decide if the circumstances are worth flying across the country for.

I'm somewhat beginner I'd like to do 3.5 miles or so at sunrise tomorrow . Should I just run along the rim? Or is there something better

Long time lurker as I’ve planned a trip to the GC and it’s finally almost here. Just wanted to say that this sub has been incredibly helpful to me. I’m sure the locals get sick of the same questions over and over and over, but still generously provide their guidance. I’ve learned so much and seem to get a different take each time.

So thank you, all! My trip will be a lot better because of you lovely strangers!

Hello Everyone!

It’s my 1st trip to the Grand Canyon and I’m looking into being able to see the sunrise this Saturday. Any recommendations of a stop that will work for a 1st timer?

I’m driving from Flagstaff (staying Fri & Sat), also 1st time there, and wanted to hear recommendations. Im not looking into hiking too much this trip, Im not in the same shape I was after a minor surgery 🫣. Im use to going on long hikes, I talked myself into checking a sunrise and then my next trip I’ll be able to enjoy hiking. Thanks in advance!

My family and I are visiting flagstaff this summer. We plan to visit GCNP south rim for 1 or 2 days. Do you have any recommendations? The kids are 7 and 8. We enjoy hiking and all things family friendly! Any and all other recommendations for the trip are welcome!

Hey I'm visiting the US in May and planning to do the rim to river hike in one day at the beginning of May. I'm interested in tipps and helpful recommendations. I'm trying to get an idea how hard it really is. Currently I'm really fit, doing a lot of sports and running marathons. Do you think it is possible or is it too dangerous to do it at the beginning of May? If you think so, can you recommend any campsites at the river?

Thanks for advice and greetings from Germany

Not a lot of options in the gc village, I'd be happy with a decent burger lol. Anything. Traveling outside of the park would be fine too just seems everything is very far. Not even complaining, it's obviously just piss-poor planning on my part. Would love any advice for breakfast, lunch, dinner options for the next 72 hrs.. thank you!

Probably going to wake up and do a hike in Sedona before we check out, then grab some food and hit the road. Looking for lunch spots, roadside oddities, short-ish hikes or wanderings along the way. Cant check in til 3 anyway so would love to take our time and just see what's available to us between Sedona and GC? My kid loves crystals, Native American history/crafts, aliens, whatever. Thanks in advance

Hi everyone, I'm going to be in Vegas in mid June and my family and I want to make a trip to the Grand Canyon while we're nearby. We will spend the day in Vegas on a Wednesday, plan on heading to GC on Thursday, and have to fly out to Los Angeles sometime that weekend (flexible schedule!). We could stay overnight if it's recommended! We are 6 adults and 1 child.

1. Should we rent a car or book a tour from Vegas? What time do you recommend we leave?
2. As first timers, should we go to North Rim or South Rim? I've heard North Rim is not as populated but since it'll be our first time I don't think the crowds would bother us as much, we just want the best views and experience!
3. We don't necessarily have to drive back to Vegas on Thursday. Any overnight recommendations or stops?
4. We will be traveling with a 55 and 67 year old couple, as well as a 10 year old. Any hikes that are recommended for all ages?

Thank you all in advance!

I have a permit for Havasupai Gardens campground in August and I'm planning on not hiking between 10am and 4pm. My plan is to hike down from South Kaibab at 5 am, rest in the middle of the day, hike to the campground in the late afternoon & evening, then leave at 5 am the next morning. I'll add that I'm born and raised in Tucson and accustomed to heat.

I chose Havasupai to break up the elevation gain into 2 days, but I'm wondering if there are ample places to rest near the river or if you are permitted to rest at Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch without setting up camp. If not I may need to change my itinerary

Me and my partner are planning a trip for mid-May. I realize it may be too late to make reservations, but I'd still like to explore my options. Please help me with these:

1. We are not super comfortable driving, having just gotten our licenses. How hard is the drive from Phoenix to GC?
2. Will probably have to stay in Tusayan for the south rim part. For the north rim, the usual suggestions: in-park lodge, Jacob Lake Inn and Kaibab Lodge seems booked out, are there any other options at all? We don't want to camp. Is North Rim just not an option then, because there's nowhere to stay?
3. What all is there to do in the North Rim?
4. How many days are sufficient at the South rim?

Thanks in advance!!