Dawn Outdoors contributor Kristen has spent tons of time hiking in the Grand Canyon, including completing the tough Rim to Rim hike in a single day! So you can trust that she has all the insider info on the Bright Angel Trail.

This Bright Angel Trail guide includes:

• Know before you go – key info about location, permits, when to go, and more
• Bright Angel Trail stats – length, duration, difficulty and elevation gain/loss
• Bright Angel Trail map – a custom map showing all the key locations
• Mile-by-mile Bright Angel Trail overview – what to expect every step of the way
• Info about connecting trails so you can vary or extend your hike

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Know Before You Go

Location: Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim (Grand Canyon Village)

Closest Cities: Flagstaff, Williams, or Tusayan (all in Arizona)

Fees: $35 per vehicle to enter Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim) – good for up to 7 consecutive days

Permits: No permits are required for a day hike of the Bright Angel Trail. (You only need a permit if you are camping overnight along the trail.)

Best Time of Year to Hike: Fall, winter, or spring

Best Time of Day to Start Hike: Early morning

Parking: Multiple parking areas near the trailhead

Facilities: Bathrooms and water refill stations near the trailhead, at parking lots, and along the trail

Lodging: There are lodges, hotels, and campgrounds both at the South Rim within Grand Canyon Village, and just outside the National Park borders.

Pets: Not allowed on the Bright Angel Trail

Weather: Summer temperatures are regularly over 100°F. In spring and fall, temperatures of 40-80°F are common. Winter temperatures are usually between 35°F and 60°F. Check the weather before your hike. Check out these tips for hiking in hot weather.

Tours: Going with a guide can make your hike safer and more enjoyable. There are several popular Bright Angel Trail hiking tours you can book.

A Quick Note on Safety

It is important to note that the official stance of the National Park Service recommends against hiking Rim to River in one day. While it is doable as a day hike, hiking the entire Bright Angel Trail should not be done on a whim, and should not be done unprepared. It requires months of intentional training, the proper gear, and the right mindset. Here are a couple key questions to ask yourself when preparing to hike the Bright Angel Trail:

• do you have experience hiking long distance day hikes?
• do you have experience hiking 4,000+ feet of elevation gain in one day?
• have you trained extensively / committed to training for the Bright Angel Trail?
• do you have a portable water system and backup filter system?
• do you have the proper food and snacks?
• do you have the proper gear, including a first aid kit, emergency shelter, daypack, and proper footwear?
• are you comfortable hiking in triple digit temperatures with minimal shade?
• have you researched the trail and know where water, bathrooms, and your break spots are located?
  

If you are not properly trained, or do not have experience with long distance day hikes of this nature, it is not recommended to hike the Bright Angel Trail in one day. Instead, consider an earlier turn around point, like roundtrip to Havasupai Gardens Campground and back.  

Bright Angel Trail Stats

Length: 19 miles (30.5 km) round-trip

Duration: 10-13 hours (including breaks)

Rating: Very Difficult

Highest Elevation: 7,200 feet (2,195 meters)

Lowest Elevation: 2,500 feet (762 meters)

Elevation Gain/Loss: 4,800 feet (1,463 meters)

Bright Angel Trail Map

Here’s a custom Bright Angel Trail map that we made just for you using Gaia GPS. It shows the locations of all the points of interest along the trail.

Bright Angel Trail Overview

The payoff for hiking the Bright Angel Trail is indescribable, but it comes with a proportional amount of challenge! 

Descending Bright Angel Trail to the bottom of the largest canyon in the United States and then hiking back up, otherwise known as a Rim to River hike, is a feat not to be underestimated. So before you take on the Bright Angel Trail, make sure you are prepared with the right training and the right gear!

This trail is long and challenging and hikers need to be rescued every year. If you aren’t sure about your abilities, consider turning around at Havasupai Gardens (or making the side trek to Plateau Point) instead of continuing down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Parking

The Bright Angel trailhead is located in Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, in Grand Canyon Village. There are multiple parking lots in the vicinity of the trailhead. 

There are also free park shuttle buses that pick up at the South Rim Visitor’s Center and drop off at the Bright Angel trailhead. 

During peak season and peak hours, expect parking to fill up quickly. Just another good reason to arrive early and start hiking early!

Trailhead

Almost immediately, the breathtaking views begin the moment you step on the Bright Angel Trail.  It is also an immediate descent down. 

The first 4 miles of the Bright Angel Trail switchback down the South Rim canyon wall. The trail is well maintained here, and there are several places on this portion of the trail with bathrooms and water refill stations.

Mile 1.5 and Mile 3 Resthouses

The first place you will find bathrooms and water is at the Mile 1.5 Resthouse, which is 1.5 miles from the start of the Bright Angel Trail. 

The second is the 3 Mile Resthouse, which is 3 miles down from the start of the Bright Angel Trail. However, sometimes the resthouses are closed or the water is shut off, so it is always important to check the National Park’s website prior to starting your hike.

Regardless, always bring enough water with you, a minimum of 3 liters, and refill as often as you can.

After passing both Resthouses, hikers will continue descending until they reach the bottom of the South Rim wall, and the trail begins to level out. This brief level portion of the Bright Angel Trail leads to the lush canyon oasis of Havasupai Gardens Campground, a favorite among hikers!  

Havasupai Gardens (Mile 4.5)

Havasupai Gardens Campground (sometimes called Indian Garden) is located 4.5 miles from the start of the trail. While you may not expect to find green life, tall trees, and a babbling creek in the heart of this red rock canyon environment, that is exactly what you will find at Havasupai Gardens Campground.

With bathrooms, water, and shade, this is the perfect spot to take a quick break, refuel, and rehydrate, before continuing on. If you want to make the side trip to Plateau Point, it starts at Havasupai Gardens. (See the Connecting Trails section below for more details.)

Departing from Havasupai Gardens Campground, the trail stays relatively level and flat for a brief portion, as it parallels Garden Creek and shallow canyon walls. You will pass the turn-off for the Tonto Trail not long after leaving Havasupai Gardens. (See Connecting Trails below for more.)

There is another series of downhill switchbacks that carry you further deep into the Grand Canyon until the trail converges next to Pipe Creek.  

Hikers will continue to follow the trail as it weaves through the canyon parallel to Pipe Creek until the walls begin to open up. You can catch your first glimpse of the mighty Colorado River at Pipe Creek Resthouse and Pipe Creek Beach!  

Pipe Creek Resthouse (Mile 7.7)

Pipe Creek Resthouse and Beach are mile 7.7 from the trailhead. There are bathrooms and a water refill station here.

While the use of the word “beach” makes it sound like this is a good spot to wade into the river, do not do so!  The Colorado River and its current can be deceptively dangerous. 

Instead, continue on along the trail as it overlooks the Colorado River below and to the left.  Your next landmark looming in the distance is the Silver Suspension Bridge across the Colorado River!

Bright Angel Campground (Mile 9.5)

The Silver Suspension Bridge over the Colorado River carries you the rest of the way to the halfway point of your hike because after you cross it you will have arrived at Bright Angel Campground and the end of the Bright Angel Trail. 

This is not only the turnaround spot in this out-and-back hike, but it is also an ideal place to take a meal, rest, and hydration break in the shade of this surprisingly foliaged and protected location in the canyon. 

Top it off by taking your socks and shoes off and soaking your tired feet in the icy Bright Angel Creek that runs through the campground! Just be sure to pack a second pair. Bright Angel Campground marks mile 9.5 on the 19-mile round-trip Bright Angel Trail.

Starting the Return Trip

After departing Bright Angel Campground, hikers will head back the way they came, cross back over the Silver Suspension Bridge on the Colorado River. Hang a right to stay on the Bright Angel Trail. (Left will take you up the South Kaibab Trail – details on that below.) Get ready for the hardest part of the hike – the climb up and out!

This time, you will pass by the Colorado River on your right side, as you head back towards Pipe Creek Beach and Resthouse. 

For hikers that started at daybreak or early morning as recommended, this portion of the trail will likely be receiving a good amount of direct sunlight by now. It will warm up very quickly, even in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Take care to hydrate consistently from this point on! These tips for hiking in hot weather can help.

Things will stay majority flat with some minor sections of incline as you pass by Pipe Creek Beach and Resthouse, but remember those downhill switchbacks following Havasupai Gardens Campground? Well, you have to climb back up them now, and in stronger sun and warmer temperatures. 

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Dip your shirt or cooling towel in every creek crossing you encounter, and know that when you finish climbing up the switchbacks, you will be almost to Havasupai Gardens Campground and a welcome break spot!

Havasupai Gardens (Mile 14.5)

When you reach Havasupai Gardens Campground, you will be at mile 14.5. Since the final climb up the South Rim wall is approaching, it is a good idea to take a final break to rest, refuel, and rehydrate in the shade of Havasupai Gardens Campground. 

The good news is that the worst of the full sun and temperatures are over, as they will continue to lessen as the elevation gains, and the sun gets lower in the sky.  

The Final Climb to Mile 19

There is no easy or quick way to finish the last 4.5 miles up the Bright Angel Trail. It is a slow, gruelling climb up the South Rim switchbacks, but don’t forget to stop, rest, and appreciate the magnificent views over the canyon from this unique perspective, as you soak in the surrealness of what you have accomplished so far. 

And know that all the hard work is almost paying off!  If you look hard, you can even see the green spot below that is Havasupai Gardens Campground getting smaller and smaller!

Mile 19 concludes back at the top of a hard-earned climb of the South Rim wall, and the Bright Angel Trailhead!

Connecting Trails

While this guide is aimed at day hiking the Bright Angel Trail roundtrip point to point, it is possible to connect to other trails in the Grand Canyon when on the Bright Angel Trail.  

You can take the short Plateau Point spur trail from Havasupai Gardens Campground to enjoy a breathtaking lower viewpoint over the canyon. It is 1.5 miles each way from Havasupai Gardens to Platea Point. The trail is nearly flat.

You can also connect to the Tonto Trail just south of Havasupai Gardens Campground. The Tonto Trail is a popular backpacking route between Bright Angel Trailhead and Hermit Trailhead, for a total distance of 24.8 miles.

You can connect to the South Kaibab Trail on the south side of the Silver Suspension Bridge over the Colorado River. You can climb up and out of the South Rim via the 6.5-mile-long South Kaibab Trail, but it is important to note that there are no water sources on the South Kaibab Trail. That is why the Bright Angel Trail is highly recommended and safer.  Also, the South Kaibab Trail is steeper than the Bright Angel Trail, and therefore, slightly more difficult.

Finally, for those who want to take on one of the hardest long-distance day hikes in the country, you can connect to the North Kaibab Trail to complete a Rim to Rim hike.  A Rim to Rim hike is a 24-mile-long roundtrip hike from South to North Rim (or North to South Rim), via the Bright Angel Trail and the North Kaibab Trail, which join in Bright Angel Campground.

Thanks to Kristen for sharing this great guide to hiking the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. You can read more about Kristen’s adventures on her website, Yonderlust Ramblings.

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• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• Tips and Tricks for Hiking in the Desert

The post Hike the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

In this epic outdoors Arizona road trip itinerary, you will learn the best places to hike, kayak, eat, camp, and more as you make your way from Phoenix all the way to northern Arizona. 

Dawn Outdoors contributor Jess from Unearth the Voyage has spent tons of time road tripping, hiking, and camping in the American Southwest, so you can trust that she’s got all the inside info on the places to stop on an Arizona road trip.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

This epic outdoor-focused Arizona road trip starts in the capital of Phoenix. This is where you can rent a car or campervan/RV for your trip. I use Discover Cars to book rental cars since it lets you compare rates across tons of rental companies.

Along the way you’ll stop in:

• Sedona
• Flagstaff
• The Grand Canyon 
• Page

I’ve put together a custom Arizona Road Trip Map in Google Maps for you that includes every single place Jess recommends in this post. Click through to zoom in.

This road trip across Arizona covers about 400 miles. You could see some of the sights in as little as five days, but to really savor the trip and see everything, Jess recommends taking at least 10 days.

This road trip itinerary is designed to do on your own with a rental car. But if you prefer, you can book a guided tour. This five-star-rated small-group tour goes to both Sedona and the Grand Canyon from Phoenix.

Things to Do on This Epic Arizona Road Trip

Sedona

Your first stop on your outdoor Arizona road trip will be Sedona. There are so many fun outdoor adventures to be had in Sedona including hiking, swimming in swimming holes, off-roading, and visiting vortexes.

Soldier Pass Trail

There are a crazy amount of incredible trails to choose from in Sedona, but one of the best hikes is the Soldier Pass Trail. This hike is a total of 4.5 miles. But if you want to add an off-shoot to the really neat cave along the way add an extra mile to your hiking stats. 

It’s also important to know that the parking lot for this trail is really small and fills up quickly. Jess recommends either getting there really early in the morning, or parking at ​​Jordan Road Trailhead. It has a few more spots but will add another 0.5 miles to your overall hike.

The hike itself starts out with incredible views over the red cliffs Sedona is famous for. You will also pass by the Devil’s Sinkhole which is a really cool feature of this trail as well. 

Grasshopper Point Swimming Hole

After you work up a sweat from your hike, head to Grasshopper Point for a dip in the cool Oak Creek. This area of Oak Creek is absolutely gorgeous and has some outstanding views that are a bit different from the red rock scenery you see in Sedona. 

It’s a short hike down to the water. Once you get to the bottom of the hill you’ll have to do some hopping about on some small boulders to make it to the river. Make sure you bring some good water shoes or hiking boots. 

Schnebly Hill Road

Schnebly Hill Road is one of the best 4×4 roads in Sedona to see some really spectacular views and enjoy the challenge of driving a tough 4×4 road. 

This road also takes you to one of the strongest vortexes in Sedona, the Schnebly Hill vortex. The vortex is located at the top of one of the highest plateaus in Sedona where you can look out and see views for miles.

What is a vortex? These special spots are places where energy is believed to be either entering into or projecting out of the earth. They are found in sacred sites around the world like Machu Picchu, Stonehenge, and the Great Pyramids. Some people believe that the spiralling energy at these vortexes can lead to spiritual transformations. There are several vortexes around Sedona.

If you don’t have a 4×4, you can go on a jeep adventure tour with a local guide instead. This five-star-rated jeep tour visits Cathedral Rock, Thunder Mountain, Bear Mountain, and more.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a great town to stop off in and fuel up for the rest of your adventures to come. It is a fairly large town so there are lots of groceries stores and outdoor stores to grab anything you might need for the rest of your trip.

Flagstaff also has an array of delicious restaurants and breweries. Head to Mother Road Brewing for lunch and a taste of beer before continuing on to the Grand Canyon for your next stop. 

Historic downtown Flagstaff also has a reputation for being haunted! The best way to explore Flagstaff’s creepy past is with a local guide. The popular hour-long Downtown Flagstaff Haunted History tour visits all the best ghost-vibe sites.

Grand Canyon National Park

The next fantastic stop on this road trip is the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon National Park is located 1.5 hours north of Flagstaff and is a beautiful scenic drive to get there.

Once you’re at the Grand Canyon, some of the best things to do is head out on a hike and/or rent bikes and bike along the rim of the canyon. 

Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular hike at the Grand Canyon’s south rim. It’s a trail that leads down to the bottom of the magnificent canyon straight to the Colorado River. It’s 9.8 miles (one way) to get to the bottom of the canyon. Many people will do this trail as an overnight hike to camp at the bottom at Bright Angel Campground. Then, they hike back up the next day.

If you’re not into the idea of hiking so much, it’s totally possible to hike just a small section of the Bright Angel trail. There is actually a great turn-around point at 1.5 miles down the trail at a resthouse. This still offers incredible views out, over, and down into the canyon without having to hike nearly 10 miles straight up a very steep trail. 

The terrain and heat can be challenging, so going with a guide is a great option. This day-long Bright Angel Trail guided hike can be customized to suit your ability and preferences.

Biking Hermit Road 

Renting a bike and biking along Hermit Road is another one of the best things you can do at the Grand Canyon. This 7-mile paved road has a bike trail that meanders along the rim of the Grand Canyon. The road is actually closed to traffic besides the Grand Canyon shuttle, so you won’t have to worry about any traffic while you’re enjoying your views. 

Once you get to the end of the road make sure to check out Hermit’s Rest. It’s a cute little shop and viewpoint area where you can grab an ice cream. From here you can decide to either bike back or put your bikes on the shuttle and ride back. 

Page

Next up on this epic Arizona road trip is Page, a small town in northern Arizona right next to the Utah border. Page is 2.5 hours north of the south rim of the Grand Canyon and is a fairly easy scenic drive to get there.

Even though it may not seem like it, there are a ton of outdoor things to do in Page. Jess recommends hiking to the Horseshoe Bend overlook, checking out the incredible Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, and kayaking on Lake Powell.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a huge canyon carved by the Colorado River that flows in the shape of, you guessed it, a horseshoe. The hike to see the overlook is 1.5 miles round trip and is fairly flat. However, it can get brutally hot in this area of the country so it’s best to check out Horseshoe Bend early in the morning before the sun is high in the sky. 

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is one of the most incredible slot canyons in the entire world and is definitely something to not miss when on an Arizona road trip. The slot canyon is formed by flash floods, which created the crack in the ground with the classic smooth, tall walls you can see today.  

Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land and is sacred to the Navajo people. To avoid the canyon being vandalized and for safety reasons (flash floods are very common in this area) you have to go on a tour to see the slot canyons. There are a ton of amazing Antelope Canyon tours to choose from. Be sure to make reservations in advance as they book up quickly. 

Kayaking Lake Powell

If you are looking for a different kind of adventure, you can actually kayak to Antelope Canyon from the Antelope Point Marina on Lake Powell. The trip to get to Antelope Canyon isn’t the easiest, so make sure that everyone in your group is able to kayak a long distance. 

Once you reach the mouth of where Antelope Canyon connects to Lake Powell, you can park your kayak and hike up into the canyon to see some beautiful slot canyons without a guided tour. 

Where To Stay on this Arizona Road Trip

Sedona

There are a ton of places to stay in Sedona, but The Wilde Resort and Spa is one of the best places in the whole area. The views from the rooms are incredible and the hotel has a small boutique-like feel to it.

If you’re looking to camp while in Sedona, one of the best campgrounds is Pine Flat Campground. It’s located right outside of Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon. This campground is surrounded by incredible scenery and has some really neat hiking trails nearby. 

Grand Canyon 

The south rim of the Grand Canyon has a ton of options for places to stay. One of the best places to stay is The Grand Hotel. It has a ton of amenities such as a workout room, a restaurant and bar, and a gorgeous lodge-like atmosphere. 

If you’re looking to camp while visiting the Grand Canyon there aren’t a ton of options besides RV parks or the National Park campgrounds. Mather Campground located inside the park is the largest campground and has some great sites. Campgrounds here can book up really far in advance to make sure to grab reservations early. 

Page

Page doesn’t have a ton of unique properties to stay at, but they do have some nice new hotels located in town. One of the best hotels is Hyatt Place. It has really nice views from the rooms as well as the pool. They have a nice bar on site as well. 

If you’re looking to camp while in Page you can camp right next to Lake Powell at Lone Rock Beach just over the Utah border. Just make sure your camper/car can make it through deep sand.

If you’re looking for another option, check out The Canyons RV Park located right in town and only 10 minutes from Antelope Canyon. 

Thanks to Jess for sharing this incredible Arizona road trip itinerary. You can read more of Jess’ adventures on her website, Unearth the Voyage.

READ NEXT:

• Hike the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon
• 14 Best Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas
• 15 Best Easy Hikes in Moab
• 10 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• 9 Best Washington Road Trips
• 18 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
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• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip

The post Take an Epic Outdoors Arizona Road Trip appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.