Most of the hikes found in this guidebook are located in Grand Canyon National Park, but a few are located further afield outside of the park—most notably, Havasu Falls.

This is the most visually stunning trail on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Following a ridgeline that juts toward the canyon center, it deals jaw-dropping views the entire way. When compared to Bright Angel Trail, the other major route to the canyon floor, South Kaibab takes a more direct approach and deals a better “bang for your buck” in scenery. It is more exposed to heat and wind, however, and has no water available except for the very beginning and end of the trail.

North Kaibab is the premier hike of the North Rim, and the only maintained trail connecting rim and river on this side. It links with South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails at Bright Angel Campground in the bottom of the canyon, both of which travel to the South Rim. Thus, North Kaibab is part of the famed Rim to Rim hike across the Grand Canyon. Even as a standalone, North Kaibab Trail is one of the most phenomenal hikes in the entire country.

Bright Angel is the most popular trail below the rim in Grand Canyon National Park. It is the only trail from the South Rim that has water stops and a campground along the way. South Kaibab Trail, the other major route into the canyon, has water only at the beginning and end. Bright Angel Trail is also shadier and generally less exposed to the elements—thus it is the rim-to-river route favored by most, especially during the warmer months.

For experienced desert hikers, the Hermit Trail route is a beautiful choice. The trek begins at 6,420' and descends 1,720' over 3 miles to the turn-around about a mile after Santa Maria Spring. The Hermit Trail continues for nearly 6 miles, ultimately reaching the Colorado River. It can be done as a backpacking trip as well.

For experienced desert hikers, the Hermit Trail route is a beautiful choice. The trek begins at 6,420' and descends 1,720' over 3 miles to the turn-around about a mile after Santa Maria Spring. The Hermit Trail continues for nearly 6 miles, ultimately reaching the Colorado River. It can be done as a backpacking trip as well.

The Grandview Trail is an absolutely gorgeous 3.1-mile, 2,500-foot descent to Horseshoe Mesa. As a threshold trail, the first part of the descent is way too narrow, steep and gnarly for most casual tourists, so experienced, fit hikers will have the trek mostly to themselves. As a threshold trail, there is little maintenance done, so in some places where the trail is covered in rockfall, hikers will have to scramble to get to the other side.

This is the most visually stunning trail on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Following a ridgeline that juts toward the canyon center, it deals jaw-dropping views the entire way. When compared to Bright Angel Trail, the other major route to the canyon floor, South Kaibab takes a more direct approach and deals a better “bang for your buck” in scenery. It is more exposed to heat and wind, however, and has no water available except for the very beginning and end of the trail.

Cape Royal provides unobstructed, panoramic views of the canyon that are second to none. The Cape is a finger of rock that juts out into the Grand Canyon at one of its widest points. You can see clear across the canyon to the South Rim, many of the “temples” that rise within the canyon, and the Colorado River snaking through the bottom. Along the way are other breathtaking views, including a glimpse through Angels Window, a natural arch in the canyon rim.

Point Imperial is the high point of the Grand Canyon—no other spot on the rim is located at a greater elevation above sea level. The view is especially impressive not only for its elevated perspective but also for the canyon features it overlooks. Mount Hayden is the most obvious: it’s a narrow pinnacle of sandstone emerging from a ridgeline dead ahead. The background of more distant rock towers is so dense that the river in the bottom of the canyon is hidden from view.