Rim Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A spectacular, family-friendly run along the Grand Canyon's southern rim. Plenty of barely believable viewpoints along this trail that make for short and wonderful side trips to your adventure.

In winter, surfaces may be slippery when icy or snowy.

Begin from any viewpoint in Grand Canyon Village or along Hermit Road. You are also able to access the trail from many of the shuttle bus stops.

The Rim Trail stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermits Rest, a distance of approximately thirteen miles (21 km), most of the trail is paved. Between Pipe Creek Vista and Bright Angel Lodge, only a few short sections of the trail have grades that exceed accessibility standards.

West of Bright Angel Lodge, the Rim Trail narrows and climbs the Bright Angel Fault to viewpoints along Hermit Road. Between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista, the trail is a three-foot wide dirt trail. The section of the Rim Trail between Monument Creek Vista and Hermits Rest is also known as the Hermit Road Greenway Trail.

There is shade along the Rim Trail, which is great on a hot summer day. Most of the trail is paved and makes for excellent walking with quiet views of the inner canyon, or just for visitors who desire an easy run with minimal elevation change. However, please beware of lightning during summer thunderstorms.