Ribbon Falls from Bright Angel Camp

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

If you are spending more than one night in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or if you are running cross-canyon on the North Kaibab Trail, be sure to save time and energy for seeing Ribbon Falls. You won't want to miss it. This route is shown as an out-and-back from Bright Angel Campground/Phantom Ranch for those who are spending a day at one of those accommodations. However, if you are passing the Ribbon Falls Trail anyway (en route to Cottonwood Campground, Roaring Springs or the North Rim), then it's best done as a side hike from North Kaibab Trail.

Ribbon Falls is one of the few year-round waterfalls in the Grand Canyon, and it is truly a sight to behold. The spring-fed stream plummets about 100 feet, freefalling for the first half and then cascading over a dome of moss-lined travertine--limestone formed by deposition from the mineral-rich springwater.

On a hot day in the Canyon, in this low-elevation section where shade is scarce, Ribbon Falls is a like a dream. After taking a dip in the chilly pool at the bottom, you can scramble up around the falls and stand behind them. Although relatively accessible, Ribbon Falls still requires significant planning and effort to visit, but it's well worth it!

The spur to Ribbon Falls is located along the North Kaibab Trail, about 6 miles up from Phantom Ranch and about 1 mile down from Cottonwood Campground. Get there by making and out-and-back from either camp or as a side trip while hiking North Kaibab.

There used to be a bridge that crossed Bright Angel Creek to get to the falls, but this was removed due to structural damage. There was always a "Ribbon Falls via Creek" route, however, located several hundred yards south and on the other side of a low hill from the bridge route. You can still use this way to get to falls by fording the creek, or you can ford near the old bridge site. It's not too difficult but does require getting wet.

This waterfall site for Zuni Native Americans, who traditionally consider Chimik'yana'kya Dey'a (Ribbon Falls) their people's place of emergence into the world.