Phantom Ranch Mule Rides

Denise Traver

Denise worked for years as Grand Canyon National Park backcountry ranger and then as a field instructor for the Grand Canyon Field Institute. She shares what she learned working with the public and during her own backpacking experiences.

For a fun way to learn about other’s Grand Canyon mule rides or to share your experience, visit this Grand Canyon Mule Riders and Wrangler Appreciation Facebook page.

Follow along with Bryan and Kelli Millican as they share a slideshow of their mule ride to Phantom Ranch and back.

(The information below was taken directly from the Grand Canyon National Park Lodge’s Mule Rides page. It is provided here for information only. You need to contact them directly for current information and to make reservations.)

2-Hour Canyon Vistas Mule Ride

Grand Canyon mule riders are able to take in the breathtaking vistas of Grand Canyon National Park while traveling along the rim of the canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodges offer a four-mile, three-hour mule activity (two-hours in the saddle) that departs five miles east of the Historic Grand Canyon Village at the Yaki Barn.

Bus transportation is included to and from Yaki Barn and the Historic Village Livery Barn. The mule ride travels along the East Rim Trail built by the National Park Service.

Wranglers will stop at least six times along the trail to provide interpretive information about the geologic formations, human history, fire ecology, and more. There are up to 20 riders per departure.

March 1st through October 31st: The Mule Ride departs at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
November 1st through February 28/29th: The Mule Ride departs at 9:00 a.m.
Reservations: Visit Grand Canyon National Park Lodge’s Mule Rides page for pricing and to book reservations.

All riders must be present to check-in at the Bright Angel Lodge’s transportation desk preferably the day before the ride or at least one and a half hours before departure time.

All riders must be at the Historic Village Livery Barn 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. A short interpretive tour to the Yaki Barn and back is part of the adventure.

Overnight Rides to Phantom Ranch

This remarkable adventure begins at the stone corral adjacent to the historic Bright Angel Lodge. Here our Livery Manager will prepare you for the ride by reviewing the safety requirements and provide you with information about the trail and Grand Canyon.

Next, our Wranglers will saddle you up and prepare you for your adventure. The descent down the Bright Angel Trail is 10.5 miles and will take approximately 5 ½ hours.

No worries, there are rest stops along the way. You will enjoy a box lunch at Indian Garden, and then proceed along the rock face of the Inner Gorge, across the Colorado River on the Suspension Bridge, and up Bright Angel Canyon on the north side of the river to Phantom Ranch.

Overnight mule rides stay the night at Phantom Ranch, a rustic historic oasis nestled deep in the canyon. Each cabin is furnished with bunk beds, sink, toilet, bedding, soap, and hand towels. Showers and bath towels are available.

On the evening you arrive you will enjoy a hearty meal served family-style in the Phantom Ranch Canteen.

After breakfast the morning of your departure, you return via the South Kaibab Trail.

The ride back up is about 7.8 miles (5.5 hours). Upon your return to the rim, you will be met by a driver who will bring you and your party back to the Bright Angel Lodge.

If you have special dietary needs, such as glucose intolerance or food allergies, please advise the reservation agent at the time of booking. Phantom Ranch will do their best to accommodate all special requests.

One-night ride (available year-round)

Phantom Ranch accommodations.
Sack lunch, steak dinner, and breakfast.
Rates are subject to change without notice.
Reservations: Visit Grand Canyon National Park Lodge’s Mule Rides page for pricing and to book reservations.

Two-night ride (available November to March only)

Phantom Ranch accommodations.
Breakfast and sack lunch for both days.
Steak dinner on the first night and stew dinner on the second night.
Rates are subject to change without notice.
Reservations: Visit Grand Canyon National Park Lodge’s Mule Rides page for pricing and to book reservations.

We provide a small plastic bag (approximately the size of a 10-pound bag of ice) for essential toiletries, extra clothing, swimsuit, etc.

Duffel service is available for additional personal items at an additional charge. Duffel service must be reserved and purchased in advance. In order to avoid late fees or charges for extra duffels, duffels must be dropped off on time and must meet weight and dimension requirements.

Guest is responsible for providing their own duffel. C-pap machines may be carried in by duffel service, or in the mule saddlebag, depending on the size. Please advise the booking agent if you will have a C-pap machine.

All riders must be present to check-in at the Bright Angel Lodge’s transportation desk preferably the day before the ride or at least two hours before departure time.

All riders must be at the stone corral, across from the Bright Angel Trail Head, in Grand Canyon Village 15 minutes before the designated time given at check-in.

Phantom Ranch Mule Ride Photos

Follow along with Bryan and Kelli Millican as they share a slideshow of their mule ride to Phantom Ranch and back out by clicking on the thumbnails below.

Phantom Ranch Mule Ride by Kelli Millican

Photo credit: Grand Canyon mules by Kelli Millican

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2-Hour Canyon Vistas Mule Ride

Overnight Rides to Phantom Ranch

One-night ride (available year-round)

Two-night ride (available November to March only)

Phantom Ranch Mule Ride Photos

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