Grand Canyon Trail Descriptions

Summary: Included below is a selection of useful trail guides in PDF format (Free Adobe Reader required) published by the National Park Service. The list covers many of the trails in the Grand Canyon. These guides discuss distances, trail conditions, steepness, water sources, getting to the trailhead and other useful information for that particular trail. Often included are the geologic and natural features to be found along the trail as well.

First on the list are the most popular trails, but you will also find the more remote trails of varying difficulty included here. The Bright Angel and the South Kaibab Trails are both located on the South Rim and are considered “Corridor Trails.” The North Kaibab Trail is located on the North Rim and is also a “Corridor Trail.” These three trails are the primary maintained trails in the Canyon. For more useful information, you’ll find a table that shows elevation, water spigots, restrooms, emergency phones, and more for key spots on these maintained trails on Grand Canyon’s Maintained Trails page.

Many people request equipment checklists. It is difficult to give a specific list since each trip requires different items depending on where you are going, how long the trip is, and what time of year you are taking it. With this in mind, the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute provides Equipment List & Hiker Notes to their Corridor trail classes. I am including it here for download in PDF format. It includes excellent training and food suggestions as well.

PDF Trail Descriptions

Bright Angel Trail – Day Hike
South Kaibab Trail – Day Hike
Bright Angel Trail
South Kaibab Trail
North Kaibab Trail
Corridor Brochure – All 3 trails above
Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa
Hermit Trail
Clear Creek Trail
Tanner Trail
Boucher Trail
South Bass Trail
Tonto Trail: Boucher to South Bass
Tonto Trail: Bright Angel to Hermit
Tonto Trail: Grandview to South Kaibab
New Hance Trail
Tuckup Trail
Escalante Route: Tanner Trail to New Hance Trail
Beamer Trail
Thunder River Trail and Deer Creek
North Bass Trail
Nankoweap Trail
Royal Arch Loop
Widforss Trail

Useful Notes

A Backcountry Permit is required to camp below the rim.
The latest information on trail closures and other important information can be found on the NPS Backcountry Updates and Closures page.
Grand Canyon offers videos with tips and planning advice for hiking the Canyon on this Backcountry Videocasts page.
And last, but not least, the PSAR (Preventative Search and Rescue) Rangers have compiled some excellent audio podcasts of “Hike Smart Tips” on topics such as Hiking with Infants & Toddlers and the The Ten Essentials.

Some recommended products below may include affiliate links for which I may receive a commission if purchased when clicking through. Please note that I only recommend products that I feel are worthy, and you will not pay any extra when purchasing through these links. Click here to read the full disclosure statement.

PDF Trail Descriptions

Useful Notes

Recommended Products