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    Mather Campground

    4.4 (143 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Temperature dropped as soon as we set up
    Jorge P.

    I've stayed here 3 times before, lastest was in April 2025. This place is so very clean, well kept, bathrooms are well maintained (even heater/AC), there's showers and places to do your laundry if needed. My family loved this place. When we went, it started snowing/sleeting around noon and the tewmperature dropped to 16 degrees, even with propane heaters we were struggling, so be aware. Great place though, will continue to visit often.

    Over the Fire Stew
    Travis T.

    I love this campground because it combines two of my loves - camping and national parks. Mather Campground is located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park within Grand Canyon Village. Mather is pretty large and has 327 sites. Each site has a fire ring, a picnic table and can accommodate up to 6 people. There are also flush toilets and drinking water on site. Pine loop is a tent-only area. Staying at Mather Campground is nice because you are nearby many of the lookout points and hiking trails. If you want to do some of the touristy stuff, the gift shops and visitor centers are all close by too. You can take the shuttle if you don't feel like driving to these areas. Even though the South Rim gets pretty crowed, Mather Campground still feels a little secluded from everything. There are lots of trees and the sites are pretty spacious. We were able to set up two large pop-up canopies and spread out our tents. We spend a part of our day hiking the Rim trail and checking out a couple lookout points. Then we headed back to our campsite where I made my infamous over-the-fire stew. Reservations can be made on recreation.gov.

    Campsite
    Omari D.

    This is a great campground depending on your level of "expertise" when it comes to camping. The Campground is located near the Grand Canyon (South Rim) and has great access (bicycle, car, or shuttle) to enjoy the area. If your a novice, or like things a bit simple when it comes to camping, this is a great location. Even for the experienced campers, they too were out in full force enjoying the grounds. Tent camping is doable in a limited area in each of the lots and the drivable loop around the campsites is easy to follow. We pitched a large tent in the area and stayed for 3 nights. We got some rain during the setup but nothing major. During June, the nights get a bit cool but nothing that's unbearable. Sinks & toilets were a short walk from our campsite while the showers were located towards the entrance. Running water was close by for our cooking & drinking needs along with the Elks :-) Wildlife A supermarket is located in the village (a bit pricier vs bringing something from home) so you don't have to worry about running out of food, ice or if you need anything. Already planning 2 trips as we had a great experience.

    Kim T.

    This campground was great! We chose to stay in the Pine loop which does not have any generators and we were happy that we made this choice. Everybody around us was super cool and respectful, even people who left early in the morning were very very quiet! The presence of bugling elk really made this special, not to mention that there's an amazing market right around the corner that pretty much has everything that you would possibly need. I packed like I was going to be on BLM land for 10 days but no need because you can get everything you need here:-) pretty great campground overall

    Rained a bit but we were prepared
    Kelsey A.

    Absolutely beautiful location. It's great if you like to camp close by people and having accommodations like toilets, running water, and a store near by. Normally I'm a primal camper so it wasn't ideal for people who like to potty in nature as opposed to a gross, public toilet. Definitely the downfall too. Having quiet hours enforced is nice since you have no option but to be around others. Everyone was respectful though. There are elk and mule deer that wander right through camp. You can see all the game trails throughout the grounds. The ravens are everywhere and the size of a standard chicken - also very smart. They have warnings about them. We had two spots for four days. We had tickets for a tour of antelope canyon but it rained so much flash floods were too intense so our expedition was cancelled. We drove back from Page and had a nice fire and food from Amadio Farms.

    Walter H.

    Couldn't check in when we got there - no cell phone service in the area. Made reservations ahead of time online. Stopped in when we arrived to check in at the office. There was a short line but it went smoothly and quickly. The campgrounds are well maintained. Each has a nice concrete picnic table and parking spot for a vehicle. Each also has a fire ring with a built in grate. While in reasonably close proximity to other campsites, you still have plenty of room. The restrooms were clean and well maintained. Be aware you must bring your own firewood from outside the campground. While you can buy small bundles at the general store (not far away), it's $10 a bundle and you'll need a couple bundles a night if you plan to use a fire. As with all campgrounds, you need to tend your fire or property dowse it with water when leaving the site unattended. Like any other campground, there's a mix of tent campers, RV, camper trailers etc. Quiet time from 10pm to 8am. We got to see lots of wildlife roaming throughout the area. With that in mind, all food as well as trash needs to be properly stored at all times!

    Dog not included
    Beth B.

    Disneyland of campgrounds but the location is awesome. Took my first camping trip as a single lady and stayed one night here. The weather broke records and I was grateful that I could chase shade all day in my spot due to all the trees. The spot was big, plenty of trees and not a far walk to the bathroom.

    Karen 2.

    this is an amazing campground it's well organized and fire pits are nice. great for tent camping!

    Love this campground so far! Elk everywhere.
    Kelly R.

    This is a fantastic campground and we have a great site on Pine loop. The sites are large, they each have plenty of trees and rocks a fire ring a cement picnic table and flat areas for your tent. The shuttle system can take you to the rim and also many hiking trails and other areas of interest nearby. I would highly recommend him we will be back. I would recommend bringing bikes for the kids and scooters if they would enjoy that all of the roads are asphalt and paved and in good repair. There are also biking trails that are away from the cars. However, A note of warning. We thought it was going to be in the 80s here because we looked up the weather in the weather app. It was below 30° last night and we were miserable in the tent. This is because we were not prepared for cold weather like this. * caveat: When you come make sure you look up the weather in the actual campground area not Grand Canyon in general. Hope this helps and we plan to come back.

    This bull wanted a piece of this cow.
    Scott W.

    My wife and I camped here for three nights. Super easy to get to and one of the few campgrounds actually INSIDE of the park at the South Rim. We made our reservation online six months in advance. It was incredibly easy. Check-in went very smooth with no issues at all. We even got there about 90 minutes early due to a GPS issue and they let us check-in and go to our site with no problems at all. The sites are all pull-through so you don't need to worry about backing into a tight space if you've got a big rig. The sites are also incredibly large. We have a fairly large 8' x 8' outdoor tent that we sit in outside and relax and eat inside . Plenty of room to put up the tent + the picnic table that is provided AND the fire pit. We visited from 09/11 to 09/14. It was very quiet, overall and the campground really wasn't busy at all. The bathrooms were quite clean and they were cleaned regularly. We were in the FIR LOOP and very close to the bathroom so it was incredibly convenient. But like most campgrounds, this ONE bathroom with just (3) stalls and (1) urinal was expected to withstand the use of multiple campers at several different sites. This was the weekend AFTER Labor Day and several open sites and it was STILL standing room only at certain times of the day in the bathroom. I'm not saying there should be one bathroom for every two camp sites, but damn - does 50 camp sites per bathroom seem at all realistic? Can't imagine what it would be like during peak season! To be fair, the idiots who have million-dollar motorhomes and multiple bathrooms in their rigs shouldn't be using the bathroom AT the campground, but for some reason - I guess they don't like shitting in their own toilet. In addition to one bathroom house being expected to sustain so many individuals, the sinks were clogged the whole time we were there. A little maintenance would have been cool. The only other gripe I had was Mather Campground's shower situation. According to their signage, they blamed it on COVID-19. So their shower house is only open from 6a to 12:45p. And again, it is ONE shower house meant to sustain HUNDREDS of campsites. My wife and I have a teardrop trailer with no bathroom (much less a shower) on board. We got up early the first day to hike part of the Bright Angel trail and of course, by the time we returned to the shower house - it was closed for the day. To the best of my knowledge, there is no mention of special shower hours on their website and planning a vacation around the hours of the shower house wasn't fun. To make matters even worse, when we showed up on time the second day to finally shower, we discovered it is a coin-operated shower and costs something like $2 per minute or something like that. I get it. You don't want some dude standing in the shower, sucking up all the hot water listening to the Diamondbacks game with his waterproof radio - but holy shit, sorry I didn't know I had to bring two rolls of quarters just so I could shower while camping. Again, I don't remember seeing this on their website nor is it in my e-mail reservation. My apologies if I missed this important info. All in all, we'd likely stay here again. Bring a few rolls of quarters. Plan our hiking schedule around the hours of the shower house. Other than that, very clean and recommended if you're camping at the north rim.

    Jeff S.

    We had a wonderful time at Fir Loop Site 98 in early August 2024. It was monsoon season with daily thunder, lightning and rain showers. These usually came in the afternoon or evening and lasted 1-2 hours. The thunder and lightning was stunning, a great part of the experience. Super cool vibe in the campground. Very clean and fragrant with pine. Europeans everywhere. We were a bit concerned about whether our 21 foot tent trailer would fit. The online specs say 15 ft, but the pics looked like the driveway could accommodate more. We emailed the camp office, and they invited us to come give it a try and would relocate us if necessary. But the trailer fit perfectly. At the campground you're in walking distance to the shower and market, though we chose to drive. It's a brief, 3-5 minute drive to the rim, GC Village and the visitor center. We saw little wildlife in the campground this time of year. Just the ravens. We loved camping here and can't wait to come again!

    Campsite #268
    Cease D.

    Stayed here at site 268 for 6 days and everything was great campsites were clean and staff were friendly and bathrooms were clean. This particular site was great but your options to set up are limited when tent camping as there is a layer of rock about 4 inches under the dirt so stakes won't go in all the way so I had only one stake in the ground at 3 others held down by rocks, but nothing too bad. Showers could use some updating but other than that it's a great stay. Campground is in perfect walking distance from the town store and the village and has paths off a few feet to the side of the road so your not waking on the street which is nice. Night skies are beautiful and really get a good view. Lots of wildlife that roam the campground so be careful of food and stuff but it's always a nice surprise to see elk passing through your campsite!

    Our visitor
    Kristine S.

    Holy cow. One of the best campgrounds we've stayed at. Beautiful, big sites with bathrooms very close by. Lots of wildlife, including elk, deer and rabbits that just hang around. We ate our dinner with a group of elk nearby. It was truly incredible! The sites are well taken care of, the camp general store is the best I've ever seen and there is a post office as well as bank right next to it. I loved how close the campground was to the rim and we visited multiple times! It was a wonderful stay at Mather. I would highly recommend this spot!!

    Great spot #62!

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    Camping with the family and there is so much to do. We couldn't even scratch the surface with 4 day trip. Super clean and great hosts.

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    Mather Campground Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mather Campground

    Is it possible to stay at a standard camp site with a little over 6 people (even though that's technically the maximum)?

    I don't think they'd give you too much of a hard time about it, especially if you ask them. The folks I've encountered have been pretty accommodating.

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    Review Highlights - Mather Campground

    Sinks & toilets were a short walk from our campsite while the showers were located towards the entrance.

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    Grand Canyon National Park - Visitor's Center

    Grand Canyon National Park

    4.8(1.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Despite being born and raised here, It took me over 30 years before finally seeing the Grand…read moreCanyon. It is mesmerizing, daunting, and caters to novices and experts alike. I should have gone sooner! Here are some tips: -Be prepared for a long line to get in when the weather's nice -Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks! You can go for miles without any sort of vendor -If you're afraid of heights, prepare to be MORTIFIED. There are steep drops everywhere, so beware! If you have the time, this is something you should enjoy over a long weekend. You can spend hours walking around and driving between the countless parking lots and still only see a fraction of what it has to offer. A real contender for best park in America, if not the world.

    GranTyke GrandCayon RoadTrip Episode 3 "There's a garden…read morespot, I'm told, where it's never too hot and it's never too cold.. Where you're never too young and you're never too old.. Where you're never too thin or tall.. And you're never, never, never too, too, too anything at all, Oh! You're not too mad and you're not too sane And you don't compare and you don't complain, All you do is just sit tight, 'cause it's all so, so, so, so down-right, right...:) We arrived at the South Rim very early, we parked in the Raven 1 Lot, up front, please remember where you parked..:) As you approach the edge of the Rim, You loose your breath in the exhilarating view of this Canyon. The Rock formations, the colour of the striations, the depth of the Canyon, with a River far below is quite mind boggling. We spent 6 hours exploring the South Rim from end to end. Free Shuttle busses help you make it back to the area of your car. Regardless of your age "you're a kid again"..:) As you hike, avoid stepping on loose dirt or rocks. We had no trouble. Our GranTyke liked our slower pace. We eventually made it to their Geology Museum which explains it all. This is a must destination for everyone. Simply the best, with no time restraints. Arriving very early gets you there before any crowds that might arrive. It was a slow day, so we had access to staff when needed. We avoided tours and did a self discovery trip so much fun and worthwhile. Bring lots of water and energy bars/food easy to grab and eat on the move. Though this was not our first trip to the Canyon, It was the First for our GranTyke, which made it seem like the first for us..:) Ha-ha-ha! Ho-ho-ho! And a couple of tra-la-las.. That's how we laugh the day away.. In The Merry Old Grand Canyon Best, Avram WizardOz Jr.

    Photos
    Grand Canyon National Park - There is no better VIEW than this one. #gcnp

    There is no better VIEW than this one. #gcnp

    Grand Canyon National Park - Pima Point

    Pima Point

    Grand Canyon National Park - Pima Point

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    Pima Point

    Grand Canyon Camper Village - SOUVENIRS !!!!

    Grand Canyon Camper Village

    2.4(86 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    Great staff and walking distance to a Starbucks and other goods. Close to the highway, but road…read morenoise was minimal. The campground was clean, well maintained. Had solid service with the Verizon network. Showers were paid for use with tokens purchased at the front desk. The tokens were refundable. You also see elk walking around in the morning which is a bonus.

    I'm kind of rooting for this park. I understand the negative reviews due to the age of the park,…read morebut hey, I'm old too so grace all around! Please try to keep an open mind...Not a 5 star campground by appearance but we had a great experience here. Pros: Nicest staff ever Wide and long drive through site -(intentional and thoughtful of mgmt) Not too crowded Quiet Only 1 mile from Grand Canyon entrance Walking distance: Market, Starbucks, McDonald's and other village shops and restaurants Good cell service w/ ATT and no issues with Starlink connectivity or solar Excellent communication during county mandated planned fire related power outage. Made sure everyone had ice, could run generators, offered glow sticks, etc. Offered to discount or free us from our reservation if we wanted to leave over this unexpected issue but we were good with portable power. Cons: It is old but if you just need a base camp you can't beat the location so it's worth the price savings and proximity to the Grand Canyon If you want kid entertainment like a playground or pool you will not find that here Older bathrooms but didn't need them

    Photos
    Grand Canyon Camper Village - Family time together

    Family time together

    Grand Canyon Camper Village - View of the Grand Canyon protected by a guard rail

    View of the Grand Canyon protected by a guard rail

    Grand Canyon Camper Village - Family enjoys the view

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    Family enjoys the view

    Phantom Ranch

    Phantom Ranch

    4.5(67 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$$

    It is very silly to write a Yelp review of a place that's nearly impossible to get a reservation…read moreat. But I do compulsively write Yelp reviews of everywhere I eat, so here goes. Location aside, the "hiker's stew" is genuinely an excellent stew. Good quality big chunks of beef and a really savory broth that lets you know just how long it was cooked. Some vegetables (corn) are likely canned, but that was both a minor issue and to be expected given the location. Overall it's genuinely very tasty. Salad was fresh but unremarkable. Cornbread was excellent. Cake was average. I do wish they had ice cream, but I understand the logistical difficulties there...

    Phantom Ranch is a unique experience in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. From the south rim, it is…read moreabout 7.5 miles down the South Kaibab trail or 10 miles via the Bright Angel trail. There's cabins and bunk houses that require a lottery 15 months in advance, which adds to the exclusivity of the experience. Steak dinner is offered by reservations only for $70pp U.S. From 8am- 8pm, there's a cantina open selling all the things you'd want while backpacking, including cold lemonade, beer, wine, snacks, and first aid items. This week, the canyon was bursting with color from all the flowers and vegetation growing after the heavy snow season. This was truly a special experience! The trail to Ribbon Falls/North Rim was closed at one of the bridges and the creek running too high to attempt a safe crossing, so we enjoyed a rest day and cooled off on the banks of the stunning Colorado River. We took pictures of the current ranch as big changes are underway with a new water system getting installed, which will impact access to the ranch for a while. Special mention to the staff, particularly Zach, who went above and beyond to show us hospitality. Also, best of luck to new hire Tyler as he settles into his new role at the ranch! The ranch is currently short-handed, and some of the staff are really feeling the stress, which is starting to show in their interactions with guests. Remember to be patient and kind. The bottom of the Grand Canyon can't be an easy place to live and work.

    Photos
    Phantom Ranch
    Phantom Ranch
    Phantom Ranch

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    Indian Garden Campground - Large group campsite.

    Indian Garden Campground

    5.0(3 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    It's magical and wonderful and if you're lucky enough to spend the night here, you'll lay away in…read moreyour bed even years later and think about it. Too much hype? Prove me wrong. I first encountered Indian Garden on a hike up the Bright Angel Trail, at least seven or eight years ago. That's the trail it's on, but I had come down the South Kaibab, stayed at the Bright Angel Campground (also magical and wonderful) and then taken the longer route up to the rim via Bright Angel. I remember popping up out of all those switchbacks from the Colorado, encountering the more gentle slope along the river, and being totally blown away by all the trees at Indian Garden. It's full on riparian corridor! Indeed, this little stretch of the river where the picnic grounds, ranger station, pump station, and campground are located is its own little world. Day hikers often congregate on the trail side of the river -- they recommend you don't descend beyond this point as a day hike -- and as I walked by almost a decade ago, I just knew I needed to come back and stay in the campground. Fast forward to January of 2017 when a wonderful set of circumstances, including a last chance backcountry permit, allowed me to fulfill that dream. This time, I descended the Bright Angel Trail and spent two nights in the canyon. The campground is located about 4.5 miles down (some charts list it at 4.8) from the rim on the Bright Angel Trail. The first three are steep descents, the last mile-ish is more gradual. All told, you descend over 3500 feet, which still puts you around 4.5 miles (4.1, depending on the chart) from Phantom Ranch with another 1300 or so feet to descend. It's actually the perfect setup for backpacking. You haul your full pack only 4.5 down and 4.5 up. Take two nights. On that full day in between, make the hike down to Phantom and the Colorado River with only a daypack. On your half-day, march out to Plateau Point with daypack. You get to see it all, but only have 9 miles of trek under full weight, and the uphill portion will be when your pack is the lightest. The campground itself is incredible, and I can only imagine how it looks when the trees are leaved out. I've only been in January, but it must be a shaded dream in the summer. There's one group site, and the rest are just first-come, first-served sites that probably accommodate up to 2 small backpacking tents. They also each have a rain/shade structure over a picnic table, and a small concrete pad where you should do your cooking. You'll get two small ammo cans to hold your food or garbage, which should be sealed when not in use. Save those critters! You'll also post your backcountry permit in the new permit box affixed to each structure. You must have a permit to sleep here. Besides the permit, there are a few other rules you should be aware of: There are quiet hours, no cooking allowed on the tables, all food must be stored in the ammo cans, no fires allowed, and all other park rules apply. It's also worth mentioning that you shouldn't approach wildlife, and definitely not feed them. The deer in the Grand Canyon are too accustomed to humans, and there are problems. We had a herd come right through camp which was very special, but a good reminder that we need to respect them for their own good. As for amenities, there are nice pit toilets (the fan noises are a little distracting), several water stations, and even a small hiker hut with art on display, and a lending library. Grab a book and read, then put it back when you're done. As I sit here typing this, my mind has wandered back to Indian Garden. I almost ache for that feeling of being in that special place, on an adventure I'll remember for the rest of my life. I didn't so much enter that place, as that place has entered into me and my soul. To spend a few nights there only makes me appreciate how rare and special it really is.

    I slept here, in the Inner Canyon. The deer walked right through camp and we sat still. The sun set…read morehigh above us against the edge of the canyon and then we were in a strip of stars. The second night was especially quiet, only two or three other campgrounds being used, and we all woke up early to hike out in the dusk to beat the snow. You should go, you should go, you should go. You can do the hike down to the campground, you can get a backcountry permit to camp there. You can carry your food in and use the clean pit toilets. I didn't know it, but I could do those things, and now I'm one of those people that's done those things so I can tell you: you can do it, and you should. Go in the off season when it's not 100 degrees, watch the light in the trees and feel surrounded by the walls of red and copper stone. Think about the people who gardened here in Indian Garden, and read their stories in the lovely tiny little library, and carry them and this place with you everywhere you go forever after. I know I will.

    North Kaibab Trail

    North Kaibab Trail

    4.4(9 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    The North Rim was my first ever introduction to the Grand Canyon, and the North Kaibab Trail was…read morethe first hike I did when I got there. This was a while ago, but having been back recently, and having hiked the North Kaibab Trail again, it's given me some perspective on how amazing this trail truly is. Leaving not far from the campground, it takes you in the same direction as any other Grand Canyon Trail: down. They say that going down is optional but coming up is not, so you really need to assess your hiking skills and your physical condition before heading down. You might think to yourself, hey, I will just pop down to the springs and then pop back up. You might look at that mileage and say hey, I have all day, I can do 10 miles (some places say Roaring Springs is an 11-mile trip... my tracking calls it 10 but always overestimate). That's a big day no matter what, but remember that you're headed straight down and you have to come straight back up. That's like 3500' in elevation. And that's just to Roaring Springs. It never lets up, so just know before you go. If you're out here to flex for your Rim-To-Rim patch, good on you and you obvs should have done a lot to prepare. This is where you'll launch of you're SOBO, and this is where you'll weep with relief if you went NOBO. Despite multiple trips, I've only hiked two separate sections. I've hiked the aforementioned trip to Roaring Springs which is absolutely mindblowing. It's dry, it's steep, and after you pass that last water spigot, you buckle up. Then, out of seemingly nowhere you're at this huge waterfall and there's green everywhere. Our July trip had dragonflies landing all around; it was a wild and unexpected find, even though it's written about and on the map. You don't really expect it to be what it is, even though you know you're going to a spring. On the other end, I've hiked up the trail from Phantom to Ribbon Falls. this portion is still uphill, but less steep. The elevation is lower, so it's warmer there. Remember that the trailhead is above 8K and the bottom is in the 2400' range, so weather will vary drastically. Rim-to-rimmers have to plan for two climates, and that multiplies when you factor in day versus night. This bottom section is really lovely though, and Ribbon Falls is a wispy dream. The trail is very well maintained, and though it's highly trafficked, it's not nearly as packed as the South Kaibab Trail or the Bright Angel Trail. Indeed, the North Rim really has my heart. It was my first visit to see the big ol' hole in the earth and I really love the rustic cabins, the big windows on the lodge, and the huge pine trees and more laid back feel.

    We hiked this trail Rim-to-Rim in mid July. It's HOT down in the canyon (20 degrees hotter!). In…read moreother seasons, this trail is open, but the lodge is closed. There is water right at the trailhead, so no excuse to start out without water! We started at the North Kaibab Trail from the North Canyon at 4:10am. We took the shuttle from the lodge-- if you're staying there, it's complimentary, but you have to request at the front desk to be put on a list. For decent hikers, this is the best time to start if you're headed to Phantom Ranch for the night. If you're attempting all 24 miles in one day, begin earlier! The first mile or so were in the dark for us, but I won't forget the awful sand we walked through-- got all in my hiking boots. It's from the constant trudging of the mules taking people up and down to the Supai Tunnel (which is the most beautiful lookout, by the way!). Luckily, the sun was giving us enough visibility at this point and it was awesome. You don't need mules to at least go this far. It's just so beautiful!! WALK IT. Even if you don't intend to do the whole trail, get to the Supai tunnel. You won't regret it. We were just so amazed with the first few miles of this. It was majestic and so unique because of the elevation and plant life. You should be fine with the water on the trail and the bathrooms provided. We never had to collect from the streams or use the bathroom on the ground. There was plentiful if you plan right. I highly recommend visiting the Ribbon Falls. I cannot express just how beautiful this is. I soaked my shoes because when we went, the bridge was broken, but I recommend going further than the bridge and pass on the "Creek" side. I think the creek is less deep (no wet feet!). The Ribbon Falls were just SO beautiful. Most beautiful waterfall ever. We took the time to soak all our clothes before heading into the "box" before hitting Phantom Ranch. You don't want to get stuck in that during the day heat. We got to Phantom at 10:30 and didn't experience full sun in the box or any heat exhaustion. Very well marked and beat the crap out of our feet from all the DOWN DOWN DOWN in elevation. Didn't raise the heart rate much going down, but those feet sure were ready for a soak when we got to Phantom Ranch!

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    North Kaibab Trail
    North Kaibab Trail
    North Kaibab Trail - View from the tunnel

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    View from the tunnel

    Bright Angel Trail - The water here tastes so good and minerally ;)

    Bright Angel Trail

    4.7(124 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    If one thinks hiking nine miles in or out of the Grand Canyon is as easy as walking to the store,…read morethink again. Located a few hundred yards from where we are staying, the Bright Angel Trail is one of the superhighways, with its heavenly name making it the most well-known trail. It follows an old Native American route zigzagging down a vertical wall and then cuts across the flat plateau to the river from the South Rim. Early this morning while the temperature was still cool, my partner and I took only a short distance. The trail was safe. We've seen hikers of all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels. It was well-maintained, easy to follow, consistently about 4 feet wide, and has wider sections for passing. The steepness of the trail is very misleading on the way down. Plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it took to hike down. We enjoyed the views, which can be more spectacular in the canyon than from the rim. There is something about actually being in the canyon that is more memorable and moving than being on the rim.

    This is the most popular hiking trail into Grand Canyon! Even though it is well-traversed, this is…read morealso a dangerous trail for people who are not prepared, as it's wayy easier hiking down...but you have to contend with the hike up. Also, there is limited water on the trail (and sometimes there are pipeline breaks), with not a lot of shade. With hot weather, this could be a deadly hike. The trail head has bathrooms and a water filling station. Definitely use them before hiking down. This hike is well maintained, with mules sharing the trail. You can see them...or at least smell them as they leave poop on the trail. I hiked down to the Second Tunnel (1.8 miles) and it wasn't too bad, but I was unfortunately limited on time. It seems past this point the crowds thinned out. Havasupai Gardens at 9 miles round trip is the most the rangers recommend as a day trip. I loved how the view of the Canyon changed as I descended the trail!

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    Bright Angel Trail
    Bright Angel Trail - TEAM

    TEAM

    Bright Angel Trail

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    South Kaibab Trail - Mules

    South Kaibab Trail

    4.7(90 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    If you really want to understand the Grand Canyon, you don't stand at the rim. You step off it…read more South Kaibab Trail is not subtle about what it is. There's no easing into it, no gentle introduction. Within minutes, you're descending through tight switchbacks, the rim already pulling away behind you, and that comfortable "overlook" perspective is gone. You're in it now. What makes this trail different is the exposure. It rides out along a ridge, not tucked away or hidden, so the views are constant. There's no point where it closes in or gives you a break. Every step opens something new. Layers of rock stacked like pages, colors shifting depending on where the sun hits, distances that feel close until you realize they're anything but. Early on, you hit that first real vantage point where everything just drops away in front of you. It's the kind of moment that interrupts whatever you were thinking about. You stop, not because you planned to, but because you don't really have a choice. And then you keep going. The trail pulls you downward at a steady, unapologetic grade. It's not technical, but it demands attention. Your footing matters. Your pacing matters. Knees start to take notice on the way down, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you're already aware that every step you're taking is one you'll have to reverse later. There's almost no shade. That's not an exaggeration. Once the sun is up, it owns this trail. That's why going early isn't just a good idea, it's the difference between a great hike and a brutal one. In the early hours, the light cuts across the canyon at an angle, pulling out depth and contrast you just don't get later. Shadows stretch, colors deepen, and the entire landscape feels more alive. By midday, it flattens out and the heat starts pressing down in a way that changes the tone completely. As you descend, the canyon shifts around you. The rock underfoot changes color and texture, walls rise and fall, and the sense of scale keeps slipping just out of reach. You try to make sense of distance, but it doesn't behave the way you expect. What looks like a short stretch can take far longer than it should. Landmarks move. Perspectives lie. There's a point where the noise fades out. Fewer people, more space, just the sound of your own steps and the occasional wind moving through the canyon. It's quiet in a way that feels earned. Not empty, just stripped down to what matters. And then there's the reality check. Going down is the easy part. It always is. The climb back up is where this trail makes its case. The grade doesn't soften. The exposure doesn't change. It's you, the incline, and however well you managed your energy on the way down. It's not impossible, not even close, but it demands respect. You feel it in your legs, your lungs, your pace slowing whether you like it or not. But that's also where something shifts. You're not just looking at the canyon anymore. You're moving through it, working against it, understanding it in a physical way that no overlook can give you. The scale stops being abstract. It becomes something you measure in effort, in time, in breath. By the time you reach the top again, you've earned a completely different perspective than the one you started with. This trail doesn't offer comfort. It offers clarity. It strips things down to effort, environment, and awareness. And in return, it gives you one of the most direct, honest ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Five stars, no hesitation.

    I have done Bright Angle Trial a couple of times in the past to the bottom of the Grand Canyon…read more South Kaibab is the other big trail into the Canyon. Over the summer, we camped at the rim and decided to hike South Kaibab a little ways early in the morning before it got too hot. We ended up hiking all the way to Skeleton Point and back. As it approached afternoon, it started to get a little warm. I ended drinking all the water in my CamelBak just before I got to the top. The temperature was climbing fast and I had to use my cooling towel to stay cool. I got to say that I really gained a lot of respect for this Canyon during this short summer hike that I did. The South Kaibab Trail is a 7 mile hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park that leads to the Colorado River. I like this trail because you get 360-degree views of the canyon after you pass Skeleton Point. The trail is mostly shaded until you reach Ooh Aah Point. Then you are out in the open. Up next is Cedar Ridge at 1.5 miles and then Skeleton Point at 3 miles. After that is the Tipoff and Black Suspension Bridge as you are descending into the Canyon. There is no water on the trail until you get to the bottom of the canyon at Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. So bring plenty of it along with snacks, sunscreen, etc. The hike is 15 miles (24 km) roundtrip to Phantom Ranch and will take at least 2 days to complete. If you get to the beginning of the trail early enough, you can probably find parking in the parking lot or on the side of the road. But it fills up quick. Another option is to take the free shuttle to the trailhead from the South Rim Visitor's Center. Both water and restrooms are located at the beginning of the trail. The hike is usually a little busy with people to start off with, but many turn around after reaching Ooh Aah Point. It is also fairly steep with lots of switchbacks, so bring poles if you need them for assistance. Be prepared for a climb on the way back to the parking lot during that last mile. Also keep an eye out for Mules as they use this trail regularly. My recent hike was in June and I saw many people with little or no water. I also saw people with footwear that should not be worn on this trail. It blew me away how uneducated and naive people are about doing these hikes into the canyon. I understand lots of tourists come here, but people need to be a little more careful when hiking the Grand Canyon. Many of the deaths that occur every year in this Canyon can be avoided. On the day that I visited and hiked this trail, they reported several heat related incidents that evening and one death. South Kaibab Trail is a great hike. Enjoy, make a plan and be responsible.

    Photos
    South Kaibab Trail - Shuttle Pickup/Drop-off

    Shuttle Pickup/Drop-off

    South Kaibab Trail
    South Kaibab Trail

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    Mather Campground - campgrounds - Updated September 2026

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