The Grand Canyon, one of the incredible seven wonders of the world and a truly draw-dropping sight! Located in Arizona, the Grand Crayon National Park makes a perfect detour off Route 66.
There are lots of different ways to explore the National Park. You can drive to some of the different viewpoints, take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon, or head onto one of the many great hiking trails. I’ve been fortunate to visit the Grand Cayon on two separate trips, and have done all three. A lot would choose the helicopter tour as their number one thing to do in the Grand Canyon. Honestly, hiking the Bright Angel Trail has been my most memorable experience! So I’ve decided to write a full hiking guide, dedicated to this one, incredible hike.
I have written a separate guide on everything you need to know/see and do in the Grand Canyon National Park, including park fees, where to stay, etc: A Guide To The Grand Canyon
Safety
The Bright Angel Trail may sound and look incredible, but it’s not a hike for everyone. It is classed as one of America’s most dangerous hikes! There’s a reason for this! There have been people who have attempted this trial and do not know their own abilities. It’s a tough hike! Whatever you climb down, you have to climb back up again and it’s hard work in the heat! There are signs quoting, ‘going down is optional, going up is madantory’.
As you head down the trail, there are three different stops to aim for. Two stops have toilets and water refilling stations. The final stop is the Indian Gardens camping ground. My biggest advice is, at each stop ask yourself how you are feeling? Are you ok to carry on? Remind yourself, that the more you head down, the more you have to climb back up again. We only made it down to the 2nd Resthouse and not all the way down to the campground. I knew that was enough for me.
The Turn Around Markers
1st Resthouse – 1.5 miles one way (3 miles return), 341 metres (1120 feet) elevation loss, 2 – 4 hours return
2nd Resthouse – 3 miles one way (6 miles return), 646 metres (2120 feet) elevation loss, 4 – 6 hours return
Indian Garden – 4.5 miles one way (9 miles return), 929 metres (3040 feet) elevation loss, 6 – 9 hours return
The trail does continue past the Indian Gardens but is not recommended for a day hike. If you are planning on travelling further and camping, you are required to get a camping permit.
Plateau Point – 6.1 miles one way (12.2 miles return), 938 metres (3080 feet) elevation loss, 9 – 12 hours return
Phantom Ranch – 9.8 miles one way (20.6 miles return), 1322 metres (4340 feet) elevation loss, 2 days return
The Best Time To Hike
The best time to hike the Bright Angle Trial is in Winter, early Spring, and late Autumn. Also, you need to be aware the temperature increases as you head down into the canyon. If you attempt the trail in the summer months, the temperature towards the bottom of the canyon is often above 38ºC (100 ºF), with very little shade.
Mules On The Trail
As you hike along the trail you will probably pass people riding mules. The mules have right of way. You are expected to step off the path and let them by.
Parking
If you are driving to the trailhead, I would set off early. The car park gets full very early. We got there at 8 am and it was full. Luckily there was some street parking nearby, but even that was starting to get full when we arrived.
If you are planning on getting there later on in the day, you might be better getting the bus to the trailhead. The South Rim bus will take you to the trailhead from the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre. The buses are free of charge and run frequently.
Closest car park to trailhead: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, 86023
We parked along Village Loop Drive.
The Route
The trail is just one path down and the same path up. You can’t really get lost! However, if you want to, you can follow this map, as you walk the route. Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
1.
Starting at the Bright Angel Trailhead, follow the path down to the 1st Resthouse, passing through two little tunnels along the way. At the Resthouse, you will find some toilets, a shaded area to have a rest, and a tap with drinking water. From here you have two choices. One is to continue down. Two is to turn back. If you are turning back, head back up on the path you’ve walked down on.
2.
If you are choosing to continue down from here, continue following the path down into the canyon, to the 2nd Resthouse. At the Resthouse, you will find some toilets, a shaded area to have a rest, and a tap with drinking water. From here you have two choices again. One is to continue down. Two is to turn back. If you are turning back, head back up on the path you’ve walked down on. Here, is where we decided to turn back.
3.
If you are choosing to continue down from here, continue following the path down towards the Indian Garden. If you are hiking the trail as a day hike, this is the furthest point I recommend you go. From here, turn back and retrace your steps back up the trail, passing the two Resthouses along the way.
If you are planning on hiking further on to either Plateau Point or Phantom Ranch, I would recommend camping at the Indian Campground for the night and doing the hike over two days.
For more information on the park, trail information, and other important information, please head to their website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
If you would like to be notified when any new travel guides go live, straight to your inbox, please subscribe here:
(don’t forget to check your junkbox for the confirmation e-mail!)
Further Reading
My book, How I Tamed the Wolf, Living with Lupus is available on Amazon via this link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09M73X2JQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MWAF58981F0VVMNRV1WN
Other travel guides you may like:
Chicago – 48 Hours in Chicago
St Louis – Incredible Gateway Arch National Park, St Louis
Miami – https://livingwiththewolf.co.uk/miami/
New York – https://livingwiththewolf.co.uk/new-york/
