Bright Angel Trailhead

We did from the rim down to the river and back which is, without a doubt, one of America's greatest hikes. But probably also one of its most difficult. It's just under 10 miles from the trailhead down to the Colorado River and there's about 4,200 feet of elevation change. One of the big problems, of course, is that you start at the top and the midpoint is the bottom. So all the climbing is in the second half. No wonder there are signs deterring you from doing the hike in one day! Having said that, for experienced hikers, it's definitely possible to do it in one day. We got there super early (around 6) in case it took 9 or 10 hours. But it only took us about 6 1/2. We did hike it in late September, which may be one of the best times of the year to hike it because it isn't too cold at the top or too hot at the bottom. One problem with hiking in the summer is that it's nice at the top at 6,500 feet but then it's 100 degrees when you get to the Colorado River and that's what you have to hike back in. But difficulty aside, the views and variety of landscapes throughout the hike are spectacular. If you start early in the morning and it's a clear day, the views of the canyon at the top are extraordinary and as you hike down, you get a great alpenglow effect off the mountains as you look back up. You start in scrubby, desert-like vegetation but as you descend, you go through an almost oasis-like section at the Havasupai Gardens campground, with large Ash and Cottonwood trees. There's more desert scrub near the river as well as some interesting hanging-garden-like plants clinging to the rock walls around seepage. And the Colorado River is a fine destination, with sandy beaches that make for a nice spot to relax and have a meal.

Did go until the 1.5 Mile Resthouse, due to time limitations. Quite nice but also more challenging hikes (basically just going down and up). The suggested hike times are quite conservative i.e. as a not really sporty German it took a bit over an hour to the resthouse and back up (in December where temps are nicer). Plan in half a day if you want to go fully down to the plateau.

Great hike. Beautiful views and saw a few big horn sheep. You can decide gow far you want to hike by the rest stops along the trail. Just remember the trip down requires the same distance return trip up. Took me about double the time to get back up.

Beautiful place to see the GC. The trail is quote step and there is a cliff on one side and a steep drop off to the canyon below. If you have young kids I wouldn't recommend going past the tunnel. The trail itself is nice and wide enough to pass others coming the other way

Great walk along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We especially loved the rocks along the path marking the age of the layer of rock for each area. My 9 year old was very into the fossils walk run by the park rangers along the bright angel trail too. We highly recommend doing that ranger talk.

We just completed the Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5-mile turnaround point, and it was such an awesome experience! I hiked it with my 12, 14, and 17-year-old kids, and we all loved it. The trail is well-maintained and full of stunning canyon views the entire way down and back. The weather was perfect, which definitely made it doable and enjoyable—we couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The 1.5-mile resthouse is a great goal for families—it’s a rewarding distance with plenty of beauty along the way. Just be warned: the hike back up is no joke, so take your time. And bring plenty of water—you’ll need it more than you think! Such a great memory made together. Highly recommend this hike if you’re looking for something active but manageable on your Grand Canyon visit!

What a stunning trail! We only walked about a mile down and back up but we descended quite far down the rim. Would love to come back and spend more time here!

This trail is strenuous, but extremely well kept. The sights along the way are second to none. It is not recommended for someone other than an experienced hiker to attempt doing the trail to the river and back, as per the warning sign. Be prepared, but do not fear. It's doable and so so worth it.

Would definitely suggest coming another time. Unfortunately right now they are doing water reorganization/renovation to simplify or fix the access water points on the trial until March. The trail is open for 0.5 miles and that was so pretty so I'll definitely come back for the trail in the future.

The most up-kept hike in the park. Quote from a trail guide headed down with his group. This hike can be done on mule, or on foot. No dogs allowed down though, but there are kennels to board your dog at while visiting. We passed a couple of guys on horseback with several mules carrying supplies to the working ranch all the way down the valley. You will have amazing views throughout the entire hike. We only went down a couple miles cuz the way up is all extremely inclined. There are two rest stops with bathrooms and water fountain, but we didn't even get that far to reach the first one. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the thunderstorm that was headed in from the canyon. So many amazing shots that will have to be framed.

The first time I did this hike was when I was in high school with my dad. It's Grand Canyon's most popular trail and starts at Grand Canyon Village on the south rim. The trail descends 4380 feet to the Colorado River. The beginning part of the trail has a lot traffic and then it thins out the farther you go. Bright Angel Trail has several turnaround stops along the way or you can do the whole ten miles to Phantom Ranch. There is the 1.5 mile Resthouse, 3 Mile Resthouse, Indian Garden (5 miles), River Resthouse (8 miles and intersects with River trail), and Bright Angel Campground at the end. There is camping at Indian Garden and Bright Angel Campground which requires a permit. I recently did the 3 mile turnaround. I haven't done this hike in years and wanted to test my endurance level. I ended up upgrading my hiking boots when I got back home. There are lots of grounds squirrels along the way that beg for food and aren't afraid of humans. The views are amazing as you descend into the canyon. The trail is steep, has lots of switchbacks, and can be brutal on the way back up. Keep in mind that uphill hikers and mules have the right of way. Just remember to have a plan in place for how long you want to hike and have plenty of water and food. It is recommended to not hike to the river and back in one day.

down is definitely easier than the trek up / we didn't see any other children on the trail as it has the potential to get a little intense if you don't chose the right time to turn back around. If you have young children my husband and I recommend turning back after the second tunnel ...unless your ambitious like our little ones it was an amazing experience, we got to experience seeing the mules go up and down the trails , the most friendly squirrels, and friendly folks trailing along with us! for sure our new family annual go-to place

Finished the Rim to River to Rim hike with the Team from South Rim Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch to Bright Angel. This is an arduous hike, but with a team, you realize you can really get motivated and achieve more than what you think you are capable of. Amazing views and experiences. Memories for a lifetime!

My cousin tried to talk me into taking S Kaibab into the canyon but my heart was really set on Bright Angel. The location is incredibly convenient, we were able to park really close to the trailhead for our 3 day hike into the back country. About half way down, I started repeating the blerp you hear before getting on Thunder Mountain railroad. The inspiration for the ride is clearly evident. Check the backcountry permit station for water status. Don't just assume they will be turned on at the 1.5 or 3 mile rest stops. The views are breathtaking. The elevation will test your resolve. Train, take it easy, and enjoy. There really is no where else I am more happy than on a trail like Bright Angel.

The trail winds to keep it interesting and offer different views of the canyon. In March, at the time of this writing there were icy patches toward the start of the trail. This is a popular trail since it is close to all the lodges. It leads to some congestion when the path isn't prime. In addition, the 1.5 mile rest station was closed so check ahead. I was glad I brought extra water even though the ranger at the entrance said it would be available.

Moderate hiking trail, which allows to you descend from the lodges and nearby parking lot. The hike will take about an hour and 30 minutes and will descend about 1200 feet from the top. The trail is rocky and tough on the knees. Hikers coming up to the top have the right of way, as well as riders on mules. Be careful for mule droppings along the way. There are many wild goats along this trail. The hike will take you to the restroom, and you have the choice of going further downhill. The hike back up is more taxing on your body, and excellent cardio workout!

I've gotta be honest and say that this wasn't my favorite trail to hike. For one thing, I've never been a fan of hiking down and then having to come back up. But hey, if that's your thing and you're up for the challenge, then do you boo! Another thing is, this trail is super crowded so you better be prepared to hike with tons of other people. This is one if not the most heavily trafficked trail within Grand Canyon National Park. You basically hike all of the way down into the canyon and then all the way back up. Well, that's if you WANT to hike all the way down there. It's 9.5 miles one way down into the canyon with a 4,380 elevation drop, meaning that you'll have to climb that back up to get to the top again. I guess this trail is so appealing to people because it presents a challenge. And I get it, but that challenge is just not for yours truly. Most people hike all the way down, camp in the canyon or stay at Phantom Ranch, and then hike back up the next day. And then there are those who do the entire thing in one day. Kudos to you all because I am not on that level. What I will say is that the view from inside of the canyon as you hike down is pretty damn amazing. But after a while, it all kind of starts to look the same. This trail really brought a whole new meaning to the definition of "canyon" for me. I've hiked many different canyons, but none like this one. The wildlife is rampant on this trail too! I actually saw two deer on the trail. One was a baby deer who couldn't quite catch his footing while he was blazing up the canyon. Don't worry buddy, I get it. The trail as slippery for me too. Speaking of the trail, it's basically just a ton of switchbacks that go all the way to the bottom of the canyon. It actually looks pretty cool when you're looking at it for the Rim Trail and it's amazing to see people all the way at the bottom. They look like little ants! I should also mention the change in weather. When I got to the park around 6:30 am, it dead 35 degrees. By the time I got to the 1.5 mile marker, it was already 70+ degrees. The deeper you go into the canyon, the hotter it will be. Make you bring lots of water because there are only a few water stations throughout the hike. Also, the squirrels are super aggressive. Watch your food and your bags because they have no problem taking your food. They seem to be used to people. There's also tons of mule pooh on the trails, so watch your step. All in all, I'm happy that I was able to hike Bright Angel, but it just wasn't my favorite and I probably wouldn't do it again.

This is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, trails at Grand Canyon. The location is convenient and easy to get to via shuttle bus. However, convenience aside, I personally did not love hiking this trail. Let me make the caveat that I did not hike all the way to the bottom. I got to the second, ie 3 mile, rest house and then turned around. I started around 9am and finished at about 12pm. I would guess the majority of hikers will also go down to either the first or second house then turn around. That will require around a 1000 ft to 2000 ft descent/ascent respectively. The views were decent, but not spectacular. You won't see any of the Colorado river here, but rather a dried riverbed. With most hikes, you are typically awarded with a spectacular view at the end. However, this hike is almost the opposite. The best views are at the top, and all less impressive on the way down. With that being said, restroom facilities were excellent give their location. There were spacious and well maintained. My personal opinion, if you have your heart set on going on this hike, I recommend going down to the first rest house. You will get as good an experience as any. However, the effort to payoff ratio was simply too high for this hike.

I have to start this review by saying we only hiked a very short part of this trail - but we really enjoyed it! We hiked in mid- September and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Started around 10am. There was a good amount of people but I didn't feel that it was too crowded. We didn't see any mules during our hike, but we could tell they had recently gone down. The downhill hike was super easy, but going up was very hard. Views were amazing. Would definitely do a little bit of this hike again!

I cannot say enough positive things about our visit to Bright Angel Trailhead at the Grand Canyon National Park. First off, I should mention that we went in February of 2022, and as you know at that time most of the tourists are gone. As you will see, we had the trailhead, and park nearly to ourselves. When we arrived at about 10:30 a.m., it was in the low 30s. But, by noon it was in the upper 40s, and by 1:30 when we left it was in the low 50's. As you can see the sky was perfectly blue and there was no wind. We are both in our late 60s, and had no difficulty walking down quite a distance on the trail and into the canyon before we turned around and headed back. Don't miss this awesome attraction of natural beauty. If you have the opportunity to visit this beautiful park and the Bright Angel Trailhead as we did, try to visit in the off season, as you will find it much more pleasant for you.

This trail was one of the greatest memories of 2020. We came back up the Bright Angel Trail and went down on the South Kaibab trail. The second you pull up to the rim, your emotions go through the roof. This was a bucket lister and was very glad we got to do it, especially with everything going on this year. The hike definitely isn't for the faint of heart. We back packed down into the canyon, so we had about 60 lbs on our back. If you look at the pictures you can see that there is quite a bit of snow this time of year, so you need the correct equipment. (Shoes, clothes, poles, Yak Tracks, etc.) You should also physically prepare for this hike. If you go to the bottom, you need to be in good shapes and ready for a challenge. The bright Angel trail really shows the beauty of the Grand Canyon and gives you some spectacular vantage points of the park. Plan to stay at the bottom for at least a night because they have an awesome cantina down there. You will hear great stories and make some memories here!

5 Stars for a trail that gave me and my friends life. (Plus some heavy breathing, profuse sweating, and convulsing muscles... it was srsly so sexy, guys.) After starting the day off with sunrise at Yaki Point, I thought that everything else at the Grand Canyon was going to be "meh" in comparison to the absolute insanity of watching sunlight slowly washing over the red and purple cliffs that morning. I'm glad to say I was wrong and this hike wasn't the "cool story, bro." experience I was predicting, but instead was ALL of the "YAAAAAS KWEEEEEEEN"s you could imagine. We started at Bright Angel Trail heading down into the canyon. Right near the trailhead the park rangers have set up a bizarrely harrowing (see: grotesque) sign reminding you to know your level of athleticism and to hydrate. The sign is an oddly life-like drawing of a man on all fours vomiting his guts out on the trail. Soooo, yeah... We were warned. (I pray to GOD someone got a pic of this sign and posts it to Yelp.) We opted to take the 1.5 mile hike down and turn back to finish out a good 3 miles (other options include 3 miles down and back up, and other options my mind wouldn't even allow me to comprehend because they were so beyond my ability). So, three miles. Seemed light and simple enough. *LIES* That bish was FIIIIIRE (in my thighs). The trail was nice and wide, with only a few moments that felt a bit narrow for passing (no rails here, folks!). It was also nice to see how many people were hiking the trail. Though we had some time walking on our own, it was great to pass other hikers (including kids!) and chuckle while nodding knowingly about our shared burning thigh experiences. Except that one dude that passed us like three times because he was literally sprinting down and up and down again... Screw that guy... One thing to note is that you should definitely bring tons of water and snacks and don't be afraid to take breaks when you feel dizzy. It is crazy how tough it can be to descend and ascend such altitudes in one hike. Plus, you are literally in one of the most beautiful natural sites in the world so periodic stops to slow your heart while gazing out to the incredible vistas is not so much a suggestion as an absolute must. And now, I'd like to finish this review with an apt quote: "Because in the end, you won't remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain." ― Jack Kerouac

The Bright Angel Trail is one of the more heavily trafficked trails on the South Rim due to its location, the fact that it's a wider path and well maintained and just an overall beautiful hiking spot. Located right behind the Bright Angel lodge and near Kolb Studios, there is some parking to be had nearby but also has the Blue Shuttle stop just a short walk away. Arriving early to the trail during the fall (slower tourist season) and on a weekday, I easily found parking. Can't vouch for other times of the year or weekends but I read it gets crowded. Do your research and know your hiking abilities in advance. This is a tough trail. As an avid hiker I've done some tough hikes, including the uphill return hike out of the crater on Haleakala in Maui (where you're up 10,000 feet heading down to 7000 ft and back up again.) I found this ascent to be tougher! There are a few key turn around points at 1.5, 3 and 4.5 miles. At the 1.5 and 3 mile points there is a rest house and pit toilets at each. That provides shade and a bathroom break should you need it. It's not advised to go further than Indian Gardens (the 4.5 mile stop) for a day hike. Since I only had 1 full day in the Grand Canyon, I choose to turn around at the 3 mile rest house. That still gets you far enough in to the canyon to get a sense of the immensity and beauty that you can't see from the rim. The trail is a combo of rocky and sandy, stairs and switchbacks and sections that have steep inclines and declines. You will likely run in to mule trains (give them the right of way and stay to the canyon wall.) I got to see one and it was actually pretty cool. The 6 miles ended up taking me about 4 1/2 hours including stopping at the two rest areas and some pauses on the ascent. I brought about 3 liters of water which was sufficient. Going any further you'd definitely want more. During the summer months the rest stops have water. When I went in October, the 1.5 mile rest house didn't have any water but the 3 mile one did. Rangers do patrol the trail and check in on hikers but don't count on them to be there when you need someone and are in trouble. It's a manageable trail if you've got moderate hiking skills but it does kick your butt regardless. I also lucked out on my hike in that most of it ended up being in the shade-I've read other hikers recount of a grueling hike back up in blazing sun. Other tips-hiking poles help (I didn't have any but wish I did-the climb down was harder on my knees than the way up), rest often when you need it and don't be ashamed to turn back if you feel you've hit your limits. Finally, wear layers, a hat, sunscreen and preferably hiking boots that go up to your ankles-you'll definitely need that support. Enjoy and be safe!

As a hiker, watch out for those mules! Go slowly, rest often, stay cool. Plan your hike before you start, and don't hike until you reach the river all in one day!! (Especially May through September). We hiked in early February, so there was quite a bit of snow and very much icy. We were soooo sad when we saw a poster board of a missing man gone since December. Good news is he's been found alive in March of this year. Apparently, over 250 people are rescued from the canyon each year, including in trails such as Bright Angel and the South Kaibab Trail. Yes, this park is massive in its wonders and also terrifying at the possibilities of injury/death, all at the same time. The Bright Angel Trail offers wonderful views all along the trail making it very easy to lose track of how far down you have hiked. Additionally, 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 packed some Cliff Bars and plenty of water, and passed along some of the cutest mules ever!! Their butts were in our faces, but we were able to pass firmly and to safety. I wonder how much those tours cost? The first loop is fairly easy; Not too steep, good to experience a view from within the canyon. There is a gorgeous lodge in the very top of the Bright Angel trail where you can stay. There is gift shops and a panorama view as well. The Verkamp's Visitor Center was unfortunately closed when we were there in February. They had accessible bathrooms in the back of Verkamp's center, which was helpful.

This is NOT for the faint of heart! Be very careful if hiking during the summer months! Even if you only do part of the trail you still need to keep in mind the hug elevation change and avoid elevation sickness and dehydration. My husband and I did the 9 mile out and back trail to Indian River and it was killer! Seriously. It was so hard. We definitely could've trained better but I will say it was still worth it all! We got some phenomenal photos and the river was so beautiful and soothing! We dipped our toes before beginning the ascent back to our car. Worth the trip but definitely be very well prepared and train beforehand

Not my favorite trail because it's over crowded with tourists that don't follow trail etiquette and move out of the way for uphill hikers. Pretty easy/moderate trail. I've hiked out this trail after R2R2R and rim to river to rim. I prefer SK trail over this one. The sunrise from 3 mile resthouse is beautiful though. I'm an avid hiker/ultrarunner. The top portion is very rocky and icy for the first 3 miles in the winter. Decent to hike up. Today I came from Tonto West and easily made it through Indian gardens and to the top in a little over an hour and didn't need rest breaks. A lot of reviews of this trail are tourists who clearly don't hike often. It was not that difficult. I've gone down and up many times. If you are familiar with elevation & the distance and trained for the canyon, it won't be bad.

CHECK THE WEATHER AND NOT FOR SMALL CHILDREN THAT WONT STAY NEXT TO YOU. My husband and I are both ultra runners and we did this when there was ice and snow on the ground and it was not that easy just because of the ice. Really amazing views and worth it if you get up early enough and take the time to do it.

Words cannot describe the beauty of this place. Nothing like the Grand Canyon on Earth. Walking times are limited because you want to stop every 90 seconds and take more pictures of the breath taking scenery. There was lots of snow/ice on the trail, and while everyone was warning us to be careful, it was still super easy to navigate our way down. Paths were wide and everyone was more friendly that I could imagine. We went down about 2 plus miles to the "Bathroom" Cabin and turned around because we were limited on time. Can't wait to get back here and do it again! Do it. You won't regret it.

Bright Angel Trail (Grand Canyon National Park) Stats/Info -Location: Grand Canyon South Rim -Distance to Indian Garden Campground: 4.5 miles -Distance to Plateau Point: 6 miles -Distance to the Colorado River: 8 miles -Distance to the Bright Angel Campground: 9.5 miles -Distance to Phantom Ranch: 10 miles. -Water stations and rest rooms located at the trailhead. Also located at 1.5 miles and 3 miles from the top. The Bright Angel Trail is one of the more popular trails in the Grand Canyon's South Rim. It's also known as the Grand Canyon's corridor trail. This trail leads to Plateau Point, Indian Garden Campground, Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and the Colorado River (river trail). This trail also leads to other trails on the South Rim, including Tonto Trail and the South Kaibab Trail. I could see why this trail is so popular. For one, the trail is easy to access and there's multiple water stations along the way. And two, the trail is wide and a view of the massive Grand Canyon can be seen from almost every spot on the trail. We didn't hike this trail from the top. We started from the Indian Garden Campground carrying 30+ lbs. of gear on our backs. The 4.5-mile climb to the top was tough carrying this load. The 3,800 feet elevation gain was torture. My glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves were screaming at me the entire hike up. Majority of the hike is through switchbacks with a 8-10% grade and very challenging. At the same time, the Bright Angel Trail is a very rewarding hike and well worth the pain. I recommend all the trails that we hiked in the Grand Canyon. But if I had to recommend just one, it's the Bright Angel Trail due to its accessibility and because the trail leads to multiple campgrounds, Plateau Point, and the Colorado River. Tips: -Majority of the trail is exposed. Wear sunscreen. -Even though water spigots are located at miles 1.5 and 3, I still recommend bringing your own water. -Trekking poles aren't mandatory, but I recommend it. -Mules and mule trains have the right of way regardless if they are going up or down. -Hikers climbing up have the right of way. -Leave the wildlife alone. No matter how cute the deer and squirrels look, don't feed them. Fact...squirrel bites is the leading animal related injury to park visitors at the Grand Canyon. -Pick up your trash -Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. -Crowded near the top. -Enjoy the Grand Canyon -Most importantly, be safe! Remember, this is the Grand Canyon and it's a long way down.

The views were unlike anything I have ever seen on a hike. My mom, brother, and I really enjoyed the way down. We enjoyed it so much as to ignore signs saying "do not attempt to make the 18 mile trek to the river and back in one day." We thought we were fine after the downhill, barely sweaty, and not very tired. However, the uphill was extremely hot and painful. The 9 mile trek back, with about 6 miles of it straight uphill was no joke. The actual trails themselves were paved, so the difficult part was just enduring through the trip in the hot sun. We started at 5:30 am and finished around 2:15 pm. I would recommend starting about an hour or two earlier if you want to do the whole thing. I would also recommend bringing a lot of food, about a gallon of water each (if you plan to go past the gardens which hold the last water supply), electrolytes, a water purifier (If you plan to bring less water there is running water along the way), and something like a bandanna you can get wet to keep you cool. We are glad we did the whole hike, and I would recommend doing it, but be smart about it! Camping at the bottom would have been awesome.

We completed the rim-to-rim trail coming from the North Rim, through Phantom Canyon, to the South Rim on Bright Angel Trail. This review is for going up, not coming down. It's about a 9 mile trail from Bright Angel to the Colorado River. Only 1% of visitors make it that far, said the park ranger at the bottom. It's a dangerous hike if you're not prepared with water, electrolytes, and salty snacks. But if you are and you have decent shape, you've got it in the bag. I was actually looking forward to an uphill hike after hiking DOWN DOWN DOWN (my poor feet!) the day before. Sure, my heart rate was elevated and I was sweating, but my feet felt great! There are a number of switchbacks, but I would rate this trail as moderate for decent hikers. You'll have to navigate mules/mule poop and the Disneyland of people who make it down to the 1.5 mile, 3.5 mile, and Indian Garden stops. There are water stops to fill up or douse your shirt (serious!) at those three places, so use them! However, sometimes the pipes are down, so be aware and pack some iodine or a filter. From Phantom Ranch (about 9.5 miles), it took us 4 hours, 20 minutes, with a couple stops. I would try South Kaibab next time (just for new scenery), but the Bright Angel trail was well paved and wide enough for all. Keep your kids close, as this is still hiking down INTO the GRAND CANYON. From the top, you can see 5 miles down (white house-looking structures) to Indian Garden. I didn't love that, because I like the mystery of hiking without always having my eye on my destination, but it's still really enjoyable.

I recently did this hike with family members to celebrate my birthday. And them, not being regular hikers and having my little nieces and nephew on the hike was something to be mindful this time. I've previously had done this hike and so I had some experience. We had plan on doing a day hike and not a strenuous one. So we decided on with the mile-and-a-half rest house trek. There are two rest house before arriving the campground, each 1 1/2 mile from each other. The trail had droppings from the mules that carry people/packs from the top of the trail to the bottom of Indian garden. As many have suggested, it's best to go before 3-4 am if you are to trek down to the campground or further. The first time I went hiking here was when it actually had stormed. It's best to be prepared if you're going to be camping to bring a rain jacket. As it does get really rainy when the clouds are close to the trails. My family enjoyed the hike and the views. Not to mention, the photo-ops and memories with the little kids. Things to wear for the hike: hiking boots, pants(able to unzip to shorts), compression socks, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat Things to bring for the hike: water, camera, protein bar/energy food/snacks, phone, backpack, emergency kit

Don't leave the Grand Canyon without experiencing those magnificent views from the inside!! A very manageable trail for MOST fitness levels.

We completed this trail back in November 2018. We hiked from the trail head to the bottom aka the Colorado River in one day, which is not recommended (especially in summer - there are signs for this) but we are avid hikers so we decided to take the challenge. Details Began: 6am Finished: 2pm Miles: 18 roundtrip The thing to keep in mind with this hike (and other reviews have mentioned this) is that you are walking downhill first and then uphill. The trip down is great. The scenery is beautiful, especially in fall/winter, and once you get past the campground, there is very few people on the trail. Once you get to the bottom, it's gorgeous and makes for a great photo op. As for the trip back, we made it to the campground pretty quickly. But the last few miles from the campground to the trailhead felt extremely long. By that time, we really felt all 18 miles. All in all, one of the best hikes we've ever done. I wouldn't recommend going all the way down to the river and back in one day unless you are prepared for 18 miles. Time is of the essence because the sun goes down so quickly in the fall/winter. FYI we didn't use hiking sticks. The incline to us wasn't that steep where we felt it was necessary. Just hiking boots, a few snacks, and some water. And of course, your camera!

If you're limited on time, the Bright Angel Trail is the one to take. It's centrally accessible, well-maintained, and heavily used (helpful in emergency situations). There are stops every 1.5 miles to Indian Gardens and (except during winter months), water is available at each. Bathrooms are available at all Bright Angel rest stops year round. The trail is hard and very deceiving. As you jog down, you feel great and think you can go forever. Do NOT overestimate the return. Plan on spending 2-3 times the amount of time to walk up as it did to walk down and know that regardless of your fitness level, you will struggle.* People die on this trail! Carry lots of water and do not start from the rim within hours of sunset. Expect that it could take as long as three hours to reach the rim from the 3-mile rest house and be ecstatic if it takes less. Know that the scenery doesn't change much between the 1.5-mile rest house and Indian Gardens. The first three miles display the grandeur of the cliffs. You are constantly amazed at how large and awe-inspiring the canyon is. The scenery changes completely when you reach Indian Gardens five miles below the rim. There, you start seeing water, a welcome sight in any desert. Indian Gardens is an oasis, a true gem. If you'd like to do a long hike and don't have time to stay overnight, head from Indian Gardens to Plateau Point where you get your first glimpse of the Colorado River. Plan for seven hours to hike to Plateau Point and back to the rim. Below Indian Gardens, you will start to see a lot more beauty. You'll cross flowing springs and see little waterfalls. Eventually you'll walk along the river to the suspension bridge. Cross the bridge, and you'll be in paradise. *I'm a 5 time Ironman and have hiked Kilimanjaro and the John Muir Trail. This trail is hard. I've heard trail runners advising those walking down to not overestimate the trail. In fact, one 22-year old male trail runner and Ironman said he felt like the guy in the sign (the one throwing up).

The trails are very nice. Of course it is pretty steep and worn down in some areas which should be expected. I saw next to no trash and the outhouses were relatively clean. This is one of the busier trails in the park. Expect the first 1.5-3 mile check points to be the busiest parts. I would certainly recommend getting an earlier start if you plan to make a day of it. We hiked down to the lookout point which was totally worth it. It is supposedly 12 miles. We were told by one worker it was closer to 13 miles. The view is absolutely amazing. You can hear the river rushing down in the canyon. Not sure if it is a regular thing but a couple of rangers brought a table, chair, and typewriter down to the point for everyone to type a little piece.

Walking is easier then talking. Or reading. Or understanding. True for toddlers and unfortunately still true for adults. It is amazing how many people "take a walk" down this trail completely unprepared. Chicks in platform sandals. Families with no F'ing water bottles. College dudes who think they are tough and rules don't apply to them. Listen, you do not have to be a bad ass to walk this trail. You just need to be prepared. Walking shoes. Plenty of water. Salty snacks. Sunscreen and a hat. The experience of walking down into the Canyon is amazing. The view is ever changing. And it's always better to do rather than just see a place. We walked down 3 miles, and then back up. People seem to forget the salty snack part. You are sweating without sweating in the summer heat. The sweat is evaporating. And you are drinking plenty of water. Your body actually needs to replace all the salt you are sweating out. Luckily for the people we helped, we had a shit-ton of salty snacks and shared. BONUS TIP: Freeze your water bottles the night before. That way you'll have cold water to drink even on the way up. There is a water filling station along the way. And read the F'ing info they hand out! If it's summer, you need to be on the trail by 8 AM if you plan to go any real distance. It's get HHHHoooottt!

Ended up hiking the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden (1.5 miles past the 3 mile rest house) in late June in the extreme heat. I started just before 5am and was able to complete all 9 miles by 10am. The last few miles were very tough due to the combination of heat and elevation gain. The good news about this trail is that it's very well maintained and that water is available at several spots. I'd like to hike down to the river in the future.

Mom and I hiked this only to the 1.5 rest house. This was a great hike and for us, who are not as physically fit, it can be a challenge. We took our time going down and back up. We spent about 1-1.5 hours going down and it took us about 3-3.5 hours to go back up. The trail offers great views and really is a must for getting a good hike into the canyon. Water is not necessarily available at the 1.5 mile rest house so be sure to take enough water. Not all water stations are available all year long. Also make sure you give yourself enough time to get back up the trail. And be sure to stop and look around. Enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and don't forget to look up to see a different view.

Whether a day hike, or a route down to the bottom, this trail is simply awesome. I've traveled its length from South Rim to Phantom Ranch once, and from the Ranch up to the rim twice. It's gorgeous, inspiring, challenging, delightful, grueling, and wonderful all at once. Find the trailhead at the western part of Grand Canyon Village, it's marked on every single map, so grab one of the free ones at the entrance, or just follow the signs. You'll find it. From the overlook, there are tons of great pics to be had. Probably not the most striking of all lookout points, but still amazing. This is the Grand Canyon. The trail itself is well-worn, as most are at the park. It's traveled frequently by mules. I imagine it's dusty in the summer, but I've only hiked it in winter, in which the top 1/4 or so can be wet, icy, snowy, slippery, or a combo of all those things. They recommend crampons, though I've been lucky to reach it in years or weeks when they weren't necessary. Do yourself a favor, and if you can check the conditions the day before, you'll save the weight if they're not necessary come hiking day. This trail will take you all the way to Phantom Ranch, and up the other side, if you like. It's not, however, the most popular route to go rim to rim. Most R2R people choose the South Kaibab/North Kaibab Trail combo, as it's less miles and more direct. I've hiked both of those trails and they're find and beautiful, but I actually like Bright Angel more than South Kaibab. It has the lovely Indian Garden area along the river, and the option to do Plateau Point as an add-on. More on those below. You won't be alone on the trail, but consider it as a nice alternative to the more direct routes, especially for day hikes. Day hikers with lofty goals (and the experience and proven fitness to back it up) will probably find no finer hike than the 9-mile round trip to Indian Garden. Indian Garden sits some 3,000ft down, 4.5 miles from the top. It's a beautiful spot, in a riparian corridor with shade from tall trees, and drinking water is almost always available. Be sure to check conditions at the top, and they recommend carrying a means of water purification just in case. There's a small ranger station, a campground (backcountry permit and reservation required) and a small hiker house with a lending library if you wanted to rest, rehydrate, and read. If you're REALLY in shape, consider making the extra 3 miles (round trip) spur out to Plateau Point for your first glimpse of the Colorado River from a breathtaking vantage point. From IG, it's nearly a flat hike. If you're lucky enough to have a permit, stay at Indian Garden Campground (listed separately on Yelp). No permit needed for day hikes. The trail is really broken into 4 sections in my mind. There's a rest house at 1.5 miles down, another at 3 miles, Indian Garden at 4.5, and then the final descent to the river, upstream, and across to Phantom Ranch. The first bit to Indian Garden covers around twice the elevation, but you make most of it in the first 3.5 miles. Not that the last half is easy; most of that is made in a grueling canyon of switchbacks near the river. But once you pass the 3-mile resthouse, it will let up save for that last switchback section I mentioned. Each resthouse has a restroom, but water is usually available only seasonally. Again, check ahead of time. Here's the caution: DON'T go past Indian Garden on a day hike. Summers are brutal. That's a 9-mile day, 3K feet down, and then back up. Don't push yourself that far, even, if you're struggling. There are too many rescues, and the sun only takes a matter of minutes to destroy you, necessitating days of recovery. If you can only make it .2 miles to the first tunnel, rejoice in knowing you did something almost no other humans, really, will ever get to do. More advice: Wear good shoes, and even better socks. Use hiking poles if you have bad knees or want better balance. Bring sunscreen no matter the season. Pack lots of water. Anticipate changing weather (rain, sun, cold) and wear layers appropriately. Know your limits. Tell people your plan and check in when you get back. Take lots of photos; it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. Be respectful of other hikers (no music, don't get rowdy) and wildlife. Don't feet the deer or approach them. Smile and talk to folks at the resthouse. Be very kind to rangers and other crew, they're your best friends. Bring some ibuprofen or other pain/inflammation aids. Stay on the dang trail. Stay on the dang trail. Seriously, stay on the trail. This is a beautiful trail. One of my favorites on the earth. It's special. You can feel that it's been a special place. Whether one foot or one mile or all the way down and back, you can feel that it's special too.

Our family took their first trip via train to the Grand Canyon over the Thanksgiving holiday. After a good night's rest, we decided to take a day hike and we chose the Bright Angel Trail. Depending how far of a distance you'd like to go, the trail is rated easy to very difficult. We were limited on time (we had a scheduled departure on the train), but 2 fit teenagers with us. The entire trail is 12 miles, so we decided see how far we could make it and to allot more time on the hike back to ensure we made our train. The weather was sunny, yet very cool when we started. The November weather is fantastic for a hike; I imagine this would be tough in the July heat. Trail is downhill heading into the canyon. Remember, when coming back you'll be going uphill. Trail is well-maintained. The views are SPECTACULAR and any discomfort is made worth it for these views. In addition, there's plenty of markers: 1st tunnel .2 miles-Elevation change 60 ft 2nd tunnel .85 mile- Elevation change 590 ft Resthouse 1.5 miles-Elevation change 1,120 ft (water, bathroom) Resthouse 3 miles-Elevation change 2,120 ft (water, bathroom) Indian Garden 4.5 miles-Elevation change 3,040 ft (water, bathroom) Plateau Point 6 miles-Elevation change 3,080 ft (water) In all, we hiked about 8 miles. (We ended up going uphill faster than downhill because our daughter was way more fit than us, pushing the pace.) We found that the further we went, the fewer people there were (which can be annoying near the top). As a bonus, I bumped into a former colleague of mine on the trail. Seriously. That was an amazing moment. We plan to go back. Tips: We fueled up on a good breakfast before departure Filled each of our packs with water Good shoes Snacks Layers of clothing (it started very cold and warmed quickly)

This is a luring hiking trail with its trailhead just behind the Bright Angel Lodge with great vistas into the Grand Canyon, only made treacherous by the ice scattered along its path during winter months, slowly melting during the day and refreezing by the night. Watch your footing and avoid the ice and the Burro droppings as you descend unto its winding path. My husband and I hiked for approximately 1.5 miles down the path to where the dirt turned from brown to red. We started the hike around 3:30 pm and decided to turn around at this point, which we reached leisurely by 5 pm. The full trek down is just over 7 miles according the literature. Remember, what goes down must come up...the further you venture down the canyon, as it draws you in by its ever changing scenery, skipping down the path aided by gravity...just realized the trek back up the path will double you over and leaving you gasping for air. We were, haha. (this entry was written by my husband)

3/9. We wanted to do a short hike before we head home to CA. Information is clearly post n what u need to do on the hike 3 miles RT, 1120 ft. elevation 2-4 hours 6 miles RT , 2120 ft elevation 4-6 hours 9 miles RT..3040 ft elevation, 6-9 hours We just did 3 miles only.. We don't want to be too tired to drive back home. 1 1/2 miles all downhill. .. Nice view of canyon. Most part is shade. Watch out for mule poops.. Return is a little tough but I finished less than 2 hours since I hike pretty often. New shoes not recommend on this trail. Area is new n clean.. especially the bathroom.. See the pics to give u better idea how is the trail. Picture worth thousand words..

I can only report on climbing out of the Grand Canyon using Bright Angel Trail, it is a beautiful trail that gradually makes its way out of the canyon. The lower reaches follow the Colorado River, Pipe Creek, and Garden Creek right up to Indian Garden, where there is a campground, mule station, water and an area to rest. There is also a trail to Plateau Point where you can look out over the Canyon (I did not hit that, but will next time). After Indian Garden you get the 3-mile rest house, along with access to Indian Garden Campground - although it begs the question what any of this has to do with India, but whatever. Then the 1 1/2 mile rest house, both welcome respites as you climb the ~5000 feet out of the most amazing place on the planet. The last few switchbacks really get on your nerves, it is wonderful to get to the top! Although there should be a method to control the flow at the top a little better for those who are hiking out. It is both dangerous and annoying to encounter groups of tourists along the last bit...after you are tired and attempting to feel at least a little accomplished. Busloads of tourists from Vegas really get in the way. It is nice to know that being part of the bottom 1%, who actually descend into the canyon is something special, you really feel that when the top is crowded from the buses. The trail is expertly built and every turn offers a different view!

OooooooooooooooOOOooooooooooooooooo!!! My favorite trail on the South Rim hands down!!! The amazing photo ops are endless and we were lucky to go during off season to enjoy the lovely snow and not die of heat! My group hiked almost 12 miles and had a blast!!! Next time I'm going all the way down!!! If you are visiting Grand Canyon and staying on the South Rim you must hike the Bright Angel Trail!!! The views are so worth it!

This was not the grueling test of determination so many people warned me it would be. Not at all. It was long-I clocked about 17 miles round trip-and yes, climbing out was uphill the whole way (duh), but it was surprisingly pretty easy overall. It is absolutely stunningly gorgeous, which should go without saying. The scenery is indescribable and impossible to capture in photos. The vantage point from the bottom of the canyon some makes this hike worth it. It's a truly religious experience. The trail is wide, well maintained, and well marked the whole way to the river. It was almost too manicured. I never felt too far away from civilization. Hiking down was actually more difficult for me. On the majority of path, there are stairs, which were killer on the knees. In some places, you could walk to the side to be on a decline rather than stairs. Lots of mule and horse droppings too. The rest houses were nice landmarks to gauge distance, and they all had toilets and running water to fill up the water bottle. The hike out of the canyon was not that bad at all. It's entirely up hill for 8-9 miles, but it's a study ascent. There weren't any places that were extremely steep and no scrambles or scree crossings at all. I expected to be crying and cursing myself for doing it on the way up, but before I knew it I was back at the trail head, where I literally said, "It's done??" I hiked around the rim trail right away, and while I was certainly tired at the end of the day, I was in much better condition that I expected to be! I expected obscenely hot temperatures, so I left at dawn (and saw the most magnificent sunrise I have ever experienced). I was back out by 3:00. About 7 hours of walking and 9 hours total. By the time I got to the river. It was only 90 degrees. I dunked my head and had a quick snack, then hiked out to beat the heat. I took Two liters of water plus electrolyte tablets, and refilled at each rest stop. Salty snacks, quality hiking shoes and trekking poles also. I want to do it again now that I know what to expect and don't worry about coming up the whole way down! Highly recommended for reasonably fit nature lovers.

What a great experience!! Our guide; Jason, met us with a yummy breakfast and packs full of snacks and treats for our kids. He was extremely knowledgeable and kept our kiddos interested in the entire hike. The gummy bear challenge was their favorite part. It was really reassuring having someone with experience on the trail. Jason contacted us ahead of time and asked what we wanted hear about and if we needed any special accommodations. His attention to detail and remembering all of our names was great. We ended the hike with a little brunch and lots of smiles. If you're on the fence about hiring a guide I would tell you to do it! Totally worth it!

This trail is the easiest way to get down the canyon. There are lots of people and rangers visible at all times which eases the mind of unseasoned hikers like me. The best part are the rest stops along the route so if you have never hiked the canyon before, start with this one! The mileage is deceiving at the canyon -- very few big hikes go down then up. 10 miles seems like an easy distance , but you are either going straight down (which hurts knees and joints) or straight up (which is a great cardio workout). We made it down to Indian Gardens and back in 7 hours so right in the middle of the suggested time on the map (6-9 hours). We took plenty of breaks and consider ourselves to be moderately athletic (5x a week gym goers) -- we definitely overestimated our ability. The road itself is very well maintained. We only ran into one set of mules which left nice packages on the path, but they were easy to avoid. Path does get narrow at times which did get to my fear of heights, but nowhere along the path is it terrible. If it raining, stay ahead of the mules because they leave a very muddy trail which slows you down. Next time, we plan on camping down the rim and descending via South Kabib and ascending through Bright Angel in 2-3 days -- tons of hiking info out there! Make sure to get your permits early - this was a last minute trip and we didn't get day-of passes so had to do only day hikes.

The Grand Canyon was everything I imaged and more! We started our hike on the Bright Angel Trail around 12:30pm and 70 degrees. The hike down of the mountain was an easy switchbacks all the way. The trail was big enough for two people and well taken care of. As we came across many hikers panting for air on the way up, I braced myself for the challenge that would later come. We tracked the hike down to the first rest stop at 1.77 miles from the trailhead. Here we found a rest house, restrooms, and water. The next rest stop was 1.5 miles from the first. We took a nice 30 minute break before beginning our journey up. We began our strenuous hike up around 4pm. What made it easier was the shaded areas along the trail. We got to the top and I felt so accomplished! We logged a total of 6.5 miles :) Tips: *Avoid hiking up 12-4pm. The sun is a killer. *Take snacks, tons of Water, and healthy drinks. *don't use running shoes. Your toes will hate you on the way down. *if you have mild knee problems, knee straps help! *Pace yourself and know when to take a break.

This was a good trail for kids with great views. We went 1.5 miles down and then back of course. The elevation drop is noticeable and so plan accordingly for the return trip. We saw a few other families along the way and a good portion of it is shaded depending on the time of day you are going. The path is fairly wide and there are plenty of photo ops. Additionally, the marker are spaced close together, so you can turn back at any given time,or continue to the next point without having to travel much further. We saw many people who had hiked all the way to the river heading back using this trail. There is a water station at the trail head to fill up before your journey.

Just beautiful view all around omg I don't how many time I wanted to cry, laugh out or just scream lmao I been hiking for one year and a few months now so I'm brand new and I love it Going down the trail was very easy to me and coming back up was not that bad, you feel it on your behind and knee but if you do squats and run on a regular you won't feel it as much. It's a must if you are in Las Vegas. It's a 4 hours drive and $30 for entrance per car.

It's a manageable way to get into the canyon with kids if you don't want to get too far in. Pretty much every hike is going to be down, turn around, go back up. It really is three times as hard to get up as it is down. We hiked for several hours and didn't get very far into the canyon. But there were really nice stops to take take photos, a few shady spots for breaks. It was wide enough that it wasn't scary.

It's the only way down and it's where the donkey trail to the bottom is I'm scared of heights and the weight limited is 250 LBs so I was pretty much screwed I did walk a little ways down but there's no guard rails or tram back up so good luck I'll watch from the top.

I didn't go too far down the trail, but you can't help but see the entire thing as you walk the South Rim. It's pretty crowded but there are still amazing views from any angle, and it's "fun" to watch people go where they aren't supposed to go and balance on edges they shouldn't balance on. Keep in mind that it's 10 times harder to go up than it is to go down! I had already done another trail and learned my lesson, so I just walked this one from one side to the other to get the perspective of the wider trail along the cliff which is fun.

1. The Bright Angel trail and the Kaibab trail are the major trails going from the South rim at 7200-7400 feet to the Canyon bottom at 2600 feet. 2. The Bright Angels trail is 18 miles long roundtrip, and the Kaibab trail is 12 miles long roundtrip. Dogs and bicycles are prohibited on both trails, but allowed on the paved South Rim trail, which is also wheelchair accessible. 3. The National Parks puts out signs warning against hiking from the rim to the bottom of the canyon, and then back to the top of the rim in one day. Score of hikers have tried, and suffered from heat stroke, dehydration, and other illnesses. Some have perished. 4. The Bright Angel trailhead is about 100 yards west of the Bright Angel lodge, near the Kolb studio on the south rim trail. At the top of the trail head are at least a dozen modern rest rooms. 5. The Kaibab trail starts at Yaki Point, about 5 miles east, reachable by the south rim trail, or by the orange shuttle. Yaki Point is not accessible by car. 6. The Bright Angel trail has three rest stations, with water, toilets, shelter, and emergency land line phone. These are at the 1.5 mile, 3 mile and 4.5 mile (Indian Garden) trailpoints. 7. The estimated round trip times to these markers are 2-4 hours, 4-6 hours and 6-9 hours respectively. Note that it can take twice as long to hike back up , as hike down. Hiking poles are handy coming back up. 8. There are signs advising taking 1 quart of water for each hour of hiking. 9. The Bright Angel trail is well contoured with rocks outlining the edges of the trail, and much of the trail a series of switchbacks in the shade in the morning. There are also at least two tunnels at the start of the trail. 10. At the bottom of the canyon is Phantom Ranch, with beds and overnight facilities. Reservations to Phantom Ranch must be made a year in advance, and can be done through the same web site as making reservations at all the Xanterra run lodges in the South rim of the Grand Canyon, at the grandcanyonlodge internet site. 11. During the summer the temperatures at the bottom of the Canyon will be the the 100s, with temperatures at the top about 20 degrees cooler. 12. During the winter, the trail will be covered with snow and ice. There are signs advising the use of crampons. to cross ice. 13. There are signs saying do not poop on the trail. However the mules in the riding groups going down the trail ignore the signs. 14. Bring flashlights in case you come back after dark, and watch out for the cliff edge and mule poop. 15. Our cell phones did not function in the Canyon due to lack of coverage in the area. 16. The Kaibab trail runs along a ridge, and has no cover, and has pit toilets but no water. It drops 5000 feet in 6 miles.

WARNING: Do Not attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day! I didn't. I went as far as they recommended, Plateau Point (12.2 miles round-trip) and it was worth it. Looking at the river from Plateau Point is amazing and worth the extra 3 miles round-trip from Indian Garden. The Grand Canyon is amazing and looking at it from the top is definitely different than looking at it from below. To be honest, there wasn't too much change in scenery on the way down to Indian Garden but it was stunning nevertheless. Plateau Point is my favorite along this trail. I will be coming back one day to go to the bottom. I'm glad I didn't do it this trip because I want to stay at Phantom Ranch and enjoy the bottom instead of rushing back up. Phantom Ranch is very popular and need to be reserve early. Tip: --You need water. It wasn't an issue on the way down for me but on the way up, it was. There was only water at the 1.5 Mile Resthouse and the Indian Garden when I went in mid-April. Somehow, I managed to drink 2 liters between the two stops (3 miles apart) and was dying of thirst about 0.5 miles from the 1.5 Mile Resthouse on the way up. I've hiked 6-10 miles round-trip in San Diego without finishing my 2 liters. Finishing 2 liters in 2.5 miles surprised me. BRING ENOUGH WATER! --You need to bring food. An apple can be somewhat thirst-quenching and you need the energy. We also had beef jerky, granola, chip, dried fruits, fruits, bagels and peanut butter. --Bring sunblock. The 12.2 miles took about 9 hours total. High noon definitely slowed us down. --Rest appropriately and pace yourself. It gets hot as you go down. On the way down, we were going about 1.5 miles/40 minutes and on the way up, 1.5 miles/hour. --From the beginning of the trail to Indian Garden, its ~3000 ft in net elevation change. To Plateau Point from Indian Garden, ~30 ft net elevation change. --Know your limits. Don't be a sad statistics. Happy Trails All!

Bright Angel Trail is THE trail to do from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's recently refurbished, lots of water and shade along the trail and fit for hikers of all abilities. I came here the first week of June. It was hot. I recommend starting your hike before 8AM and turn around before noon. The peak of the heat was at 2PM. Also remember that it takes twice as long going up then it does going down. First stop is 1.5M-- there are restrooms, a little shaded seating area and drinking water from the ground. (1 hour down, 2 hours up= 3 hours total) Second stop is 3M house- much like the first stop-- there are restrooms, a little shaded seating area and drinking water from the ground. (2 hours down, 3.5 hours up= 5.5 hours) Third stop is Indian Gardens 5M- this is the last stop with water from the pipeline. all other areas after this will be from the creek and will need to be filtered. (3.5 hours down, 7 hours up=10.5 hours total). I prepared to go for 12 hours but just be careful and don't underestimate the hike back up. It's long, hot and it's all uphill. I packed two bladders with ice and drank ground water until I hit the turnaround. The ice cold water makes such a big difference!