Plateau Point

What a great hike! I wasn't sure how tough it would be to walk that far down into the canyon and have to walk back out. But it was well worth it for the views. If you give yourself ample time and make sure you have plenty of food/water, you should be good. There are a few toilets along the way as well.

So glad we were able to get out here for sunset and again for sunrise. Camped at Indian Garden for the night which is the only way it’s possible unless you hike 4 hours in the dark. The trail intersection is in Indian Gardens Campground and it’s a little tricky to find but there are signs that show you where to cross the creek. Easy and very beautiful hike out to the point with great views up and down the canyon from a mid elevation which is awesome!

This hike is the best bang-for-the-buck at Grand canyon national Park. The entire hike is around 12.2 miles. And like the sign says on the way down, down is optional up is mandatory. We left at noon and finished at 6 p.m. just in time for sunset. The hike down Bright Angel trail is well laid-out switchbacks. The switchbacks are not steep but there are 4.6 miles of them. When You reach Indian garden you make a left to reach plateau point. The actual hike to plateau point from Indian garden is flat and scenic. I would describe it like a meadow with a killer review in front and behind. When you get past the electrical box the lookout point is only a couple hundred yards further. The lookout point has a nice railing, and it is needed because you're about 500 feet above the Colorado River. From the top of the south rim the trail that leads to plateau point is the is very visible. Don't miss this hike.

Fantastic view! We did a day hike to Plateau Point from Bright Angel Lodge. I would not recommend the average person do the same. We were sore for more than a day after and I’d like to think we’re pretty fit people. We started around 8am and got back around 730p for the 12.75 mi round trip. It took us about 5 hours to get to Plateau Point, spent about an hour there for lunch, and then another 5 hours to get back. We took our time heading down and stayed to enjoy the view knowing that we were prepared to hike at night. By the time we headed back up around 2:30, there were very few people on the trail - aside from the campground, we maybe ran into 3 others the rest of the night. I think sunset was around 5 and by 6, it was completely dark, so if you’re night hiking, you absolutely need a light. Trail is well maintained and the path is very obvious. A lot of switchbacks, so bring some poles if you have bad joints. Bathrooms (at 1.5 mi, 3 mi, and campground) were about what you’d expect at a park in the middle of a trail. Either way, I appreciate not having to find an off trail spot to do my business. Water was off at all locations except for the campground. It was pretty chilly though, so we didn’t go through our water as fast as we might have in the heat. Mules passed once on our hike and their droppings are everywhere stopping at the campground. We saw a bunch of deer, including some baby ones. Super cute. They didn’t seem afraid of humans, but we gave them space to do their thing.

Stunning view of the Granite Gorge and Colorado River via the well maintained Bright Angel Trail. It's roughly 5 miles from the trail head on the South Rim to Indian Garden where there is reliable water, shade, campground and ranger station. From there it is 1.5 miles to Plateau Point on mostly level ground on the Tonto Plateau. This hike is perhaps the best long day hike in the canyon for anyone wanting to experience the most that hiking below rim has to offer in a day hike.

Amazing hike from Bright Angel Lodge to Plateau Point. Started the hike at 6.30 AM and it took us 3 hours downhill and 5 hours uphill (mid-June, at 11AM 90°F at Indian Garden, leave early!). Spent almost an hour at Plateau Point and half the time we were there completely alone! It's flat from Indian Garden to here, the steepest part is between the Lodge and the 1.5 mile rest house. Make sure to bring lots of water with you but there's no need to pack more than 2 liters, every 1.5 miles there's a drinkable water fountain where you can refill your bottles and wet your clothes and head to cool down. Breathtaking views of both the river and the canyon walls around you.

Hands down my favorite day hike ever. I ventured out in March 2021 on my first solo Grand Canyon excursion. I car camped at Mather’s campground the night before and ventured out in the wee hours of the morning the next day on Bright Angel. It took me longer than expected to get down to Indian Gardens (lots of snow/ice/slush) on the hike down. A little way past Indian Garden, you enter this field of purple prickly pears and then make it to the most beautiful, powerful spot! Plan on spending at least an hour here, taking amazing photos and listening to the roaring Colorado. The hike back up wasn’t too bad, mainly in the shade. 10/10 - can’t wait to go back!

I've only begun to explore the Grand Canyon. I've hiked down the Bright Angel Trail a few times and it is incredible. I just learned about Plateau Point Trail and went out there this weekend. I would rate that as one of the most breathtaking vistas I have ever seen! You need to be prepared for a 12 mile hike down from the top of the canyon and back along with the fitness to descend then ascend 3,500 feet. If you can do that, it is one of the most rewarding hikes you can ever imagine.

Probably one of the best but brutal hikes I have been on in awhile. I went with the AZ Trailblazers Hiking Club on this rim to Plateau Point 13 mile 3,000 feet elevation change in and out hike and so glad I did this hike. I actually wasn't too sure I was going to be able to finish because my right knee really started to hurt once down at Havasupai Gardens. But, I'm not someone that gives up, so I just told myself I would just push through the pain. We hiked another 1.5 miles to Plateau Point and what a beautiful spot, you can see right down into the Colorado River. I would love to be out here when its dark to see the night sky, will work on making that happen! The ascent is challenging, no matter who you are, but when you finally hit the top, victory is just so sweet! Highly recommend this hike for its beautiful views and make sure to mentally prepare for it. It is a meditative experience.

I stood on the precipice, gazing down at the mighty Colorado River below. There was a faint whisper of the rapids below, and the winter sun of late afternoon was slowly sinking to the west, casting long shadows from the mighty canyon cliffs and covering much of the winding, chocolate river below in dark hues of brown, buff, and muted orange tones. At that moment, the pot of water on top of my backpacking stove began to boil and I retreated from the edge to turn off the stream of isobutane, remove the water, and mix the hot water with freeze-dried meals for me and my backpacking partner so we could enjoy dinner. A few minutes later we were back on the edge at the guardrail, slowly eating our dinner and letting the hot, salty food warm us from within while the last few moments of sunshine glowed on our faces. And that was the moment. That was the moment of complete peace, and direction, and clarity. Every decision we had made in our lives, up to that point, had led us to this point. Our friendship, our adventurous spirit, our very decision to embark on a trek to the Grand Canyon and every little thing had fallen in place to take us to the edge of Plateau Point where we knew that everything was going to be okay. I think back often on that moment. It's been a year and a half, but I can still feel the chilly January breeze, and also the absolute peace that accompanied it. We had wandered into the Arizona desert with questions and Plateau Point had spoken to us with answers. The sage and saguaro spoke wisdom to our hearts. Getting to Plateau Point, in the literal sense, is no small feat. It's down the Bright Angel Trail, emphasis on DOWN. They warn you that going down the Grand Canyon is optional, but going up is not. You must first hike the 4.5 miles (7.25km) to Indian Garden (listed separately here on Yelp) and that includes about 3000ft (915m) in elevation loss. From there, the trail out to Plateau Point is actually remarkably flat, dropping less than 100 feet (30m) on an additional 1.5 miles (2.4km) of trail. At the very edge of Plateau Point, you get to peer over massive cliffs and catch your first view of the River, but it's still about 1300ft (400m) below you. The views are legendary. If you're planning on this as a day hike, start extremely early in the day, and I wouldn't do it in the dead of summer. Those distances above are one way, so to start at the rim and make it back, you're going a full 12 miles (19.3km) and that's down 3000ft (915m) and back up again. It's brutal, and should only be attempted by seasoned hikers. If you're going as an overnighter, it's a bit more manageable. You can stay at Indian Garden in the campground (permits required) and drop your pack and go out as a leisurely stroll. The latter was our plan. That's how we arrived at Plateau Point, in the literal sense. But in the figurative sense we arrived at the overlook by making every decision we had ever made. And if you live the kind of life where every decision you make leads you to a time and place when the sun is setting and you're eating dinner while looking out on the Colorado in this sacred Canyon with a good buddy, then your life is going to be okay. Now, I don't know where life will take me next. I don't know what trail is ahead of me. Sometimes I think I see what may be on the trail, sometimes I wish beyond anything I've wished for before just to lace up my shoes and head off on an adventure, only to be held back alone at the trailhead. But I know no matter what, I was once at the edge of Plateau Point and everything was okay, and everything can be okay again.

Plateau Point (Grand Canyon National Park) Some of the best views of the massive Grand Canyon and Colorado River can be seen from Plateau Point. If you're at the Grand Canyon for just a day, the best way to Plateau Point is from the Bright Angel Trailhead. The hike from the trailhead is 12 miles round-trip so plan accordingly. It's a steep 4.5 miles downhill (over 3,000 feet of elevation loss) to Indian Garden Campground. Once you get to the Indian Garden Campground, it's another 1.5 miles with very little elevation gain. The trail from the campground is clearly defined and exposed. The scorching sun will remind you that. Just follow the path until you reach close to the canyon's edge. The edge of the canyon has railings installed so you can safely witness the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. The best time to be here is right before the sun sets and when the moon begins to rise. I can't imagine how gorgeous sunrise is. The views from Plateau Point is worth the hike and one of the highlights of my Grand Canyon experience. Tips: -There are water stations located every 1.5 miles from the Bright Angel Trailhead to the Indian Garden Campground. Do not underestimate how much water you need. Drink it!! -Bring headlamps, especially if you plan to visit the point during sun set. It's going to be dark on the way back. -Safety first! I do not recommend sitting or standing at the very edge of the canyon. Stay on the safe side of the railings. Taking a photo close to the edge may look cool, but it's not worth your life.