There are over 400 miles within 38 maintained trails and another 400 non-maintained trails within Grand Canyon National Park. A backcountry permit is required for overnight hiking and to camp below the rim, and a fee is charged. You must get permits in advance. To get a Backcountry Trip Planner, write to the park address or check the park's Web site. You can submit completed applications by mail, by fax (520-638-2125), or in person. Day hikes do not require a permit or fee.

• See Backcountry Hiking for more NPS details.
• See our Backpacking Tips.
• See our Day Hiking Tips.

• $10.00 Backcountry Permit Fee
• $5.00 User Impact Fee per person per night (in addition to the Backcountry Permit Fee).

Overnight permit requests should be sent well in advance to:

Backcountry Information Center
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
Phone: 928-638-7875 (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday)

Hikers arriving without permits should contact the Backcountry Office. On the North Rim the Backcountry Office is located 11.5 miles south of the North Entrance (just north of the campground entrance). Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Guests of Phantom Ranch Lodge who have advance reservations do not need backcountry permits.

Avoid hiking in the middle of the day. All overnight backpacking parties should begin their trip, daily camp changes, and return hike to the rim, before 7:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.

All hikers should be aware that efforts to assist them may be limited during the Summer months due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying capability during periods of extreme heat.

• Be prepared. Hike intelligently.
• You are responsible for your own safety.

Several recent encounters between hikers and mules resulted in injuries to packers and the death of some mules. To ensure safety for yourself, other trail users, and mule riders, when encountering mules on the trails:

• Step off the trail on the uphill side away from the edge.
• Follow the directions of the wrangler.
• Remain completely quiet and stand perfectly still.
• Do not return to the trail until the last mule is 50 feet past your position.

• Plan Ahead—As a day hiker no permits are required. You are entirely on your own. Your descent into the canyon, however brief, marks your entry into a world in which preparation, self-reliance, and common sense are crucial.
• Temperature Can Soar—There is a 20 to 30 degree F. difference in temperature between the cool, forested rim and the inner canyon. Canyon temperatures can soar to more than 110 degrees F. in the shade and you will not be hiking in the shade.
• Double Your Calories—Salty snacks and water or sports drinks should be consumed on any hike lasting longer than 30 minutes. Food is your body's primary source of fuel and salts (electrolytes) while hiking in the canyon. If you do not balance your food intake with fluid consumption, you run the risk of becoming dangerously debilitated and severely ill. For every hour hiking in the canyon, you should drink .5 to 1 quart (liter) of water or sports drinks. Your best defense against illness and exhaustion is to eat a healthy breakfast, a snack every time you take a drink, and a rewarding full dinner at the end of the day. This is not a time to diet.
• Watch Your Time—Plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it took to hike down. Allow one-third of your time to descent and two-thirds of your time to ascend.
• Avoid the Danger Zone—The Danger Zone results from a combination of distance traveled, elevation change, temperature, and direct sunlight that can overwhelm your body's ability to keep cool, fueled, and hydrated. The Danger Zone generally starts to develop between 1.5 and 3 miles down inner canyon trails. It's hot down there.

Occasionally true emergencies occur in the backcountry. Never abandon someone who is in trouble. Call for help, use your signal mirror, or send a message with another hiker. Almost all emergencies can be avoided with proper forethought and, when closely examined, are not truly critical and can be resolved by those involved.

If someone asks you for help, try to obtain the following information:

• Nature of the problem.
• Number of people involved.
• Physical description of the people involved.
• The location of the incident.

Rangers are prepared to respond to problems of all kinds and will, if available, provide a necessary and appropriate level of assistance. Evaluate your situation rationally and thoroughly before requesting help. Helicopter evacuations are an ambulance service only. Evacuations are very expensive. Flying a helicopter in the canyon is risky given the uneven terrain for landings and the odd wind currents. The Park takes it seriously, and so should you.

• North Rim—A shuttle to the North Kaibab Trailhead is available at 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. daily. The cost is $5.00 for the first person and $2.00 for each additional person. Purchase tickets at the Grand Canyon Lodge front desk. The pick-up point is in front of the lodge.
• South Rim—An early morning shuttle picks up hikers at the Bright Angel Lodge and Maswik Lodge and travels directly to the South Kaibab Trailhead daily. In May and September the shuttle leaves at 5:00 a.m., 6:00 a.m., and 7:00 a.m. In June, July, and August the shuttle leaves at 4:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m., and 6:00 a.m.
• Rim to Rim Transportation—Daily round-trip transportation, provided by Transcanyon Shuttle, is available between the North and South Rims. $65.00 one-way; $110 round-trip. The van departs the North Rim at 7:00 a.m. and arrives at the South Rim at Noon. The van departs the South Rim at 1:30 p.m. and arrives at the North Rim at 6:30 p.m. Call 928-638-2820 for required reservations. The charter service is available until the end of October.

Hiked
Check our personal notes for detailed descriptons of these trails:

Not Hiked