Trail follows a ridge out to Skeleton Point allowing for 360-degree views of the canyon
General Information
No permit required for day hiking.
Backcountry permit required for overnight camping.
How to Get There
From Tusayan, AZ (7 mi): Take AZ-64 North into Grand Canyon National Park, continue to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, park in the visitor area, then take the free Kaibab Route shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trailhead.
Overview
South Kaibab Trail is a steep, exposed corridor trail from the South Rim to the Colorado River, famous for following a ridge that gives 360-degree views of the canyon. It starts near Yaki Point, reached by the free park shuttle or the Rim Trail (the road is closed to private vehicles), and passes Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge and Skeleton Point before dropping to the Black Suspension Bridge and Phantom Ranch, about 7 miles in. Rangers maintain and patrol it.
Mileage
| Distance (mi) | Elevation (ft) | Location | Junction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 7,260 | Trailhead near Yaki Point | Rim Trail, Arizona Trail |
| 1.5 | 6,060 | Cedar Ridge | – |
| 3 | 5,200 | Skeleton Point | – |
| 4.4 | 4,010 | Trail junction | Tonto Trail |
| 4.6 | 3,870 | The Tipoff | – |
| 6.7 | 2,600 | Black Suspension Bridge | River Trail |
| 7.1 | 2,480 | Bright Angel Campground | River Trail |
Good to Know
- Water: none along the trail on the south side of the river; treated water only at Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. Bring plenty and treat natural water.
- Camping: only at Bright Angel Campground, by permit from the Backcountry Information Center; camp stoves only.
- Difficulty: steep, with a final descent averaging 22%. Cedar Ridge has toilets and is a rest stop for hikers and mule trains.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "South Kaibab Trail", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
