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Hiking The Rim Trail In The Grand Canyon National Park

ByHikers Movement

The Rim Trail is a well-groomed and primarily paved trail that stretches from Hermits Rest to South Kaibab Trailhead West. It offers numerous breathtaking lookouts and vantage points of the Grand Canyon, including the best spots for catching sunsets and sunrises over the canyon. This trail is suitable for all level hikers and is wheelchair accessible from Lookout Studio to South Kaibab Trailhead.

Difficulty: Easy
Length: approximately 13 mile / 21 km (point-to-point)
Suggested Duration: 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours
Signage: Numerous signs throughout
Facilities: Shuttle bus along the trail, benches, restrooms and water station areas

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Key Features Of The Rim Trail

  • Located in Grand Canyon National Park
  • Connects to longer hikes such as Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trail
  • Wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly paved path from Lookout Studio to South Kaibab Trailhead
  • Breathtaking sunrise and sunset vantage points
  • Connects to the visitor center and Yavapai Observation Station
  • Offers spectacular panoramic views of the canyon
  • Divided into segments with shuttle bus access
  • Suitable for hikers of all skill levels, including families
  • Provides opportunities for shorter or longer hikes
  • Numerous viewpoints and overlooks
  • Potential wildlife spotting such as elk, bighorn sheep and birds
  • Dog-friendly (on a leash)

Facilities And Services

  • Restrooms, water refill stations, snacks and gift shops at various spots throughout the trail
  • Visitor center near Mather’s Point
  • Free shuttle bus service that takes you around the national park and to each lookout

Before You Start Hiking The Rim Trail

Before you begin hiking the Rim Trail, there are a few things to note. The first is that since the trail is located within the Grand Canyon National Park, you will need a pass or permit to enter.

Entrance Fees at Grand Canyon National Park

As of December 2022, the fees are as follows:

  • Vehicle Permit USD 35 (per vehicle with up to 15 passengers)
  • Individual Permit USD 20 (per person on foot, bicycle or park shuttle bus)
  • Motorcycle Permit USD 30 (per one non-commercial motorcycle)

Digital permits can also be purchased online at recreation.gov before visiting.

In addition to individual permits, annual and lifetime passes can be purchased at the National Park Service website. These passes include access to various other national parks around America.

Shuttle Buses And General Trail Information

The Rim Trail stretches from Hermits Rest to South Kaibab Trailhead West, which can be walked and cycled (on the Greenway Trail near Hermits Rest), or you can take the shuttle bus, which stops at various lookout points along the trail. Whether you want to hike the entire trail, half of it or only portions of it, you can hop on the bus whenever you want if your feet get tired, and it will take you back to the Grand Canyon Village.

As for the shuttle bus, it is the best way to get around the Grand Canyon South Rim, and it is completely free! There are 14 bus stops along the trail. All the shuttle buses are colour-coordinated, making them easy to follow along and get to your desired destination. The bus runs around every 15 minutes. The hours of operation may vary depending on the weather. You can ask the visitor center or check the official shuttle schedule. It is important to note that dogs are allowed on the Rim Trail and not on the shuttle buses.

There are no water stations along the trail, so be sure to bring enough or plan accordingly to refill at one of the water stations at the following locations: Hermits Rest, Bright Angel Trailhead, Visitor Center, and South Kaibab Trailhead. There are many signs and maps throughout to help locate where you are, the nearest lookout point, water stations and restrooms.

Trail sign at the Grand Canyon on the Rim Trail.

Preparing for unexpected occurrences such as changing weather, fatigue, and heat exhaustion is important. Be sure to bring enough water, layers of clothes and salty snacks.

The Rim Trail can get quite icy and slippery in the winter months. Hikers should come prepared with either microspikes or crampons to help keep traction.

Rim Trail sign with arrow pointing which way to go.

Our Experience Hiking The Rim Trail

Since we only had one full day (and one-half day) at the Grand Canyon, we tried to get in as many hikes and views as possible. We did not complete the entire Rim Trail from start to finish. Instead, we did sections of the Rim trail throughout our time here. After completing a section of the Bright Angel Trail, we drove over to the visitor center and walked the Rim Trail to the South Kaibab Trailhead. This section of the trail is well-groomed and wide (photo below for reference).

Photo of the paved and groomed Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon.

There is parking alongside the trail so people can stop and take in the many lookouts. It is pretty surreal walking along the Grand Canyon and seeing a new angle every few steps. You can easily spend the majority of your day walking along the Rim trail and enjoying each viewpoint.

Views of the Grand Canyon from the Rim Trail.

Once we reached the end of the trail – the South Kaibab Trailhead, we began hiking the South Kaibab trail to Ooh Aah Point. Our legs were quite tired upon completion, but we knew we had to seize the day and explore a bit more. We headed back to our lodge in the Grand Canyon village to put on more layers before heading back out to catch a sunset over the canyon.

We returned to the visitor center to take the Rim Trail to Mathers Point and then Yavapai’s Point, where we heard you can catch a beautiful sunset. This walk turned out to be such a breath of fresh air: no strenuous inclines, just a flat paved trail with hues of pink and orange hitting the canyon. We were in awe when we reached our final destination to watch the sunset.

This was one of the best sunsets we have ever seen. Of course, photos do not do it justice. We highly recommend catching a sunset if you are ever at the Grand Canyon. You will not regret it! Take a look!

Sunset over the Grand Canyon from the Rim Trail.

Here is a panorama shot:

Panorama shot of the sunset over the Grand Canyon on the Rim Trail.

The following day, we woke up before dawn and went back to the Rim Trail for a short morning stroll to see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon.

Sunrise view over the Grand Canyon off the Rim Trail

Overall, while we did not walk the Rim Trail from start to finish in one go, we are happy we could explore sections of it and enjoy all the beautiful views of the Grand Canyon that this trail offers!

The following is a guide to our recommended gear while hiking the Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon National Park.

Other hikes in the Grand Canyon National Park

Julia and Arthur are the owners, creators and writers of Hikers Movement, Homestead Fox and owners of Fox Media Tech Inc.. As seasoned hikers, Julia and Arthur don't just write about the great outdoors – they live it. Their firsthand experiences, shared through hiking adventures around the world, reflects their genuine commitment to inspiring a community of outdoor enthusiasts.

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