The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Friday, June 2 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2023 season. Following a record-setting snow season, this delayed opening is necessary to ensure the safe plowing of State Route 67 and allow staff to reopen visitor facilities on the North Rim. Key changes this 2023 season include: April 12-June 2 Closure of the North Kaibab Trail (Arizona Trail) from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead During the winter season, the North Kaibab Trail and North Rim pipeline received significant damage from rockfall and landslides, making many areas unsafe and impassable for inner canyon hikers. In order to safely rebuild and maintain the North Kaibab Trail and repair damaged sections of pipeline, there will be a continuous trail closure in effect from April 12-June 2, 2023 from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead. No hikers will be allowed to pass through this area under any circumstances. Please contact the Backcountry Information Center (928-638-7875; grca_bic@nps.gov) for additional information. Road crews will be operating heavy machinery on Highway 67 and backcountry travelers should avoid traveling and/or camping on the road surface.
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Location
- South Kaibab Trailhead to North Kaibab Trailhead
Length
- 21.8 miles
Southern Trailhead: South Kaibab Trailhead
- GPS Coordinates: 36.05335° N, 112.08344° W
Access
There is no overnight parking or camping at the trailhead. You must take a shuttle from Grand Canyon Village, near the intersection of US 180 and AZ 64. Information is available within the Park Guide you’ll receive at the entrance kiosk, and also at the Visitor Center.
Northern Trailhead: North Kaibab Trailhead
- GPS Coordinates: 36.21699° N, 112.05666° W
Access
The parking area is on the east side of AZ 67, 41 miles south of Jacob Lake and 2.3 miles north of Grand Canyon Lodge. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot.
Trail Route Description
Passage 38 crosses the Grand Canyon from the south rim to the north rim. This physically strenuous and awe-inspiring section follows the well-maintained South Kaibab Trail that descends sharply from the south rim to the Colorado River, then ascends steeply to the north rim on the North Kaibab Trail. Your hard work will be rewarded by the sheer beauty of the Grand Canyon and what is possibly the most scenic section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail!
This section completes the epic “rim-to-rim” route and is both spectacular and challenging. In fact, many people see the route through this section as a bucket list experience on its own.
Prepare yourself for extreme changes in elevation and climate, a variety of ecosystems, and a journey through two billion years of geological history that is unlike anywhere else in the world!
The journey begins on the South Kaibab Trail, a high-quality trail with scenic vistas, little shade, and no water. The trail makes a stunning descent of over 4,000 feet within the first six miles, following a series of switchbacks down the canyon wall to meet the mighty Colorado River.
After passing by Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, the trail becomes the North Kaibab Trail, where it continues gently toward Cottonwood Campground. After this landmark, North Kaibab truly begins its arduous climb out of one of the world’s deepest canyons. It ends at the North Kaibab Trailhead at an elevation of 8,000 feet, where temperatures remain cold and snow may persist into late spring.
There are no words or photographs that can convey the magnitude of the Grand Canyon’s unique landscape. The only way to appreciate the canyon’s grandeur is to hike into its depths, a place that gets fewer than one percent of the park’s total annual visitors. A short side trail leads to Ribbon Falls, one of the most photographed features within the canyon’s inner gorge. Don’t miss it!
Camping at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is a unique experience, but must be planned in advance. Permits are required for camping and can be obtained from the Backcountry Office up to four months in advance. Walk-up permits are also possible. In addition, the Backcountry Office handles accommodations for long-distance hikers, bikers, and equestrians traveling the entire length of the AZT.
Difficulty
- Difficult
Season(s)
All year. Snow may be present after winter storms
Water
Water can be found at the Colorado River, Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Creek, Cottonwood Camp and Roaring Springs. Check the online Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.
Notes/Warnings
- All water found in creeks and springs should be purified prior to use.
- Mountain bikes are prohibited from being ridden in the canyon. You may carry your bike on your back but the wheels must never touch the ground. You can also send your bike to the other side of the canyon on the TransCanyon Shuttle while you hike across.
- Horses are not recommended in the canyon. Please contact the Backcountry Office for more information.
- A reservation and permit are required to spend a night below the rim. Day hiking does not require a permit. For more details on this, go to the Permits page.
- North Rim facilities are closed from mid-October to mid-May.
Resources
- Map of Passage 38
- USGS Topographic Maps: Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Point.
- Grand Canyon National Park map.
- BLM Information Center maps.
For more information
- The Passage Steward
- Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 (928) 638-7888.
- Backcountry Information Center, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 (928) 638-7875.
- BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.
