Grand Canyon National Park has officially confirmed that walk-up backcountry permits will be available for spring thru-hikers in 2025 with the following date ranges: April 1 - May 14: Sites will only be available at Cottonwood Campground May 15 - June 11: Sites will also be made available at Bright Angel Campground If you are arriving before or after these dates, still stop at the Backcountry Information Center (BIC) to inquire, but expect less availability. These campsites are for thru-hikers only, not section-hikers. Major thanks goes out to the NPS for working to provide this opportunity for Arizona Trail users given the current constraints of the Transcanyon Waterline construction and the current reduction in staff. AZTers, make sure to thank BIC rangers when you arrive! And be prepared to be flexible with your itinerary as these spots are limited.
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Location
- North Kaibab Trailhead to Kaibab National Forest boundary
Length
- 12.0 miles
Southern Trailhead: North Kaibab Trailhead
- GPS Coordinates: 36.21722° N, 112.05686° 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.
Northern Access Point: Kaibab National Forest boundary
- GPS Coordinates: 36.33775° N, 112.10248° W
Access
From Jacob Lake, drive south on AZ 67 for 26 miles and turn left (east) onto FR 611 (4.5 miles north of the Grand Canyon National Park entrance station and 1 mile south of Kaibab Lodge). Drive 1.1 miles and turn right (east) onto FR 610. Wind south and then east 5.1 miles to a pullout on the north side of the road, near a brown AZT post.
Trail Route Description
Passage 39 begins at the North Kaibab Trailhead and traverses the seldom-used north side of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim attracts only 10% of the Grand Canyon’s annual visitors, resulting in a serene and solitary environment. Before heading north on this section, take a short walk to the rim and catch one more glimpse, through pine trees and fir, into the vast red limestone of Roaring Springs Canyon.
The trail follows a mix of dirt roads and singletrack across a gentle terrain, with some short, steep sections through rolling, forested hills and lush meadows. This mixed conifer forest is home to aspen, spruce, fir and pines.
This passage meanders above 8,000 feet of elevation, which causes cooler temperatures and the possibility for snow through the spring season and sometimes into early summer.
Difficulty
- Easy to Moderate
Season(s)
- Spring, Summer and Fall
- Current weather forecast
Water
Water sources are scarce and unreliable on the Kaibab Plateau. Check the online Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.
Notes/Warnings
- All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
- The Arizona Trail is marked with brown fiberglass posts with a Kaibab Plateau Trail decal near the top.
- North Rim facilities are closed from mid-October to mid-May.
- When the AZT is buried under snow in the springtime, hikers are allowed to walk on Hwy 67 before the road opens, typically on May 15. Mountain bikers are not allowed to ride the road and must follow the trail. Hikers walking the plowed and paved road should be aware of vehicles and snowplows; this means no camping, campfires, or full spread meals in the middle of the road.
Resources
- Map of Passage 39
- USGS Topographic Maps: Bright Angel Point and Little Park Lake.
- Kaibab National Forest map.
- 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.
- Kaibab National Forest, North Kaibab Ranger District, P.O. Box 248, Fredonia, AZ 86022 (928) 643-7298.
- Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center, Jacob Lake, AZ (928) 643-7298.
- BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.
