I’ve Visited 30 Nationwide Parks—This Is the Greatest Hike I’ve Taken

As a frequent nationwide park traveler and out of doors photographer, I’ve logged a whole bunch of miles in America’s public lands—but one jaunt, specifically, nonetheless stands out to me: The vertiginous journey right down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

 I trekked it in December 2023 with plans and a allow to camp at Vivid Angel Campground, a scenic cottonwood-shaded hideaway simply close to the famed Phantom Ranch (the one lodging on the world surprise’s flooring). Then, two days earlier than my journey, a miracle occurred: One last-minute reservation turned obtainable for Phantom Ranch.

The ranch digs usually ebook out over a yr upfront, however in case you’re fortunate, you’ll be able to both get in by way of the lottery or a last-minute opening. This made the grueling however beautiful hike down and up the steep South Kaibab Path much more memorable.

Right here’s what to learn about mountaineering to the bottom of the Grand Canyon—and why it deserves a spot in your journey listing. 

[Editor’s note: Grand Canyon National Park is undergoing several closures, so keep an eye on the park website for the latest updates.]

What to Know Earlier than You Go

You’ll be able to count on fewer crowds.

Of the roughly 5 million individuals who go to the Grand Canyon yearly, solely 5 % go under the canyon rim, and just one % make it right down to the marvel’s flooring. The crowds skinny the additional you go, and for good cause: This path is robust.

But it does include main rewards. You expertise a less-trodden facet of the scenic Grand Canyon, from dipping your toes into the Colorado River to crossing the swinging bridges for the final leg over the water. A journey deep into the crag additionally helps you comprehend the enormity of this terrestrial marvel.

It’s laborious work.

From the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, you’ll be able to both take the South Kaibab or Vivid Angel Path out and in of the canyon. I opted for the previous as a result of the Vivid Angel Path was closed for repairs, however sadly, it’s the steeper of the 2. The South Kaibab Path is a knee-jarring 12 miles round-trip, with an elevation change of round 4,800 ft. Which means you’re descending straight down practically 5,000 ft, then re-gaining all of that elevation with a straight-up slog again to the rim.

In whole, the path took me round 5 hours to descend and about seven hours to climb up, with one in a single day at Phantom Ranch on the Grand Canyon flooring to interrupt up the lactic acid onslaught. My husband and I are each fairly match and former marathon runners, and even for us, it was strenuous. Ensure that to provide your self loads of time, and do some hill coaching in case you’re planning to hike it.

May you do all of it in a day? Certain, in case you’re actually, actually match. The Nationwide Park Service recommends in opposition to this, although, and I agree with them. It’s extraordinarily difficult, and solely probably the most in-shape folks can deal with an up-and-back problem. Plus, why rush your time experiencing this surprise of the world?

There’s nice wildlife recognizing.

One factor that made the journey further thrilling was the distinctive wildlife. On earlier Grand Canyon journeys, I’d seen just a few squirrels, however on this one, we had mule deer proper outdoors our Phantom Ranch cabin for a lot of the night time. Throughout the ascent, which we began earlier than dawn, we shared the path with a bighorn sheep—one other sight I by no means anticipated to see within the Grand Canyon.  

The surroundings is spectacular.

I’ve admired the Grand Canyon from the rim, with hikes and stargazing on the Rim Path, and drives on Hermit Street within the low season. These vistas are dazzling, however I by no means absolutely appreciated the grandness of this canyon, or the sheer measurement of it, earlier than mountaineering to the bottom.

The Grand Canyon flooring can also be an exquisite journey for geology buffs. The rock down right here is alleged to be the oldest within the park, and consultants consider it dates again practically two billion years. (The youngest rock is discovered on the rim.)

And the stargazing is unimaginable. 

The Grand Canyon is a DarkSky Worldwide-certified park, and you’ll get pleasure from its inky nightscapes from just about all vantage factors. Down on the canyon’s base, although, the view is further enchanting.

For starters, you’ll be able to see the nightscape with out the glow of resort lights. Phantom Ranch makes use of solely crimson lights for its exterior illumination, serving to guests retain their night time imaginative and prescient to absorb the celebs—and there are plenty of them. I noticed the Andromeda Galaxy, Pleiades, and Geminid meteors throughout my journey.

The place to Keep

Phantom Ranch is probably the most coveted place to remain on the Grand Canyon flooring. It’s a set of cabins and dorms that ebook out by way of a lottery system, and whereas the digs are fairly laid-back, a keep right here feels luxurious after a day trip in nature. After strenuous hours of mountaineering, you’re greeted with bathe entry, cozy beds, and an on-site eating corridor and snack bar.

All will not be misplaced in case you can’t nab a ranch keep, although. Vivid Angel Campground, positioned a couple of minutes from the property, is equally scenic. It’s tucked alongside the Vivid Angel Creek, and campers can cease by the Phantom Ranch cantina for snacks and the ranch’s scrumptious lemonade—an exquisite deal with after hours of sunny Arizona mountaineering.

 When to Go

With a decrease elevation, the Grand Canyon flooring can rise up to twenty levels hotter than the rim, so that you’ll need to keep away from the lifeless of summer season as a result of the climate can get very popular. I hiked it in early December, and the local weather was excellent—round 30 levels Fahrenheit and barely snowy on the prime, however as much as about 50 and sunny on the canyon’s base.

Spring and fall are different nice instances to get pleasure from it. Deeper into winter, corresponding to January and February, brings larger potential for snow, particularly close to the rim. This could make your journey slippery, so in case you’re tackling a winter slog, make sure that to pack sturdy mountaineering boots, trekking poles, and a pair of microspikes.