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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Looking for the best backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Grand Canyon National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Grand Canyon National Park

  • North Rim, Arizona

    Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls via North Kaibab Trail

    11.98 mi / 3320 ft gain
    Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls via North Kaibab Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you to stunning Ribbon Falls in Grand Canyon National Park located near North Rim, Arizona. This trail makes for a long hike especially if doing it one day, so be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and sun...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden and Bright Angel Campgrounds

    5.0
    18.26 mi / 4314 ft gain
    The Bright Angel Trail is considered the park’s premier hiking trail. Well maintained, graded for stock, with regular drinking water and covered rest-houses, it is without question the safest trail in Grand Canyon National Park. There is a ranger station located at the trail’s halfway point (Indi...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Backpack the Bright Angel Trailhead to Indian Garden Campground

    4.0
    8.98 mi / 3060 ft gain
    The trail begins just outside of the Grand Canyon village at the Bright Angel Trailhead. The hike begins to descend immediately in continuous switchbacks. The trail can get very icy so shoe traction devices, while not necessary, are very useful. Along the trail there are rest houses at the 1/3 an...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Backpack the Grand Canyon's South Rim

    5.0
    30.1 mi / 4541 ft gain
    If you want to see the real Grand Canyon, this is it. The 3 day backpacking will take you down into the canyon to where few people visit. Although the South Kaibab trail is steep, has no shade cover and water and the views are gorgeous. It is best to start from the South Kaibab, hike down to the ...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Phantom Ranch via the South Kaibab & Bright Angel Loop

    5.0
    21.58 mi / 4314 ft gain
    There are many ways in and out of the Grand Canyon but the most popular loop is to descend from the South Rim, heading down the steeper South Kaibab Trail and returning up via the easier Bright Angel Trail. Your adventure starts early to beat the sun (and get the views). After getting your permi...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Cremation Canyon via South Kaibab Trailhead

    10.43 mi / 3973 ft gain
    The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long and is full of unique geological formations in all sorts of colors. One of the most striking aspects of the Grand Canyon is its immense scale and the dynamic landscapes it has to offer. There's something about it that makes it extremely difficult to fully c...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Utah Flats via Cremation Canyon

    4 mi / 2527 ft gain
    Note: The spot on the map is the beginning of the hike into Cremation Canyon Campground. For the full report on getting there, check out this adventure. Heading out of the campsite at Cremation Canyon, look for hints of a trail where you will scramble up, following other boot prints and cairns t...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Backpack Hermit Trail into the Grand Canyon

    4.0
    16 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Not many people envision their romantic Valentine's Day getaway as a grueling 8 mile hike into the Grand Canyon, but I couldn't think of anything better! If you're planning a trip for the busier summer months, be sure to call ahead or fill out a backcountry permit request to make sure you get a c...
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  • North Rim, Arizona

    Ribbon Falls via North Kaibab Trailhead

    5.0
    17.57 mi / 4521 ft gain
    Although this hike can feasibly done in a day, it is highly recommended that you spend more than one day in this area and visit the falls as a side trip on a larger trip. The closest campsites to Ribbon Falls are Cottonwood Campground and the Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch.  Ribbon Fal...
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  • North Rim, Arizona

    Grand Canyon: Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim

    4.7
    45.6 mi / 10141 ft gain
    Day 1 Start at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park at the North Kaibab Trail. You have 14 miles and 5,761 feet of elevation to descend to the Bright Angel Campground, so bring those trekking poles if you have bad knees (like myself). Along the North Kaibab Trail a few noteworthy trail m...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Backpack the Tanner Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

    18 mi / 4900 ft gain
    The trip requires a backcountry permit for zone BB9 (reserve HERE). Backcountry permits in Grand Canyon National Park are available for reservation on the 1st of the month 4 months prior to your trip date (e.g. if you wanted to go on a trip on May 20 you could reserve your permit on January 1st)....
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  • North Rim, Arizona

    Thunder River Loop

    24 mi / 7234 ft gain
    Considered one of the canyon’s most challenging and awe-inspiring paths, the loop is a must for people looking for hard-earned big rewards. Jaw-dropping vistas, tumbling waterfalls, towering rock walls, ancient fossils and the mighty Colorado create an incomparable backcountry experience.You star...
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  • Supai, Arizona

    Confluence of the Colorado River and Havasu Creek

    5.0
    16.62 mi / 4199 ft gain
    Hike: Starting from the Havasupai campgrounds, which is a 10 mile hike in itself from Hualapai Hilltop, the trail goes past Mooney Falls to Beaver Creek for 4 miles. The elevation gain is limited but makes up for difficulty with route finding. Getting to Beaver Falls will require creek crossings ...
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  • Supai, Arizona

    Havasu Falls in the Havasupai Reservation

    4.7
    10.4 mi / 1647 ft gain
    The Havasupai Reservation is a remote area just outside Grand Canyon National Park, full of blue-green water and dramatic waterfalls.  Despite being an extremely isolated location, camping in the canyon is overwhelmingly popular and reservations are required. On popular weekends you will be shari...
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  • Supai, Arizona

    Mooney Falls

    4.8
    1.36 mi / 200 ft gain
    If you hike to Havasupai and stop at Havasu Falls, you will have missed the grandest of the waterfalls in the Grand Canyon: Mooney Falls. The hike to Mooney Falls is not only scenic, but getting to the idyllic pool at its base of this 200-foot falls is an adventure, requiring you to use chains an...
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  • Supai, Arizona

    Navajo Falls

    4.0
    1.4 mi / 249 ft gain
    Navajo Falls Navajo Falls was created by a flash flood that tore through Havasu Canyon in August of 2008, altering the course of Havasu Creek. Visitors can reach these and other nearby falls via horseback, helicopter, or hiking from Supai Village. It is a relatively short hike from camp (just o...
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