Grand Canyon Hiking Info:
Plan Your Hike

Get more from your Grand Canyon hiking or backpacking trip. The north or south rim or inner canyon takes... more planning than your average hike. The Grand Canyon can be ruthless if you are not prepared.

Grand Canyon National Park is located in northern Arizona and consists of over 1.2 million acres of deserts, waterfalls, forests, alpine meadows and more. The Colorado stretches for 277 miles or 446 km through the Grand Canyon. There are over 500 miles of Grand Canyon hiking trails between the North and South Rims and the canyon itself. If you're looking to get away in nature the park offers over 1,500 flowering plants, 300+ species of birds, 70+ varieties of mammals, and more fish and reptiles.

Grand Canyon Hiking Weather

Be aware that spring and fall weather in the Grand Canyon National Park is very unpredictable so expect sudden changes in the weather and prepare/pack your hiking and camping equipment accordingly.

Summer temperatures at the South Rim (7,000 feet) are between 50-80 degrees F (10-20 degrees C). Keep in mind though the inner canyon temperatures frequently pass 105 F. The North Rim is usually cooler, between 40 and 70 F, than the South Rim which runs in the mid-40's to mid-80's due to it being about 1,000 feet higher. The South Rim can be icy and at times and snowpacked during the winter and the North Rim is closed altogether.

During the summer the average precipitation varies between one to three inches. During the winter it averages from about one half inch to a little over three inches.

Call the Grand Canyon National Park at 928-638-7888 for a current road condition recording. (If you're curious about Grand Canyon camping click here.)

If you're planning to hike the inner canyon you'll want to seriously consider going in the fall or spring and NOT the summer as the temperatures can get dangerously high at 110+ F (or 43 C). The hottest part of the day is between 10 am and 4 pm. Make sure to rest often, stay hydrated with electrolyte replacing drinks, water, and eat snacks with carbs and salt for energy and to replace the salt lost from sweating. Wear a hat and light shirt that you can dampen to help keep you cool.

Because there are no direct bridges between the North and South Rims the shortest road route is 215 miles. Make sure to watch for elk and deer that can bound across the road without warning. The South Rim is very busy and the North Rim is quieter because it's more remote.

Also it's worth mentioning that you'll want to prepare yourself physically before Grand Canyon hiking. It's no walk in the park. ;-) OK, it is a walk in the park, but it can be very demanding. More than a few people have turned what should have been a few hour hike into a potentially dangerous half day ordeal because they didn't prepare themselves first. Don't assume that if you can walk 4 miles in an air conditioned mall that you're prepared to go on demanding hikes in the Grand Canyon. Take care of yourself and prepare.

To help you prepare I've listed the best resources I've found below...

You may want to have a look at my Grand Canyon camping page.

The Grand Canyon Handbook: An Insider's Guide to the Park, by Susan Frank: This is my number one choice if you're going to the Grand Canyon get this book, otherwise unless you're a ranger, you'll probably miss a lot this area has to offer. This book is unique in that it's patterned after frequently asked questions asked of rangers. Talk about a great idea! They tell you everything from where to stay, to where to eat in nearby towns, and what to do around the park and that's just the start.

Hiking the Grand Canyon, by John Annerino: If you're a hiker that wants to get off the main Grand Canyon hiking paths, as well as take some of the popular routes, take a look at this book. Although it could stand some more detail and updating, the book is well done. This book comes with a map, but get the map below if you're going to do any serious hiking. If you're more of a go where the crowds go type of person consider this next book.

Hiking Grand Canyon National Park, by Ron Adkison: This is a good book that covers the more well-traveled or "developed" trails in the park. If you feel more comfortable on more well-travelled paths take a look at this book. Family hiking, permits, and most importantly water sources are covered. So if you only have a few days and want to take the main trails look here. As for maps...

Grand Canyon Trail Map, by Kent Schulte: This map is a must if you're doing any Grand Canyon hiking. The map highlights 291 miles of trails, points out springs, and drinking water. It covers 308,000 acres at a 1:40,000 scale vs. National Geographic's version at 1:73,530. Somebody put some thought into the materials used for the map as it's made from water and tear-resistant material. Think safe, get it and a compass or Global Positioning System if you do any hiking.

Grand Canyon Hiking- National Park

Follow this link if you're interested in going to the National Park Services Grand Canyon hiking page. There's not half as much information as the books above but it's a start.