Is the Grand Canyon on your 2018 bucket list? We think it should be! This natural wonder is one of the most incredible sights you will ever encounter and no photo can truly capture how vast the canyon is. Most people agree that the best way to truly appreciate its beauty is by hiking down to the canyon floor but, unfortunately, we’re not all able to do that. Time, money, and physical capabilities prevent many from being able to enjoy it from the bottom, but you can still hike some pretty easy trails on the canyon’s rims. If you’re hoping to explore a bit of the Grand Canyon before those crowds hit, now is the time! Here are six easy trails that offer beautiful views and you won’t even have to break a sweat.
Please note: the North Rim is closed each year from October 15 until May 15, so several of these trails are inaccessible during the off-season.
- Bright Angel Point Trail
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr Don’t confuse this with the Bright Angel Trail, which measures 12 miles! This super short paved trail can be found at the North Rim and will take you to the canyon’s edge for one beautiful view (see above). Don’t forget to grab a pamphlet before heading out on this trail so you can learn a bit more about nature and the area. Length: 0.5 miles Time: 30 minutes
- Cape Royal Trail
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Another lovely little trail on the North Rim, the Cape Royal Trail is an easy stroll on a flat pathway. You’ll get to see some spectacular sights from here, like the Colorado River and Angels Window. Length: 0.6 miles Time: 30 minutes
- Cliff Spring Trail
David Malouf/Flickr This trail looks like quite the sight, doesn’t it? The trail is just one mile but you’ll get to see a part of the canyon’s North Rim few other people will likely ever see. The spring mentioned in the trail name is located at the very end, just beyond the boulder. Length: 1 mile Time: 1 hour
- Rim Trail
Mark Stephenson/Flickr Ah, finally a trail on the South Rim! This one is actually the route most people follow to check out the Grand Canyon, and we suggest keeping this an easy trek by only hiking a portion of the trail. If you’re looking for a section of the trail perfect for pushing wheelchairs and strollers, then try the Hermit Road Greenway, which begins at Monument Creek Vista and ends at Hermit’s Rest for a total of 2.8 miles. Length: 13 miles total Time: Varies
- Shoshone Point Trail
Christine Shen/AllTrails Here’s a little hidden trail on the South Rim that most people don’t know about. The trail will take you through a forested part of the South Rim, through seasonal wildflowers, to a picnic area, and eventually to the canyon’s edge at Shoshone Point. The trailhead isn’t clearly marked—it’s actually a dirt road about one mile east of Yaki Point Road—and there are times when it may be inaccessible due to special events; however, it’s still a wonderful, quiet find in this area of the canyon! Length: 2.1 miles Time: 1 hours
- Uncle Jim Trail
carolyn tracy/AllTrails That is one picturesque trail! This relatively flat trail on the North Rim sees a fair amount of foot traffic, but once you see the views from the trail’s end, you’ll understand why! Take note that you may encounter a mule trail here so be prepared to share the trail. Length: 4.5 miles Time: 3 hours
Which trail at the Grand Canyon is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share the photos you snapped along the way! You can also share them with us on Instagram (@only_in_arizona) using #OnlyInAZ2018.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
Don’t confuse this with the Bright Angel Trail, which measures 12 miles! This super short paved trail can be found at the North Rim and will take you to the canyon’s edge for one beautiful view (see above). Don’t forget to grab a pamphlet before heading out on this trail so you can learn a bit more about nature and the area. Length: 0.5 miles Time: 30 minutes
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Another lovely little trail on the North Rim, the Cape Royal Trail is an easy stroll on a flat pathway. You’ll get to see some spectacular sights from here, like the Colorado River and Angels Window. Length: 0.6 miles Time: 30 minutes
David Malouf/Flickr
This trail looks like quite the sight, doesn’t it? The trail is just one mile but you’ll get to see a part of the canyon’s North Rim few other people will likely ever see. The spring mentioned in the trail name is located at the very end, just beyond the boulder. Length: 1 mile Time: 1 hour
Mark Stephenson/Flickr
Ah, finally a trail on the South Rim! This one is actually the route most people follow to check out the Grand Canyon, and we suggest keeping this an easy trek by only hiking a portion of the trail. If you’re looking for a section of the trail perfect for pushing wheelchairs and strollers, then try the Hermit Road Greenway, which begins at Monument Creek Vista and ends at Hermit’s Rest for a total of 2.8 miles. Length: 13 miles total Time: Varies
Christine Shen/AllTrails
Here’s a little hidden trail on the South Rim that most people don’t know about. The trail will take you through a forested part of the South Rim, through seasonal wildflowers, to a picnic area, and eventually to the canyon’s edge at Shoshone Point. The trailhead isn’t clearly marked—it’s actually a dirt road about one mile east of Yaki Point Road—and there are times when it may be inaccessible due to special events; however, it’s still a wonderful, quiet find in this area of the canyon! Length: 2.1 miles Time: 1 hours
carolyn tracy/AllTrails
That is one picturesque trail! This relatively flat trail on the North Rim sees a fair amount of foot traffic, but once you see the views from the trail’s end, you’ll understand why! Take note that you may encounter a mule trail here so be prepared to share the trail. Length: 4.5 miles Time: 3 hours
Want to check out another easy hiking trail here in Arizona? We bet you will love checking out the Hanging Garden hidden away near Lake Powell! Read more in This Easy Hiking Trail Will Take You To A Hidden Hanging Garden In Arizona.
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