Rim Trail
Rim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park: Address, Phone Number, Rim Trail Reviews: 5/5
Rim Trail
5
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Scenic and level walking trail, which is easy enough to bring the kids.
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
13 within 3 miles

Bright Angel Bicycles and Cafe
381
0.2 mi$ • American • Cafe

Yavapai Tavern
351
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Brew Pub

Canyon Village Market Place and Deli
855
0.9 mi$ • Specialty Food Market • American • Vegetarian Friendly

Yavapai Coffee and Ice Cream
1,657
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Vegetarian Friendly

El Tovar Lodge Dining Room
6,274
1.7 mi$$$$ • American • Southwestern • International

Deli In The Pines
177
1.6 mi$ • American • Pizza • Fast Food

Grand Canyon Pizza and Grill
114
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Pizza

Arizona Room
1,691
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Southwestern • Soups

Bright Angel Restaurant, Fountain & Bar
2,773
1.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Bright Angel Restaurant
307
1.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Attractions
41 within 6 miles

North Rim Visitor Center
5
0.2 miVisitor Centers

Grand Canyon South Rim
23,218
1.1 miCanyons

Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim
1,167
0.6 miVisitor Centers

Yavapai Point
94
0.6 miCanyons

South Kaibab Trail
1,723
1.6 miHiking Trails

Yaki Point
313
1.4 miLookouts

Grand Canyon National Park
794
1.6 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • National Parks

Bright Angel Trail
2,357
1.6 miHiking Trails

Yavapai Geology Museum
64
0.6 miSpeciality Museums • Science Museums

North Kaibab Trail
205
1.5 miHiking Trails
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,532 reviews
Excellent
1,317
Very good
195
Average
19
Poor
1
Terrible
0
TravelMom
Minnesota281 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
First time at GC for our family — two adults, 14 year olds and 11 year old. We love to hike but weren’t outfitted for ice on the trails going into the canyon so opted to hike the rim going west from Bright Angel Trail overlook to Hermits Rest. It was mostly flat, partially paved, and millions of jaw-dropping views from the trail and many overlooks. Some shade. A couple bathrooms along the way. My son’s watch said we ended up covering 8.5 miles. (My 11 y.o. was dragging the last two.) It took about 4.5 hours — we went at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the views. We took the shuttle back to Bright Angel where we parked.
We originally planned to ride the shuttle all the way to Hermits Rest and then hike back. But when we were about to get on the shuttle the driver said it took one hour to go west to Hermits Rest, but only 20 minutes for the drive back (due to less stops on the east-bound route). So we ended up hiking west. I think the views would actually be better if you did what we originally planned b/c you’d be constantly looking ahead into the canyon. But we couldn’t stomach the thought of riding on the bus for an hour and listening to the driver go on and on about wearing masks. Btw the park’s policy is to wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible....which it always was given the sparse amount of people in early March. We appreciated the rational, common sense approach. We loved our day at the Grand Canyon!
We originally planned to ride the shuttle all the way to Hermits Rest and then hike back. But when we were about to get on the shuttle the driver said it took one hour to go west to Hermits Rest, but only 20 minutes for the drive back (due to less stops on the east-bound route). So we ended up hiking west. I think the views would actually be better if you did what we originally planned b/c you’d be constantly looking ahead into the canyon. But we couldn’t stomach the thought of riding on the bus for an hour and listening to the driver go on and on about wearing masks. Btw the park’s policy is to wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible....which it always was given the sparse amount of people in early March. We appreciated the rational, common sense approach. We loved our day at the Grand Canyon!
Written March 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
travelerfromsj
San Jose, CA1,691 contributions
Apr 2022
The Rim Trail is an easy way to enjoy amazing views of the Grand Canyon. The most crowded portions are in Grand Canyon Village and near Mather Point and Yavapai Point. For the best experience, get away from the crowds by walking part of the Rim Trail between Hermits Rest and Grand Canyon Village. We took the red shuttle to Maricopa Point at around 8:30 am and walked to Hermits Rest, about 7.6 miles in total, but you can walk as little or as much as you like. Very easy with great views, and not a lot of people until we got to Hermits Rest around noon. The best part of the trail was from Powell Point to Monument Creek Vista, which is a dirt path (not paved) that gets you close to the edge of the canyon, although not too close! The part of the trail between Monument Creek Vista and Pima Point is a paved walk through pygmy forest rather than along the Grand Canyon Rim, plus it’s shared with bikes, so I would recommend skipping that portion. There are restrooms at Hopi Point and Hermits Rest.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lqs
Huntington Beach, CA118 contributions
Jun 2020
Although it says Rim Trail, this isn't a hike It's a wide paved walkway that goes along the top area of the canyon. Flat, easy to push stroller or wheelchair. Lots of photo op spots. If you're looking to hike and explore rather than just view scenery then you might be bored with this option. During covid it was fairly open but busier mid afternoon when the Williams train dropped off passengers.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NatParkHikerJess
Peoria, IL1,610 contributions
Jul 2021
What's great about the Rim Trail is you can pop on it just for a viewpoint or walk the entire length of it if you really want to. It is mostly level with a bit of up and down. There are amazing views of the canyon wherever you go. The areas near the visitor center and the villages are busier, but you can also get away from the crowds.
We stayed at a Bright Angel rim view cabin and it was just steps from our door, so we popped out on the rim trail many times to enjoy the view. I loved watching sunset from the trail up by the El Tovar hotel. It was not very crowded. For sunrise, we just went out our front door of our cabin and watched from the trail there. My advice for sunrise/sunset is to not go to one of the popular stops like Mather Point to avoid crowds.
I also wanted to mention that I have a fear of heights but was fine with this trail. It is usually very wide and has a rock wall in many places. In areas with not much of a guard rail, I just stayed far back from the rim.
We stayed at a Bright Angel rim view cabin and it was just steps from our door, so we popped out on the rim trail many times to enjoy the view. I loved watching sunset from the trail up by the El Tovar hotel. It was not very crowded. For sunrise, we just went out our front door of our cabin and watched from the trail there. My advice for sunrise/sunset is to not go to one of the popular stops like Mather Point to avoid crowds.
I also wanted to mention that I have a fear of heights but was fine with this trail. It is usually very wide and has a rock wall in many places. In areas with not much of a guard rail, I just stayed far back from the rim.
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rodney B
Waukesha, WI1,106 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
This trail runs along the rim. If you start at the village and head towards Hermits Rest you can hop on and off the bus when you get tired. Great views all along the way. Be sure to stop at Hermit's Rest at the end of the road for a look at this historic Mary Coulter building. There are restrooms, a gift shop and a snack shop here as well. There are pit toilets at Hopi Point alomg the way which is also a great spot to watch the sunset. You can also walk the rim trail to the East from the village for more great views.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cindyp_nola
New Orleans, LA632 contributions
Nov 2021
The Red Line on the Shuttle service will take you to each of the 10 stops along the Rim Trail so the you can see the Grand Canyon at you own pace. Starting at Pipe Creek Vista and ending at Hermit's Rest lookout point, take the bus or walk between, Mather Point, Powell Point, Maricopa Point. Hopi Point and Pima Point. It is stunning.
Written November 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,343 contributions
Mar 2020
I visit the South Rim area maybe four times a year. Usually for a day, but sometimes with others for a longer stay. I've reviewed the entire trail three years ago but just wanted to update this once in a lifetime experience you'll get by walking even part of this trail network. This time I only had a couple of hours on my way home from the Phoenix area, so I decided to do just a small portion of the West Rim. Catch the trail just behind the bus shelter for the Red Route and begin to walk on a slight upgrade. You'll find some benches placed along the way, usually at neat viewpoints, to rest. Your starting view will be the vast expanse into the canyon looking north and also down at the Bright Angel Trail almost in its entirety (at least down to Indian Gardens where it cuts away down to the river). You'll keep this view for a while as you continue to the Trail Overlook and Maricopa Point site. From here the view will orient a bit westerly to Powell Point (for John Wesley Powell). There are places where you can dip away from a more newly paved section of the trail and scamper over toward the rim for more solitude and great sights. Note as you approach Powell Point from Maricopa that you're walking above an old mining operation shut down a while back but still monitored for radioactivity. The Park Service has screened off the area they don't want you to approach, so I assume we're all safe from contamination. But I don't really know that. Once at Powell Point you will have walked just over 2 miles if you've taken all the trail spurs to the overlooks. There is a bus stop here heading back to the Bright Angel sector and from there you can transfer back to wherever you want. Very active walkers might want to do the entire 7 miles to Hermit's Rest. But my suggestion for this, is to take the bus to the Rest and walk the 7 miles back to the Bright Angel. Fast walkers might do this in the 3 hour range. But if you stop to gaze around and snack a bit, make this outing 5-7. My rule of thumb is usually 10 AM to 5 PM along this part of the trail. Please don't miss this opportunity. Many people do.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,343 contributions
Feb 2022
Back here once again. In January and February you can drive the Hermit Road. After that the bus shuttle kicks in and the road closes to most private vehicles. So I waited for a couple of clear, warmer days and made the trip over. Parked at Hopi Point and walked the half mile or so back to the Powell Memorial where I left off last time. Then back to Hopi and on to Mohave. Views were outstanding. Some snow on ground but nothing serious enough to handicap the walk. Because I had the use of my own vehicle, I returned to it and drove on to the Abyss, Monument Vista, and Pima Point, winding up at the Hermit Rest for a bit of a rest and snack. On my next visit here I'll try to cover the space between Mohave and Hermit on foot. Since you're reading this, you should do something like this, too!
Written February 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
rdrees
San Francisco, CA34 contributions
Apr 2021
We hiked from the Geology Museum to Hermit’s Rest as two parents with 14, 12, and 9 year olds kids. It was an intense 12 miles (we took the shuttle back) with unrelenting incredible and overwhelming views of the Grand Canyon. The Canyon is so massive that the various viewpoints, while all individually amazing, don’t really differ that much in their experience, so this may not be a really “necessary” hike. In other words, taking the shuttle through some or all of it, or skipping a viewpoint or two, won’t really detract meaningfully from the experience. The one downside is that the trail is well maintained for most of the beginning and for the last couple miles to Hermit’s Rest, but is a poorly maintained dirt trail for a couple miles in the middle.
Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
David D
Murrieta, CA97 contributions
Jan 2020
We walked from the Visitor Center to the El Tovar Hotel and it was a memorable experience. the views are incredible but since it was January, the trail was cold and covered in ice. It made the walk treacherous so my wife and I were forced to leave the trail and walk through the woods in several spots. The trail could also use a few more signs showing the distance to landmarks.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JBRetired
Apple Valley, CA430 contributions
The rim trail is I believe 14 miles are there restrooms along the way? Is the village in the center
nahdogg
West Des Moines, IA329 contributions
I'm scheduled to be there 3/24 but could change that to 3/23. Has anyone been there yesterday or today? Are bathrooms open? I see they are no longer collecting entrance fees. Does that mean I need to purchase a park pass in advance elsewhere?
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,343 contributions
Entry is free now at just about all National Parks to avoid person to person contamination. But most services are closed. The general store is still open with abbreviated hours; restrooms are around the back. Open campgrounds might still have open restrooms. If you're not local or within a day's drive (like Phoenix or Vegas or spots nearer), I wouldn't go.
Sonia p
59 contributions
ciao!quanto dura la camminata (all incirca)tra navetta e passeggiata?si prende da south rim?
Laura M
Sabadell, Spain9 contributions
Hola!! Planeo visitar el Grand Canyon a mediados de octubre. Me gustaría saber si el Rim rail en sí es gratuito y se puede hacer por cuenta propia, o es necesario hacerlo en compañía de algún guía del parque con algún coste económico (mi idea sería hacer la ida caminando y volver al Visitor Center en un autobús lanzadera, o viceversa. Asumo que este bus si que hay que pagarlo. Me refiero simplemente al "paseo").
También tengo entendido que para entrar en los parques de EEUU, incluido el del Grand Canyon, hay que tener una entrada; es sólo si quieres acceder con coche? O si quieres llegar en autobús también es necesaria? Hay que sacarla por anticipado o se puede obtener allí mismo?
Muchas gracias.
Ulla H
Worms, Germany108 contributions
Hola, the shuttle busses are for free, they stop at several bus stops along the south rim and you can jump on/ off wherever you want. We left our car on the huge car park at the visitor center. When you start your walk there it is easy. But the last bit to Hermit's Rest is very hard. The path is close to the edge and there are some steep bits.
But it is the best place l've ever been to. Enjoy
jenmlaw
Chicago, IL3 contributions
We are going to be visiting the South Rim in a few weeks (early June) with our children (age 3 and 5). We have done several family hikes, and they can handle about 3 miles of hiking under normal circumstances. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which stretches of the Rim Trail will give us the best experience (great sights, relatively easy to keep everyone safe, not too challenging, since heat and altitude will have an effect on us)? We are bringing harnesses for the kids to keep them close to us and far from the edge, and of course we'll bring water and all of that. I know we can use shuttles to get around, so I'm just wondering what is the best part to actually walk with the kids. Thanks!
Yessyhara
Venice, FL2,387 contributions
You might try taking the red shuttle along Hermit’s Road. It’s a long ride with lots of stops. You can look at the map as you ride and see how far it is to the next stop. Then you and the kids can get out at any stop that seems good (according to the kids mood and the scenery) and start hiking. The trail follows fairly near the road. Hike to the next stop and catch the shuttle again, or keep going if the kids are able. This way you can be flexible. You can also hike some at the beginning of the route, then catch the shuttle and ride a ways, and hike more at the end. This way you can see different views. We enjoyed hiking along the Abyss because it had a spectacular steep drop-off and there was hardly anyone on the trail but us. You probably won’t go as far as a regular woodland trail since you will want to keep very close track of your kids. There are rails but kids could easily go right over the edge unless you’re careful. The trail itself is fairly flat though, paved in the well traveled areas and dirt in the lonelier parts.
Mdeverges
Tokyo, Japan5 contributions
With a group of about 30 people on a Saturday in June, what's the likelihood of finding places to sit and eat packed lunches along the Rim Trail? Thank you!
Mdeverges
Tokyo, Japan5 contributions
Hi, I have a group of close to 30 adults (all levels of fitness) and a few kids that want to walk the Rim Trail in June. Assuming it's crowded on a Saturday in the summer - how long do you think it would take to walk from Bright Angel to Yavapai? They are arriving at the Train Depot and have 4 hours to visit the South Rim and eat lunch (which could involve stopping at one of the lodges). So with that in mind I was thinking head west first to hit the lodges and eat, then head east toward Yavapai Point. I have only been there once, a long time ago, so I appreciate any suggestions! Thank you
mauiwolf
Las Vegas, NV1,584 contributions
I’ve done the walk as a tour guide many, many times. It’s the perfect walk for people of all ages and fitness. It could be an hour. It could be two. It just depends how often people are stopping to check things out. And it won’t be crowded. Once you’re 100 yards from the buildings there’s no one. It’s very peaceful. FYI...if there’s any way you can pack a lunch you will be much better off having a picnic along the rim than spending a lot of wasted time waiting in lines for overpriced, bad food.
aksin123
Oakdale, PA
How long does it take to walk from Yavapai to Bright Angel going at a moderate pace on the Rim Trail ?
advntrmom10
Chesapeake, VA60 contributions
Do you mean from Yavapai Point on the Rim or the lodge?
There are maps online of the South Rim trail that will answer your question about walking from point to point.
We used the bus from Yavapai lodge to the Rim Trail points that we were seeing.
Pam S
White Springs, FL66 contributions
What wheelchair accessible options are available? One in party of 3 can't tolerate a lot of bumpy rides (prior spinal surgeries) or walk for more than a few minutes. Will need wheelchair.
Happike
Toronto178 contributions
Here is the official answer from the park management.
Most of the trail is paved and
some sections are accessible. Excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon and for
visitors who desire an easy hike with minimal elevation change. In winter surfaces may be
slippery or icy when snowy. Beware of lightning during summer thunderstorms. Leashed pets
are permitted on the trail but not on park shuttle buses.
Directions to Trailhead: Begin from any viewpoint in Grand Canyon Village or along Hermit
Road. Can access the trail from many of the shuttle bus stops.
Trailhead Elevation: 6,820 feet, varies approximately 200 feet.
Note: NO water along trail. Water in Grand Canyon Village area and at Hermits Rest
Be careful, don't leave the person in the wheelchair unattended. There are no rail, no fences on the edges of the canyon.
DZBones
San Francisco, CA4 contributions
Sorry does anyone know if you can drive your car along this trail? Or is it just bus and human accessible? Thank you everyone just going to drive by the grand canyon for 3~4 hours and wanted to know what part of the park is drivable :)
Cynthia A
York Beach, ME328 contributions
We were here in October and the road was blocked except for the Grand Canyon Rim Trail Buses.which are very convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rim Trail
- Hotels near Rim Trail:
- (1.06 mi) Mather Campground
- (0.84 mi) Yavapai Lodge
- (3.15 mi) Phantom Ranch
- (1.90 mi) Bright Angel Lodge
- (1.24 mi) Trailer Village RV Park
- Restaurants near Rim Trail:
- (0.23 mi) Bright Angel Bicycles and Cafe
- (0.92 mi) Canyon Village Market Place and Deli
- (0.81 mi) Yavapai Tavern
- (3.15 mi) Phantom Ranch
- (1.68 mi) El Tovar Lodge Dining Room