Rim Trail
5
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Scenic and level walking trail, which is easy enough to bring the kids.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
1,557 reviews
Excellent
1,335
Very good
202
Average
19
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Rodney B
Waukesha, WI1,156 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NatParkLove
Peoria, IL1,904 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
Murrieta, CA109 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gr8ful4222
Campbell, CA1,895 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cindyp_nola
New Orleans, LA614 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve98001
Seattle, WA285 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great way to see this American treasure. Great series of hikes with free shuttle service makes this an unbelievable way to see the park. Winter bus service is somewhat limited but still a great way to get out and about.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JRMADA
United States3,332 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This is a long trail at approximately 13 miles from South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest. A large portion of it is paved, but the stretch between Hopi Point and Monument Creek Vista is not paved, narrow, and very close to the edge without guard rails. During inclement weather and after a snow fall, hikes are not recommended on this part of the trail. The Hermits Rest Free Shuttle Bus (Red Line) is recommended for this part of the trail, and one can board the bus at the Bright Angel Trailhead. Check the park's website for bus schedules. Enjoy the wonderful view along this trail. We certainly did.
Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdrees
San Francisco, CA46 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky N
San Antonio, TX609 contributions
Sep 2022
Spectacular! We did a short hike of a little less than 3 miles, from the Bright Angel Lodge area, to the main Visitor Center. Spectacular views every step of the way!! But I hope this will help someone: do the hike in the reverse of what we did! The direction we went was almost entirely uphill, usually not very steep but uphill nonetheless. Maybe about 200-300 feet elevation gain. Do yourself a favor and do the hike in the downhill direction, from Visitor Center to Bright Angel. You can always take the shuttle back to the Visitor Center. In the downhill direction, it would be a very easy walk on smooth paved trails, with incomparable views.
I don't recommend the Grand Canyon for families with very young children because there are many areas that lack railings and are close to the rim with steep drops. Keep your children very close to you.
I don't recommend the Grand Canyon for families with very young children because there are many areas that lack railings and are close to the rim with steep drops. Keep your children very close to you.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,507 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The rim trail is I believe 14 miles are there restrooms along the way? Is the village in the center
Written September 11, 2020
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?
Written March 19, 2020
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.
Written March 22, 2020
ciao!quanto dura la camminata (all incirca)tra navetta e passeggiata?si prende da south rim?
Written August 9, 2018
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.
Written July 17, 2018
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
Written July 24, 2018
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!
Written May 21, 2018
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.
Written May 23, 2018
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!
Written March 28, 2018
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
Written March 23, 2018
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.
Written March 27, 2018
How long does it take to walk from Yavapai to Bright Angel going at a moderate pace on the Rim Trail ?
Written March 27, 2017
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.
Written April 14, 2017
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.
Written March 2, 2017
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.
Written April 21, 2017
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 :)
Written December 11, 2016
We were here in October and the road was blocked except for the Grand Canyon Rim Trail Buses.which are very convenient.
Written January 5, 2017
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