The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim is a classic crossing of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world … twice. The out-and-back route is 44-47 miles (depending on the variation) and has 11,000 feet of elevation gain. It is a challenging and rewarding route that can be done in 1-4 days.
Region: Southwest (Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona)
Distance: 44-47 miles (1-4 days)
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
- Long climbs and descents
- Extended waterless stretches
- Extreme exposure on climbs
Logistical Difficulty: Moderate
- Permit required to camp in Grand Canyon National Park
- Drastically changing temperatures and need for strategic water planning
- Straightforward navigation and well-signed intersections
Season: Spring, Fall
Elevation (Average): ~5,000 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 11,000 feet
Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim
Hiking Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim is a bucket list item for many backpackers. The effort requires training, endurance, and a series of logistics to pull off a successful out-and-back crossing. With this being in a national park, there are a number of things that can be used to backpackers’ advantages. The trail passes twice by Phantom Ranch, where a few resupply options can be bought as well as postcards to mail from the bottom of the Grand Canyon (packed out by mule).
The trail begins at either the South Kaibab Trail or the Bright Angel Trail. From either location on the South Rim, it is a long drop to the canyon floor. If you opt for the Bright Angel Trail there is usually water turned on at Indian Gardens (check before you go). The trail drops nearly a vertical mile down to the Colorado River. After crossing the river on bridges, the trails converge and pass by Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. Check the hours, but this small store sells coffee and snacks, while also offering lodging if you reserve it in advance.
After Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch, the next spot to camp is Cottonwood Campground 7.6 miles later. The stretch has access to Bright Angel Creek but is dry otherwise. If the creek is used as a water source then the water will need to be treated. There is one water source 5 miles from the top of the North Rim just after Manzanita Creek Footbridge. There is a faucet that is often turned on next to the pump house.
From the pump house it is a 10-mile (5 miles to the rim and 5 miles down) out-and-back that can be dry depending on if the water is turned on at the North Rim. There is a campground at the North Rim but it is often closed for the season during the peak times for Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim crossings. The North Rim is also notoriously colder than the South Rim, so descending back into the canyon may be the best bet.
The route back across the canyon is same as the initial crossing with the exception of every hill being inverse. The camp locations and water sources will be the same, and Phantom Ranch will once again be a good spot to grab a snack or take a break. After Bright Angel Campground the long climb up to the South Rim begins. It is the last climb of the route and if the South Kaibab Trail is taken then it will be dry for the vertical mile to the top.
| Location | Miles From South Rim |
| South Rim | 0 |
| Bright Angel Campground | 7 |
| Phantom Ranch | 7 |
| Cottonwood Camp | 14.6 |
| North Kaibab Trailhead | 22 |
| Cottonwood Camp | 29.4 |
| Phantom Ranch | 37 |
| Indian Garden Campground (Bright Angel Trail) | 42 |
| Bright Angel Trailhead (Bright Angel Trail) | 46 |
How to get to the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Hike
The best way to get to the Grand Canyon is to drive from Flagstaff. Whether this means flying into Flagstaff and renting a car or flying into the large airport in Phoenix and driving from there, the Grand Canyon is best reached by car. There are a number of shuttle services from Flagstaff to the canyon if that works better. The hike is started on the South Rim by nearly every hiker. This is because the vast majority of amenities in Grand Canyon National Park are located at the South Rim.
There are two options for starting points: South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail. There is parking at the Bright Angel Trailhead but there is none at the South Kaibab Trail. If you are taking the South Kaibab Trail it is best to park at the visitors center and take a shuttle right to the trailhead. This is also the best way to get back to Grand Canyon Village after the hike.
Nearest City: Flagstaff, Arizona (80 miles)
When to Hike the Grand Canyon
The best time to hike the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon is in the fall or the spring. If there is a pocket of good weather in the winter, the trail can also be done then, but the North Rim is known to accumulate snow and ice and hold onto it until the spring. Temperatures in the Grand Canyon can climb to triple digits and make it a very hot endeavor in the summer, so we don’t recommend that. The waterless stretches can last quite a way, and if you go too early in the year the water faucet may not be turned on at the North Rim.
Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Terrain
The terrain in the Grand Canyon varies wildly and is unforgiving. The South Kaibab Trail is dry from the trailhead on the south rim all the way to the Colorado River. This can make it a very hot climb and is where the majority of rescues happen in the national park. The wind is often present and the sun beats down directly overhead. This climb is the crux of the entire route, and is the final climb of the trek.
Other than the South Kaibab climb, the route oscillates in small gains and losses through box canyons on the North side of Phantom Ranch before beginning to truly gain elevation near Ribbon Falls. The short side trail is worth the view of the beautiful waterfall. After the natural feature, the trail climbs sharply all the way up to the North Rim. A little over 5 miles from the rim is a reliable pump house water source just after the Manzanita Creek Footbridge. If the water is off on the North Rim, then this is the only source for the 10-mile out-and-back to the rim.
Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water
Camping and Permits: Backcountry permits are required for each night you camp within the Grand Canyon National Park boundaries. Outside of holiday weekends and with some flexibility, permits can be obtained without too much hassle.
Water: Water is one of the most difficult things to manage on the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim. The weather at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is usually 20 degrees warmer than the rim, so planning water capacity for the hotter portion of the hike is essential. Depending on the season, different water sources are turned on, so it is best to consult NPS information at the time of your hike.
Know Before You Go
Weather: The 20-degree difference between the bottom of the canyon and the top of the canyon can come as a shock. Sometimes there is snow on the rim and threats of dehydration at the bottom. The canyon can also be very windy, so carrying a windbreaker will make the crossing more comfortable.
Bright Angel Vs. Kaibab: There are two options for getting down to the river and connecting to the North Kaibab Trail. The South Kaibab Trail is shorter but also steeper with more elevation change, while the Bright Angel Trail is a little longer, more gradual, and has less elevation gain. Many people take one trail down and a different one up to see something new.
Shuttle: Grand Canyon National Park offers a shuttle service to and from the trailheads on the rim. It starts early in the morning, so this is a good way to get your hike started. There is no parking at the South Kaibab Trail, so those hikers must park at the visitor center and take the shuttle to the trailhead.
Mules: Grand Canyon National Park has mules that take supplies and mail up and down from Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. If you are approached by a mule train, step off the trail and let them pass.
