Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Backpack

Most people who cross the Grand Canyon on foot do it in one long day. We take three on the trail, which leaves time to look around.

The route starts on the North Rim, drops down the North Kaibab Trail to the Colorado River and climbs out to the South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail, about 24 miles in all. The last day is the hard one: 9.5 miles and about 4,400 feet (1,300 m) of climbing. Train your legs for that day.

How the permit works

Every night below the rim needs a backcountry permit from the National Park Service, and there are far more people who want them than there are campsites. Permits are released by lottery about four months ahead: applications for May trips close on January 1, and for September and October trips on May 1. Commercial groups like ours also need the Park’s authorization to guide in the canyon.

We apply for every departure as soon as the window opens. Until the permit comes through, a departure shows as “Permit pending” on the trip page. You can reserve a spot, but please hold off on flights until we confirm.

Trail closures in 2026

A flash flood on August 29, 2026 closed the North Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground, and the Park Service hasn’t given a reopening date. Our fall 2026 teams hiked an alternate route below the rim. For 2027 we’ll run the full crossing if the trails reopen, and otherwise the best open route below the rim. We’ll tell you which route your team has as soon as we know.

You need good fitness and hiking experience. Packs run about 35 pounds. The trip starts and ends in Kanab, Utah, with guides from our local partner Dreamland Safari Tours.