Hike the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular hiking destinations in America. This national park encompasses 277 miles (446 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. It is said to be about six million years old, each colored layer representing its rich history. With over 120 trails to hike, bike and explore, you have plenty of paths to traverse through and burn up those calories.
Grand Canyon National Park totals 277 miles, is one mile (1.6 km) deep, and up to 18 miles (29 km) wide. It is known for its visually immense size and its colorful, labyrinth-style landscape. Its thick sequence of ancient rocks are well preserved and showcased in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers are beyond impressive and show off the geologic history of the United States.
Both the South Rim and the North Rim offer spectacular trail hikes. The South Rim is open 24 hours, while the North Rim is closed for the winter. Of the many hikes, not every hike is a day hike. If you set out for a day of hiking, have a plan, be well packed and know your timeframe. If not, your day hike will because an overnight hike and you may be one of the hundreds of people needing rescued each year.
We spent our time at the South Rim. It was the end of June and it was a scorcher out. We had plenty of water, sweet sun hats and the right gear to brave the elements. Our hike lasted about four hours in total, but having kids, we stayed on the rims’ trails and took in the incredible views at every turn. In all, we burned a whopping 850 calories walking the historic trails of the Grand Canyon and washed it down with more water than we thought possible.
If you plan on hiking the Grand Canyon, be on the lookout for bighorn sheep, mountain lions, mule deer, foxes and a variety of reptiles and birds roaming about. We weren’t lucky enough to see anything outside of a single lizard, but nature could surprise you with some pretty amazing experiences.
Cost of Adventure
- Per vehicle: $35
- Difficulty: Varying
- Calories burned: 300-800 calories
- Time suggested: 4-7 hours
- Family friendly: YES
- Park size: 277 miles
Challenge Yourself
The trails at Grand Canyon vary from smooth and easy to rigid and challenging. Depending on your limitations you can go all-out outdoorsman and spend a couple days hiking into the canyon or you can stay on the clearer paths and casually soak in the incredible views. The challenges here cover both sides of the spectrum so channel your inner explorer and get moving.
The South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge is widely considered a nice entry-level hike to kick off your explorations. The manageable terrain and fantastic views on this 3-mile hike make it very popular for all levels of adventurer. The hike will take about two hours to complete.
Find Great Photo Ops
The Grand Canyon represents incredible photo opportunities at every bend. It doesn’t take long after stepping foot in the park to start clicking away on your camera. With that being said, here are some great view points to hike to and snag some fantastic photos.
- Yavapai Point
- Ooh Aah Point
- Mather Point
