Overview: The Rim Trail closely follows the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from Hermits Rest on the west to Pipe Creek Vista on the east. Along the way, the Rim Trail passes a series of named viewpoints, and offers a continuously changing view of the Canyon. The free Hermit, Village, and Kaibab Trail shuttles stop at a number of viewpoints along the trail, so it's easy for you to hike the trail in sections. The Hermit Shuttle does not run in winter, when access to the Rim Trail along Hermit Road is by car. Much of the trail is paved, and the section from El Tovar Hotel to Yavapai Point is handicap-accessible. The steepest section is from Trailview Overlook to Bright Angel Trailhead; most of the trail is nearly level with gentle climbs and descents.
Caution: The Grand Canyon is a high-alitude, desert, hiking environment. Until you have some experience at the Grand Canyon, take it easy. Bring plenty of water, even for short walks. Because the humidity is low, your body loses significant moisture without sweating. Be prepared for sudden weather changes by carrying layers of closthing. Except on the most casual walks, you should carry the essentials: water, extra food, sunglasses, sunscreen, map, compass, knife, fire starter, rain gear, and first aid kit.
Start: Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim
Distance: 11.6 miles one-way
Elevation Change: 300 feet
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: All year
Water: Hermits Rest, Grand Canyon Village
Pets: Pets not allowed
Nearest Town: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Fees and Permits: Park entrance fee
Maps: Bright Angel USGS
Land Management: Grand Canyon National Park
Trailhead
The Rim Trail is accessible at many points along its length via the free Hermit, Village, and Kaibab Trail shuttles. The best way to enjoy the Rim Trail is to park at one of the parking lots in Grand Canyon Village and ride the shuttles. The Hermit Shuttle does not operate during the winter; during that time, access to the Rim Trail along Hermit Road is by car or bicycle.
Trail Log in Miles
All these points are shuttle stops, unless noted.
0.0 Hermits Rest
1.0 Pima Point
2.8 Monument Creek Vista
4.0 Abyss Viewpoint
4.9 Mohave Point
5.9 Hopi Point
6.1 Powell Point
6.6 Maricopa Point
7.3 Trailview Overlook
7.7 Bright Angel Trailhead
8.2 El Tovar Hotel
8.9 Spur trail to Park Headquarters and Market Plaza (no shuttle stop)
9.7 Yavapai Point
10.4 Mather Point (shuttle stop at Canyon View Information Plaza, 0.25 miles)
11.6 Pipe Creek Vista
The Hike
Although the Rim Trail can be hiked either direction, this description covers the trail from Hermits Rest eastward to Pipe Creek Vista.
Hermits Rest is the trailhead for the Hermit Trail, and has a small gift shop, snack bar, and restrooms. From here, the Rim Trail heads generally northeast along the rim, with views into Hermit Canyon.
Pima Point overlooks Hermit Canyon to the northwest, and Monument Creek to the northeast. Just west of the viewpoint, the remains of the upper Hermit Tram terminal mark the spot where a cable once spanned more than 4,000 feet down to the dge of Hermit Creek on the Tonto Platform. The tramway was used to supply the tourist operation at Hermit Camp. After leaving Pima Point, the Rim Trail heads generally southeast.
Monument Creek Vista is a minor viewpoint with one great feature- it's the best rim viewpoint to see a rapid. Monument Rapid is one of the hardest ten rapids on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, and on quiet mornings you can hear the rapid from the viewpoint. From here, the Rim Trail travels east and the north along an especially steep section of canyon wall known as "The Abyss".
Abyss Viewpoint looks back to the west into the impressive headwall of Monument Creek. The weak shale layers that usually form terraces between the cliffs are unusually thin here, and the Kaibab Limestone, Toroweap Formation, and Coconino Sandstone form a nearly sheer, 1,000-foot cliff below the rim. The Rim Trail now continues north, and the spectacular views of The Abyss never let up.
Mohave Point looks north across the canyon to some of the major Grand Canyon summits- Shiva Temple, Osiris Temple, and the Tower of Ra. Mohave Point is a great place for sunrises. From here, the Rim Trail heads east along the edge of the Hopi Wall, the steep head of Salt Creek.
Hopi Point continues the tradition of naming South Rim viewpoints after regional Indian tribes. It is a great place for sunsets, as the view is generally eastward toward rock faces lit up by the setting sun. Hopi Point has restrooms.
Powell Point features a monument honoring Major John Wesley Powell and his men, who were the first to run the Colorado River and name and map the Grand Canyon. Like Hopi Point, the view is generally eastward and this is a good place to watch and photograph sunsets. There is also a view of the old headworks for the closed Orphan Mine, which the Rim Trail skirts after leaving Powell Point.
Maricopa Point is close to Powell Point and has much the same view to the north and east. If the light is right, you can spot more Grand Canyon summits below the North Rim- Isis Temple, Buddha Temple, Zoraster Temple, and Brahma Temple. Close below the viewpoint lies The Battleship, a butte formed in the red Supai Formation which lies just west of the Bright Angel Trail. The Rim Trail now heads south along the east rim of Garden Creek.
Trailview Overlook faces directly east and looks down on the upper section of the Bright Angel Trail. You can see the upper switchbacks which work their eay down through natural breaks in the cliffs. Short, tight switchbacks lead down a narrow ravine through the buff-colored Coconino Sandstone. These breaks have formed along the Bright Angel Fault, which crosses the canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim. You'll note that the rim you're standing on is about 200 feet higher than the rim at El Tovar Hotel, across the canyon to the southeast. As the rocks on the west side of the fault were uplifted, the cliff-forming rock layers shattered along the fault, creating a weakness exploited by Garden Creek, below you, and Bright Angel Canyon on the north side of the canyon. Leaving Trailview Overlook, the Rim Trail follows the rim south and then descends east. This 200-foot descent is the steepest section of the Rim Trail.
Bright Angel Trailhead is the shuttle transfer point between the Hermit and Village shuttles. From here, the Rim Trail heads northeast past several of the rim lodges, and Kolb and Lookout Studios. There are several snackbars and restaurants along this section.
El Tovar Hotel is the last of the rim hotels. The Rim Trail, now handicap-accessible, passes Verkamps Visitor Center and continues northeast.
Yavapai Point features the Yavapai Observation Station, an enclosed observation building with geology exhibits. There is a good view of the tilted, colorful rocks of the Grand Canyon Supergroup along Granite Gorge. From here, the Rim Trail heads southeast.
Mather Point, long the most popular viewpoint, is no longer directly accessible by road. To reach the Village and Kaibab Trail shuttle transfer point, walk the 0.25-mile trail to Canyon View Information Plaza. Mather Point is a great place for both sunrise and sunset. The final section of the Rim Trail to the southeast travels along an especially quiet section of the rim, since the park road swings away from the rim.
Pipe Creek Vista looks down into Pipe Creek, which joins Garden Creek near the Colorado River. The Rim Trail ends here, and you can ride the Kaibab Trail Shuttle back to the transfer point at Canyon View Information Plaza, or to Yaki Point to the east.