South Kaibab Trail

Distance: 7.3 miles from South Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground [1], 1.5 miles from trailhead to Cedar Ridge
Duration: 2 days round-trip to Colorado River, 3 hours round-trip to Cedar Ridge
Elevation gain: 4,780 feet from rim to river, 940 feet to Cedar Ridge
Effort: Moderate to strenuous
Trailhead: Yaki Point [2]

The South Kaibab Trailhead shares the road that accesses beautiful Yaki Point along East Rim Drive (Hwy. 64). The area is closed to private vehicles year-round. To get to the trailhead, which is 0.5 miles south of the overlook, take the Kaibab Trail shuttle from Grand Canyon Visitors Center or the Hikers’ Express from the village.

The South Kaibab Trail follows ridgelines from the rim to the river, offering wide-open views of colorful O’Neill Butte and the Inner Gorge [3] as well as several good day-hike destinations. Because of this trail’s openness, a midday ascent in summer is not recommended. There’s no water along the trail, so pack plenty, even for a day hike.

This is a corridor trail, well maintained but also well trafficked. Mule trains have the right of way. Step to the inside of the trail and let them pass. Wait quietly until the last mule is 50 feet away before continuing your hike.

The trail switches back and forth through the Kaibab Formation as it starts descending into the canyon. In less than a mile, views open up to the east at Ooh Aah Point, a good turnaround for a short day hike. At Cedar Ridge (1.5 miles), the park’s most popular day-hike destination, you’ll begin traversing the Coconino sandstone. You’ll find toilets here, but no water.

The trail continues along the east side of Cedar Ridge toward prominent O’Neill Butte. At three miles is Skeleton Point, another fine day-hike destination. From here, switchbacks make a steep descent to the Tonto Platform. The trail intersects the Tonto Trail [4] at the 4.4-mile point, where there are toilets and an emergency phone.

Just beyond the intersection, at the Tip-Off, the steep walls of the Inner Gorge [3] descend sharply toward the river. At about five miles, you’ll reach Panorama Point, with views of the Colorado River and the Black (Kaibab) and Silver (Bright Angel) Bridges. The trail continues its steep descent to the junction with the River Trail. At the six-mile point, the trail passes through a 50-yard tunnel leading to the Black Bridge, which spans more than 400 feet across the river.

After crossing the bridge, the trail heads west, passing near Bright Angel Ruins and the River Ranger Station before continuing to the smaller bridge that crosses Bright Angel Creek [5] at the entrance to the campground. Phantom Ranch [6] is another 0.5 miles up the trail.