Grand Canyon Hiking Tours

There are many ways to have extra fun in the Grand Canyon, but a hike into the depths of this natural wonder is far and away the most adventurous and most exciting way to get the maximum out of a visit. This is the way it is for several reasons.

hike the grand canyon

First is that the Canyon is more than 5000 feet deep in most places, and so the geologic time that is symbolized by the strata of rock you descend through is literally phenomenal. As you descend, you will think to yourself "a river cut this!!!" Sandstone, limestone, fossils, and native american artifacts create the geologic foundation of the Canyon.

Second is the fact that staying on the rim you get a bird's eye view of everything but no real intimacy with the much of anything. Staying on the rim is only one step better than simply cruising over the Canyon in an airplane. On the contrary, when you're hiking through it, you will have an intimate experience with the flora, fauna, the streams, the rivers, and the waterfalls of this truly phenomenal place. The best of the Canyon is below the rim: Phantom Ranch, Havasu Falls, Thunder Falls, Paradise Falls, Kaibab Creek, Horseshoe Mesa, Hermit Rapids…it goes on and on.

guided grand canyon hikes

Third is that you will experience solitude and peace and quiet in one of the most popular national parks in the United States. While tens of millions of people visit the Grand Canyon every summer, only a couple thousand visitors hike to the bottom over an entire year. The Canyon is a place of immense scale and profound natural beauty, and so hiking down in the Canyon is in many ways the only activity to truly enjoy the true nature of it.

Fourth is that it involves some real adventure. Many people also enjoy rafting, which is a great way to experience the Canyon. What hiking offers that rafting doesn’t is an adventure that involves the full spectrum of the experience - the amazing feeling of winding one’s way down, down, down through layers of rock and into the depths of the Canyon. Then the enjoyment of the Colorado River, and of course finally the hike back out. It’s extremely rewarding to complete a hike in and out of the Grand Canyon - and when you top out and treat yourself to a very nice dinner, massage, and a night of sleep, there’s no doubt you’ve worked for it. You can relax in style, knowing you’ve done what very few people ever do.

grand canyon hikes

If you’re inexperienced, it’s best to hire a guide service for an adventure like this. Don’t attempt it on your own if you don’t know what you’re doing - Grand Canyon National Park performs over 400 rescues per year, and the vast majority of those are overly ambitious hikers who try to do it on their own. There are several fantastic guide companies that will treat you like a king or queen on a trip like this, whether it’s a rim-to-rim or a down-and-back trip. Don’t wait to experience the depths of the Grand Canyon!