Grand Canyon National Park guide · 2 min read
Corridor Trails: Bright Angel and South Kaibab
Two maintained trails drop from the South Rim to the Colorado River, forming the park's main corridor.
The Bright Angel Trail starts just west of Kolb Studio in Grand Canyon Village and covers 7.8 miles to the river, losing 4,460 feet. The South Kaibab Trail begins near Yaki Point and is shorter and steeper, reaching the river in 6.3 miles with a drop of 4,860 feet.
Bright Angel is the easiest to reach, and even a short outing gives a taste of the inner canyon. Switchbacks and tunnels lead down to 1.5 Mile Resthouse, a three-mile round trip, and on to 3 Mile Resthouse. Much of the route winds through a side canyon, so the views feel enclosed. Lower down it passes Havasupai Gardens, formerly called Indian Garden, and ends at Bright Angel Campground near the river.
The South Kaibab Trail rides a ridgeline, which opens wide views but offers almost no shade and no water. Ooh Aah Point sits less than a mile down, making a 1.8-mile round trip, and Cedar Ridge and Skeleton Point offer longer turnarounds at three and six miles round trip. Reach the trailhead by shuttle or on the Rim Trail.
On either trail, the downhill comes first and the hard climb comes last. Over 200 people are rescued each year for fatigue and heat exhaustion, and the park discourages going from rim to river and back in a single day. Carry plenty of water and turn around before you feel tired.
At the bottom, the River Trail follows the Colorado for 1.7 miles between the two trails, and two footbridges cross to the north side. Rangers suggest going down South Kaibab and climbing out on Bright Angel. Rim to Rim hikers continue up the North Kaibab Trail, climbing 5,850 feet over 14.2 miles to the North Rim.
