| Rank: #1 | Canyon Depth: 4,460 ft. |
| Rim Elevation: 7,260 ft. | Stream Elevation: 2,800 ft. |
| Vegetation: Semi-arid to Desert. Cactus, junipers. | Frequently Seen Animals: Deer, squirrels, birds, bighorn sheep, snakes, millipedes. |
| Hiking Season: All year |
| Name: Bright Angel | Difficulty: Very Difficult |
| Length of Hike (r/t): 15.6 miles | Trail Elevation Change: 4,460 ft. |
| Trail Low point: 2,800 ft. | Trail Highpoint: 7,260 ft. |
| Water: Year-round at trailhead and Indian Garden; summer months at three places along the trail. | |
| Tips: Campsites are available at Bright Angel Campground or at Phantom Ranch, which also has lodging and restaurants. Backcountry permits and reservations are required for overnight camping in canyon, and a fee is charged (see website listed below). Phantom Ranch is an additional 1.5 miles one-way on the River Trail. | |
| Hiking Permit Needed: none for day use, but there is an entrance fee per vehicle. | Maximum Group Size: Groups of 20-50 must apply for one of the 4 group permits available each day (fee). |
| Dogs Permitted: No | Horses Permitted: Yes, special regulations apply |
| Cross-Country Skiing Permitted: No | Mountain Bikes Permitted: No |
| Swimming: None | |
| Safety Tips: The National Park Service does not advise "rim to river and back" in one day. Grand Canyon averages 400 search and rescues annually - the Park Service stresses the importance of educating the hiker/visitor before entering canyon. There is limited shade until evening hours. In addition to heat stress and dehydration, other common safety concerns are water intoxication, hypothermia, inadequate fitness level, flash floods, rock slides, and injuries ranging from muscle pulls to broken bones. | |
| General Location: South Rim, 80 miles north-northwest of Flagstaff | Trailhead Accessible to Low-Clearance Vehicles: Yes |
| Nearest Town: Grand Canyon, AZ | |
| Directions: Take HWY 180 north out of Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, AZ. Trailhead is directly west of the parking area. | |
| U.S.G.S. Quad Names: Bright Angel Point, Grand Canyon, and Phantom Ranch | Office of Tourism Region: Grand Canyon Country |
| County: Coconino | Managing Agency: Grand Canyon National Park, (928) 638-7875 1-5pm M-F. |
| Web Sites: http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/dayhike/ http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/dayhike/hs_ba.htm http://www.phantomranch.com/ |
3-D View | Map to Trailhead | Map of Hike | Hike Info | Photo