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Can you Hike South Kaibab Trail in 1 Day? – My Review on Hiking the South Kaibab Trail in 1 Day
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon is one giant national park at 1,904 square miles located in Arizona. This is one of the most visited national parks in America. To enjoy the full beauty of the vast Grand Canyon National Park, a rim to river hike is a must! The South Kaibab Trail is a great hike that immerses you into the national park and shows you just how grand this iconic landmark is.
Entrance Fee
- Private Vehicle – $35
- Motorcycle – $30
- Per Person with no vehicle – $20
All national parks require the purchase of an entrance ticket or park pass. Credit cards are accepted at the entrance gates. I highly recommend purchasing the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. It is good for one year and gets you into all national parks and more for free!
America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass
We purchased our National Park Annual Pass through REI. Have an REI Account and get points for your park pass purchase! National Park Annual Pass – $79.99
South Kaibab Trail Breakdown
Length: 14.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 4,872 ft
Route: Out & Back
Grand Canyon National Park Fee
Heavily Trafficked
Difficulty: Strenuous
How to get to the South Kaibab Trailhead
There is no parking at the Kaibab Trailhead. To get to the trailhead there are Two Options:
- Park on the side of the road where the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) intersects with Desert View. Parking here is legal. From there walk on the AZT paved pathway to the South Kaibab Trailhead. The walk is an additional 15-20 minutes. Parking is limited so arrive early!
- Park at the Visitor Center and take the Orange Route Shuttle. The Orange Shuttle is Free to all Grand Canyon Visitors. The South Kaibab Trailhead is the first stop on the Orange Route which allows for a quick ride. Park shuttles can get crowded during the peak summer season.
South Kaibab Trail Tips
- Bring Plenty of Water
- Do not feed the wildlife
- Plan your hike on a Cool/Windy Day
- DO NOT hike Rim to River in one day during the Summer Months (May-August)
- Start Early in the Morning
- Temperature Change – Wear Layers and Check The Temperature before you go
- Wear good quality Hiking Boots
South Kaibab Packing Guide
- Osprey Hydration Pack
- Rain Coat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp
- Hiking Boots
- Food/Snacks – Think! High Protein Bar
- Extra pair of Socks
- Map
- Camera
- Toilet Paper
- Hat/Sunglass
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South Kaibab Routes
South Kaibab Trailhead to Ooh Aah View Point ~ .9 Miles
South Kaibab Trailhead to Cedar Ridge ~ 1.5 Miles
South Kaibab Trailhead to Skeleton Point ~ 3 Miles
South Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom’s Ranch ~ 7.2 Miles
The Journey
Ooh and Aah Point
At .9 miles down the South Kaibab Trail, you will come to Ooh and Aah Point. Here take in the gorgeous views of the Grand Canyon. Start your hike early and get to Ooh and Aah Point to watch the sunrise.
Cedar Ridge
Cedar Ridge is the next stop along the way at 1.5 miles from the trailhead. To enjoy the view, walk out to the ridge and find a spot to sit on the many smooth rocks. There are bathrooms at this viewpoint but they are only open during some parts of the year.
Skeleton Point
Skeleton Point marks 3 miles from the South Kaibab Trailhead. This stopping point is just under the halfway point down to the bottom. If you do not feel up an extra 4.2 miles down, make sure to turn back here. This is a good turning point for most moderate hikers.
After Skeleton Point you will get your first glimpse of the bright blue and green Colorado River. Skeleton Point to Phantom’s Ranch has some of the most strenuous terrains because of how steep and long it is. Make sure you well prepare for this long hike with plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.
There is one stopping point after Skeleton point that has an emergency phone and covered shelter.
Along the way down to Phantom’s Ranch, we came across the mule trains. Make sure to follow the mule guide’s instructions when finding them on the trail. The mules were well trained and fun to see during our hike. *Make sure to watch your step on the path for mule droppings.
Rock Tunnel and Bridge
Phantom’s Ranch
With so many things to do you can easily spend a few hours at Phantom’s Ranch. The first thing you must do is head to the Phantom’s Ranch Canteen. From the South Kaibab Trail Bridge, follow the trail down to the canteen (10minutes). The canteen offers snack and food options. During peak season there is breakfast, lunch, and dinner available. The lemonade is an absolute must-order! It does cost $5 for one cup but you can get a $1 refill if you bring the same cup back. All food and supplies are brought down to Phantom’s Ranch by the mule trains.
I enjoyed my Think! High Protein Bar at Phantom’s Ranch. For this 14.3 mile hike, I brought the Lemon Delight High Protein Bar. This one is my favorites and it paired well with the famous Phantom’s Ranch lemonade. Think! bars are high in protein at 20 grams per bar, only 1 gram of sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. My Lemon Delight Bar kept me full and gave me the energy to finish out our strenuous hike back to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Try Think! High Protein Bar Variety Pack, my favorite bars are the Lemon Delight, Cookies & Creme, and Creamy Peanut Butter. Comment below your favorite!
After a refreshing glass of lemonade and some food, head to the small beach area right at the South Kaibab Bridge. Soak your hot feet in the cool Colorado River.
Phantom’s Ranch offers overnight camping spots and cabin rentals. Make this strenuous hike an overnight two-day journey. You must get camping permits and book your spot in advance. NPS does recommend making this a two-day hike and not doing it in one day. If you are an avid hiker and in good shape, this 14.3 hike can be done in one day.
The Trek Back to the Top
The hike back to the top is nothing close to easy. Phantom’s Ranch sits at 2,460 feet about sea level and the South Kaibab Trailhead is at 7,260 feet, this is a 4,800-foot elevation gain going straight up. From Phantom’s Ranch back to the South Rim Kaibab Trailhead is 7.2 miles. The trek back to the top took us just under four hours. Make sure to drink plenty of water!
TIP: Take photos on the way back up, not on the way down. Hiking down is a breeze, but coming back up is killer. You will need those rest breaks, so save some time and take your photos while you catch your breath. Making your way back is quite rewarding as you can check off each viewpoint.
Overall Thoughts
I absolutely loved this hike. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but every challenge comes with a great reward. This hike shows how massive and beautiful the Grand Canyon truly is. I will definitely be back to do it again and maybe change it up and do Bright Angel hike back to the top of South Rim Grand Canyon.
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