How Long It Takes To Hike From Bright Angel Campground To Bright Angel Trailhead?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

A: The South Kaibab Trail is 6.8 miles to Bright Angel Campground and the Bright Angel Trail is

9.3 miles

. It will take most hikers between 4 and 5 hours to get to the campground on either trail.

How long does it take to hike back up Bright Angel Trail?

Total Bright Angel Trail hiking time

Officially, the average time is

5-6 hours

. It usually takes longer going up – often as much as double the time it takes to go down. We hiked up and took our time, taking lots of photos along the way.

How long is Bright Angel hike?

Bright Angel Trail: The trail begins on the South Rim just west of Kolb Studio, and descends to the Colorado River. Elevation change from rim to river is 4460 ft (1360 m), along a

7.8 mile (12.6 km)

trail.

How hard is the hike up Bright Angel Trail?


The hike up to 3 mile Resthouse was tough

. Lots of switchbacks. I stopped a lot. I was fatigued and for some reason my legs were swollen.

Can you hike Bright Angel Trail a day?

The South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails are two of the Grand Canyon’s classic hiking trails.

You can combine these two trails together to create one massive day hike or a two-day backpacking trip

. It is a long, challenging hike but it makes for some incredible memories.

Do you need a permit to hike Bright Angel Trail?

During the winter season (approximately late October through mid May),

a Backcountry Permit is required for overnight use of the North Rim from the park’s northern boundary to Bright Angel Point on the canyon rim

.

How steep is Bright Angel Trail?

The top of the Bright Angel trailhead is

6,860 feet

in elevation for a difference of 4,314 feet about 966 feet shy of one vertical mile. The Bright Angel trail hike includes multiple rest stops at various elevations.

Is Bright Angel Trail scary?

It can be a long walk, can be a short walk, it is ALL up to you how far you go. BUT, understand, it can be a difficult walk as you are about 6000 feet up in the air and the path is about 6 feet wide with NO guard rails!

Can you see the Colorado River from the Bright Angel Trail?

The trail is also an out-and-back, so you can turn around whenever you want. The trail offers iconic views of the canyon, and for those up to challenge,

access to the Colorado River

.

How do I hike the Bright Angel Trail?

Hiking Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Trail

Day hikers should consider

1.5 Mile Resthouse (2–4 hours, round-trip) or 3 Mile Resthouse (4–6 hours, round-trip)

. Both offer clean drinking water in the summer months.

Where do you park to hike Bright Angel Trail?

Trailhead Access

The Bright Angel trailhead is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge. To reach the trailhead

park at the Backcountry Information Center (Lot D)

and walk 5 minutes to the trailhead or park at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and catch the free shuttle bus (:20 minute one way trip).

Where do you park to hike Bright Angel?

The Bright Angel Trailhead is located in the Village, just west of Bright Angel Lodge. Visitors can park their cars at

Maswik Lodge or the backcountry office

for easy access. The National Park Service also offers a free shuttle bus that drops off right in front of the trailhead.

What is the easiest hike in the Grand Canyon?

  • Rim Trail. This is the Big Kahuna of easy walking. …
  • Trail of Time. …
  • Shoshone Point. …
  • South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point. …
  • Cape Royal Trail. …
  • Uncle Jim Trail. …
  • Widforss Trail. …
  • North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook.

Is Bright Angels campground open?

Bright Angel Campground is

open year-round

.

Are there bathrooms on Bright Angel Trail?

The Bright Angel Trail is a well-traveled and well-maintained trail.

Toilets are located at River Rest Station located near Pipe Springs, Indian Garden, Three-Mile Resthouse and Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse

. Utilize them as best as possible.

Why is it called Bright Angel Trail?

Photo by Greg Rasanen Bright Angel Trail:

Named for the fault/canyon it follows, which stretches across to the north rim

. It was named by Powell on his first expedition down the Colorado.

Can you stay overnight at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?

Staying Overnight

Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, is a popular destination for both hikers and mule riders.

Overnight hiker dormitories and cabins can be reserved and meals are available for purchase

. Advance reservations for meals and lodging at Phantom Ranch are required.

How do I make a reservation at Bright Angel Campground?

  1. Fill out the backcountry request form and mail or fax it to the backcountry office (considered four months out).
  2. Visit the backcountry office and get a permit in person (considered for start dates one to three months out).

Can you hike rim to rim a day?

All the miles will be more enjoyable.

Hiking more than that is totally doable but not necessarily the most fun or painless.

Hiking Rim to Rim in one day means hiking at least 21 miles

. If the pain hasn’t already kicked in by mile 15, it’s very likely it will at mile 16.

How long does it take to get to bottom of Grand Canyon?

in general,

a trip to the river from the South Rim will take about 5 hours down, and about 15 hours back up

. However, a descent from the North Rim will take close closer to 8 hours to the river, and may take 20+ hours back to the rim depending on fitness.

How many people have died hiking Bright Angel Trail?

Last year, the Grand Canyon search-and-rescue team handled 474 calls–there were

11 deaths

–making the park one of the United States’ most hazardous wilderness areas.

Can you hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back in one day?


DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day

, especially during the months of May to September. Many options are available for day hikers. Both the South Rim and the North Rim offer rim trail hikes that have spectacular views of the inner canyon, some on paved trails.

How long does it take to hike down to Phantom Ranch?

The walk to Phantom Ranch is approximately 7.5 miles down the South Kaibab Trail (average hiking time is

4-5 hours

down) and 10 miles on the Bright Angel Trail (average hiking time down is 4-6 hours, average hiking time up is 6-10 hours).

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.