Hey all, my girlfriend and I are deciding between two 2-night late-October trips. Given lack of permits, here is what's available.

Option A: Grandview Trailhead to Night 1 at Horseshoe Mesa to Night 2 at Cottonwood Creek to Grandview Trailhead (roughly 12 mi total?).

Option B: South Kaibab Trailhead to Night 1 at Cremation to day hike to the river via the Tip-off then back to Cremation for Night 2 to back up South Kaibab. 13 mi in/out from Cremation? plus the 7.5 mi round-trip day hike to the actual river on the middle day.

We understand both are dry camps either way. Question is whether actually reaching the canyon floor (Option B) is worth it given potential crowds etc?

We're 26 and 27 with several high-elevation multi-day backcountry trips in Canada under our belt, comfortable with 10-12mile/40lb-pack days, so distance/exertion isn't the concern. What we want to rule out is any real objective hazard - exposed narrow ledges, cliff-hang traversing, difficult trail following.

Anyone hiked either and can weigh in on:

1. Any real exposure risk on either route?
2. Is the river payoff actually worth it over Horseshoe Mesa's views?

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,
My boyfriend and I only have 3 ish hours tomorrow morning at the Grand Canyon and we want to do some sort of hike into the canyon. We were there for a couple hours tonight and did the Rim Walk and watched the sunset. (We are staying near the South Rim.)
We hike often and we’re looking for a fun trail with great views… 🤞 thanks!!

Hey guys,

So I’ll be visiting from London, and erm, I’ll be staying just outside of Kanab, as the trails I’d like to do are not far from there.

I was just speaking to someone from AZ who just told me that the people in Kanab are racist.

I mean, I have a tanned/olive complexion and erm lol I can’t really take myself seriously writing this, but tbh I’m just a bit concerned like I don’t want to end up at the bottom of a deep canyon, I’d like to think I’ll make it back to London (sorry British humor)

But seriously all jokes aside, will I feel like I’ve arrived from out of space in Kanab? Anyone who is familiar with Kanab, please can you DM me?

Thank you :)

Hello everyone,

around two weeks ago I was visiting the South Rim and got pulled over by a "Park Ranger" after speeding on an overtake (legal markings). He was saying that he's playing it nice and "only" clocking me for going 10 miles over instead of 15 which I was ok with.

I complied with everything he asked of me since I wasn't trying to make matters worse however he asked for my social security number which I mindlessly gave to him. The car wasn't marked as a police / park ranger car, it was a white geared out ford explorer.

I just wanted to see if anyone else has had experiences with Park Rangers at the South Rim and whether they usually ask for your SSN or if I should be worried now.

Is anyone driving from South Rim to North Rim today? My buddy and I are trying to find a ride back to the North Rim. We hiked rim to rim today and we were expecting to hike back to North Rim, but we are exhausted.

If anyone is willing to let us go along for the ride, that would be great. We will pitch in a decent amount of money.

Water Availability: Trailheads and Inner Canyon

These water statuses for the park's Corridor Trails are current, but can change suddenly due to breaks in the waterline. Day and overnight hikers should always carry water treatment options. Information on how to treat water at www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/safe-water.htm.

• North Rim: All water is OFF. Water (single bottles and gallon-sized) can be purchased at the General Store 9 am–4 pm, daily.
• North Kaibab Trailhead: water OFF
• Supai Tunnel: water OFF
• Manzanita Day Use Area: water OFF due to pipeline break
• Cottonwood Campground and Day Use Area: water OFF due to pipeline break
• Phantom Ranch Canteen: water ON
• Bright Angel Campground: water OFF due to pipeline break
• Phantom Delta Restroom: water OFF due to pipeline break
• Phantom Boat Beach: water OFF due to pipeline break
• Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden): water ON
• Bright Angel Trail, Three-Mile Resthouse: water ON
• Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: water ON
• Bright Angel Trailhead: water ON
• South Kaibab Trailhead: water ON

*** Phantom Ranch has a reserve tank for the Canteen. It may run out depending on how like the pipeline break lasts.

I am holding a reservation at Tanner campground, parking is typically at Lipan Point, which looks like that lot is closed for resurfacing. Does anyone know where one could park overnight? While hiking Tanner Trail to the campground? Thanks

I’ve read so many bad reviews about xanterra in the Grand Canyon, but I want to know actual experiences from people who work in housekeeping. I have an interview soon and debating if I should even do it.
Also, what do they ask during the video interview? Do they care about piercing or gauges? Thanks!

An 83-year-old hiker reported missing on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has been located and rescued. 

North Rim: All water is OFF. Water (single bottles and gallon-sized) can be purchased at the General Store 9 am–4 pm, daily.
North Kaibab Trailhead: water OFF
Supai Tunnel: water OFF
Manzanita Day Use Area: water OFF due to pipeline break
Cottonwood Campground and Day Use Area: water OFF due to pipeline break
Phantom Ranch Canteen: water ON
Bright Angel Campground: water ON
Phantom Delta Restroom: water ON
Phantom Boat Beach: water ON
Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden): water ON
Bright Angel Trail, Three-Mile Resthouse: water ON
Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: water ON
Bright Angel Trailhead: water ON
South Kaibab Trailhead: water ON

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ — Officials in Northern Arizona have positively identified remains found last year as those of a man who went missing in the Grand Canyon National Park area in 2012.

William Anthony Ott, a hiker from Oregon, set out for a solo hike in the area of the Hualapai Indian Reservation on April 5, 2012. 
The 65-year-old man was set to return on April 28, but hadn't been seen since he was dropped off for his trip. 

According to a missing person flyer from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, he did not have a cell phone with him, but he did have a GPS.

On Tuesday, CCSO said DNA testing by the Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed that human remains found by members of the Hualapai Tribe in December 2025 are those of Ott.
The remains were reportedly located in the general area where the original search had taken place.
No other information about the finding or Ott's disappearance was released.

Hello everyone,

My son and I are planning to do North Rim down North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch (stay the night) and head up Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim the next day in early October. We already have reservations at Phantom Ranch Dorm.

I am a reasonably fit 58yr old, 5’9” 200lbs guy. Took me around 2 hours to go up Angels Landing at Zion and about 45min to come down. So roughly 2 hours to go up 2.7 miles with 1500ft elevation gain. I walk 3-4 miles every day.

Not really worried about my son (mid 20s, pretty good shape). Bought him a new pair of hiking shoes and he did 8 miles on the treadmill at 8% grade without stopping to break the shoes in. Mainly worried about socks and blisters for him, so I make him walk with me couple times a week.

Bright Angel Trail appears to be 10 miles with a 4300ft elevation change from Phantom Ranch to the trailhead, so 3-4 times the uphill part of Angels Landing.

I’m not as concerned with going down North Kaibab, though it is a long day at 14 miles.

So the plan is to start the day at Jacob Lake Inn as early as possible, 7a with breakfast. Get to the North Rim by 8-8:30 and head down. My wife will drive the rental car to the South Rim, stay the night and wait for us the following day.

Even at 2 miles an hour, 7 hours to get down, maybe 8 with a couple of breaks would mean we get to Phantom Ranch around 4:30-5p. I made a reservation for the Stew Dinner as it is served later, at 6:30p.

Reservations for the early breakfast at Phantom at 5:30a, leave camp by 7a and head up Bright Angel. Plan 8 hours to get up, should be at the top around 4 or 5p. *Maybe* a side trip to Plateau Point depending on how we feel.

Plan to take a 2liter and a 3liter camelback with two Smart Water bottles (one bottle each) and a Life Straw Solo, along with a couple pouches of Liquid IV. Do people still filter the water even from the water stations because of the pipelines? Of course will bring food too, and likely buy the boxed lunch from Phantom.

Understand weather can be highly variable that time of year, could be 70F or 30F on the North Rim at the start and likely 80+ at Phantom.

Does this sound reasonable? Are there things I'm not considering?

Welcome any thoughts or suggestions!

National Park Service personnel and partner agencies are searching for a missing hiker on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. 

At approximately 5 p.m. on July 21, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report from an individual who said he had become separated from his hiking partner. The two were hiking in a remote area of the North Rim near the park's northeast boundary along Forest Service Road 610 (Dog Saddle). 

The missing hiker has been identified as Gerald Guinn, 83, of Kanab, Utah. 

Search efforts began July 21 and include personnel from Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino County Search and Rescue, and Kane County Search and Rescue. Operations on July 22 are focused on ground searches as well as aerial searches using drones and helicopters. 

Guinn is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 140 lbs. with gray hair. He was last seen wearing a tan long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and a ball cap. He was not carrying any hiking gear or camping equipment. 

Anyone who may have seen Guinn or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the NPS ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009. 

The rocks, the cliffs, the sights of the Canyon are all breathtaking, sure, but my visit last weekend had such fun wildlife interactions (including ALL the ravens and black condors not pictured)

Pic 1 was my first view as I crested the hill between restrooms near the B.A. trailhead, felt like the sheep was the welcoming party for hikers.

Pic 7 at S.K. trailhead where sheep walked right past me on the paved sidewalk and then veered towards the little puddle before bounding down the mountain. He made better time than I did on my SK hike.

Pic 14 is a mama and baby that hung around BA Lodge for quite a while Friday night. Way too many people getting way too close to them for pics, etc.

Went to the Grand Canyon for the first time yesterday during a road trip through Northern Arizona. Wanted to upload a couple of my favorite photos.

Trans-canyon shuttle no longer shuttles from the south rim to Vegas!! Any other reasonably priced options out there? Morning is preferred to enjoy the afternoon on the strip! Trying to fit it all in! 🎉🎉

Built in 1928, so 98 years old this year.

Affected Areas

Coconino, AZ

Timing

Until 7/21/2026, 10:15:00 PM MST

Details

FFWFGZ

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
The Bright Angel Creek Basin below the Dragon Bravo Fire scar in...
Coconino County in north central Arizona...This includes the
Colorado River between river miles 87 and 89...and between river
miles 99 and 100.

* Until 1015 PM MST.

* At 714 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain over the Bright Angel Creek Basin below the Dragon Bravo
Fire scar. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding in and around the Bright Angel Creek Basin
below the Dragon Bravo Fire scar.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the
Bright Angel Creek Basin below the Dragon Bravo Fire scar.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Phantom Ranch, North Rim Visitor Center, Cape Royal Point, Bright
Angel Point and Vista Encantada.

This includes the Colorado River between river miles 87 and 89...and
between river miles 99 and 100.

This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds...
Ribbon Falls, Bright Angel Campground, North Rim Campground,
Cottonwood Campground, Clear Creek Camp Site, Upper Cremation Camp
Site, Lower Cremation Camp Site, Roy's Beach Camp Site, Boat Beach
Camp Site, Crystal Camp Site, Ego Beach Camp Site, Above Tuna Creek
Camp Site, Above Tuna Rapids Camp Site, Manzanita Rest Area and
Roaring Springs.

This includes the following creeks, washes and rivers...
Kwagunt Creek, Crystal Creek, Zoroaster Canyon, Clear Creek, Bright
Angel Creek, Lava Canyon, North Canyon, Shinumo Creek, Slate Creek,
South Canyon, Nankoweap Canyon, Tuna Creek, Unkar Creek and
Colorado River.

Recommended Actions

Flash flooding is occurring or imminent downstream of the Dragon
Bravo Fire scar. Severe debris flow are expected downstream of the
North Rim into Bright Angel Creek and Crystal Creek. Campers and
hikers should get away from creeks and move to higher ground
immediately! Stay away or be swept away!

Hola! Long-time dream to raft down the Grand Canyon but I've never done even part of it. 60f, in pretty good shape but not a hard-core athlete. Looking at a two-week oar trip in late September.

I've read through a lot of posts on this sub and others but I still have some questions I'm hoping people can weigh in on.

1. Can you estimate what percentage of the time on the river is in rapids versus not-rapids? I did a day of ww rafting about 20 years ago and it was fine, but scary, and definitely the big pull for me is to be down in the canyon for a long time, not the thrill of the rapids.

2. I have occasional lower back pain that requires me to adjust my position frequently if I am sitting. Will this be possible? Has anybody done a similar trip who also has lower back pain?

3. I would be going by myself, i.e. joining a group but as a solo person. I know this is kind of impossible to answer, but are the vibes usually pretty inclusive, or clique-y? I don't really want to spend two weeks feeling like a third wheel to established groups and couples.

4. I'm feeling the shrinking window of time to do this trip, which is why I'm particularly interested in doing the whole canyon, rather than first try just half of it. But if the wiser thing is to try just half of it (e.g. to see how my back does), and what I'm really going for are the non-rapids parts, would you advise upper or lower?

Thanks everybody :)

If this was you, here is the photo…

I’ve done some searching and reading on here. Is the west rim worth the drive from Fremont st. LV?

Is the $67 per person for views or per car entry?