Grand Canyon South Rim · Very strenuous
South Kaibab Trail Map
A dramatic ridgeline descent with no water and almost no shade. Iconic views from Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, and Skeleton Point.
- One-way: 6.4 mi (10.3 km)
- Elevation change: 4,731 ft
- Difficulty: Very strenuous
- Free GPX download, interactive topo map and elevation profile on this page
South Kaibab Trail FAQ
- How long is the South Kaibab Trail?
- The South Kaibab Trail is 6.4 miles (10.3 km) one-way. Hiking to the end and back is about 12.8 miles round trip.
- How much elevation change is on the South Kaibab Trail?
- The trail runs between about 2,464 ft and 7,195 ft above sea level, an elevation change of roughly 4,731 ft.
- How hard is the South Kaibab Trail?
- We rate the South Kaibab Trail very strenuous. In the Grand Canyon the hard part is the climb back out: plan on it taking about twice as long as the hike down, and carry more water than you think you need.
- Do I need a permit to hike the South Kaibab Trail?
- Day hikes in Grand Canyon National Park don't need a permit. Any overnight stay below the rim requires a backcountry permit from the National Park Service. On our guided trips, we handle the permits.
- Can I download a South Kaibab Trail GPX file?
- Yes. Use the Download GPX button above for a free GPX track that works with Garmin, AllTrails, Gaia GPS, CalTopo and most GPS watches.
Hike the South Kaibab Trail with a guide
- Daily Hikes: 1 day, Moderate, Grand Canyon National Park. $225 per person. Guided day hikes in the Grand Canyon, 7:00 AM daily from June 5 to August 1, 2026. Each day the group runs one trail (South Kaibab, Bright Angel, Hermit, or Grandview), chosen by majority preference.
- South Rim to South Rim: 4 days · 3 nights, Moderate to Challenging, Grand Canyon, Arizona. $1,800 per person. A 4-day South Rim to South Rim Grand Canyon backpacking loop: descend the South Kaibab Trail at dawn, camp two nights along Bright Angel Creek with a day hike to Ribbon Falls, then climb to Havasupai Garden for a Plateau Point sunset before hiking out.
- Classic South Rim Adventure: 4 days / 3 nights, Strenuous, Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona. Dates coming soon. One of the Grand Canyon's most iconic backpacking adventures through the heart of the inner canyon.
- Extended Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Adventure: 6 days / 5 nights, Strenuous, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Dates coming soon. An extended version of the iconic Rim-to-Rim experience allowing additional time to explore the North Kaibab corridor and inner canyon at a more immersive pace.