Grand Canyon National Park North Kaibab Trail

ACCESS

Trailhead is 1.5 miles from the Grand Canyon Lodge (North Rim), either hike or drive (parking at trailhead). Roads leading to the North Rim are closed during winter months due to heavy snowfall. Depending upon weather conditions, these roads are open from mid-May to mid-October.

WATER AVAILABILITY

There is intermittent drinking water available seasonally at Supai Tunnel (1.8 miles), Roaring Springs (5 miles) has drinking water seasonally (May-Sept), Cottonwood Campground (6.9 miles) has drinking water seasonally May-October. Bright Angel Creek (photo) flows year-round and should be treated before drinking.

CAMPSITES

Cottonwood Campground is located 6.9 miles from the trailhead. Drinking water is available seasonally (May-October) and water is available in Bright Angel Creek (photo) all year round (must be filtered). There are toilets, a ranger station with medical facility and an emergency phone. A permit is required for all camping. Camping is in designated sites only! There is no camping allowed anywhere else along the North Kaibab Trail. The Bright Angel Campground is located 13.8 miles from the trailhead and it is not recommended to hike all the way to Bright Angel Campground in one day on the North Kaibab Trail.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION

The North Kaibab is a steep but well-defined trail, with some shade depending on time of day. Cottonwood Campground is approximately halfway down (6.9 miles), and the trail then follows alongside the Bright Angel Creek (photo) to the river (13.8 miles). Ribbon Falls (photo) is a day use area 1.1 miles south of Cottonwood Campground and 6.1 miles north of Bright Angel Campground and is a popular day hike from Bright Angel Campground.