Not without preparation. The eroded upper section is narrow with real exposure. Rockslides cover the original trail. It's safe if you: bring a map, move carefully on loose scree, never hike in darkness, file a trip plan, and never attempt it in summer heat or winter ice.

Yes, for backcountry camping. Apply online at nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm or in person at the Backcountry Information Center. Day-hikes need no permit beyond the $20-35 park entry fee.

Tanner Trail

Q: What's the difference between Tanner and Bright Angel Trail?

Bright Angel is maintained, has water sources, and is popular for day-hikes. Tanner is barely maintained, has zero water until the river, and is a serious backcountry expedition. Tanner is several grades harder.

Q: Can I day-hike Tanner?

Technically yes—it's 9 miles. Realistically, no. Most turn back at 75 Mile Creek Saddle (1.6 miles). A full descent-and-return is 18+ miles with 9,300 feet elevation change. Budget 12-16 hours minimum. Most hikers aren't that committed.

Q: How much water do I need?

Minimum 3-4L per person for a day-hike attempt. Drink constantly. The river won't help—it's 9 miles away and purification is time-consuming (30-60 minutes with silt-laden water). Most hikers run out before turning back.

Distance

Elevation Gain

4650

Est. Time

4-6 hours down (if moving steady). Plan 12-16 hours for full descent and return. Most hikers bail at 75 Mile Creek Saddle (1.6 miles), a 2-3 hour round trip.

Route Type

Out-and-back

Best Season

October through March

Overview

About This Trail

One of the park's most difficult rim-to-river trails. Descend 9 miles with 4,650 feet of elevation loss and zero water sources—nothing but exposure, heat, and your grit. This barely-maintained route earns the name 'Furnace Flats' for its relentless sun and sparse shade. Expert desert hikers only.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Expert only

Trail Highlights

Reaching the Colorado River after 9 miles of suffering. The Grand Canyon Supergroup rocks frame the river in colorful striations—rust reds, purples, grays. The only reliable water source. Established campsites on the east bank of Tanner Canyon offer sunrise views of the canyon floor.

Insider Tips

• The 75 Mile Creek Saddle (1.6 miles, 1,700 ft descent) is the realistic day-hike turnaround. It's brutal enough and offers canyon views without full commitment. The descent beyond is exposed and dangerously hot. • Upper section is a navigation puzzle. Cairns mark sections but rockslides erase them. Study the Toroweap-to-Coconino Sandstone transition before you start. • River runners call it 'Furnace Flats' because the silt-laden Colorado reflects heat like a mirror. Waterproof sunscreen is mandatory. • Night-hiking the descent is tempting but deadly—loose rock, eroded edges, exposed scrambles. Never attempt the dark descent. • The 1890s pioneers (Franklin French, Seth Tanner) carved this for miners. It's been 'improved' the same way since: barely.

Best Season to Hike

October through March

Hiking Tips

Carry 3-4L water minimum; the Colorado won't appear until Mile 9.
Start at dawn; the exposed upper section becomes a furnace after 10am.
Scout the upper section carefully—rockslides have erased the trail in places. Study a map before you go.
Wear a hat and cool, wet clothing. Core temperature regulation is survival in summer.
Plan for descent taking 4-6 hours, ascent taking 8-12 hours minimum.
File a detailed trip plan with someone outside the park and check in when you return.
Eat 2x your normal calorie intake. Salt and electrolytes are not optional.
Winter: Traction devices (microspikes) are essential on icy upper slopes.

Family Info

Not family-friendly. Exposed drop-offs, extreme heat, dehydration hazard, and sustained physical demands make this unsuitable for children or inexperienced hikers. The NPS explicitly states this is 'not a recommended first hike into the canyon.'

What Hikers Say

Hikers who complete this call it one of the park's most punishing descents—9 miles of relentless exposure, heat, and eroded terrain with zero water sources. Most turn back at the 75 Mile Creek Saddle (1.6 miles). Only experienced desert backcountry hikers attempt the full descent; those who reach the Colorado say it's transformative—but not in a fun way.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 9 miles

Elevation Gain: 4,650 ft

Duration: 4-6 hours down (if moving steady). Plan 12-16 hours for full descent and return. Most hikers bail at 75 Mile Creek Saddle (1.6 miles), a 2-3 hour round trip.

Difficulty: Expert only

Route Type: Out-and-back

Surface: Narrow, badly eroded, with loose rock and boulder scrambles. Rockslides in the Coconino Sandstone have covered sections of the original trail, forcing hikers to improvise. Upper section is unstable and dangerous.

Getting There

Trailhead: Lipan Point (Desert View Drive, East Rim). Trailhead lies just east of Lipan Point parking area.

Requirements

Permit Required

Backcountry permit required for camping. Apply online at nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm or request in person at the Backcountry Information Center. Tanner Canyon use area (BB9) allows at-large camping. Day-hikes require no permit beyond park entry.

Fees: $35 per private vehicle (7-day pass) or $20 per person (hikers/pedestrians/bicyclists). Non-US residents aged 16+ pay additional $100. Cash not accepted at entrance stations.

Shuttle Available

No shuttle required. Private vehicle access to Lipan Point on Desert View Drive (23 miles from South Rim).

Trail Rules

Trail Markers: Poorly marked. Upper section is difficult to follow, especially after storms. Cairns mark sections but disappear without warning. Rockslides have erased trail markers in the Coconino Sandstone. A detailed map is mandatory.

Map/GPS recommended

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: Colorado River only, at Mile 9. No reliable water above the shoreline. The river is often silt-laden and difficult to purify; expect 30-60 minutes of treatment time under those conditions.

Shade: Full sun exposure for the entire route. Sparse vegetation provides almost no shade. The wide-open area and absence of trees make you a target for the desert sun.

Hazards:

This is 'Furnace Flats'—summer temperatures exceed 100°F with near-zero shade. The upper section is steep, narrow, and badly eroded; rockslides have obliterated the original trail, forcing exposed scrambles on unstable ground. Winter ice transforms the slopes into a fall hazard. Monsoon lightning (July-September) strikes the open canyon with nowhere to shelter. The Colorado River, your only water source, is often silt-laden and time-consuming to purify. Hikers pushing beyond the 75 Mile Creek Saddle face increasingly exposed terrain with real drop-offs.

Emergency: File a trip plan before departure with someone outside the park who will alert 911 if you're overdue. River runners patrol the Colorado; flag them down in emergency. Grand Canyon Search & Rescue responds to distress calls.

Crowd Info

Typical Crowds: Ghost town. Very few hikers attempt this route.

Peak Times: Minimal traffic year-round. October-November see slightly more hikers, but expect solitude.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Rooty, steep, and badly eroded. Not accessible. Requires rock scrambling, route-finding through rockslides, and exceptional fitness and desert experience.

Family Notes:

Nearby Facilities

Lipan Point offers parking and views. Desert View Market & Deli and Desert View Trading Post (with ice cream) sit 2-5 miles away on Desert View Drive. No water, food, or services at the trailhead. Nearest full services: South Rim Village, 30+ miles away.

What Hikers Say

Reviews

" Hikers who complete this call it one of the park's most punishing descents—9 miles of relentless exposure, heat, and eroded terrain with zero water sources. Most turn back at the 75 Mile Creek Saddle (1.6 miles). Only experienced desert backcountry hikers attempt the full descent; those who reach the Colorado say it's transformative—but not in a fun way."

Reviews from Google

FAQs

Is Tanner Trail really that hard?

Yes. One of the park's most difficult developed trails. Zero water sources, rarely maintained, steep, exposed, and eroded. The NPS explicitly states it's 'not a recommended first hike into the canyon.' Expert desert hikers only.

What's the difference between Tanner and Bright Angel Trail?

Can I day-hike Tanner?

How much water do I need?

Is this trail safe?

Do I need a permit?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works →

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Tanner Trail

Distance

Elevation Gain

Est. Time

Route Type

Best Season

Overview

About This Trail

Highlights

Insider Tips

Best Season to Hike

Hiking Tips

Family Info

What Hikers Say

Details

Trail Specifications

Getting There

Requirements

Trail Rules

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Crowd Info

Accessibility & Family

Nearby Facilities

What Hikers Say

Location

Address & Directions

Reviews

The YNPG Verdict

Reviews from Google

FAQs