Grandview Trail

Q: Can I do this if I'm fit but haven't hiked in the canyon before?

No. This is not a first-time-in-the-canyon hike. Do Bright Angel or South Kaibab first to test your canyon fitness and acclimate. Grandview will still be there.

Q: What if I just do Coconino Saddle (2.2 miles)?

Smart. This is the exposure checkpoint for experienced desert hikers. Doable in 2-4 hours. Gives you canyon views and lets you bail if the terrain feels wrong.

Q: Is the water situation really that bad?

Yes. Zero drinking water to Horseshoe Mesa. Springs below are unreliable or contain arsenic. Carry 3-4 liters minimum; assume dry.

Q: Do I need a permit for a day hike?

No permit for day hiking. Camping at Horseshoe Mesa requires a backcountry permit; apply at nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm or Backcountry Information Center.

Q: What kills people on this trail?

Dehydration and heat exhaustion in summer; winter ice in upper sections. Most accidents happen when hikers ignore heat/hydration warnings or underestimate exposure. The trail causes serious injuries or death annually.

Distance

6 mi

Elevation Gain

2,500 ft

Est. Time

6-9 hours

Route Type

Out-and-back to Horseshoe Mesa

Best Season

April-May (spring) and October-November (fall)

Overview

About This Trail

Grandview Trail is a 6-mile roundtrip into the Grand Canyon on terrain steeper and more exposed than the park's premier routes. Built by copper miners over 100 years ago, this rocky, stepped descent demands expert canyon fitness and unflinching grit. You'll face extreme pitch, cliff-edge exposure, zero water sources, and conditions that injure hikers annually. Only experienced desert hikers with strong ankles, fear management, and 3-4 liters of water need apply.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Strenuous / Expert only

Trail Highlights

Historic copper mining route with dramatic canyon access. Horseshoe Mesa offers 360-degree views and protected camping; Coconino Saddle (2.2 mi) is a safe exposure checkpoint.

Insider Tips

• Coconino Saddle (2.2 mi roundtrip) is a safe checkpoint to test your fitness and exposure tolerance before committing to Horseshoe Mesa. • No signs at junctions; consult your map constantly. • Historic mining artifacts are federally protected archaeological resources; do not touch or remove. • The Cave of the Domes is closed to protect roosting bats. • Mice and ravens will loot your pack at campsites; use animal-proof food containers. • Summer hiking 10 AM–4 PM is when heat kills; start pre-dawn. • Springs below Horseshoe Mesa are seasonal and unreliable; do not count on them.

Best Season to Hike

April-May (spring) and October-November (fall)

Hiking Tips

Carry minimum 3-4 liters of water; springs below Horseshoe Mesa are unreliable or contain arsenic. Filter/treat any water you find.
Bring trekking poles for the rocky descent; your knees will thank you.
Wear a hat, sunscreen, and light long sleeves; sun exposure is total and relentless.
Carry a detailed topo map (USGS Cape Royal/Grandview Point quads); trail is marked but eroded.
Eat high-calorie/salt snacks constantly; canyon hiking burns 2x normal calories.
Avoid hiking 10 AM–4 PM in summer; this is when heat stroke kills.
Make a detailed trip plan, tell someone your route, and check in when you return.
Bring Over-the-Shoe traction devices in winter; ice is hard and deadly.

Family Info

Not suitable for families with young children. No water, extreme heat, steep drop-offs, and no guardrails. Older teens with backcountry experience and strong ankles may manage the Coconino Saddle checkpoint (2.2 miles roundtrip) with an experienced adult guide.

What Hikers Say

Experienced desert hikers report the exposure and rocky terrain deliver serious grit and self-doubt—especially on the descent with tired legs. Most note the combination of no water, extreme pitch, and exposure is unforgiving. Hikers who underestimate the difficulty often turn back at Coconino Saddle; those who push to Horseshoe Mesa report deep satisfaction but acknowledge the mental and physical toll.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft

Duration: 6-9 hours

Difficulty: Strenuous / Expert only

Route Type: Out-and-back to Horseshoe Mesa

Surface: Rocky, stepped (historic log cribs and cobblestone construction). Big steps and extreme pitches. Ledges are sloping and demand caution when wet or icy.

Getting There

Trailhead: Grandview Point, Desert View Drive, South Rim

Requirements

Permit Required

Day hiking requires no permit. Camping below the rim requires a backcountry permit. Horseshoe Mesa (BF5) has 3 small group sites and 1 large group site in designated areas with vault toilets. Apply at nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm or in person at Backcountry Information Center.

Fees: $35 Entrance - Private Vehicle; $30 Motorcycle; $20 per person (bicyclists, hikers, pedestrians). Valid 7 days. Non-US residents aged 16+ pay additional $100 nonresident fee.

Shuttle Available

No shuttle. Self-drive to Grandview Point via Desert View Drive (23 miles from South Rim Village).

Trail Rules

Trail Markers: Trail is eroded in sections; some portions lack signs or markers. Carry a detailed topographic map. Bring a compass.

Map/GPS recommended

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: No drinking water to Horseshoe Mesa. Springs below the mesa are unreliable. Page Spring contains high arsenic levels. Assume dry; carry 3-4 liters minimum. Filter/treat any water you find below the mesa.

Shade: Full sun exposure. No shade on the exposed ridge and switchback sections. Hat and sunscreen mandatory.

Hazards:

Vertical cliff sections with historic log cribs chained to cliff face create exposure comparable to climbing. Falls could be catastrophic. Winter ice conceals hazardous passages—hard ice is common December-March. Trail eroded in sections; loose rock and ankle-rolling steps throughout. Landslides in 2005 removed sections of historic cribs. Summer heat exceeds 100°F with zero shade. NPS data confirms several accidents annually result in serious injury or death on this trail.

Emergency: Backcountry Information Center (call ahead for trail updates and water status). Emergency: 911. Consult rangers before descending.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Extremely rocky and stepped with big steps and extreme pitches throughout. Exposed terrain demands surefootedness and fear management. Not wheelchair accessible. Not suitable for those with vertigo or mobility limitations.

Family Notes:

Nearby Facilities

Backcountry Information Center at South Rim Village (permits, maps, water refill, ranger consultation). Desert View Market & Deli (23 miles via scenic drive). Desert View Campground (23 miles). Nearest reliable water: South Rim Village.

What Hikers Say

Reviews

" Experienced desert hikers report the exposure and rocky terrain deliver serious grit and self-doubt—especially on the descent with tired legs. Most note the combination of no water, extreme pitch, and exposure is unforgiving. Hikers who underestimate the difficulty often turn back at Coconino Saddle; those who push to Horseshoe Mesa report deep satisfaction but acknowledge the mental and physical toll."

Reviews from Google

FAQs

How hard is this compared to other Grand Canyon trails?

Harder. NPS official data says Grandview's conditions are more difficult than Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and Hermit trails combined. Expect loose rock, extreme exposure, and big steps.

Can I do this if I'm fit but haven't hiked in the canyon before?

What if I just do Coconino Saddle (2.2 miles)?

Is the water situation really that bad?

Do I need a permit for a day hike?

What kills people on this trail?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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

Visit Website