Tanner Trail

Steep steps lead to the trailhead sign at the Tanner Trailhead.

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.

Quick facts

Distance Miles: 9
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty Level: Expert only
Elevation Gain Feet: 4650

Trail profile

Distance Miles: 9
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty Level: Expert only
Elevation Gain Feet: 4650
Estimated 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.
Trail 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.
Trail Features: Colorado River vista
Grand Canyon Supergroup geology
Historic 1890s pioneer trail
Expansive canyon floor views
Dramatic rim-to-river elevation change
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.

Trailhead & access

Trailhead Location: Lipan Point (Desert View Drive, East Rim). Trailhead lies just east of Lipan Point parking area.
Shuttle Required: 0
Shuttle Details: No shuttle required. Private vehicle access to Lipan Point on Desert View Drive (23 miles from South Rim).

Permits & conditions

Permits Required: Yes
Permit Details: 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.
Trail Status: Open
Seasonal Closures: Not formally closed. Do not attempt June-September: heat exceeds 100°F, monsoons trigger deadly lightning (July-September), and the canyon becomes a furnace. Winter (December-February) creates icy upper sections; traction devices essential.

Facilities & rules

Restrooms At Trailhead: 0
Water Sources: 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.
Accessibility: Rooty, steep, and badly eroded. Not accessible. Requires rock scrambling, route-finding through rockslides, and exceptional fitness and desert experience.

Safety & strategy

Hazards: Extreme heat (100°F+)
Severe dehydration risk
Eroded, narrow passages
Rockslides and loose scree
Exposed drop-offs
Steep descent/ascent
Difficult route-finding
Lightning (monsoon season)
Winter ice on upper slopes
Silt-laden water source
Hazard Details: 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.
Crowd Level: Ghost town. Very few hikers attempt this route.
Peak Crowd Times: Minimal traffic year-round. October-November see slightly more hikers, but expect solitude.
Best Season: October through March
Best Time To Visit: October through March. Start before 6am when temps are cool. Avoid June-September entirely—heat exceeds 100°F and monsoons trigger lightning. Winter upper sections require traction devices for icy slopes.
Tips Advice: 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.

More details

Park Area: Desert View Drive
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.
Shade Level: 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.
Emergency Contacts: 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.
Map Recommended: 1
Snow Dates: December through February. Ice on upper sections; traction devices (microspikes) essential.
Mud Season: Not applicable in this arid desert region.
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.
Recent Updates: Tanner Canyon sand dune (mouth of canyon) closed to visitation and camping for habitat restoration. Tanner Canyon use area (BB9) remains the only exception, allowing at-large camping. Composting toilet available near river.
Family Friendly Notes: 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.'
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.
Review Summary: 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.

Location

Frequently asked questions

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?

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.

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.

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.

Is this trail safe?

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.

Do I need a permit?

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.