One of the most well known trails below the rim of the Grand Canyon is the Bright Angel Trail. Meandering steeply 19 miles into the depths of the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail is not for the beginning hiker. There are warning signs everywhere advising to take serious precautions while hiking down into the canyon. Even the relatively short hike down 1.5 miles to the resthouse is not for the faint at heart.
A snapshot of what your hiking options are below the rim on the Bright Angel Trailhead.
Since we were with our children, we only walked ten minutes or so down the Bright Angel Trail holding on tightly to our kids hands. I had heard that the best way to experience the canyon was to go into it thus we thought a short, safe walk would be worth the views. We noticed lots of people doing the hike, even some families with children, but we didn’t feel comfortable taking our kids very far. It is a long way down if you slip and fall, and there are no safety railings to stop you.
Here are a few shots I took during our short walk into the Bright Angel Trail. Although we didn’t go far it made me realize that I needed to add a hike down to the bottom of the canyon onto my every-growing bucket list. A stay at the Bright Angel Camp would be amazing!
Start of the Bright Angel Trailhead
Glorious views!
Here we go
Another way to get down to the bottom of the canyon is to ride by mule. Personally I would much rather walk on my own two feet. I wouldn’t want to hold a donkey responsible for my life! I think I’d pass out of fear riding a donkey down below the rim. But it is an option.
As we venture down, the views become even more breathtaking than before.
It truly is a magical place!
We got a little further before we decided it was best to head back.
You can see the trail in the distance meandering down. At parts it is quite steep.
Mother Nature’s masterpiece
Just that short walk made me decide to do a little hike of my own later on that same day without the kids. It was too beautiful to not explore further. Stay tuned for a sneak peak at my lovely hike!
If you go:
There are several hikes below the rim on the Bright Angel Trailhead:
- Bright Angel to 1.5 Mile Resthouse ( 3 miles roundtrip)
- Bright Angel to 3.0 Miles Resthouse (6 miles roundtrip)
- Bright Angel to Indian Gardens* (9 miles roundtrip)
- Bright Angel to Plateau Point* (12 miles roundtrip)
- Bright Angel to Bright Angel Camp * (19 miles roundtrip)
*Day hiking is not recommend by the National Park due to long distances and extreme elevations.
If you want a more challenging hike, check out the hike down to Ooh Ahh Lookout Point.
From the Visitor’s Center, jump on the free shuttle and ride it to the start of the Bright Angel Trailhead. For more information, please visit The Grand Canyon National Park website. It is loaded with excellent information and resources on planning your visit to the park.
Well I think this is on my bucket list now too, it looks amazing, great pics. When my son and I were in the US earlier this year we went to the Canyon but it was a very touristy fly in fly out affair. Still awesome, but I was longing to walk down into it.
Great! 🙂
Your post brought back memories of taking my children to the Grand Canyon. It was another slice of the Southwest’s majestic landscape that has forever affected our spirituality.
So happy! We just planned our next summer adventure with the kids. A trip to the Black Mountains of South Dakota. Never thought it would be “exciting” but I have a lot of friends who have done the road trip through that area and said it is great for the kids! 🙂
Ditto and ditto. We took our kids only a little way down (I was way more nervous about them than myself) and I, too, want to go back and do the full hike to the bottom and stay overnight!
I have way too many things on my bucket list!!! But that should keep me busy right?!
Was able to hike this a number of years ago and stay on the bottom. Anxious to see it again with Maria.
Wonderful and lucky you!!! I hope to do it someday with my husband or even my kids once they are old enough!
Phenomenal view! I’ve never been there in person. What’s the view through that huge “hole” in the rock formation?
Thanks! The hole in the rock is a natural formation and the view through is the rest of the trail! 🙂
I know this place. You showed your respect for Mother Nature with this post. Thank you.
Thanks! I love nature!!! It always makes me happy! 🙂
What a wonderful place to go hiking, Nicole. Your photos are spectacular. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia!
This post brought back lots of great hiking memories in the Grand Canyon. 🙂
I would love to go back! I loved the Grand Canyon. Good thing is it is not far from Tucson.
The Edge of Vastness! How very apt, Nicole 🙂
Thanks Jo!
Wow this looks cool, I will definitely check it out if I get a chance to go back there! Great post!
Thanks! It is a beautiful hike! You can go as long as your legs allow! Hard part though is getting back up!
I think it s not more as interesting as cappadocia. you should visit us.
I would love to visit!!! Someday I hope to!