Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
1,636.00 ft (498.65 m)
Trail type
Shuttle
Distance
12.00 mi (19.31 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

AZT Passage 39: Grand Canyon-North Rim is a 12-mile point-to-point section of the roughly 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. This passage is located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and runs from the North Kaibab Trailhead to the Kaibab National Forest boundary. This section is rated as easy to moderate and is accessible for hikers, trail runners, long-distance backpackers, equestrians and mountain bikers. 

From the North Kaibab Trailhead, the trail traverses across the seldom-used north side of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim attracts only 10% of the Grand Canyon's annual visitors, resulting in a serene and solitary environment. Enjoy this quieter shift from the busier Bright Angel Trail. Before heading north on this section, take a short walk to the rim and catch one more glimpse, through pine trees and fir, into the vast red limestone of Bright Angel Canyon. 

The trail follows a mix of dirt roads and singletrack trails across a gentle terrain, with some short, steep sections through rolling, forested hills and lush meadows. This mixed conifer forest is home to aspen and evergreen trees as well as ponderosa pines.  

This passage takes place above 8,000 feet of elevation, which causes cooler temperatures and the possibility for snow through the spring season and sometimes into early summer.

NEED TO KNOW
Full service facilities on the North Rim are only open from May 15 through October 15.

DIRECTIONS
Follow Arizona National Scenic Trail signs/trail markers.

WATER
The North Rim may have potable water via spigot at the trailhead. Always call in advance to get up to date information.
Check the Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at: https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INFORMATION

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall
Summer

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Open Year-round

No

Open from

May 15 to October 15

Pros

Lush Meadows. Solitude.

Cons

Difficult to access certain times of the year.

Trailhead Elevation

8,228.00 ft (2,507.89 m)

Highest point

9,156.00 ft (2,790.75 m)

Features

Wildlife
Backcountry camping
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Bird watching
Potable water

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

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