Grand Canyon National Park encompasses one of the most spectacular places in the world, and people come from all over to experience it! Hiking is a special way to experience this national park, and this article is here to help you find the best easy hikes in the Grand Canyon.
No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there are fabulous Grand Canyon hikes for you. The best easy hikes in Grand Canyon National Park are the Trail of Time, Bright Angel Point, Ooh-Ahh Point, the Lower Tunnel, and the Coconino Overlook.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I think that this park is best seen from the trail, which is why I’m so excited to share the easiest and best hikes in the Grand Canyon with you!
What are the Best Easy Hikes in the Grand Canyon?
Grand Canyon National Park is full of steep and difficult trails best saved for experienced hikers, but you will find a few easy hiking options here!
If a trail is less than three miles round trip and is somewhere I take my own small children, it’s included in this list of the best easy hikes in the Grand Canyon. However, the elevation change on these trails varies greatly depending on whether you decide to stay on the mostly flat rim trails or if you want to hike below the rim.
Trail of Time
The Trail of Time teaches you all about the Grand Canyon as you walk along the rim! You’ll learn all about how the canyon was formed and the different layers of rock that make up this beautiful place.
Trail of Time Information
Distance: 1.3 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 120 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
The Trail of Time is a small section of the 13-mile Rim Trail, so you can hike for as long as you want! But if you’re looking for a short walk or a nice and flat way to experience the Grand Canyon, the Trail of Time section is one of the best ways to learn about the canyon as you hike.
The Trail of Time begins at the Yavapai Museum and ends when you get to the hotels and restaurants in Grand Canyon Village. You only need to hike it one way because you can take the shuttle to get you back to your starting place.
As you hike along the rim, you will find numerous displays that teach you all about the formation of the Grand Canyon. You can touch rocks from the various layers of the canyon, look through spotting scopes, and learn about the human history of the area.
Leashed pets are permitted above the rim at the Grand Canyon South Rim, so your dog can join you on this trail.
(ALTERNATIVE) You can pick up the Rim Trail from almost anywhere along the rim, from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest. After you finish hiking the Trail of Time, you may want to choose another section to explore!
Location
You’ll want to take the Blue Shuttle to Grand Canyon Village (Verkamp’s Visitor Center) or the Orange Shuttle to the Yavapai Geology Museum to start your hike.
Bright Angel Point
If you are visiting the North Rim, Bright Angel Point is likely where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. This trail is short but delivers massive views!
Bright Angel Point Trail Information
Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 144 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
This trail is short and straightforward, but the views from here are spectacular the whole way!
You’ll begin your hike by walking toward the rim behind the North Rim Visitor Center or the Grand Canyon Lodge. This paved trail travels along the rim (sometimes with steep drop-offs on both sides) out to a viewpoint.
Although this trail is paved, wheelchairs and strollers are not safe on this trail due to a few steep grades.
(ALTERNATIVE) The North Rim has several great easy hikes in addition to this one. Be sure to check out the Cape Royal/Angels Window Trail while you’re here!
Location
The Bright Angel Point Trail is found on the North Rim of the park just behind the visitor center.
Ohh-Ahh Point
If you’re hoping to experience the inner canyon from below the rim but don’t want to go too far, then Ooh-Ahh Point is the perfect destination. This is my favorite short hike below the south rim of the Grand Canyon!
Ooh-Ahh Point Trail Information
Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 685 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
Ok, so arguably, this is not an easy hike for most people! Ooh-Ahh Point is found along the famous South Kaibab Trail, which travels all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The South Kaibab Trail is 7 miles, but if you’re not prepared to hike the whole thing (which takes advanced planning, probably a backcountry permit, and is for experienced hikers only), you can stop at Ooh-Ahh Point. You’ll find this overlook less than a mile down the trail, and it provides a great turnaround point if you just want a taste of what it’s like below the Grand Canyon rim.
The biggest mistake people make when hiking in the Grand Canyon is going too far/hiking beyond their skill levels. Because this hike starts with the downhill portion, people tend to forget that it’s going to be difficult to come back uphill. Be sure to bring plenty of water!
So, if you’re looking for an “easy” hike below the rim, I recommend starting the South Kaibab Trail and turning around at Ooh-Ahh Point! If you’re a more experienced hiker, you can continue past Ooh-Ahh Point to Cedar Ridge, which is my favorite day hike in the Grand Canyon.
(ALTERNATIVE) You can catch the Rim Trail from this trailhead, so if you don’t want to hike below the rim, you can take the shuttle out here to overlook the trail and then hike the Rim Trail instead.
Location
The South Kaibab Trailhead is only accessible by shuttle bus, and you’ll take the Orange Shuttle out to this trailhead.
The Lower Tunnel
The Lower Tunnel is a great destination if you’re hoping to hike on the most famous trail in the Grand Canyon — the Bright Angel Trail.
Lower Tunnel Trail Information
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 410 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular way to access the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and many people hope to hike at least a portion of it during their trip.
I recommend hiking to the Lower Tunnel (2nd Tunnel) if you want to get a good taste of the trail. You’ll go down a couple of switchbacks and through a couple of tunnels as you drop down below the rim.
If you decide to keep hiking below the Lower Tunnel, be aware that the views don’t really change much until you get down to Indian Garden. For that reason, you really don’t need to go further than the tunnel unless you just really love switchbacks!
(ALTERNATIVE) You can hike the Rim Trail from here! If you want cool views of the Bright Angel Trail, walk the rim up to the Trailview Overlook.
Location
The Bright Angel Trailhead is found near the Bright Angel Lodge in the South Rim’s Grand Canyon Village.
Coconino Overlook
Coconino Overlook is found along the final main trail down into the Grand Canyon — the North Kaibab Trail. If you’re on the North Rim and are hoping to hike a portion of this popular trail, then this is the perfect destination for you!
Coconino Overlook Trail Information
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The North Kaibab Trail is a long and strenuous trail that travels 14 miles to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. You’ll find the Coconino Overlook less than a mile down this trail, so it’s easy for day hikers to experience the beauty of the area without all of the mileage!
This trail is straightforward — you’ll just hike until you see the sign for Coconino Overlook. Be aware that guided mule rides regularly run on this trail, so you will have to hike around urine and feces as you make your way to the overlook. This is common on all of the main trails that drop below the rim (South Kaibab, Bright Angel, and North Kaibab).
(ALTERNATIVE) The Bridle Path connects the North Rim Visitor Center to this trailhead. It’s mostly flat and allows for dogs and bikes as well as hikers.
Location
You’ll find the North Kaibab Trailhead on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon just before reaching the visitor center and lodge.
Traffic and crowding in the Grand Canyon can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to wait an hour or more to enter the park or catch the shuttle?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Grand Canyon Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in Grand Canyon National Park?
Unfortunately, you’ll find very few wheelchair-friendly trails in Grand Canyon National Park, but there are a couple of options. You’ll want to stay on the rim, where you’ll get gorgeous views of the canyon below. You can find more specific and detailed information and trail guides on the park’s website, but here are a few notable options:
Cape Royal — the trail out to Cape Royal is mostly flat as it travels out to a gorgeous viewing area. You’ll need to skip the Angels Window spur trail with a wheelchair, but there are many amazing views to be found here. Technically, there are no trails on the North Rim that are considered accessible, but this one provides your best opportunity to start down a paved trail and enjoy the forest.
The Trail of Time — the Trail of Time, as listed above, is a wheelchair-friendly trail at the South Rim.
The Rim Trail — many sections of the Rim Trail are accessible, including the large section that travels from Grand Canyon Village out to the South Kaibab Trailhead and the section from Monument Creek Vista to Hermits Rest.
Hermit Road — The Hermit Road provides access to some of the best views of the Grand Canyon. A mandatory shuttle is required to access this area for most of the year (the shuttle is accessible), but you can also get an Accessibility Permit to drive the road in your own vehicle if needed. Inquire at the entrance stations or visitor centers.
Grand Canyon Hiking Regulations
To protect this beautiful place and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:
- Don’t take anything. Rocks, flowers, sticks, antlers, etc., must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.
- Stay on the trail. Please don’t make your own trail or follow trails that other people have made. This is for your own safety and to prevent soil erosion and stomping of plants.
- Thunderstorms in the park can be deadly. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately, and make sure to check the weather before you start hiking.
- Don’t feed or approach the wildlife. These animals need to be able to find food on their own in order to survive the harsh winters, and they often become aggressive and transmit diseases to humans if fed. Maintain a safe distance from the park’s wildlife to avoid injury or death.
- Pets are allowed on select trails in the park. See where you can take your pets if you bring them to the Grand Canyon.
What are the Best Longer Day Hikes in the Grand Canyon?
If you’re able to hike longer distances and are looking for an unforgettable adventure, the Grand Canyon has so many epic longer trails! These trails are definitely not easy, but if you’re looking for a challenge, consider hiking one of these corridor trails to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon:
This park has so many spectacular hiking options. I hope you enjoy these easy trails in Grand Canyon National Park!
More Grand Canyon Trip Planning Information
Grand Canyon Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to the Grand Canyon — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend at the Grand Canyon? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to the Grand Canyon — the top 12 spots.
Best Things to Do — activities for every type of adventurer.
The Ultimate Grand Canyon Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
This post may contain affiliate links. Dirt In My Shoes gets paid a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you purchase from these links. Thanks for your support!
Thank-you, excellent article. We are just back from North Rim and everything here is SO spot-on.
Keep up the good work
Jim
Thank you for your support!