GRAND CANYON HIKING TOUR
By request only. Requires a minimum of 2 hikers.
Descend into the heart of the Grand Canyon on our guided South Kaibab Trail Hiking Tour, one of the most scenic adventures at the South Rim. Get face-to-face with some of the canyon’s most beautiful rock layers and see fossils and majestic viewpoints as you learn about the biblical message of the Grand Canyon.
Led by our guides who are highly trained with Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification and authorized by the National Park Service, this Grand Canyon hiking tour descends into its depths via the South Kaibab Trail. The historic ridge line trail offers one of the best panoramic views of the canyon and is a favorite of many hikers traversing the canyon from one side to the other.
Grand Canyon hiking tours are available by request and typically last about 6 hours. The start time varies by season.
Be sure to click the tabs above for tour details and information.
Meeting at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center flagpole, we will discuss the day’s adventure and make sure everyone is adequately prepared for the hike. This includes checking things like proper shoes, water bottles, clothing, and more. Once oriented we will take a short park shuttle bus ride to the trailhead. Before we start down the trail we will provide an introduction to Grand Canyon geology to get you familiar with the features and rock layers of the canyon, into which we are about to descend. Then we will start down the South Kaibab Trail for an adventure of GRAND proportions!
Along the trail, we will stop to observe and talk about the changing rock layers as we meander our way down through layers of limestone, sandstone, and shale. At Ooh Aah Point, you will have your first real panoramic view of the canyon from the trail, and as the name suggests, have your own “OOOH, AAAAAH!” moment.
As we continue down through the Coconino Sandstone and through a series of switchbacks, we will pause to discuss the geology we see. You will see and learn how the observable science appears to indicate a fast-moving water mechanism was at work to deposit the sedimentary rock, rather than a dry desert dune environment as has been widely assumed for many years. In other words…evidence for a global flood of water.
Continuing along the path our destination is Cedar Ridge, which is just over a mile and a half down the trail from where we started. Along the journey, we will stop at various places to point out things like rocks, fossils, plants, and much more, including discussion on the geology of the Grand Canyon and how it relates to the Creation and Flood events found in the book of Genesis.
We will eat lunch at Cedar Ridge while resting among the iron-rich layers of the Hermit Shale and Supai Group, along with a few twisted old Utah junipers, which look similar to cedars and are the namesake of this ridge. You will be given ample time to kick back, relax, and take in the views. There are also “rustic” park service pit toilets located at Cedar Ridge.
As we say around here, “What goes down, must come up!” After our time at Cedar Ridge, we will continue the adventure as we start the journey back up the trail to the top. As we climb, we will progress through an elevation gain of 1,177 feet, stopping along the way for rest and additional teaching times.
Due to the unique nature of this hike requiring our WFR-certified guides to lead, this tour is by request. After you create a reservation request, we will confirm availability as soon as possible. If we can do the Grand Canyon hiking tour that day, we will process your payment and you will receive a confirmation email with your tour details. If we are unable to run the tour, you will receive a follow-up email from us with information about other dates or tour types that may be open.
Grand Canyon hiking tours typically run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Groups of 5 or more may contact our office to request another day during the week.
Due to the moderate difficulty of this hike, participants should be at least 12 years old.
INTERACTIVE 3D MODEL OF THE SOUTH KAIBAB HIKE
Your safety is our number one priority. Because of this, weather conditions including thunderstorms, snow, or extreme heat may prevent us from conducting a tour safely. In addition, a guest’s physical fitness level may also be a safety factor we need to evaluate and consider before beginning a tour.
The decision to run a tour or not is up to our trained and Wilderness First Responder-certified hiking guides, who evaluate a number of factors. In the unlikely event we feel the need to cancel a tour for some reason, we will let you know as soon as we make that decision and will provide a full refund.
GROUP SIZE DISCOUNTS!
• Use promo code SAVE5 and save 5% on 4 or more people
• Use promo code SAVE10 and save 10% on 6 or more people
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Departure/Return Location
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Flagpole
From our gallery
Tour Plan
MEET, GREET, & CHECK YOUR FEET
Meeting at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center flagpole, we will discuss the day's adventure and make sure everyone is adequately prepared for the hike. This includes checking things like proper shoes, water bottles, clothing, and more. Once oriented we will take a short park shuttle bus ride to the trailhead.
Before we start down the trail we will provide an introduction to Grand Canyon geology to get you familiar with the features and rock layers of the canyon, into which we are about to descend. Then we will start down the South Kaibab Trail for an adventure of GRAND proportions! VIEWS TO INSPIRE
Along the trail, we will stop to observe and talk about the changing rock layers as we meander or way down through layers of limestone, sandstone, and shale. At Ooh Aah Point, you will have your first real panoramic view of the canyon from the trail, and as the name suggests, have your own “OOOH, AAAAAH!” moment. LESSONS TO LEARN
Coconino Crossbedding on South Kaibab
FEATURES TO FIND
Trackways in the Coconino on South Kaibab
LUNCH AND LEISURE
We will eat lunch at Cedar Ridge while resting among the iron-rich layers of the Hermit Shale and Supai Group, along with a few twisted old Utah junipers, which look similar to cedars and are the namesake of this ridge. You will be given ample time to kick back, relax, and take in the views. There are also “rustic” park service pit toilets located at Cedar Ridge. CONQUERING THE CLIMB
As we say around here, “What goes down, must come up!” After our time at Cedar Ridge, we will continue the adventure as we start the journey back up the trail to the top. As we climb, we will progress through an elevation gain of 1,177 feet, stopping along the way for rest and additional teaching times. Once we reach the top it's time for celebration before we jump back on the park shuttle for a short ride back to the Visitor Center, with a short stop at Pipe Creek Vista to survey the ridge we just hiked.
How long is the hike? The typical total time for the hike is 5 to 6-hours, depending on the group’s abilities. Don’t worry. We’ve never left anyone behind yet.
How difficult is the hike? This is no “walk in the park.” It is a moderate to difficult hike for most people, providing a level of challenge for all. Much of that is influenced by your own physical fitness, but can also vary depending on how well you are acclimated to elevations 7,000 ft above sea level, weather, and daily temperature fluctuations.
Is there a minimum age? We love kids, but due to the level of difficulty this trail can provide, we require all participants to be at least 12 years of age. This is not only for the safety of children on the hike, but also for the consideration of the entire group of guests we have, as younger children may create an extra delay and difficulty in this particular hike. If you would like to do a Canyon Ministries guided hike with kids under 12, we recommend our Rim Walking Tour, which has no age limit.
Is the trail handicap accessible? Unfortunately, no. This is a dirt trail with multiple obstacles, making it impossible for wheelchair use. If you would like to experience the Grand Canyon trails with a wheelchair, we recommend the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Yavapai Geology museum (.75 mile), or from Yavapai to Grand Canyon Village (about 2 miles). The entirety of the Rim Trail in these locations is paved and features minimum short uphill sections.
What do I need to bring? Each person should carry at least 2 liters (64 oz) of water as dehydration is common in this dry climate. This is about 2 regular Nalgene bottles. You will also need comfortable and broken-in hiking shoes or boots, hat & sunglasses, camera, and sunscreen. Lightweight breathable raincoat or raingear is recommended July through September which is our rainy monsoon season, or if the weather forecast calls for precipitation. During winter months we also advise possibly bringing a warm hat, gloves, or even a scarf as temperatures can be cold and there may be snow on the ground. In cool weather, we recommend you layer your clothing so you can add/remove as necessary to stay comfortable. While not required, some folks enjoy using hiking poles for extra stability and support.
Will Canyon Ministries provide lunch? No. Our guides carry extra water, electrolytes, and some snacks, but due to varying dietary preferences and restrictions, it’s nearly impossible for us to plan and pack for everyone. For this reason, we ask that you please bring your own lunch with you, packed in your lightweight backpack or the drawstring bag you will be given at the start of the tour.