South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail

Contemplating some inner canyon hiking on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim?  Then you’ve probably realized you have two amazing South Rim corridor trails to choose from: the South Kaibab Trail or the Bright Angel Trail.  This guide breaks down the pros and cons of the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail, as well as discussing which trail is ideal when used in connection to longer canyon hiking, like Rim to River hikes or Rim to Rim hikes.  

 

Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t make any recommendations on this page that I haven’t tested or personally used!  Enjoy this guide to the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail.

 

 

Guide to the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail

 

Before getting into the pros and cons of these two South Rim corridor trails, take a minute to get to know them a little better.  

 

 

 

Location of the South Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail

 

Both of these trails are located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The driving distance between the 2 trailheads is approximately 10 minutes (4 miles).

 

Location of the South Kaibab Trailhead and Bright Angel Trailhead on the South Rim

 

Both of these trails are considered inner corridor trails (there are 3 main inner corridor trails – South Kaibab, Bright Angel, and North Kaibab on the North Rim).

 

Closest Town(s) to the South Rim:

• Tusayan, AZ: 15 minutes
• Williams, AZ: 1 hour
• Flagstaff, AZ: 1 hour and 30 minutes

 

Closest Airport(s) to the South Rim:

• Grand Canyon National Park Airport (Tusayan): 15 minutes
• Flagstaff Pulliam: 1 hour
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International: 4 hours

 

Closest towns and airports to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

 

Lodging on the South Rim:

• Grand Canyon National Park Campgrounds
• Grand Canyon National Park Lodges
• Lodging in Nearby Towns – there are plenty of large chain hotels, small hotels, and vacation rentals in nearby Tusayan, Williams, and Flagstaff.

 

 

 

What is a Grand Canyon Inner Corridor Trail?

 

An inner corridor trail in Grand Canyon National Park is a trail that goes down into the canyon.  The 3 corridor trails in the Grand Canyon all connect to each other and the opposite rim at the bottom, at Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. The 3 main corridor trails are: 

• South Kaibab Trail
• Bright Angel Trail
• North Kaibab Trail

 

 

 

The 3 maps below, courtesy of NPS, shows how these 3 trails meet at the bottom of the canyon, in the same vicinity of Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the Colorado River.  

 

 

 

 

There are multiple ways you can hike or connect these 3 corridor trails:

• Individually
• As a Rim to Rim hike
• As a Rim to River hike

 

• Individual Trail: you can hike either the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail individually. Simply go down and up on the one trail of your choosing.

• A Rim to Rim hike  connects the North Rim and South Rim.  Typically consists of hiking the North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail.  Other alternatives include going the opposite direction (south to north) and hiking down the South Rim via either the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail, and hiking up the North Kaibab Trail.  

• A Rim to River hike  typically goes down and up the South Rim.  The most common route for a Rim to River hike is descending the South Kaibab Trail and ascending the Bright Angel Trail.  Other alternatives include going down and up the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail (NOT recommended due to 28 mile roundtrip distance), or going down and up the same South Rim corridor trail (down and up Bright Angel only, or down and up South Kaibab only).  

 

Anytime there is a discussion on inner corridor trails, or on the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail, it typically is in relation to either one of the 2 mentioned hikes above: a Rim to Rim hike or a Rim to River hike.  Whichever option you may be looking at when considering the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail, the most important thing is to first, know your own abilities and preferences, second, know each trail individually, and lastly, know the pros and cons of the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail.

 

 

 

South Kaibab Trail at a Glance

 

• Length: 14 miles roundtrip (7 miles one way)
• Rating: Very Difficult
• Elevation Gain: 4,872 feet
• Estimated Time to Complete: 6 – 10 hours
• Facilities: there are bathrooms and water at the trailhead

 

 

 

Bright Angel Trail at a Glance

 

• Length: 19 miles roundtrip (9.5 miles one way)
• Rating: Very Difficult
• Elevation Gain: 4,478 feet
• Estimated Time to Complete: 12 – 16 hours
• Facilities: there is parking and bathrooms near the trailhead

 

 

 

 

Pros and Cons of South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail

 

The graphics below represent the pros and cons of the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail.

 

 

 

 

For Single Trail Roundtrip (Descend and Ascend Same Trail) Hikers Specifically:

If your goal is to pick a single trail to complete roundtrip (down and up only, no connecting), here’s some things to consider:

• South Kaibab has the better views. But it is slightly more complicated to access due to having to take a shuttle or be dropped off.  It is shorter, but that means slightly steeper, which some find harder on the knees.  There are bathrooms, but no water.  The no water situation can be much more precarious if you attempt to ascend South Kaibab.  A roundtrip day hike on the South Kaibab Trail is 14 miles.

• Bright Angel has just slightly less impressive views.  But it is easier to access (park nearby, access on your own timeframe, plenty of amenities by the trailhead including food, lodging, etc.). Multiple water and bathroom spots on the trail, as well as Havasupai Garden Campground midway.  Slightly longer at 9.5 miles one way, 19 miles roundtrip.

 

Still Can’t Decide on the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail? Ask Yourself These Questions:

• Is your top priority views?  Then go with South Kaibab.
• Do you need flexibility in your schedule? Then go with Bright Angel.
• Do you need a shorter distance? Then go with South Kaibab.
• Are you worried about having enough water? Then go with Bright Angel.
• Do you want less traffic?  Then go with South Kaibab.
• Do you want easy access and plenty of amenities immediately before or after your hike? Then go with Bright Angel.
• Do you want the best of both worlds?  Then go with a Rim to River hike descending the South Kaibab Trail and ascending the Bright Angel Trail!

 

For Rim to River Hikers Specifically:

If your goal is to hike down and up the South Rim, either via one trail or (most commonly), via both South Rim corridor trails, here’s what to consider when choosing which trail to descend and which to ascend:

• the highly recommended route in a Rim to River hike on the South Rim is to descend the South Kaibab Trail and ascend the Bright Angel Trail.  This is almost entirely due to the fact that there is NO WATER on the South Kaibab Trail, which is potentially dangerous for a more strenuous ascent in the later part of the day.

 

For Rim to Rim Hikers Specifically:

If your goal is to hike a full Rim to Rim (from one rim to the other), you have the most to consider.

My recommended route, especially for first time Rim to Rim hikers, is to hike North to South, from the North Rim to the South Rim, on the North Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail.  My full Rim to Rim guide  goes into much more detail as to why, but the graphic below sums it up nicely.

 

 

 

Here’s the 3 steps you should take to determine your choice of corridor trails:

1. Choose your direction – North Rim to South Rim, or South Rim to North Rim.  
2. If you choose North Rim to South Rim, the corridor trails you should use are the North Kaibab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail.  You should not attempt to ascend the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail since there is no water on this trail!
3. If you choose South Rim to North Rim, you will have to choose the South Kaibab Trail or the Bright Angel Trail to descend, and ascend the North Kaibab Trail on the North Rim.  Refer back to the pros and cons of the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail above when deciding which South Rim corridor trail to descend.  

 

 

FAQS on the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail 

 

Should I hike up the South Kaibab Trail? 

I highly recommend AGAINST hiking up the South Kaibab Trail, because there is NO WATER.  This is a risk not worth taking, especially when there are great alternatives.  

 

What’s the Distance Difference Between the South Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail?

South Kaibab is 7 miles one way from top to bottom.  Bright Angel is 9.5 miles one way from top to bottom.  There is a difference of 2.5 miles (one way).

 

Which has the better views, the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail?

Both trails are stellar, so it’s hard to say definitively.  But South Kaibab contains arguably better views.  

 

Which trail(s) combo would I personally recommend for a Rim to River hike?

For a Rim to River hike, I would recommend descending the South Kaibab Trail and ascending the Bright Angel Trail.  This way you get to take advantage of seeing the best of both trails, while avoiding having to ascend the waterless South Kaibab Trail. 

 

Which trail(s) combo would I personally recommend for a Rim to Rim hike?

For first time Rim to Rim hikers, I would recommend hiking North to South, via the North Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trails.  

 

Why North to South?  Because the North Rim is higher in elevation.  By hiking North to South, you have less elevation to tackle climbing out.  Also, there are more amenities on the South Rim more easily accessible.  At the end of a grueling hike, it is nice to have a shower, hotel, food, bed, or whatever else sounds good only feet from the trailhead.  If you finish on the North Kaibab Trail, you’ll have an extra 2 miles to hike (if you haven’t arranged pickup) to reach the nearest civilization (the North Rim Lodge).

 

Why ascend on the Bright Angel Trail?  I would never recommend going up the South Kaibab Trail on a Rim to Rim hike.  There is NO WATER, and that is not a risk I would recommend taking, especially during warmer months, and especially at the end of a long day of hiking when your body might already be depleted.  

 

How do I access the South Kaibab Trailhead?

You cannot park or leave a vehicle at the South Kaibab Trailhead.  You must either take the free park shuttle, which only runs at certain times of the day (you can check the shuttle schedule here), or be dropped off.  

 

 

How do I access the Bright Angel Trail?

The Bright Angel Trailhead is located in Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim.  There are multiple parking lots within a very short walk of the trailhead.

 

 

 

Do I need a permit/reservation to day hike the South Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail? 

You do NOT need a permit or reservation to day hike either of these South Rim trails.  You only need a permit/reservation if you are camping on one of the corridor trail campgrounds (Havasupai Garden Campground on Bright Angel, Cottonwood Campground on North Kaibab, or Bright Angel Campground at the bottom). Note that Phantom Ranch reservations are acquired through a lottery.  

 

 

Summary of the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail

 

South Kaibab Trail Pros:

• Shorter distance
• Better views
• Awesome “turnaround” spots at Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge
• Fewer people on the trail

 

South Kaibab Trail Cons:

• Only accessible by park shuttle (which only runs at certain times), taxi,or personal drop off
• Can’t park or leave vehicle at the trailhead
• NO WATER on the trail!
• Steeper 
• Further from dining, lodging, and other amenities
• No campgrounds until Bright Angel Campground at the bottom

 

Bright Angel Trail Pros:

• Easily accessible
• Plenty of parking, dining, lodging, and other amenities close by
• Water refills and bathrooms on the trail
• Havasupai Garden Campground midway and Bright Angel Campground at the end

 

Bright Angel Trail Cons:

• More trafficked
• More “touristy” and commercialized
• Longer distance
• Views just slightly less impressive than the South Kaibab Trail

 

 

 

Gear Recommendations for the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails

 

Regardless of how you hike these two trails, or how you connect them to form a longer trail, there are some crucial items of gear you should have with you at all times!  Create your checklist by checking out this packing list for Grand Canyon trails.  

 

If your specific hike is an intended Rim to Rim hike, visit this Rim to Rim packing list  for a specialized checklist.  

 

 

And now you’re set to take off on the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails!

 

 

 

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RELATED ARTICLES:

• Step by Step Rim to Rim Training Plan
• First Timers Guide to Hiking Rim to Rim in One Day
• How to Hike Rim to River in Grand Canyon
• Guide to Hiking the North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail
• Complete Rim to Rim Packing List
• Essential Gear List for Grand Canyon Trails
• Hiking the Widforss Trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon

 

 

 

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