South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail
Contemplating some inner canyon hiking on the Grand Canyonโs South Rim?ย Then youโve probably realized you have two amazing South Rim inner corridor trails to choose from: the South Kaibab Trail or the Bright Angel Trail.ย 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.ย ย
Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. I wonโt make any recommendations on this page that I havenโt tested or personally used!ย Enjoy this guide to the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail.
Table of Contents
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.ย ย
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 Trail (South Rim), Bright Angel Trail (South Rim), and North Kaibab Trail (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.ย ย
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.ย The 3 inner 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:ย
- South Kaibab Trail (South Rim)
- Bright Angel Trail (South Rim)
- North Kaibab Trail (North Rim)
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.ย ย
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.ย You can choose to go down as far as you want on either trail and turn around, or go all the way to the bottom.ย If you go all the way to the bottom, you MUST be prepared!
- A Rim to Rim hikeย connects the North Rim and South Rim.ย Typically consists of hiking the North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail.ย 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.ย ย
- A Rim to River hikeย typically goes down and up the South Rim.ย The most common route for a Rim to River hike is descending the South Kaibab Trail and ascending the Bright Angel Trail.ย 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).ย ย
*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.ย 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: water is only at the trailhead and at the bottom.ย There are several bathrooms along the entire trail.
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, bathrooms, and water at the trailhead and the bottom, and more water and bathrooms along the trail.
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 partially or roundtrip (down and up only, no connecting), hereโs some things to consider:
- South Kaibab has the better views. But it is slightly more complicated to access.ย Because private vehicles are not allowed to access or park at the trailhead, hiker options are to take the park shuttle from Grand Canyon Village (which only runs at certain times), get dropped off at the gate and walk ~ 3/4ths of a mile to the trailhead, or take the taxi and get dropped off right at the trailhead (taxi runs anywhere in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan, but is not reservable and may include wait time).ย South Kaibab is shorter, but that means slightly steeper, which some find harder on the knees.ย I personally think that descending the South Kaibab Trail is the hardest on the knees of all 3 of the inner corridor trails.ย There are bathrooms on South Kaibab, but no water between the trailhead and the bottom at Bright Angel Campground.ย The no water situation can be much more precarious if you attempt to ascend South Kaibab, which is why ascents are not recommended unless you are hiking in the colder months or at night.ย South Kaibab is also completely exposed, which makes the often hot temperatures even more dangerous.ย A roundtrip day hike on the South Kaibab Trail is 14 miles.
- Bright Angel has just slightly less impressive views.ย 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.ย 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?ย Then go with South Kaibab.
- Do you need flexibility in your schedule and the easiest logistics? 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?ย 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?ย 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 via both South Rim corridor trails – South Kaibab and Bright Angel (most common), hereโs 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.ย 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, coupled with the full exposure on the South Kaibab Trail.ย Plus, if you descend South Kaibab first, you may catch a sunrise from the best viewpoints in the entire park, and that should not be missed!
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.ย My full Rim to Rim guideย goes into much more detail as to why, but the graphic below sums it up nicely.
Hereโs the 3 steps you should take to determine your choice of inner corridor trails on a Rim to Rim hike:
- Choose your direction – North Rim to South Rim, or South Rim to North Rim.ย ย
- If you choose North Rim to South Rim, the corridor trails you should use are the North Kaibab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail.ย You should not attempt to ascend the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail since there is no water on this trail and full exposure!
- 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.ย 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.ย My highly recommended choice is to descend the South Kaibab Trail if you are completing a South to North Rim to Rim hike.ย
FAQS on the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trailย
Should I hike up the South Kaibab Trail?ย
I highly recommend AGAINST hiking up the South Kaibab Trail in the warmer months (basically May – October), because there is full exposure and NO WATER.ย This is a risk not worth taking, especially when there are great alternatives.ย Caveats to this including hiking in off / non peak season (fall, winter, and spring), or hiking at night.
Whatโs the Distance Difference Between the South Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail?
South Kaibab is 7 miles one way from top to bottom.ย Bright Angel is 9.5 miles one way from top to bottom.ย 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.ย But South Kaibab contains arguably better views.ย Especially if you are catching a sunrise.
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.ย This way you get to take advantage of seeing the best of both trails, while avoiding having to ascend the waterless South Kaibab Trail.ย
Which trail(s) combo would I personally recommend for a Rim to Rim hike?
Specifically for first time Rim to Rim hikers, I would recommend hiking North to South, via the North Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trails.ย ย
Why North to South?ย There are several reasons for this recommendation.ย Again, my full Rim to Rim guide for 1st timers goes deep into detail on this question, but the graphic below sums it up also.ย It’s true, some of the differences are marginal, but I believe that both physically psychologically, hiking North to South is “gentler” on a 1st time Rim to Rim hiker.ย to summarize, this is because hiking South to North contains more elevation gain, is an uphill climb for more than half the hike, is logistically a little more complicated, is somewhat harder to get through the hottest parts of the hike earlier, contains an arguably “easier on the knees” descent down North Kaibab versus South Kaibab, and there is more potential for altitude issues ascending the higher North Rim.ย ย
Why ascend on the Bright Angel Trail?ย I would never recommend going up the South Kaibab Trail on a Rim to Rim hike (during peak season of May – October).ย There is full exposure and NO WATER, and that is not a risk I would recommend taking, especially during hotter months, and especially at the end of a long day of hiking when your body might already be depleted.ย ย
How do I access the South Kaibab Trailhead?
You cannot park or leave a vehicle at the South Kaibab Trailhead.ย You must either take the free park shuttle, which only runs at certain times of the day (you can check the shuttle schedule here), be dropped off at the gate and walk ~ 3/4ths of a mile to the trailhead, or take the taxi, which runs anywhere in Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan.ย Note that you cannot reserve the taxi, and there may be wait times during peak canyon hiking season.
- Grand Canyon Taxi: 928-638-2822
- Xanterra Taxi: 928-638-2631ย ย
How do I access the Bright Angel Trail?
The Bright Angel Trailhead is located in Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim.ย 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?ย
You do NOT need a permit or reservation to day hike either of these South Rim trails.ย 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.ย ย
Summary of the South Kaibab Trail vs Bright Angel Trail
South Kaibab Trail Pros:
- Shorter distance
- Better views
- Awesome โturnaroundโ 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 + short walk
- Canโt park or leave vehicle at the trailhead
- NO WATER on the trail between the trailhead and the bottom!
- Full exposure
- Slightly steeper and more elevation gain
- Hardest descent on the knees of all 3 inner corridor trails
- Further from dining, lodging, and other amenities
- No campgrounds until Bright Angel Campground at the bottom
Bright Angel Trail Pros:
- Easily accessible
- Slightly less steep and less elevation gain
- Plenty of parking, dining, lodging, and other amenities close by
- Water refills and bathrooms along the trail
- Havasupai Garden Campground midway and Bright Angel Campground at the end
Bright Angel Trail Cons:
- More trafficked
- More โtouristyโ 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 hike, there are some crucial items of gear you should have with you at all times!ย Create your checklist by checking out this packing list for Grand Canyon trails.ย ย
If your specific hike is an intended Rim to Rim hike, visit this Rim to Rim packing listย for a specialized checklist.ย ย
And now you’re set to take off on the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails!
Looking at hiking the epic Rim to Rim hike?ย
How Much Would Personalized Support, Accountability, and Coaching Mean to You?
Did you know that I offer 1:1 Coaching for the Rim to Rim hike?
Take a look, andย COMPLETE THIS INTEREST FORMย to get started today!
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
- Rim to Rim Visual Guidebook for 1st Timers
- 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
PIN for LATER!