South Kaibab Path Information

May 29, 2026

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Grand Canyon Nationwide Park

Up to date August 2025

Contents

Grand Canyon views hit you instantly on South Kaibab, a ridge path with zero water or shade. Three pure turnaround factors at 1.8, 3, or 6 miles allow you to dial in your distance, however most day hikers cease at Skeleton Level the place the publicity will get critical.

Distance: 1.8–6 mi
Issue: Reasonable
Complete Climbing: 600–2200 ft
Time: 1–5 hrs

Who It is For
Match hikers ready for warmth and publicity. Path is well-maintained, problem is the climb out.

Largest Threat
No water, no shade. Warmth and overexertion are widespread issues. Winter ice on higher sections.

When to Go
Fall by way of spring. Begin at dawn year-round. Summer season: Cedar Ridge is restrict, early begin required.

Video

Choices

South Kaibab Trail 33 — In case you hike all the best way right down to Skeleton Level, you’ll get some good views of the Colorado River.

You possibly can select how far you wish to hike down the South Kaibab Path. Merely flip round and hike again up from the vacation spot that you simply’re climbing to.
Cedar Ridge is the farthest the Nationwide Park Service recommends occurring a summer season day hike.
Equally, additionally they don’t advocate persevering with previous Skeleton Level as a day hike exterior of summer season with out consulting with a park ranger.

Kaibab is a phrase of Southern Paiute origin which means “mountain mendacity down,” aka inverted mountain.

Issue

Victor Vomit Grand Canyon — Meet ‘Victor Vomit,’ the signal you’ll spot earlier than heading down the South Kaibab Path. It might look humorous, however the warning is actual. Individuals have died right here. Take the path, and the circumstances, severely.

Total the South Kaibab Path is secure. I’ve seen individuals of all shapes, sizes, ages, and health ranges do these hikes. The path is well-maintained, simple to observe, constantly about 4 toes extensive, and has wider sections for passing. However you continue to should be conscious of some issues.

When individuals get into bother on the South Kaibab Path, it’s normally due to the warmth. The path is completely uncovered with no shade, so in scorching climate it may be brutal. Even within the shade, summer season temperatures usually exceed 100F (38C). Verify the climate and park alerts concerning the warmth.

The hike again up is way tougher than happening. Many first-time Grand Canyon hikers overcommit on the simple downhill and pay for it on the climb out. A great rule of thumb: anticipate the hike as much as take about twice so long as the hike down.

Snow and ice can linger on the higher sections in winter, particularly within the morning. Be ready for slippery, frozen sections close to the rim, so deliver microspikes.
Exterior of the trailhead and Colorado River, there is no such thing as a water anyplace on the South Kaibab Path. You must carry all of the water you want, and in summer season that may imply a number of liters per individual.
The path is usually extensive sufficient to hike comfortably and move different hikers. However individuals have additionally died after getting too near the sting (taking footage). Be conservative.
Mules additionally use the path, so be able to step apart in secure areas after they move.

Mules On South Kaibab Trail — In case you encounter mules on the path, they all the time have the right-of-way. Stand towards the cliffside of the path and observe directions from the mule handler. If you’re caught behind them, maintain your distance till (and if) the mule handler helps you to move.

Trailhead

South Kaibab Trail Location — The South Kaibab Path begins about 2 miles east of the Grand Canyon Customer Middle. However you possibly can’t simply drive there.

The street to the South Kaibab Trailhead (Yaki Level Street) is closed to autos. Right here’s what I might advocate.

Take the free Orange shuttle bus from the Customer Middle. That is by far the simplest solution to get backwards and forwards to the path. If you wish to get an early begin, take the Hiker’s Categorical Shuttle, which is ready up for lengthy distance hikers however can be utilized by anybody. Getting an early begin is a brilliant solution to beat the crowds and see the dawn within the canyon.
You can even stroll from the Customer Middle alongside the extensive and simple Rim Path. It’s about 2.2 miles and takes most people round 40-60 minutes.
There’s a very small parking zone alongside Desert View Drive, not supposed for hikers however fairly as a turn-off for drivers. From right here you possibly can stroll about 0.5 miles to the Rim Path after which to the South Kaibab trailhead.

Trailhead Tackle: South Kaibab Trailhead, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Charges: Park Entrance Charge (or use your America the Lovely move)

Gear

As I discussed earlier, you’ll want to deliver your water with you. To Ooh Ahh Level, 1L is okay. To Cedar Ridge or Skeleton Level, deliver 2L or 3L when it’s scorching. Higher to have extra water than you want. Convey a backpack to hold it together with solar safety.
The climbing neighborhood has usually moved from climbing boots to path runners. Total you need your toes to be snug, particularly in the event you’re not used to climbing this far. In case you don’t have path runners, put on sneakers.
Some hikers like trekking poles, and they are often useful for stability, knee safety (on the downhill), and climbing on the best way again out.
Don’t rely on mobile service. If you’ll want to name for assist, having a satellite-enabled telephone or satellite tv for pc communicator will help. The path is busy, so even in the event you don’t have satellite tv for pc communications, you’re more likely to see somebody who may.
It will probably assist to have a snack and/or electrolyte drink for the best way again up in the event you’re doing one of many longer choices.

See all of the gear I exploit on hikes like this on my gear web page.

Maps

South Kaibab Trail Sign — The South Kaibab Path is straightforward to observe and properly marked. Between this information and the indicators on the path, it is best to know the place you’re going.

And simply bear in mind, the simple half is first. In case you’re climbing all the best way right down to Skeleton Level, you might have over 2000 toes of climbing to get again out. That’s robust in the event you’re not used to it.

Instructions

Trailhead to Ooh Ahh Level

South Kaibab Trail 1 — In case you’re strolling in, the trailhead is by the shuttle bus cease.

South Kaibab Trail 2 — There are bogs by the shuttle bus cease. The close by mule pens home the mules used to provide factors contained in the canyon.

South Kaibab Trail 3 — The trailhead is down the paved path from the shuttle cease. The one place to refill with water is by the signal on the best.

South Kaibab Trail 4 — Head down the paved path after which bear left on the finish.

South Kaibab Trail 5 — That is the official begin of the path.

South Kaibab Trail 9 — The one factor about this path is that the views maintain coming. Each twist and switch opens up a unique approach on the canyon.

The South Kaibab Path was constructed by engineers in 1924-25 to create a clean and direct route right down to the river. It has been described as “a path in a rush to get to the river.”

South Kaibab Trail 14 — There are some nice views of the totally different rock layers that make up the Grand Canyon on this stretch, immediately throughout Pipe Creek Canyon.

On the backside of the canyon, the layers date again 1.84 BILLION years! To place that in perspective, the Earth is 4.543 billion years previous.

South Kaibab Trail 17 — Welcome to Ooh Ahh Level the place you begin to get views to the extra distant jap part of the Grand Canyon.

South Kaibab Trail 16 — There are a couple of locations to soak within the views round Ooh Ahh Level however take care, the autumn from right here is tons of of toes.

If that is your remaining vacation spot, flip round and hike again from right here.

Ooh Ahh Level to Cedar Ridge

South Kaibab Trail 18 — Proceed down the South Kaibab Path. Right here’s a fantastic instance of a cobbled part which might be very slick within the rain however helps stop path erosion.

South Kaibab Trail 19 — The path begins to wind round Yaki Level into the open. The large butte within the distance is O’Neill Butte.

South Kaibab Trail 21 — Quickly you’ll see Cedar Ridge under you.

South Kaibab Trail 22 — Welcome to Cedar Ridge! The bushes supply shade however take care to respect the areas marked off as a fragile habitat. This flat space used to accommodate an exhibit of Grand Canyon fossils.

Whereas Cedar Ridge appears open and a fantastic place to camp, no tenting is allowed alongside the South Kaibab Path.

South Kaibab Trail 23 — The bogs are off to the best as you enter the Cedar Ridge space.

If that is your remaining vacation spot, flip round and hike again from right here.

Cedar Ridge to Skeleton Level

South Kaibab Trail 25 — The path continues on the far finish of the flat space in the direction of the best.

South Kaibab Trail 24 — The path is straightforward to identify when you’re on the sting. Keep away from the smaller use path on the left of the Cedar Ridge space. From right here on out you’ll be climbing by way of the Supai Formation.

South Kaibab Trail 27 — Whenever you get to the saddle, make the exhausting proper to proceed down the South Kaibab.

South Kaibab Trail 29 — After the butte you’ll see the path unfold forward of you in the direction of Skeleton Level within the distance.

The South Kaibab Path is a part of the Arizona Path (AZT), which stretches about 800 miles from Mexico to Utah.

South Kaibab Trail 32 — And right here you might be, Skeleton Level!

South Kaibab Trail 31 — The South Kaibab Path continues right down to the river on the best, however the overlook space is alongside the cliff to the left, previous the hitching rail.

South Kaibab Trail 34 — The South Kaibab Path heads additional downhill from Skeleton Level, however don’t do this as a day hike, which is the advice of the Parks Service. As a substitute flip round to start the climb out.

Skeleton Level Again to the Trailhead

South Kaibab Trail 35 — Fortunately the start of the climb out is gradual. See the highest of the canyon within the distance? Yea, that’s the place you’re going.

South Kaibab Trail 38 — From Cedar Ridge the path will get steep once more.

South Kaibab Trail 41 — After Ooh Ahh Level you’ll climb the ladder of switchbacks to the rim. They’re robust, nevertheless it’s mentally doable taking it one switchback at a time.

South Kaibab Trail 42 — BOOM! You probably did it! As you stroll off the path into the throngs of vacationers you possibly can really feel particularly proud for taking the time and vitality to actually see the Canyon up shut.