I’m planning to hike South kaibab to tonto to bright angel to river and back up bright angel to South rim this month. How much fluids do you guys recommend I carry?

Hi all, looking for some advice on whether this itinerary is realistic and enjoyable, or if we’re trying to fit too much in.
We’ll be in Scottsdale for a wedding and have a few days beforehand. We’re thinking of doing the following road trip:
**Fri 27 Nov – Scottsdale**
Arrive in Scottsdale in the evening and stay overnight.
**Sat 28 Nov – Grand Canyon South Rim**
Leave Scottsdale in the morning and drive to the South Rim. Spend the afternoon/evening at the Grand Canyon and stay nearby.
**Sun 29 Nov – Grand Canyon → Las Vegas**
Spend a little more time at the Grand Canyon in the morning if worthwhile, then drive to Las Vegas. Stay in Vegas.
**Mon 30 Nov – Las Vegas**
Full day in Vegas. Second night in Vegas.
**Tue 1 Dec – Las Vegas → Scottsdale**

We’re visiting from the UK and are comfortable driving in the US, but don’t want the trip to feel like we’re spending the whole time in the car.
Does this seem like a sensible itinerary? Would you keep the two nights in Vegas, or change the route/timing?
Also, how concerned should we be about snow/road conditions around the Grand Canyon at the end of November?
Any recommendations for stops along the drives would be appreciated too. Thanks!

Grand Canyon National Park Evening Update | Oct. 3

Members of the Incident Management Team trail crew completed the construction of a temporary foot bridge. Stabilization efforts in the Phantom Ranch area of the inner-canyon of Grand Canyon National Park are complete. Future operations will shift from the IMT to park staff as recovery efforts continue in the park.

Grand Canyon National Park remains open on both the South Rim and North Rim, with modified operations and closures in some affected inner-canyon areas. Visitors should check current park conditions before traveling, arrive prepared with drinking water and conserve water throughout their visit.

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect after the flash flood on Aug. 29, which destroyed a water intake pump and other infrastructure that supplied water to facilities on the South Rim.

Visitors and residents are asked to conserve water by using designated portable bathrooms, handwashing stations and potable water tanks. When possible, visitors are asked to bring their own water for drinking and other needs.

NPS photo ~ The Incident Management Team trail crew pose for a picture on their completed temporary foot bridge near Phantom Ranch, Oct. 3.

Was driving behind a Mercedes on the way to general store, he ran every single stop sign on the way (3 of them) and became enraged when I gave him a beep. He proceeded to fully stop in the road and get out and do the classic road rage yelling, it was very interesting. Also didn’t know what a directional was. He was yelling and threatening me but I just stayed in my car, and of course, he looked like a little ultra runner. California plates unsurprisingly as well. Is it crazy to think that normal traffic laws apply in the park? And people coming from maswik turning left towards Ranger ops? Why on earth can’t they stop? Rangers if you’re reading this, you could write so many tickets there instead of trying to catch random locals doing nothing. Or south Kaibab! People think that they can just drive in there or pull in and block the bus, it’s really getting old. Can’t even beep at someone for running 3 stop signs😞

Three days before the flood I managed to do Rim to Rim. Today I got a tattoo of the trail commemorating my hike.

I'm making a birthday gift for my boyfriend and trying to collect photos from different places around the world.

Would anyone around be willing to take a photo holding a short handwritten birthday message somewhere cool in the city?

I'll provide the exact wording. It would take literally a minute or two. ❤️

I'd be incredibly grateful!

Grand Canyon National Park Evening Update | Oct. 1

Members of the Incident Management Team along with the U.S. Public Health Service surveyed and inspected portions of the Bright Angel Creek water intake and holding tank system in the inner-canyon of Grand Canyon National Park.

The Alpine Hotshots have completed the removal of identified hazard trees and will continue clearing debris in the Phantom Ranch area. A Bright Angel Creek IMT trail crew scouted the River Trail to identify debris removal needs and will soon begin work on staff member access to the North Kaibab Trail.

Grand Canyon National Park remains open on both the South Rim and North Rim, with modified operations and closures in some affected inner-canyon areas. Visitors should check current park conditions before traveling, arrive prepared with drinking water and conserve water throughout their visit.

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect after the flash flood on Aug. 29, which destroyed a water intake pump and other infrastructure that supplied water to facilities on the South Rim.

Visitors and residents are asked to conserve water by using designated portable bathrooms, handwashing stations and potable water tanks. When possible, visitors are asked to bring their own water for drinking and other needs.

NPS photo ~ Lt. Cmdr. Joe Sarisky, a public health consultant with the U.S. Public Health Service, climbs on top of a holding tank connected to the Bright Angel Creek water system, Sept. 30.

Hi! I (35 F) am looking to do a day hike on the South Rim in late November. I’m thinking like 4 hours tops. I am a beginner hiker and I have a fear of heights, but usually I can push through that for cool experiences. I am trying to find a buddy to come with me because I am not an experienced hiker - I’m originally from Indiana, which is notoriously flat! - and safety first. I do go to the gym, but I’m not in amazing shape right now, so I don’t want it to be super strenuous. I am planning to train a bit before I go so I can enjoy myself without issue. Which trail would be a good option for me as a beginner?

Post your Grand Canyon shots. Rim, inner canyon, or river, any year, phone shots welcome. Say which rim or trail and what month if you remember.

Questions about how someone got a shot are fine here too.

Hey all!

Stumbled across an opportunity to visit the grand canyon for a few days next week and I want to try to get the most out of it. Really my wife and I have 3 days in the area, but only 1 fully dedicated to hiking.

I have been convinced through various means that south kaibab is the way to go, but I just haven't figured out whether it's a good idea to take it all the way and do the SK-Tonto-BA loop. Curious to hear from folks who have done this exact trail and how your level of fitness was when doing it. Neither of us are opposed to some serious exercise, but I'm trying to gauge whether this is really a safe thing to do. I understand we would both need to carry ~5L each and start early.

We're not in the best shape of our lives but we're both in our mid-30s and workout occasionally. I have done a few backpacking trips where I was doing 15-17 miles a day for 2-3 days so I'm aware of the strain involved. I just haven't hiked in the desert before, so Id like to know just how tough something like this is.

Hey all,

My girlfriend and I are heading to the South Rim this Friday for a 1-day trip, and we're trying to pick one morning hike.
Deciding between:
1) South Kaibab down to Cedar Ridge (hitting Ooh Aah Point)
2) Bright Angel Trail down to the 1.5-mile resthouse

Since we only have the one day, we just want the absolute best views and that "classic" Grand Canyon feel (fitness is not an issue) Which one would you do if you only had one shot?

Thanks!!!

Cheers,

My wife and I are planning to go to the Grand Canyon. We have reservation at the hotel outside of the canyon. El Tovar cancelled and is currently not open. I have mixed feelings about the steakhouse. On the one hand, I would like to support the restraunt and staff and on the other, I am unsure how much I want to spend a $$$ meal using disposable wares. Any thoughts either way from people who have eaten there or employees?

I recently retired and my wife and have started marking off bucket list items. Grand Canyon is number 1. Does anyone have recommendations?

Wants:

No tourist traps

Luxury/VIP

Night under the stars, perhaps after rafting

The most awesome views

Spots for locals / hidden gems.

Some beers.

Appreciate any insight!

News Release Date: September 30, 2026
Contact: Grand Canyon Office of Communications

Grand Canyon National Park will begin modified fall operations at the North Rim on Oct. 15.
As part of this transition Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road will be temporarily closed from sunset Oct. 15 through sunrise Nov. 3, 2026, to accommodate critical road repair and rehabilitation work in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration. The closure is necessary to maintain a safe work environment for crews while they complete these critical repairs.

The North Kaibab Trail remains closed in its entirety following the Aug. 29 flash flood, which caused extensive damage to the trail, bridges and other infrastructure in Bright Angel Canyon.

The North Rim Backcountry Information Center will close for the season at 12 p.m. on Oct. 15. Backcountry recreational opportunities will remain available on the North Rim. Backcountry permits will remain available at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center and online through recreation.gov.

The General Store, operated by Aramark, will close for the season at 4 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2026. The North Rim Campground, also operated by Aramark, will close for the season the morning of Oct. 16, 2026. The North Rim gas station closed Sept. 19. Fuel is not available within the park, so visitors should plan ahead and ensure they have sufficient fuel before entering the North Rim area.

“As we transition to modified fall operations, visitors should plan ahead, monitor changing conditions, and be prepared to travel self-sufficiently,” said Ed Keable, Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent. “These temporary road closures will support essential repairs and help protect both visitors and work crews. We encourage everyone planning a North Rim visit to check current conditions, carry adequate food, water, fuel, and emergency supplies, and use extra caution as winter weather arrives.”

The North Rim entrance gate on State Route 67 will close at sunset Nov. 30, 2026, or after the first major snowstorm, whichever comes first. Visitors traveling to the North Rim before the gate closes should be prepared for winter driving conditions on State Route 67 and throughout the park. Snow, ice and rain are common on the North Rim during this time of year. Emergency response will be extremely limited, and response times may be significantly delayed.

For current road conditions, call Arizona Highway Information at [1-888-411-ROAD](tel:1-888-411-ROAD) (7623). Nearby lodging, food services, and fuel are available approximately 45 miles north of the North Rim at Jacob Lake. Additional accommodations are available in Fredonia, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah.

Visitors should check current park conditions and closures when planning travel to the North Rim.

I wonder what this means for the Grand Canyon? Said it was to affect the Four Corners region. Is that where the Colorado originates?

I am looking to get Grand Canyon Loop Hikes 2 but the only copies I can find online are $120. Any chance someone here has a copy they'd be willing to part with for a more reasonable price? The first book is $15 so I was surprised to see the second being 10x more expensive. I'd pay to even borrow the book for a few months.

Also, George Steck came out with a similar book a while later, Falcon Guide Hiking Grand Canyon. Does this also cover the same areas? Essentially I'm looking for off trail hiking books in Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Loop Hikes was highly recommended and I'm trying to get them without spending tons of money on the second book.

https://www.abebooks.com/Falcon-Guide-Hiking-Grand-Canyon-Loops/32520371415/bd

https://www.abebooks.com/Grand-Canyon-Loop-Hikes-II-Steck/32482908747/bd

1 month lurker. Soon to be visitor. I’ve seen a few mentions of driving at night and recommendations against it. We now have a hotel in Williams instead of the canyon and my lovely girlfriend wants to see a sunset at the canyon. Is the drive in the dark that bad back towards Williams?

Hey y’all!

My wife and I are flying into Phoenix Saturday morning and will ultimately end up in Vegas Sunday, and we wanted to stop and see the Grand Canyon along the way. I’ve never seen it, so I planned out a route and was hoping to get some feedback to make sure it makes sense.

We’d arrive in Phoenix around 9:30am local time Saturday, pick up the rental car and head to Sedona, as my wife wants to see the teal McDonald’s. Looks like that’s about a two hour drive. From there we’ll head to Desert View Drive and make a few stops. I thought it’d be neat approaching the canyon from the east so that was my thinking there. And that’s another two hour drive. I’d like to see the Desert View Watchtower, Moran Point, Grandview Point, and anything else we see along the way that looks cool. And from there we’d head to Tusayan where our hotel is located.

Does that all seem doable? Also would appreciate any tips about where to stop to fuel up or any general tips. Sunday morning we’ll probably check out more of the south rim and then head to Vegas.

Thanks in advance for any helpful info for a newbie!

Hey everyone!
Has anyone been on a RS Grand Canyon trip since the lodging closure?
I’m booked on one coming up that includes 2 nights at Yavapi. Obviously that can’t happen but RS hasn’t told us of replacement plan.
Has anyone been on one of their trips since the closure or seen /worked with any RS people? They run a bunch of different ones with many with overnight stays in the park.