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If you wish to camp anywhere in the park, other than in developed campgrounds on the rims, you must obtain a permit from the Backcountry Office.
The following ranger recommendations are founded in a concern for hiker safety and a desire that you enjoy your backpacking trip. There are an average of 400 search and rescue incidents in the Grand Canyon backcountry every year; the majority involve people on their first hike in the canyon. Remember, there are no easy trails into or out of the Grand Canyon. When planning your trip, remember that the most enjoyable and safest seasons for hiking are spring and fall. It is desirable to schedule at least two nights in the canyon. This allows a rest and recovery day before the hike out and reduces the distance to be covered each day. You should consider elevation gain and loss, not just mileage, when researching possible itineraries. Fifteen trails and numerous obscure routes provide access to the inner canyon. Access to the bottom (2,400 feet / 730 meters above sea level) is possible from both the South Rim (7, 000 feet / 2,130 meters above sea level) and the North Rim (8,200 feet / 2,500 meters above sea level). None of these trails is easy, and since most people live at elevations near sea level, they find that hiking at high elevations greatly contributes to their fatigue. Only the South Kaibab, Bright Angel, and North Kaibab Trails are maintained and patrolled on a regular basis. These three trails meet at the bottom near the only bridges that span the Colorado River. Together they create a popular cross canyon "corridor." These wider corridor trails offer expansive views, reliable water sources, great camping, and the opportunity for hiking in and out on different trails. Backcountry rangers highly recommend this area, especially for a first Grand Canyon adventure. Most visitors begin and end their hikes from the South Rim.
Roads leading to the North Rim are closed during winter months due to heavy snowfall. Depending upon weather conditions, these roads are open from mid May to mid October. The hiking distance from the North Rim to the Colorado River is twice as far as from the South Rim to the river. The minimum time recommended for a round trip from the North Rim is three nights.
Rangers recommend that you plan your trip well in advance of your arrival at the park, and when possible, show flexibility as to the dates and routes you request. Permit requests for popular hiking seasons - spring, summer, and fall - generally must be made as early as possible. While summer is definitely not the ideal time to hike in the Canyon, it remains the busiest hiking season.
The earlier you plan your hike and apply for permits, the more likely you will be to get the dates and itinerary of your choice.
Despite the fact that canyon hiking is extremely demanding, requests for backcountry permits far exceed the use that the canyon's fragile, desert environment can sustain without serious resource damage. Therefore, overnight camping in the canyon and in undeveloped areas along the rim is carefully monitored and controlled and demand usually exceeds availability.
All hiking at Grand Canyon is strenuous, due to altitude (the South Rim is 7,000 feet above sea level) and extreme temperatures (up to 120° F in the inner canyon).
Leave No Trace
All Grand Canyon backcountry users are asked to follow Leave No Trace principles. The goal is to have minimum human impact on the canyon as a result of your trip. Important Leave No Trace principles at Grand Canyon include:
Be well prepared. Know the route and area in which you are planning to hike.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site should not be necessary.
Stay on main trails; do not shortcut switchbacks.
Pack out what you bring in. This includes used toilet paper and all trash.
Fires are prohibited below the rim. Do not burn toilet paper pack it out!
Bury solid human waste at least 200 feet from water in a shallow cat hole 4 to 6 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from creeks and potholes. Scatter strained dish water.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Keep loud voices and noises to a minimum.
Leave what you find. This is particularly important when it comes to cultural resources of any kind, including artifacts and archaeological remains. Leave them as you find them.
