LotteryThru-HikeVery High Demand

Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Permit

The ultimate Grand Canyon experience: 21-24 miles crossing from one rim to the other through two billion years of geologic history.

“Descend through two billion years of Earth's history, cross the Colorado River at its deepest, and climb out the other side of the greatest canyon on Earth.”

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Demand

Extremely High

10/10

Method

Lottery

Cost

$10 + $10/night/person

Rim-to-Rim Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes

Booking MethodLottery

Demand LevelExtremely High10/10

Cost$10 + $10/night/person

Max Group Size11 people

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeThru-Hike

Booking MethodLottery

Demand Level10/10

LocationNPS

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance

24 miles

Elevation Gain

5,850 ft

Route Type

Point to Point

Duration

2-3 days

Difficulty

Strenuous

Elevation Range

2,480 - 8,241 ft

Highlights

•21-24 miles depending on route choice, typically completed over 2-3 days
•Total elevation change of approximately 10,000+ feet (down and up)
•Extreme temperature variations—can be 30°F at rims and 110°F at river
•The Box section is brutally hot in summer—avoid midday travel
•Phantom Ranch offers meals and lodging (advance reservations required)

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures. Summer is dangerously hot at the bottom. Winter is possible but the North Rim is closed November-May, requiring a 215-mile drive between rims.

Hazards & Considerations

!Heat—temperatures at the bottom can exceed 110°F in summer; heat stroke is a real danger
!Dehydration—you need more water than you think; electrolyte depletion is common
!Altitude—starting at 8,000+ feet can affect some hikers
!Flash floods during monsoon season (July-September)
!Mule traffic—yield to mule trains on trail

How to Get This Permit

Create a Recreation.gov account

If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations

Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.

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Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.

Apply at Recreation.gov

When to Go

Peak: OctoberShoulder: March-April

Conditions

Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

+Pleasant temperatures
+Fewer crowds than fall
+Wildflowers

Challenges

!Unpredictable weather
!Some areas still muddy
!Flash flood risk

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand5/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill1/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk2/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation1/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment5/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Well-conditioned hikers experienced with multi-day backpacking and extreme temperature variations.

Recommended Experience

Should have completed multi-day backpacking trips with significant elevation change. Training hikes with a loaded pack essential.

Not Recommended For

Those sensitive to heat, inexperienced backpackers, or anyone who hasn't trained for significant elevation change.

About This Permit

The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is a 21-24 mile crossing of the Grand Canyon, typically completed over 2-3 days. The route descends from one rim to the Colorado River at the canyon's bottom, then ascends to the opposite rim. Most hikers travel North-to-South, as the North Rim is 1,000 feet higher, making the descent steeper but the ascent more gradual.

Backcountry permits are required for all overnight camping below the rim. Popular camping spots include Cottonwood Campground (night 1) and Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch (night 2).

The Experience

Why It Matters

The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is one of America's bucket-list adventures—a journey through one of the planet's most dramatic landscapes. Each descending layer represents millions of years of geological history, from the 270-million-year-old Kaibab limestone at the rim to the 1.8-billion-year-old Vishnu schist at the river.

The Route

Most hikers begin at the North Rim (8,241 ft), which is 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, allowing the steeper descent to be completed first. The North Kaibab Trail drops through the forested Kaibab Plateau, passing the seasonal springs of Supai Tunnel before reaching Roaring Springs—where water literally bursts from the canyon wall.

Cottonwood Campground offers a midway rest at 4,080 feet before the trail enters The Box—a narrow, shadeless corridor along Bright Angel Creek that traps summer heat like an oven. Phantom Ranch appears like a mirage at the bottom, nestled beside the river with cold lemonade and air conditioning.

The climb out via Bright Angel Trail passes through the oasis of Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Garden) before tackling the final 3,000-foot push through the red-rock switchbacks to the South Rim Village.

The Feeling

The first glimpse of the Colorado River from the North Rim is almost impossibly distant—a thin brown ribbon 5,000 feet below. By the time you reach it, your legs burn and your mind has traveled through time itself, past fossils and ancient seabeds and metamorphic rock older than complex life. Crossing the suspension bridge, with the river roaring below, marks the halfway point. Then begins the long climb out, each step taking you back through geologic time until you emerge, transformed, on the opposite rim.

Trailhead Information

North Kaibab Trailhead

8,241 ft elevation

Primary

The recommended starting point for Rim-to-Rim. Higher elevation means steeper descent but easier overall direction.

Restrooms

Water Available

Weak Signal

Parking

Large parking area at trailhead. North Rim services 2 miles away.

Getting There

North Rim is 4-5 hours from South Rim by car (215 miles). Open mid-May to mid-October only.

Nearest Services

Grand Canyon Lodge at North Rim (2 miles). Full services seasonal only.

Bright Angel Trailhead

6,860 ft elevation

Alternate

Common exit point at South Rim, near Grand Canyon Village with full services.

Restrooms

Water Available

Moderate

Parking

Parking available at South Rim Village. Shuttle access from multiple lots.

Getting There

South Rim accessible year-round via Highway 64.

Nearest Services

Grand Canyon Village has lodging, restaurants, and full services year-round.

Rules & Regulations

•Backcountry permit required for all overnight camping below the rim
•Permit applications accepted 4 months in advance on the 1st of each month
•Group size limited to 11 people
•Camping only at designated campgrounds (Cottonwood, Bright Angel, Indian Garden/Havasupai Gardens)
•No fires at any backcountry campground
•Pack out all trash and human waste disposal required per site rules

Gear Checklist

Required

Minimum 4 liters water capacity (sources available but may be seasonal)
Electrolyte replacement for hot-weather hiking
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, lightweight long sleeves)
Broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support
Headlamp with extra batteries

Key Landmarks

↑

5,850ft

Gain

↓

5,850ft

Loss

⛰️

8,241ft

High

📏

24.0mi

Distance

📐

3.5%

Avg Grade

Click on a marker to view details•12 landmarks

Landmarks (12)

Lottery Statistics

Competitive

estimated success rate

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Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Rim-to-Rim.

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🐻

Food Storage

Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.

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Rim-to-Rim FAQ

How do I get a Rim-to-Rim permit?

Rim-to-Rim permits are obtained through a lottery system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When is the best time to visit Rim-to-Rim?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Rim-to-Rim permit?

This permit has a demand score of 10/10, making it extremely competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Rim-to-Rim permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Sunrise from the North Rim before your descent offers the classic Grand Canyon photography. Sunset from Phantom Ranch captures light playing on the inner canyon walls.

Best Light

Early morning and late afternoon avoid the harsh midday shadows. The inner canyon photographs best in diffused light.

Beat the Crowds

Start from the North Rim for significantly fewer crowds on the descent. The North Kaibab receives a fraction of Bright Angel Trail traffic.

Classic Shots

📍First light on the canyon from North Rim before descent
📍Colorado River suspension bridge crossing
📍Phantom Ranch with canyon walls towering above
📍Looking back up at The Box from near Phantom Ranch
📍Havasupai Gardens oasis with cottonwood trees
📍Final approach to South Rim with red rock switchbacks

Can't Get a Rim-to-Rim Permit?

Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.

South Kaibab to Bright Angel Loop

Easier Alternative

Descend South Kaibab, overnight at Bright Angel Campground, ascend Bright Angel Trail. Same river crossing, less total distance.

Permit required

Tradeoffs

Only 14 miles total and doesn't require North Rim access. Misses the higher North Rim and Roaring Springs.

Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R)

Similar Experience

The double crossing—down and back in the same trip. Popular with ultrarunners and very fit hikers.

Permit required

Tradeoffs

42+ miles. Can be done in one very long day (elite athletes) or 3-5 days with camping.

Other Grand Canyon Permits

Consider these alternatives or add them to your tracking list

Lottery9/10

Bright Angel

Campground at the bottom of the canyon....

Lottery8/10

GC Backcountry

Required for all overnight camping below the rim....

Lottery8/10

Havasupai Gardens

Midway point campground....

Lottery7/10

Cottonwood

North Rim corridor campground....