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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Be notified instantly when Rim-to-Rim permits become available due to cancellations.
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Rim-to-Rim permits become available.
Rim-to-Rim Quick Facts
Key Information
Permit Details
What to Expect
Route Details
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
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
When to Go
Conditions
Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Pleasant temperatures
- +Fewer crowds than fall
- +Wildflowers
Challenges
- !Unpredictable weather
- !Some areas still muddy
- !Flash flood risk
Difficulty Assessment
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
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 elevationThe recommended starting point for Rim-to-Rim. Higher elevation means steeper descent but easier overall direction.
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 elevationCommon exit point at South Rim, near Grand Canyon Village with full services.
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
Recommended
- Trekking poles (invaluable for steep descent/ascent)
- Lightweight rain gear (monsoon season July-September)
- Water filter as backup to treated sources
- Cooling towel or bandana for The Box section
- Reservation confirmation for Phantom Ranch (if applicable)
Key Landmarks
Landmarks (12)
Lottery Statistics
Competitive
estimated success rate
Get detailed lottery statistics and tips in the PermitSnag app.
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.
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
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 AlternativeDescend South Kaibab, overnight at Bright Angel Campground, ascend Bright Angel Trail. Same river crossing, less total distance.
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 ExperienceThe double crossing—down and back in the same trip. Popular with ultrarunners and very fit hikers.
Tradeoffs
42+ miles. Can be done in one very long day (elite athletes) or 3-5 days with camping.