Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim: Quick & Dirty Guide

The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world…

and, for anyone who has visited, it’s easy to understand why. It’s difficult to grasp the depth, age, and expansiveness of this iconic destination. There truly is no better way to experience the Grand Canyon than with a rim-to-rim hike. Hiking rim to rim means that you start on one side of the canyon (either the North Rim or the South Rim) and hike down to the Colorado River which lies at the bottom of the canyon. From there, the trail goes back up to the other side of the canyon terminating on the opposite rim.

A R2R2R (rim to rim to rim) hike of the Grand Canyon is a lesson in extremes. At the start you may experience cold temps on the North Rim, then find the temperature at the bottom of the canyon is 100 degrees. Every ecosystem of the American Southwest can be seen on your descent, and the canyon’s rock layers display a geological timeline spanning billions of years. Although you have to work for it, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. 

What You’ll Get:

• Permit information

• Suggestion of time of year to hike

• Route recommendation (rim-to-rim vs. rim-to-rim-to-rim)

• Handdrawn map of the Grand Canyon trails

• Detailed hike information for the rim-to-rim-to-rim hike

• Recommendations of places to stay on the rim

• Wildlife you’ll find along the route

• Packing list for the hike (what to wear, what gear you’ll need, etc.)

• Canyon-themed Spotify + Apple Music Playlist