Part of the Bright Angel Trail, the Silver Bridge is one of two trail bridges that cross the Colorado River at the bottom of Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Click the icon in the lower righthand corner of the player to expand the video.
The Bright Angel Trail is Grand Canyon National Park’s most iconic trek. Including photos and a video, this is how you can hike it in a single day.
Grand Canyon National Park is renowned for its world-class desert hiking, and there’s no trek more iconic than the Bright Angel Trail. Starting at the South Rim, the route runs north 9.8 stunning miles (15.8 kms) to the bottom of the Arizona’s famous canyon, crossing the Colorado River and terminating near Phantom Ranch.
I traveled along Bright Angel while hiking rim-to-rim; it served as the second half (i.e., uphill portion) of my journey. Leveraging my notes from my ascent, these are my recommendations for completing the trek as an out-and-back from the Bright Angel Trailhead.
1. Leave your vehicle at Parking Lot D
This only applies to day hikers and overnight trekkers who don’t have a place (i.e., reserved hotel accommodations or campsite) to park their vehicle while on the the Bright Angel Trail. Parking Lot D at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center allows you to leave your vehicle without a permit. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk north to the Bright Angel Trailhead.
I should note that, if you want to camp below Grand Canyon’s rims, you must have a permit from the National Park Service (NPS). Make sure to apply for one well in advance of your trip to the park.
2. Don’t expect to have cell service
While you might manage to find a bar somewhere near Phantom Ranch, plan on not being able to send or receive calls and messages from your cell phone once you are below the South Rim. I kept my phone on airplane mode during the entirety of my rim-to-rim hike. It conserved my battery and also kept me focused on the trail.
In the event that you need them, there are two emergency phones on the Bright Angel Trail: one at Havasupai Gardens and another at River Resthouse. There are also ranger stations at Havasupai Gardens and Phantom Ranch; the former has first aid.
3. Depart the Bright Angel Trailhead early
While the NPS doesn’t recommend it, a seasoned hiker can complete an out-and-back of the Bright Angel Trail in a single day. The major caveat is you must begin your descent near dawn, especially in the sweltering summer months. The heat and rugged conditions below the canyon rims are lethal for several hikers every year, and the challenging topography of Bright Angel regularly contributes to those unfortunate statistics.
The South Rim provides shade from the afternoon sun during the steep final part of Bright Angel’s ascent, but the 3.3-mile (5.4 km) stretch between River Resthouse (2,500 ft, 762 m) and Havasupai Gardens (3,800 ft, 1,158 m) is almost completely without cover.* The less heat you endure on the way down, the more your body will be ready for the arduous march back to the top.
Beginning my rim-to-rim hike from the North Rim’s North Kaibab Trailhead at 3 a.m., I made it to Phantom Ranch (2,460 ft, 750 m) by 10:30 a.m. The North Rim is around 1,500 ft (457 m) higher than Bright Angel Trailhead, and the North Kaibab Trailhead is over three miles (5 kms) longer than Grand Canyon’s most popular trail.
Also considering that I was carrying camping gear in my pack during my descent, you will likely be able to arrive at Phantom Ranch much faster than I did, thus giving yourself ample time to rest and recharge.
* At the time of writing, Bright Angel Trail was closed for construction between the Silver Bridge and Havasupai Gardens until May 14, 2025. Please check for updates from the NPS while planning your hike.
4. Take advantage of the water fill stations
As I mentioned in my guide for hiking rim-to-rim, both the Bright Angel Trail and the nearby South Kaibab Trail lead from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch. The two advantages of Bright Angel, however, are significant if you are doing an out-and-back as a day hike: shade and water below the rim.
While I have already described the shade you should expect to find on your ascent, Bright Angel also has three water fill stations along the way; locations include 1 1/2-Mile Resthouse (distance measured from the South Rim), 3-Mile Resthouse, and Havasupai Gardens (4.5 mi, 7.2 kms). Phantom Ranch has an additional station, which means you can fill up there after your morning descent and top off your water supply as you head back up.
Like the trailheads for North Kaibab and South Kaibab, the NPS regularly monitors and posts the status of water fill stations on a signboard at Bright Angel Trailhead; be sure to check it before you start your hike. Along with water, you can find restroom facilities at Havasupai Gardens, River Resthouse, and Phantom Ranch.
5. Go slow while ascending to the South Rim
The first half of the Bright Angel Trail’s descent will go quickly; it’s a 3,000 feet drop (914 m) to Havasupai Gardens. Most of that 4.5-mile stretch is switchbacks that pass by both 1 1/2-Mile Resthouse (5,730 ft, 1,747 m) and 3-Mile Resthouse (4,748 ft, 1,449 m). From there, the trail, which is well-maintained in its entirety by the park service, is a more gradual decline to the bottom. If you begin near dawn and assume the same approximately two mile-per-hour pace (3.2 kph) that I did on the North Kaibab, you should be able to comfortably make it to Phantom Ranch before noon.
I recommend slowing down during your return to the South Rim, not only for your safety but also to savor the moment. Marvel at the beauty of the Grand Canyon, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. And consider how special your day on Bright Angel really is: Highlights like crossing the Silver Bridge at the Colorado River and beholding the South Rim towering toward the sky are only enjoyed by a tiny fraction of visitors to the park.
Take it from someone who has experienced them firsthand: Those memories make all the effort worth it.
Related Content
– Click to read “How to Hike Rim-to-Rim at the Grand Canyon” for a step-by-step guide for crossing the world’s most iconic canyon.
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection from Grand Canyon National Park.
– Click to watch my high-definition video of a desert bighorn sheep near the Bright Angel Trailhead.