A section of the South Kaibab Trail leads north to Skeleton Point at Grand Canyon National Park, AZ. The overlook is a well-traveled day hike from the South Rim. Click the icon in the lower righthand corner of the player to expand the video.
The South Kaibab Trail boasts some of the best vistas at Grand Canyon National Park, AZ. Including photos and a video, this is how I made it to Skeleton Point.
Although it’s overshadowed in popularity by the nearby Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail isn’t a hike you want to miss during your visit to Arizona’s Grand Canyon: The route offers some of the best vistas in the sprawling national park, particularly in the soft morning light.
I hiked the South Kaibab as a quick out-and-back to Skeleton Point. Including a video and photos, this is how I reached the trailhead via the park’s free shuttle system and then made the trek safely.
1. Catch the express shuttle at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center
If you’re going to be hiking at Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, the Backcountry Information Center is the first place you should locate. The rangers that staff the facility have a wealth of knowledge and resources that will aid you significantly on any trail you choose to take into and around the canyon.
The center is also important because of adjoining Parking Lot D; the parking area is where you can leave your vehicle during both day hikes and overnight treks. No permit is required to park. However, if you plan on taking the South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch or another campsite in the canyon, you will need a permit to pitch your tent.
On the day of my hike on the South Kaibab, I arrived at Parking Lot D before sunrise to catch the 6 a.m. hikers’ express shuttle bus. The shuttle, which only runs one way to the South Kaibab Trailhead at specific times in the morning, makes three stops before dropping off hikers: Bright Angel Lodge, the South Rim Backcountry Information Center, and Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal.
After parking my vehicle, I walked to the pickup point, which is at the front entrance of the backcountry offices. It took the shuttle around 15 minutes to reach the trailhead. Along the way, the driver announced key information about the South Kaibab over the loudspeaker.
You may be wondering: Why do you have to take a shuttle to the South Kaibab Trailhead? Unlike a few other trails (i.e., Grandview) that are outside South Rim’s Grand Canyon Village, there’s no parking area at the starting line.
2. Descend to Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge
The distance from the South Kaibab Trailhead (7,200 ft, 2,195 m) to the overlook at Skeleton Point (5,160 ft, 1,573 m) is three miles (4.8 kms). The first half of the descent is cut up neatly by two other vistas: Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge.
Remembering that Cedar Ridge is the only place with restrooms on the way to Skeleton Point, I stopped by the ones at the trailhead after stepping off the express shuttle. I also checked my water supply before departure; there are no refill stations anywhere on the South Kaibab.
Slinging on my backpack and gripping my trekking poles, I began following the steep, serpentine decline of the switchbacks that lead to Ooh Aah Point (6,440 ft, 1,963 m). The overlook is 0.9 miles (1.4 km) from the trailhead, and it provides stunning northerly views of the Grand Canyon. There are rocks at Ooh Aah Point that are suitable for sitting.
Pressing on, I soon arrived at Cedar Ridge (6,080 ft, 1,853 m), the second major checkpoint on the South Kaibab. It’s a little over a half-mile (1 km) past Ooh Aah Point and the median distance from the trailhead to Skeleton Point. There are benches at the site for resting.
Walking gingerly along the steepest sections of the trail that were coated with scree (i.e., fragmented, loose rock), it took me around 45 minutes to reach Cedar Ridge from the top of the canyon. Since I began my hike early in the morning, I was afforded shade most of the way down. That all changed, however, after I cleared Cedar Ridge.
The trail becomes completely exposed to the sun as it approaches O’Neill Butte.
3. Arrive at Skeleton Point
The South Kaibab Trail levels out somewhat during the second half of the hike from the trailhead to Skeleton Point. The overlook, which is the furtherest recommended objective for a day hike by the National Park Service (NPS), is highlighted by panoramic, plunging views of the Tonto Platform.
Like Ooh Aah Point, there are no services at Skeleton Point. The only trail stop beyond it is The Tipoff (3,920 ft, 1,195 m), which is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away and two miles (3.2 km) south of the Colorado River.
The day before I hiked the South Kaibab, I trekked rim-to-rim along the North Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail. Due to residual fatigue, it took me a while to get my legs under me, but I managed to find my rhythm near Cedar Ridge. I covered the remaining 1.5-mile stretch to Skeleton Point in a little under 40 minutes.
I spent a little under a half-hour resting and gazing out over the Tonto Platform. Sipping some water, I mostly stayed on my feet to keep my legs warm for the upcoming ascent.
4. Ascend to the trailhead
Now well above the eastern horizon, the sun was often blinding as I made my way back up to Cedar Ridge. I didn’t wear my hat for the morning hike, but I made sure to apply sunscreen before departing Skeleton Point.
Although shorter in distance than the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab’s lack of water and shade make it a more challenging route. Prudent actions like catching the earliest express shuttle, slowing down on the decline, and taking frequent hydration breaks from a well-stocked supply are good ways to set yourself up for a smooth ascent.
It took me a little over two hours to make the three-mile climb to the trailhead; that included a short break at Cedar Ridge. After refilling my water bottle and using the restroom, I walked over to the shuttle pickup point.
5. Return to your vehicle at Parking Lot D
The pickup point at the South Kaibab Trailhead for shuttles returning to Grand Canyon Village is at the same location as the drop-off spot for the hikers’ express shuttle bus. After a few minutes of waiting, I boarded the orange shuttle, which goes to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
My shuttle arrived at its destination not long afterward. Stepping off, I spotted the terminal for the blue shuttles a short distance away; they go to the nearby South Rim Backcountry Information Center and its Parking Lot D.
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 Grand Canyon rattlesnake that I encountered on my hike along the North Kaibab Trail.