Hiking to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon

Road tripping to the Grand Canyon is one of the most quintessential American experiences. Driving there before the sun comes up is a jaw-dropping journey, especially for a city kid. To see the sky so full of stars, enveloping you as you barrel toward a great abyss captures the space, awe and wonder of the United States in the best sense.

Arriving at the southern rim in time to see the sun come up is one of the more idealistic moments in life. But then what? As an adult, you may have the urge to embrace the beauty a little more actively and march on down to the bottom of that canyon. It is not that simple, however. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is a serious affair and you need to be prepared for it. Luckily, there are a lot of great tips out there. Here are a few things to know before you go:

How long will take? This is up to the individual, but keep in mind the hike back will take twice as long. So if, on average, you need five hours to go down, you will probably require eight–10 to go back up.

What supplies should I have? Water! Definitely bring water. This is hot terrain and you will be expend a lot of energy. Bring water and fill up at the stations along the way. You should also keep plenty of carbohydrate- and protein-rich snacks on hand for the journey.

Will I have cell phone reception? Do not rely on cell phone reception. In places, there is none. There are ranger stations at the bottom of the canyon and they have protocols in place in case of emergencies.

What happens if something goes wrong? Contact a ranger or call 928 638 2477

For more comprehensive tips and where to stay when you get to the bottom, check out the Grand Canyon’s website (), which will help you plan your trip.