North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained trail from the North Rim that descends into the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River fourteen miles away. It was built in the 1920s and replaced an older route that reportedly crossed Bright Angel Creek 94 times.

North Kaibab Trailhead

The North Kaibab Trail is 41 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67. The small parking area with limited parking is 1.5 miles north of Grand Canyon Lodge on the highway. Transportation is available from the Grand Canyon Lodge twice each morning. The trailhead is also a half mile walk from North Rim Campground.

North Kaibab Trail Camping

Hikers on the trail must camp in one of the designated campgrounds. There are three campsites on or near the trail. The North Rim Campground, although it is not on the trail, is a half mile away from the trailhead. Cottonwood Campground is located 7 miles from the trailhead at the halfway point in the trek. It is located at an elevation of 4080 feet. Bright Angel Campground is located at the bottom of the canyon next to the Colorado River (elevation of 2480 feet).

Attractions / Things to Do

Coconino Overlook – A popular destination for a short day hike – it is about .9 miles from the trailhead. It provides a panoramic view of the cliffs.

Supai Tunnel – The Civiian Conservation Corps blasted a tunnel through the rock in the 1930s for the trail.

Redwall Bridge – This bridge is about three miles down the trail and halfway between the trailhead and Roaring Springs.

Roaring Springs Waterfall – The water emerges from the canyon wall after has seeped through the rock to a layer that is no longer porous enough for it to travel through it. The water forms Bright Angel Creek.

Pumphouse Residence – A house at mile 5.4 that was once occupied by park employee Bruce Aiken. The pumphouse is no automated and the house serves as a ranger station.

Ribbon Falls – A waterfall in a grotto on the west side of Bright Angel Creek 1.6 miles from Cottonwood Campground.

Inner Gorge – A narrow canyon which the trail enters between Cottonwood and Bright Angel Campground.

Bright Angel Campground – 33 campsites accessible at the end of the North Kaibab Trail for those with a backcountry permit. It is also accessible by the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail.

Phantom Ranch – The only lodge located below the canyon rim is on the north side of the Colorado River beside Bright Angel Creek. Make a reservation for breakfast or dinner at the Phantom Ranch Canteen well in advance of your hike.

Water Sources

In the summer, there are usually six sources of potable water along the trail: the Trailhead, Supai Tunnel, Roaring Springs, Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground and Bright Angel Campground. The water stations are turned off in the fall (except for Bright Angel Campground) to prevent freezing – dates vary.

Erosion can cause breaks in the pipes, so a method of water treatment should also be brought. From Roaring Springs to the Colorado River, the trail is usually not far from the river.

Summer Conditions

The National Park Service does not recommended hiking on North Kaibab Trail in the sun in the heat of the day between 10 AM and 4 PM. Hikers should plan to start hikes well before dawn or after 3 PM. As such, hikers should plan to stay at Cottonwood Campground and should not attempt to hike the entire way to Bright Angel Campground in a single day.