Phantom Ranch Tour
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
2-3 Days, 1-2 Nights 17MI / 27KM
Trip Highlights
Fantastic for families, small groups, or solo travelers, this Grand Canyon hike is a classic choice. Our Phantom Ranch hiking tour combines great hiking, phenomenal views, two nights at historic Phantom Ranch (can cool off in summer, warm up in winter), and time to explore the bottom of the Canyon. We spend 2 nights on many tours, allowing us to day hike and explore the bottom of the Canyon on Day 2. Some tour dates feature one night trips. Either way, this classic Grand Canyon trip does not disappoint!
You’ll hike down the famous South Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch (carrying your clothing and personal items), where you’ll spend two nights. We include a layover day to go on a day hike led by your guide, simply relax, and/or enjoy interpretive talks at Phantom Ranch. On the last day you’ll hike back to the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail, hiking past Havasupai Gardens (a desert oasis where Native Americans planted crops for centuries) along the way.
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Historic Backcountry Lodge
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Famous Trails
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Mighty Colorado River
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Layover Day (3-day Trip)
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Hike without Overnight Gear
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Wonderful Lodge & Picnic Meals
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
2-3 Days, 1-2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 9.5 mi -
Group Size
4-9 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip consists of longer distance hikes (up to 9.5 miles) and extreme elevation changes (over 4000 feet) on good, maintained trails. Logs crossing the trails create tall steps up/down, which increases difficulty. The final important point is that doing this trip between May and September may require hiking in 105+ degree fahrenheit temperatures.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the South Kaibab TH: 15 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet
Accommodations: Phantom Ranch Lodge
This famous Grand Canyon hiking tour begins on the South Kaibab Trail, a popular hiking route that offers spectacular views both up and down the Grand Canyon. It’s seven miles of well-maintained hiking to Phantom Ranch. The scene surrounding the Ranch is one of the most charming in the Park as it’s situated at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near the Colorado River and adjacent to Bright Angel Creek. The stream-side setting makes for a true oasis in the desert.
Day 2 (3-day Itinerary Only)
Hiking Mileage: 0-7 miles day hiking
Elevation Gain/Loss: < 1,000 feet
Accommodations: Phantom Ranch Lodge
This is a layover day and a chance to relax and absorb the magic of the Canyon or go on a memorable day hike. Remember your swimsuit for a soak in the cool waters of Bright Angel Creek, catch up on that book you’ve been wanting to read, spend quality time with your family exploring the area, or join your guide for a customized day hike. Hiking options include an off-trail trek up a side canyon with cascades, pools and oases; a breathtaking hike paralleling the Colorado River a thousand feet above it on the Clear Creek Trail; or a relaxing walk on the River Trail.
Important: this trip is operated as either a 2-day or 3-day itinerary, and is confirmed as such in advance. Variation of trip length does not mean guests can choose to leave a trip or early or extend it a day.
Final Day
Hiking Mileage: 9.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet
Today we’ll pack up and make an early departure for the South Rim. Hiking on the Bright Angel Trail along the Colorado we’ll arrive at Pipe Creek after a couple miles. From here we’ll continue our hike up Pipe Creek to Garden Creek and Havasupai Gardens – a spring that watered seasonal Havasupai garden plots for centuries. From Havasupai Garden it’s a 4.5 mile hike to the South Rim, where we’ll look back over our route and contemplate this once-in-a-lifetime Grand Canyon adventure.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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1-2 nights of lodging in the dorms at historic Phantom Ranch
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Dinners and breakfasts at Phantom Ranch, lunches prepared by your guide
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Use of a day pack, trekking poles and Microspike crampons during winter months
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
National park entrance fee
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Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Phantom Ranch Lodge
1-2 nights
The historical significance and backcountry location of this amazing, rustic lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon offers guests an unforgettable inn-based hiking experience!
(10-bed gender-specific dorms, bathrooms, showers, heat, A/C)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins. For Private Phantom Ranch Tours your guide can meet you at your hotel in Tusayan or at the South Rim at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to the South Rim
All Phantom Ranch trips begin and end at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona (via highway 64) and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff (via highway 180). You can fly into Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Las Vegas and either rent a car or take shuttles to reach the South Rim.
Groome Transportation provides 9 trips daily between Phoenix and Flagstaff, and 3 trips daily between Flagstaff and the South Rim. The majority of our Phantom Ranch Tour participants, however, find it most convenient to rent a vehicle and drive from Phoenix or Flagstaff to the South Rim.
Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information on getting to the South Rim.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s rendezvous time and location at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be back to the South Rim normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) on the final day.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 8 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Sammy P
1 year agoCan’t say enough good things about the entire experience
I just completed my second Phantom Ranch trip in three years with Wildland Trekking. Both trips exceeded my expectations. After hearing my stories and seeing my photos, I have a lot of envious friends! Wildland Trekking does a fantastic job of preparing you for your trip, as well as, keeping you informed and updated along every step of the way. Our guide, Beau, was very knowledgeable about the canyon’s evolution and shared many interesting observations with us on the trail. He kept a steady pace, encouraged camaraderie among the team members and did everything he could to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone. Hopefully, I’ll find another Wildland trip to go on very soon!
Eloise-Marie L
1 year agoFantastic Trip
We had a fantastic trip down the S Kaibab to Phantom Ranch - a bucket list adventure. Our guide, Beau, was very helpful, interesting, and pleasant.
Jessica E
1 year agoMemories that will last a lifetime!!
After visiting the south rim in 2021 for the first time, I knew I had to come back and actually hike down to the bottom! I knew I needed a tour company, as I’ve never hiked a day in my life and I’m well aware of how treacherous the Grand Canyon can be. I found wildland trekking through an internet search and decided to book a rim to rim tour in 2023. Unfortunately, a week before that trip, I got a random bout of tonsillitis that landed me in the hospital. I had to cancel and was bummed! Thanks to the travel insurance WT recommended, I got a full refund. I then signed up to do the phantom ranch tour in July 2024. My husband was supposed to join me on this trip, but he tore his meniscus a few weeks before the trip and he had to bail. Once again, travel insurance saved the day! Get travel insurance! I was not missing this trip again, so I went solo. I was a bit worried about being by myself, but the group I was with were amazing!! We all got along great and I wouldn’t have wanted to do that trip with any other people! Michael Wichman, our guide, was absolutely amazing! He made sure we were all prepared at our pre-hike meeting and gave us a huge bag of snacks. I went through every one of those snacks on the trip. They were crucial for keeping electrolytes and energy up! Michael’s gentle leadership, encouraging words and knowledge of the geology, fauna and flora of the canyon made the trip safe, educational and fun! The 2 night stay at phantom ranch was an experience of a lifetime. Wildland Trekking and Michael allowed me to safely get there and enjoy something that few people experience. As far as the physical requirements for this hike, Wildland Trekking definitely had solid training recommendations in their packet. I was worried about my ability to not only hike in the altitude and extreme heat of July, but also if my fear of heights would be a problem. I’ve lived in south Florida for the last 20 years, so practicing hiking with altitude was impossible. I do love the heat, so that wasn’t a problem. I trained with a weighted backpack and my hiking boots, which definitely made this trip easier! I’m a pretty fit and active 47 year old. I run 3 miles a day, practice yoga several times a week and weight train, so physically, I felt prepared. I never used trekking poles, but Michael instructed me on how to get the most out of them. The heights were not a problem, as the bright angel and south Kaibab trail were always super wide. I never felt like I would fall off the edge, so that was a relief. I was prepared to crawl if the heights bugged me out! lol I’m glad it didn’t come to that. I can’t recommend this trip enough!! I’m already planning on doing the rim to rim in the near future. Thank you Michael and Wildland Trekking!! I have memories that will last a lifetime!!
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