Grand Canyon Basecamp Tour
Camping Hiking Tours
4 Days, 3 Nights 17MI / 27KM
Reroute Alert!
Due to the Dragon Bravo Fire, we are unable to create any new Grand Canyon Basecamp reservations for 2025. Existing reservations are anticipated to be rerouted where possible. Bookings for 2026 remain open.
Please support the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s disaster relief efforts. The Intrepid Foundation is matching the first $20,000 donated at our fire relief fundraiser here.
For a South Rim basecamp experience, check out our Grand Canyon South Rim Hiking and Camping Tour, which is currently running as planned.
Trip Highlights
The North Rim is a summer paradise with only 10% of the visitation the South Rim gets, cooler temperatures, shaded forests, more wildlife, and wonderful, remote areas with fantastic views. This tour is an opportunity to get to know the North Rim by enjoying the well-known highlights like Bright Angel Point and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, as well as exploring remote areas that few people know about. It’s also an extraordinarily great camping experience that feels a lot more like Colorado than the Grand Canyon. We start this trip off with a hike on the South Rim as well, for an all-around experience of Grand Canyon National Park!
Your guide will lead you on 1 hike off the South Rim and 3 hikes off the North Rim – the challenge of the treks will vary to allow for recovery and relaxation in between. We’ve hand-picked the hikes specifically for their uniqueness, adventure and scenic beauty. Some of the highlights include breathtaking views, incredible natural and cultural history, views of the Colorado River, stunning conifer and Aspen forests, ancient fossils, and remote wilderness. Each night you’ll return to camp in the cool pine forests of the North Rim. A tasty dinner, comfortable camp, cozy campfire, and mind-blowing star-filled sky will be your setting in the evenings.
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South & North Rim Hikes
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Premier Camping
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Phenomenal Views
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Desert View Watchtower
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Canyon Solitude
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Remote, Seldom Hiked Trail
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Historic Navajo Bridge
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Camping Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 9 mi -
Group Size
2-9 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 follows a variety of trails from well maintained to more rugged. We are hiking near cliff edges, but are able to stay several feet away most of the time. On Day 1 we hike the Grandview Trail, which has increased exposure compared to the rest of the trip.
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 North Rim: 4-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 1200-2500 feet
On this Grand Canyon hiking tour, we’ll pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon through the East Entrance, where the initial views are sure to blow you away! We’ll stop at the Desert View Watchtower en route to the Grandview Trail. This amazing structure is a replica of a Native American tower found in the same location by early explorers centuries ago.
The well-named Grandview Trail takes us down a series of exciting switchbacks with seemingly endless views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. The trail was built by one of Grand Canyon’s most famous miners, Pete Berry, in the late 1800’s to extract some of the richest copper ore in the world. Eventually when his mine failed, he turned to tourism for a living, taking guests down his amazing, hand-cobbled trail. We’ll descend down through geologic and cultural history, gazing into the depths of the Canyon and discussing the immense beauty and intrigue of this landscape.
After our hike, we’ll begin our drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. En route we’ll cross the Colorado River near Lee’s Ferry, where the Old Navajo Bridge (built in the 1920’s) is suspended 467 feet above the water.
Once the hiking is done we’ll set up camp and enjoy our first tasty dinner of the trip.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Change: minimal
After a big breakfast we’ll drive a short distance to our trailhead. Today’s hike is on a beautiful trail that winds through the pine trees and aspen of the high North Rim (8,000 feet) past ancient fossil beds to the edge of the Canyon. Elk, deer, coyotes, fox, mountain lions, and even half-breed wild buffalo roam these forests and meadows regularly. The plant life is rich and lush, which is an amazing contrast to the desert ecosystems we’ll be gazing down at inside the Canyon. Once we reach the edge of the Canyon, we’ll traverse the North Rim to a stunning viewpoint. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the depths of the Canyon, explore this incredible area by extending our hike along the Rim, and then return on the same trail.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 2-6 miles
Elevation Change: minimal
Today will be a highlight tour of everything the North Rim has to offer. We’ll take the drive to Angel’s Window and Point Imperial stopping along the way. Today will feature several shorter hikes, with some of the most breathtaking views the Grand Canyon has to offer. For more active groups that wants to add more mileage to the day, we’ll have the opportunity to hike one of the beautiful trails that winds its way through the coniferous forest along the rim.
Day 4
Shuttle to the East Entrance: 3-hour drive from the North Rim
Hiking Mileage: 1.5-4.0 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 600-1441 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5 hours
We’ll break camp and head to the famous Grand Canyon Lodge. We’ll check out the lodge and its massive picture windows before hiking down the famous North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook or possibly Supai Tunnel, two impressive overlooks in the Canyon. The hike from the North Rim is a fantastic one for the natural history buff as we descend through a dense mixed conifer forest on the rim towards a semi-arid High Sonoran desert environment.
After hiking, we’ll drive back to Flagstaff, during which time you can relax and reminisce over the last 4 amazing days.
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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Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and daypack
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona to the Grand Canyon and back
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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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 -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Premier Campgrounds
3 nights
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
Fantastic Meals
11 Meals
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
Camping Amenities
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff (use this reservation page for a 10-60% discount at Little America) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at Little America, but staying at one of our other recommended hotels. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Grand Canyon Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff
WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX
- Reduced drive time by 3 hours on first day of hiking
- Guide support is only an hour away vs. 4-5 hours away in Phoenix.
- Increased flexibility with unforeseen circumstances
- Flagstaff is a scenic mountain town with great hiking and restaurants!
GROOME SHUTTLE
Groome Transportation operates an Arizona Shuttle that makes 9 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The duration is 2.5-3 hours. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff at the Amtrak Station (near downtown) and the NAU campus.
Note: Groome also offers daily transportation (3 trips in each direction) from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
CAR RENTAL
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix has a fantastic car rental facility that is easily accessible and hosts a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.
ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is only $275. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.
Pre and Post-Trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Flagstaff, Arizona as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time 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 drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
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)
- 5 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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Robin D
5 months agoAmazing Entertainment
We enjoyed having this wilderness experience with a base camp to come back to each night. It was a benefit to us to have, but Wildland Treking do the planning and provide the proper equipment for us. The description of the trip matched what occurred. Our guide took care of us (and allowed freedom) from start to finish - driver, cook, trail guide. We plan take another trip with Wildland because of our experience. And of course, nature provided the most amazing entertainment.
Neil M
5 months agoExcellent Adventure
My Grand Canyon North Rim Basecamp trip was outstanding. Kenny was a great guide. The scenery was fantastic! Kenny prepared wonderful meals and was attentive and responsive to group and individual needs. Thanks Kenny and Wildland for an excellent adventure!
Vera K
1 year agoWildland Trekking provided a great experience
Couldn't have asked for a better guide. Max is so good with people, add his mad cooking, organizational and motivational skills along with his knowledge of the Grand Canyon and you have one excellent guide. The group I traveled with was a great mix of ages, professions and from all over North America. I loved meeting everyone and there was never a dull moment. Wildland Trekking provided a great experience and I highly recommend them.
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