Grand Canyon Classic
Guided Backpacking Trips
3-4 Days, 2-3 Nights 17MI / 27KMTrip Highlights
Do you want the full experience of the Grand Canyon but only have a long weekend or 3 days to fit it in? This classic Grand Canyon hiking tour is great for families, individuals, and small groups interested in a backpacking trip to the Canyon bottom and who are limited by time. The Grand Canyon Classic boasts some of the best views in the Grand Canyon and follows the most moderate routes down and back up.
Spectacular vistas will await your arrival on the South Rim, where you’ll hike down the famous South Kaibab Trail. Spending one night at Bright Angel Campground, we then hike to Havasupai Gardens (a spring that watered ancient garden plots for centuries). The third day we hike out the classic Bright Angel Trail back to the South Rim. Natural and cultural history abound on this trip, and it features purely quintessential Canyon views.
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Famous, Iconic Trails
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Mighty Colorado River
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Phantom Ranch & the Colorado River
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Desert Oases
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Phenomenal Geologic History
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Scenic Loop Hike
Book This Trip
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3-4 Days, 2-3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 7 mi -
Group Size
1-9 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 very well maintained, frequently traveled trails. It has significant elevation gains and losses, and there are tall steps from logs across the trail that increase difficulty. This trip may require hiking in 105+ degree fahrenheit temperatures (May-Sept). Like all Grand Canyon trips, it has heights exposure, but we are generally able to walk several feet away from cliff edges.
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 Rim: 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet
This multi-day Grand Canyon backpacking trip begins on the South Kaibab Trail, a deservedly popular trail that offers spectacular views both up and down the Canyon. It’s 7.5 miles of well-maintained hiking trail to the Bright Angel Campground, our destination and camp for the first night. This camp 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. Campsites are shaded by tall, spreading cottonwoods, piped drinking water is available, and nearby Phantom Ranch offers a snack bar and ranger-led evening interpretive programs.

Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
After a hearty breakfast we’ll pack up and make an early departure to take advantage of the cool hiking hours of the morning. Hiking on the Bright Angel Trail along the Colorado, then climbing 1,000 feet, we’ll arrive at Garden Creek. From here we’ll hike along the creek upstream past its junction with Pipe Creek to Havasupai Garden – a spring site that watered seasonal Havasupai garden plots for centuries. From here it’s a short distance to our camp for the night – Havasupai Garden Campground – another enchanting camp with shade and water.

Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5-hour drive from the South Rim
A casual morning and delicious breakfast will precede a beautiful hike out as we continue our trip back to the rim via the Bright Angel Trail. It’s a 4.8 mile hike from camp to the South Rim, where we’ll look back over our route and reflect on the beauty of the Grand Canyon and our accomplishment in achieving something that few have had the privilege of experiencing.

4-day Variation
On the 4-day variation we enjoy layover day at Bright Angel Campground on day 2 of the trip. This will offer us the opportunity to explore the area, soak up the magic of the Inner Gorge and the Colorado River, rest and relax. Options for hiking today include an exploration of a steep side canyon that pours into Bright Angel Creek, and a hike up the North Side of the River to a high plateau overlooking the entire south side of the Canyon.
Important: this trip is operated as either a 3-day or 4-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.
Trip Dates
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Pre-Permit Trip Dates
| Start | End | |
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| Fri, Apr 3, 2026 | Sun, Apr 5, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Tue, Apr 7, 2026 | Thu, Apr 9, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Fri, Apr 17, 2026 | Wed, Apr 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Apr 22, 2026 | Fri, Apr 24, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, May 6, 2026 | Fri, May 8, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, May 9, 2026 | Mon, May 11, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | Thu, Sep 17, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Sep 17, 2026 | Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Mon, Sep 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Sep 21, 2026 | Wed, Sep 23, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Mon, Sep 28, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, Sep 27, 2026 | Tue, Sep 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | Sat, Oct 3, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Oct 3, 2026 | Mon, Oct 5, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 8, 2026 | Sat, Oct 10, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, Oct 11, 2026 | Tue, Oct 13, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | Fri, Oct 16, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Oct 17, 2026 | Mon, Oct 19, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Oct 19, 2026 | Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 22, 2026 | Sat, Oct 24, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Oct 26, 2026 | Wed, Oct 28, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 29, 2026 | Sat, Oct 31, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 10, 2026 | Thu, Nov 12, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Nov 12, 2026 | Sat, Nov 14, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Nov 16, 2026 | Wed, Nov 18, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Nov 19, 2026 | Sun, Nov 22, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Nov 21, 2026 | Mon, Nov 23, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Nov 25, 2026 | Fri, Nov 27, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | Sun, Nov 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles and Microspike Crampons if necessary
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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
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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
NOTE: These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used. (test)
Backcountry Sleeping
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
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.
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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)
- 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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Margie M
1 year agoWhat an experience!
WOW! What an experience!. The whole trip was amazing and indescribable! I really want to shout out to our guide Rory! This experience would not have been what it was without him. Rory took us at a pace we were all comfortable, he was so attentive and knew when we needed a break. He made sure we had the opportunity to soak in the Grandeur of the Canyon and all the hidden treasures you would probably not see on your own. Rory was kind, caring, informative, knowledgeable and has forever left beautiful memories of my trip that I will never forget. I want to thank him from the depths of my heart for a once in a lifetime experience!
Gloria M
1 year agoIt was awesome!
Cat was excellent, we lucked out with good weather (not too hot or we hiked early in the morning and relaxed in the afternoons), the 3 other people in the group were fun and adventuresome and we camped in the Grand Canyon! It was awesome!
Fred R
2 years agoFirst Class
This was a first class backpacking adventure. I would highly recommend Wildland Trekking to anyone who wants to go on a backpacking trip. Big THUMBS UP to our guide, Chris Miller!! I'm looking forward for more adventures with Wildland Trekking. Until we meet again. Thank you!
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