Winter Rim to Rim to Rim
Guided Backpacking Trips
6 Days, 5 Nights 44MI / 71KM
Reroute Alert!
Due to the Dragon Bravo Fire, we are unable to create any new Winter Rim to Rim to Rim 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 Rim to River experience, check out our Grand Canyon Classic backpacking trip, which is currently running as planned.
Trip Highlights
Our Winter Rim to Rim to Rim hiking tour is a rare opportunity to hike the Grand Canyon’s most famous trails, see both rims in winter, and experience the amazingly diverse micro-climates in the Canyon, all while having it nearly all to yourself. We begin and end on the South Rim, crossing the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch, and continue up to a high camp where we day hike to the North Rim. And we see desert oases, geological phenomena, Native American ruins, box canyons and more en route!
This trip takes us down the South Kaibab Trail, which has arguably the best views in the Grand Canyon, up the North Kaibab Trail to the North Rim and back to the South Rim via the spectacular Bright Angel Trail. The first day we’ll hike to Bright Angel Campground and the Colorado River, where we’ll enjoy moderate desert temperatures at the bottom of the Canyon. From there we’ll take 3 days to reach the North Rim and return to Bright Angel Campground. Our route out of the Canyon includes a final night at Havasupai Garden Campground. The final day we finish our hike to the South Rim, completing our Rim to Rim to Rim!
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Cross Grand Canyon Twice
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Solitude on Most Famous Trails
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Phantom Ranch & the Colorado River
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Amazingly Varying Climatic Zones
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Desert Oses
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Phenomenal Geologic History
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
6 Days, 5 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 14 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 has two components that determine the difficulty: 1) hiking with full backpacks on good, maintained trails with moderate distances and elevation changes; and 2) a 14-mile roundtrip day hike to the North Rim with light packs and 4200 feet of elevation gain/loss. The trails can also be icy or snowy in places, which increases the ruggedness.
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 Rim: 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet
This Grand Canyon backpacking trip begins on the South Kaibab Trail, a deservedly popular hiking trail that offers spectacular views both up and down the Grand Canyon. It’s 7.5 miles of well-maintained hiking to the Bright Angel Campground, our destination and camp for the first night. This camp is one of the most charming in Grand Canyon National 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.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet
On day two we’ll break camp and hike another 7 miles up to Cottonwood Campground. En route we traverse the amazing Bright Angel Box Canyon. With sheer granite and schist walls rising hundreds of feet above us, we hike along the crystal clear, spring-fed desert oasis of Bright Angel Creek. Cottonwood Campground will be our staging point for the next day’s hike to the North Rim.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 13.6 round-trip day hike miles
Elevation Gain: 4,161 feet
Elevation Loss: 4,161 feet
After a hearty early breakfast we’ll begin our hike toward the North Rim. (If the weather isn’t favorable for the hike to the North Rim, we’ll instead hike to Upper Ribbon Falls, which offers an exciting hike to a breathtaking waterfall.) The hike to the North Rim is a fantastic one for the natural history buff as we ascend through a semi-arid High Sonoran desert environment at mid-canyon to a dense mixed conifer forest on the rim. We’ll be rewarded with increasingly brilliant views as we hike upwards. Once to the top we’ll enjoy the view, have a snack and hike the same route back to camp.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 7.2 miles
Elevation Loss: 1,600 feet
This day is done in reverse of day 2 back to Bright Angel Campground.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles + 3-mile day hike
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Out of camp we’ll hike on the Bright Angel Trail along the Colorado and arrive at Pipe Creek. From here we’ll hike up Pipe Creek past its junction with Garden Creek to Havasupai Garden – a spring site that watered seasonal Havasupai garden plots for centuries. From here it’s a short final hike to our camp for the night – Havasupai Garden Campground – another enchanting Grand Canyon camp with shade and water.
Day 6
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 ascent 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 trip and reflect on the beauty of this place and our accomplishment in achieving something that few have had the privilege of experiencing.
Modified Itinerary: 12/1/2023 - 4/14/2024
Due to a temporary closure of the Bright Angel Trail, this trip will be modified between December 1, 2023 and April 14, 2024. Days 1-4 are unchanged.
December – February (6-day trip)
On Day 5, we will spend an extra night at Bright Angel Campground to rest and enjoy the bottom of the Canyon before a 1-day hike out on the South Kaibab Trail on Day 6 (7.5 miles, 4800 feet elevation gain). You can expect the same views, time at the Colorado River, desert oases, and chance to hike across the Grand Canyon twice! This modified itinerary remains level 4 difficulty.
March and April (5-day trip)
On Day 5, we will hike out on the South Kaibab Trail (7.5 miles, 4800 feet elevation gain). You can expect the same views, time at the Colorado River, desert oases, and chance to hike across the Grand Canyon twice! This modified itinerary remains level 4 difficulty.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
Pre-Permit Trip Dates
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Apr 1, 2026 | Mon, Apr 6, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Apr 16, 2026 | Tue, Apr 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, Apr 26, 2026 | Fri, May 1, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 16, 2026 | Sat, Nov 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Nov 25, 2026 | Mon, Nov 30, 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
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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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Grand Canyon National Park entrance fees and wilderness 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
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.
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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- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Greg S
4 years agoSpectacular and Exhausting
The rim to rim hike was spectacular and exhausting. I’m proud to have completed this hike Our guide was competent and friendly
Sean C.
6 years agoOverall Good
Tamara did a great job leading the group, and provided a great and varied menu for us. The trip packet Wildland provided was good and had lots of detail, and they were fast at replying to emails. Packs were heavier than indicated in the packet (lightest being 45 lbs); it seemed not all the equipment provided had been checked, as the first aid kit was missing some items and some zippers etc stuck. Sleeping bags were bulkier and heavier than expected, but warm enough. Other equipment was good.
Michael K
2 years agoWhat an adventure!
Awesome adventure! The Grand Canyon is such a beautiful place with amazing energy. Our guide, Michael, was incredibly sincere and helped create a positive climate for our group. His passion for the Grand Canyon also made the trip more meaningful as he was able to share his knowledge about the place. Going rim to rim was physically demanding, but well worth the effort.
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