Included: An experienced, medically trained naturalist guide with extensive knowledge of the Grand Canyon 5-day guided backpacking trip in Grand Canyon National Park (4 days of hiking), including interpretive talks on the canyon’s geology and human history Round-trip transportation from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with optional drop-off at your Phoenix accommodation on the last day Group camping equipment — tents, cooking equipment, and water filters 3 nights of backcountry camping and 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Williams, Arizona (double occupancy) 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners — most dietary requests and allergies catered for with advance notice Grand Canyon National Park entry fees Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Sleeping bag rental Not included: Flights to and from Phoenix Personal camping gear — see the packing list below Non-US resident park surcharge (applies to visitors 16 and older) Anything not mentioned above Guide gratuities — optional Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trip, excellent fitness is required as well as previous hiking experience . The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 14.5 km (9 mi) . Expect 3 to 6 hours of hiking per day with significant elevation change , all while carrying a full backpack . The terrain includes steep ascents and rugged ground, and the long descent on the Hermit Trail and the climb out on the Bright Angel Trail are the toughest parts of the trip. In spring and fall, daytime temperatures usually range from 60–80°F (16–27°C) with cool nights, though conditions can vary a lot between the rim and the canyon floor. Note that the itinerary may change due to park conditions, trail and road closures, or safety concerns, and your guide will always keep you informed. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking vacations in the USA !

What do I need to bring?

Required gear Sleeping bag (available to rent) Luggage — 1 small suitcase per person, can be left in the vehicle Headlamp Reusable water bottles or bladders (2–3 L total capacity) Lightweight dish or bowl Eating utensil Lip balm with SPF Required clothing Warm jacket (down, puffy, or fleece) Rain jacket or shell Breathable, wicking base layers Lightweight hiking pants Warm clothes to sleep in Warm hat Sun hat with a brim Wool socks (1 pair per day of the trip) Hiking boots Sunglasses Recommended gear and personal items Sunscreen Earplugs Insect repellent Toiletries — biodegradable and scent-free Small, personal first aid kit (including blister treatment) Small, quick-dry towel Pee cloth Journal and pen Trekking poles Recommended clothing Rain pants Buff or neck scarf Comfortable clothes for camp Sandals or camp shoes Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: For this Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trip, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants . This adventure is more than welcoming to solo travelers! This trip is designed to foster group bonding and the guides are pros at making sure everyone feels welcomed. Any given trip is usually a healthy mix of solo travelers, friends, and couples. Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trips can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18 , you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join a private backpacking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trip is Phoenix, Arizona . To get there, most people fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Book a flight that arrives by 9:30 am on the first day. The trip ends back at the airport around 12 pm on the last day, so book a flight that leaves after 2 pm. You can also be dropped off at your accommodation in Phoenix if you’re staying on to explore. You will meet your guide at 10 am at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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backpacker in the grand canyon backcountry

Grand Canyon | Arizona

Grand Canyon Backcountry Backpacking: Hermit Trail to Bright Angel

Name: Grand Canyon Backcountry Backpacking Trip
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

5 days | Challenging | 5.00

From $2,705 ()

Book a call

Most Grand Canyon visitors never drop below the rim. We step past it and into the backcountry, where sheer red walls tower over the turquoise rapids of the Colorado River and every bend in the trail reveals another layer of geologic time. Over four days on foot, we descend the rugged Hermit Trail, camp beside Hermit Creek, and follow the Tonto Trail across the canyon’s middle terrace before climbing out on the Bright Angel Trail. Your guides are medically trained naturalists who show you how to pack efficiently, pace yourself on steep trails, and sleep well under the stars.

Jason

Operations Assistant & Lead Guide

Adventure Highlights

Below the rim, not just looking at it: The Hermit Trail takes us into a quieter side of the Grand Canyon, far from the busy South Rim viewpoints
Arizona's quietest nights: Camp far from any town, where the stars come out thick and the canyon goes completely silent
Backpacking with expert support: Medically trained naturalist guides, group camping gear, and meals are all taken care of, from the Phoenix pickup to the farewell dinner

Duration

5 days

Season

April and October

Group size

Up to 8 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This 5-day guided backpacking trip takes us deep into Grand Canyon National Park on a classic inner-canyon route. After a pickup in Phoenix, we descend the Hermit Trail to Hermit Creek and spend two nights there, with an optional hike down to the Colorado River. From there, we follow a mostly flat trail to our next camp, then climb back to the South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail. We carry our own packs, while your guide brings the group camping equipment and prepares meals in camp. The trip wraps up with a shower, a farewell dinner, and a night in a 3-star hotel in Williams before we return to Phoenix.

Day 1: From Phoenix to Hermit Creek

Meet your guide at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 10 am, and from there we all jump in the van and hit the road to the Grand Canyon. At the trailhead, we do a quick pack shakedown to make sure everyone is carrying what they need and nothing more. Then we head down into the heart of the canyon on the Hermit Trail, a challenging 7-mile descent to Hermit Creek Campground. Once we arrive, we set up camp and sit down to a group dinner. Before heading to bed, look up, because the stars out here are hard to beat.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 11 km (7 mi)
Accommodation: Hermit Creek Campground

Day 2: Hermit Rapids and canyon stories

Today is an easier day, and we stay put at Hermit Creek. Anyone who wants to stretch their legs can join an optional hike of about 3 miles round trip down to the Colorado River, where we watch the water churn through Hermit Rapids. Along the way, your guide explains how this vast canyon formed and shares the human history of the area, which has been significant to people for millennia. The rest of the day is ours to rest, recover, and take in the quiet of the inner canyon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 5 km (3 mi) round trip, optional
Accommodation: Hermit Creek Campground

Day 3: Along the Tonto Trail

After breakfast, we pack up camp and continue to our next campsite along the Tonto Trail, which follows a broad bench partway between the rim and the river. At about 9 miles, this is the longest day of the trip, but the trail is mostly flat and easier on the legs. We take plenty of breaks along the way to enjoy the steep canyon walls rising around us. Once we reach camp, we set up for the night and refuel with a hot dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14.5 km (9 mi)
Accommodation: Backcountry campsite

Day 4: Climbing out on the Bright Angel Trail

It’s time for the long hike up and out of the canyon. We climb the Bright Angel Trail, the park’s best-known route between the South Rim and the inner canyon, taking plenty of breaks to catch our breath and look back at how far we’ve come. Back on the rim, we drive to Williams, a small Route 66 town south of the park. A much-deserved shower and a farewell dinner are waiting for us there.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Williams

Day 5: Farewell and drive back to Phoenix

It’s time to say goodbye to our newfound friends. After breakfast, your guide drives us back to Phoenix, arriving at the airport by 12 pm. If you’re staying on to explore the city, you can be dropped off at your Phoenix accommodation instead.

Meals: Breakfast

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Grand Canyon - Grand Canyon & Sedona Hiking Adventure

Lodging & food

Camp & hotel

We spend three nights camping below the rim, with two nights at Hermit Creek Campground and one at a backcountry campsite along the Tonto Trail. Your guide brings the group camping equipment, including tents, cooking gear, and water filters, so you only need to pack your personal gear. After climbing out on the Bright Angel Trail, we spend our last night at a 3-star hotel in Williams, Arizona, where we can finally shower and sleep in a proper bed. The price is based on double occupancy.

Meals

Meals are prepared by your guide in camp, packed as boxed lunches, or enjoyed in restaurants, like our farewell dinner in Williams. Your guides prioritize seasonal, fresh ingredients and local suppliers, and can cater to most dietary requests and allergies with advance notice.

Adventure, packed to go

Grand Canyon Backcountry Backpacking: Hermit Trail to Bright Angel

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Megan

Founder, Chief Adventure Office, and Senior Guide

Megan got her start in the travel industry as a kayak guide at an eco-lodge in Wales. After returning to the States, she continued leading day hikes for adventurous New Yorkers, which soon turned into adventures around the world. During this time, she also began working on the logistics side of travel and creating itineraries. After completing her Master’s in Outdoor Education, Megan headed to Montana to guide. She is a passionate environmentalist who uses her experience to run a more sustainable and inclusive outdoor travel company.

5.00

Jason

Operations Assistant & Lead Guide

Jason grew up in New York State, spending most of his childhood exploring the outdoors (barefoot!) and camping with his family. He got more into backpacking and the outdoors while on an extended adventure in Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Since then, Jason has worked for NOLS and Outward Bound leading wilderness expeditions in the Everglades, Wind River Range, Bears Ears National Monument, and Blue Ridge Mountains. He has hiked all over the world: from the tall peaks of Mexico’s volcanoes to the deep canyons of Namibia. Jason is passionate about bringing folks outside and helping them to develop a sense of wonder towards nature and outdoor activities.

5.00

Jarrod

Jarrod grew up on the coast of southeastern Massachusetts, exploring rocky shores and skipping stones across the bay. After years in the Northeast’s hospitality and tourism industry, he downsized his life, moved into an RV, and headed west in search of adventure. While working in Yellowstone National Park, he fell in love with hiking, backpacking, and the solitude of remote wilderness. Seven years on the road eventually led him to Utah’s Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, where he now divides his time between alpine trails and the desert landscapes of the Southwest. Yellowstone remains his first love, and he’s always eager to share his passion for nature and the national parks with others.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (2 reviews)

Steve Wheeler

The Grand Canyon was quite simply, GRAND! Our guide, Jessie was outstanding. She was the right mix of professional and fun. Her knowledge of both the geological history and the broader history was spot on. Her knowledge of the local flora and fauna was most appreciated.

Michael Davin

Great tour of the Grand Canyon. Excellent tour guide Camilla, took us below the rim and all around above. Extremely knowledgeable, flexible and patient. Worth every penny

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, medically trained naturalist guide with extensive knowledge of the Grand Canyon
  - 5-day guided backpacking trip in Grand Canyon National Park (4 days of hiking), including interpretive talks on the canyon’s geology and human history
  - Round-trip transportation from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with optional drop-off at your Phoenix accommodation on the last day
  - Group camping equipment — tents, cooking equipment, and water filters
  - 3 nights of backcountry camping and 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Williams, Arizona (double occupancy)
  - 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners — most dietary requests and allergies catered for with advance notice
  - Grand Canyon National Park entry fees
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Sleeping bag rental
Not included:
- - Flights to and from Phoenix
  - Personal camping gear — see the packing list below
  - Non-US resident park surcharge (applies to visitors 16 and older)
  - Anything not mentioned above
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
In order to join this Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trip, excellent fitness is required as well as previous hiking experience. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 14.5 km (9 mi).

Expect 3 to 6 hours of hiking per day with significant elevation change, all while carrying a full backpack. The terrain includes steep ascents and rugged ground, and the long descent on the Hermit Trail and the climb out on the Bright Angel Trail are the toughest parts of the trip. In spring and fall, daytime temperatures usually range from 60–80°F (16–27°C) with cool nights, though conditions can vary a lot between the rim and the canyon floor. Note that the itinerary may change due to park conditions, trail and road closures, or safety concerns, and your guide will always keep you informed.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking vacations in the USA!
Required gear
- - Sleeping bag (available to rent)
  - Luggage — 1 small suitcase per person, can be left in the vehicle
  - Headlamp
  - Reusable water bottles or bladders (2–3 L total capacity)
  - Lightweight dish or bowl
  - Eating utensil
  - Lip balm with SPF
Required clothing
- - Warm jacket (down, puffy, or fleece)
  - Rain jacket or shell
  - Breathable, wicking base layers
  - Lightweight hiking pants
  - Warm clothes to sleep in
  - Warm hat
  - Sun hat with a brim
  - Wool socks (1 pair per day of the trip)
  - Hiking boots
  - Sunglasses
Recommended gear and personal items
- - Sunscreen
  - Earplugs
  - Insect repellent
  - Toiletries — biodegradable and scent-free
  - Small, personal first aid kit (including blister treatment)
  - Small, quick-dry towel
  - Pee cloth
  - Journal and pen
  - Trekking poles
Recommended clothing
- - Rain pants
  - Buff or neck scarf
  - Comfortable clothes for camp
  - Sandals or camp shoes
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Group sizes and pricing:
- - For this Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trip, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - The maximum group size is set at 8 participants.
  - This adventure is more than welcoming to solo travelers! This trip is designed to foster group bonding and the guides are pros at making sure everyone feels welcomed. Any given trip is usually a healthy mix of solo travelers, friends, and couples.
  - Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trips can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join a private backpacking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  - If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Grand Canyon backcountry backpacking trip is Phoenix, Arizona. To get there, most people fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Book a flight that arrives by 9:30 am on the first day. The trip ends back at the airport around 12 pm on the last day, so book a flight that leaves after 2 pm. You can also be dropped off at your accommodation in Phoenix if you’re staying on to explore.

You will meet your guide at 10 am at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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