Exploring Grand Canyon: Hiking and Overlanding Adventures

Where the road ends… the trail begins.

The Grand Canyon‘s hiking and off-road trails are a dream for anyone passionate about exploring the outdoors. Home to some of the most breathtaking views in the world, it’s no wonder that Grand Conyon National Park is a major international tourist destination. Toroweap Point, one of the Canyon’s most famous vistas, is accessible only by a 60-mile dirt road that’s crisscrossed with cattle guards and marked by signs that read, “Caution: Unimproved Road Surface.” This is a feature unique to the Canyon’s North Rim, a much more isolated and untamed area of one of the nation’s most popular national parks. And the best part? Anyone can go explore it… as long as they’re properly prepared.

Overlanding newbies, here’s where we take a break to tell you that if you’re going to take an adventure in Grand Canyon National Park, you need to be aware that everything you do has an impact. If we don’t treat it with respect, the Grand Canyon won’t stay isolated and untamed for long. Keep Tread Lightly Principles in mind, make sure your lights are Dark Sky Park approved, and try your best to fly under the radar. The overlanding community wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have respect for our Mother Earth, and when you go out there, you represent all of us. Taking our trucks into the park is a privelige, not a right – and we’d like to keep that privelige. Please, don’t ruin it for everyone else.

There’s a Chase Bank and a grocery store less than half a mile’s walk from the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The mule deer that wander the campgrounds next to the resort are so domesticated, they’ve been known to look both ways before crossing the street – using the crosswalk. We’re not saying that sticking to the South Rim isn’t adventurous. It is. You’re still free to camp, hike, and enjoy the views from the safety of civilization. It’s the best of both worlds.

But if you want more…

In our opinion, if you go Grand Canyon hiking or overlanding or even just vacationing but don’t hike down, you’ve missed out. You don’t have to go far; even just a mile or so will do. But if you want the full experience, hike down as much as you’re able.

It’s sort of a myth that you can’t drive down into the Grand Canyon. Actually, you can, but only by one road. It’s called the Diamond Creek Road, and it offers a unique Grand Canyon travel experience. On the other hand, driving down usually only takes two or three hours on well-traveled and well-regulated road. If you walk, you can take as much time as you want – and explore wherever you want.

In this guide, we’ll recommend all of the best gear you’ll want and give all the advice you’ll need to hike down and around on the Grand Canyon hiking trails from a basecamp on the less-explored North Rim. Keep in mind that putting the car in park doesn’t stop the adventure. Taking a hike just allows you to take the plans into your own hands.

Before You Go

First of all, we need to warn you about the dangers that come with adventuring to the hiking trails on the Canyon’s North Rim. There is absolutely no cell service and it’s near impossible to get a GPS signal with your phone. Additionally, the campsites at Tuweep campground are primitive – no running water, no wifi, no nothing. On top of that, you’ll need to acquire a backcountry camping permit through the National Park Service to camp out there.

It’s possible to take a day trip out to the North Rim, but we don’t recommend it. (And neither does the National Park Service.) The drive out is 60 miles, but due to the nature of the road, it will likely take you at least three hours. If you’re smart, that is. Trying to move any faster might result in flat tires or worse, making your trip even longer.

That said, there are also far too many pros to spending the night at Tuweep campground to ignore. The Grand Canyon is one of very few International Dark Sky Parks, meaning that all of the artificial light sources in the park are modified so as not to create light pollution. It makes the skies at night an absolute can’t-miss.

There are also some incredible views of the Canyon that you can only see from the North Rim. Some are great 4×4 adventure trails, but we’d recommend tackling others on foot. Hiking instead of driving keeps the Canyon as it should be: quiet, peaceful and untouched by pollution.

Getting Out There On Toroweap Overlook Trail

This wouldn’t be a full overlanding/hiking North Rim guide if we didn’t mention this trail. It is accessible to 4×4 vehicles, but we like a different strategy. There’s about 3.5 miles of decently driveable road before you’ll hit a parking lot. From there, you can walk about another 3-mile stretch out to the hiking trails on the very edge of the Grand Canyon.

The Toroweap Overlook Trail is your first destination once you’ve survived the long and lonely road out to Tuweep campground. The road you’ll take out there is the one mentioned before: 60 miles of dusty gravel and the occasional tumbleweed. Like we said, there’s absolutely no service out there, so be prepared with paper maps on hand. The rocky road is dangerous game for tires. Roll over the wrong spot at the wrong angle going just a bit too fast and your trip is cut short. If and when that happens, be sure you’re familiar with your vehicle’s tire change kit, and maybe even have a tire repair kit on hand.

Beginning in July 2022, the National Park Service will be charging a fee of $2 per vehicle to discourage large groups of vehicles from staying at the campground. Their goal is to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the Canyon hiking trails, and caravans of large trucks can disrupt the silence and pollute the air. Of course, that should be our goal, too. Just be respectful of the nature around you and you should be good to go.

Trekking Out To Point Sublime

Point Sublime, while one of the most challenging destionations when in comes to Grand Canyon hiking, is also one if its most stunning. It’s really all in the name with this one. The sunrises and sunsets here are quite literally… sublime. While you can absolutely drive out there, the road isn’t suitable for rigs too big or too small. The rough road requires high clearance, but the stretch out to the point also gets pretty skinny. Jeeps, you win the Goldilocks prize for driving out to Point Sublime.

For everybody else, we want to tell you to step out of your comfort zone. Get out from behind the wheel, grab a backpack and hike it. You’ll leave behind the anxieties of maneuvering your rig across the tight path up to the point and just enjoy the views.

For a quick overnight camp, throw together the bare essentials. Tent and tarps, sleeping gear, lighting, camp chairs, emergency gear, water. That’s about it. Eat before you head out so that you don’t have to worry about packing out leftover food and trash. You’ll want to wake up early to see the sunrise anyway, so worry about breakfast when you get back to base camp at Tuweep.

Be Careful Out There!

Now is a great time to talk about recovery gear for your rig and first aid for you. Getting out to Point Sublime and many other Grand Canyon hiking trails is known to be tough, but the views and isolation are worth it as long as you’re prepared.

If you choose to head out in your vehicle, be extra careful. Check with the park ranger before you head out to make sure the trail has been cleared recently, or you might be stopped by a fallen tree, mud or other unpassable obstacles. If you do get stuck, recovery boards and a winch along with exposed tow points will be helpful in getting you unstuck. The only tow service out here is the park rangers, and if they’re around to help, they can charge over $1,000, so keep your MAXTRAX or other recovery boards on hand. (They’re not a failsafe, though. Don’t come crying to us if your rear-wheel Beemer gets stuck out there and you can’t get it out. Use your common sense.)

Hikers get injured just as easily as vehicles get stuck heading out to Point Sublime. Prevention is the bet way to stay safe – wear good socks to prevent blisters, have good boots that support your ankles and keep good maps so you don’t get lost.

Hiking Down On The North Kaibab Trail

The only trail down into the canyon from the North Rim is the North Kabiab Trail. The best part about a hike down is that it’s up to to decide you how far you go and what you see. Remember, though, just like the trail signs say: “Down is optional. Up is mandatory.” The key to success is knowing your limits and being prepared.

Grand Canyon hiking is some of the most unique in the world. Hiking down into the canyon is really the only way to truly understand its size and grandeur. As much as you can appreciate the views from the rim roads and trails, hitting the dirt of the Grand Canyon hiking trails totally changes that perspective.

To that effect, here’s our quick list of things you need to hike North Kaibab and links to some of our favorite products:

• Good quality, broken in boots. Wear them around for a couple of days before you do anything strenuous in them or you will get blisters.
  • Our rec: Columbia Newton Ridge Boot (men’s here, women’s here)
• Wool or synthetic blend socks. These will wick moisture away from your feet.
  • Our rec: Smartwool or Bombas
• Lightweight hiking pants.
  • Our rec: Cotopaxi has great options in multiple styles for both men and women.
• Long or short sleeve shirt that will wick away sweat. Really any shirt will do as long as it’s breathable and you feel comfortable. Stay away from cotton.
• Poles. You don’t think you’ll need them until you need them.
  • Our rec: Black Diamond from REI for the dedicated hiker, but these ones from Amazon are a more budget-friendly option.
• Water; more than you think. The same rules that apply for gas apply for water.
  • Our rec: a Camelbak. Get one that has its own backpack, or a reservoir for your pack.
• Bandanas. They’re the ultimate multipurpose tool, protecting from the sun, cleaning up messes and more.
  • Our rec: Find one that fits your style and buy a bunch. Amazon is a great place to start.
• Trail food: granola bars, sandwiches, G.O.R.P.
• Liquid IV, GU Gels, Gatorade Energy Chews. For emergencies; yours or someone else’s.

Getting Back To Civilization

Once you’re over by the North Rim, the closest civilization you’ll be able to find will likely be St. George, Utah. It’s a bustling little metropolis that’s got everything an overlander might need, stranded or not. When you’re done with your Grand Canyon hiking and adventuring, it’s also a great stopover point about 45 minutes from Zion National Park.

The Desert Rat is one of the best gear shops in St. George if you’re willing to spend a little extra to support a local business. They’ve got a prime location for replacing broken gear or picking up those couple of things you realized you forgot while out on the trail.

Gear Guide

No matter what season you decide to go Grand Canyon hiking, it presents some tough challenges. Packing the appropriate gear for the trip you have planned can make or break your adventure. Even if you go out during more mild and temperate months, like May, the temperatures can change way more than you might expect. A day spent hiking in 80 degree heat might be followed by a 25 degree night.

Here are some of our essentials for handling the changing temps of the Grand Canyon while hiking, overlanding and more.

Nemo / Switchback Sleeping Pad

rei.com

MSRP: $44.95

This double-sided sleeping pad is a great compromise piece for when you’re unsure of the weather. It packs up small and is lightweight for backpacking. It’s also double-sided, so that you can add more insulation to your sleeping setup for warmth if needed. As an added plus, it’s also super budget-friendly.

Nocs Provisions / Zoom Tube 8 x 32 Monocular Telescope

rei.com

MSRP: $75.00

What would spending the night at an International Dark Sky Park be without a telescope? If you’re interested in learning more about constellations, bring one along. Of course it’s also useful for checking out distant wildlife during the daytime, too! This one is tiny and lightweight, so it packs easily.

Trasharoo / Spare Tire Trash Bag

amazon.com

MSRP: $48.99

Heading out to primitive campsites means there’s not a safe or sustainable way to throw out trash or food scraps. With that in mind, bringing along a way to dispose of trash without stinking up your vehicle or summoning every raccoon (or worse) in a mile radius is probably smart. This option from Trasharoo is tried and true among overlanders.