Rim to Rim to Rim in a Day Guide – Grand Canyon

Rim to Rim to Rim Overview

• Location: Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona, USA)
• Length: 43.1 mi / 69.4 km (varies with trailhead selection)
• Type: Out-and-back
• Most Popular Months: March/April or October/November
• Max Group Size: 10
• Permit Required: No
• Dogs Allowed: No
• South Rim Trailheads: South Kaibab Trailhead (map) | Bright Angel Trailhead (map)
• North Rim Trailhead: North Kaibab Trailhead (map)
• Low Point: Silver Bridge / Black Bridge (Colorado River) 2,417 ft / 737 m (map)
• High Point: North Kaibab Trailhead 8,232 ft / 2,509 m (map)
• Elevation Gain: 12,030 ft / 3,667 m (varies slightly with trailhead selection)
• Elevation Loss: 12,390 ft / 3,776 m (varies slightly with trailhead selection)
• Difficulty (as a single-day effort): Extremely Strenuous

Spring: Spring (March) is when I completed R2R2R and is probably when I would do it again. That said, I did have to postpone one day because the morning I originally planned to start I woke up to 6 in / 15 cm of fresh snow blanketing my car and the South Rim. Average temperatures at the South Rim are around 51°F / 11°C in March and climb to 76°F / 25°C by the end of May. Just remember that even if it’s freezing at the rim in the morning, it may still be hot at the river at midday. It’s also worth noting that it has snowed at the Rim as late as June (although typically snowfall will have ended by April or May).

Summer: Is it possible to complete Rim to Rim to Rim in the summer? Sure. Is it advisable? No. Unless you are highly experienced in extreme temperatures and are deliberately attempting to subject your body to brutal conditions, there’s no reason to attempt R2R2R during the summer. A “nice day” at the Rim can still mean absurdly hot temperatures at the river. Summer temperatures at Phantom Ranch have reached 120°F / 49°C. Most of the rain the Grand Canyon receives falls in July and August; this is also when the risk of severe thunderstorms is highest.

Fall: Fall is essentially the opposite of spring at the Grand Canyon. Average highs at the South Rim hover around 76°F / 25°C in September and fall to 51°F / 11°C by mid-November. It can snow at the North Rim as early as September, but generally, snow won’t fall until later in the year. If I were to attempt R2R2R in the fall, I would probably do so in early November. That said, the transition from summer to winter can happen quickly and drastically making the fall a difficult time of year to predict.

Winter: It’s possible to complete Rim to Rim to Rim in the winter, but it will depend on when in winter you attempt it. Snow falls at both the South Rim and the North Rim, and trails – especially the North Kaibab Trail – can hold snow into spring. However, the South Rim trails can also hold ice and snow toward the Rim. The North Rim can be extremely cold in winter with temperatures having fallen to –22°F / –30°C. As with summer, unless you’re trying to make R2R2R difficult for yourself, it’s best to opt for a spring or fall attempt.

Here’s a look at average temperatures in the inner canyon.

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
High (F)	56	62	71	82	92	101	106	103	97	84	68	57
Low (F)	36	42	48	56	63	72	78	75	69	58	46	37
High (C)	13	17	22	28	33	38	31	39	36	29	20	14
Low (C)	2	6	9	13	17	22	26	24	21	14	8	2

Gear & Packing List

If you’re going to complete Rim to Rim to Rim in a day, you’ll probably be going light (as you’ll most likely be running). Here’s a checklist to make sure you’ve got all you need to be successful.

Running Vest: If you’re attempting Rim to Rim to Rim in a day, you likely have a tried-and-true running vest. Do you need a running vest? I guess not. But you’ll likely want something to carry your water, filter, food, and other gear. Why make things more difficult than they have to be?

Trekking Poles If you’re a fan of using trekking poles when you run (or quickly hike), don’t forget them on R2R2R. There is 12,030 ft / 3,667 m of total elevation gain and an equal amount of less. The ups and downs are equally unrelenting – expect no undulation and very little flat.

Electrolytes: Bring electrolytes! Rim to Rim to Rim is exposed. There is very little shade to be found along the trail – unless it’s early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or you get lucky with the sun around Phantom Ranch – and the sun can be (and often is) intense. Make sure you’re bringing electrolytes to stay hydrated.

Water: There are few opportunities to fill up on water along R2R2R. I used a 1.5L hydration bladder (which I did not enjoy), but would have preferred to carry two 500 ml soft flasks and an additional 500 ml bottle in my bag. Whatever you do, make sure you have enough capacity to remain hydrated between water sources.

Water Filter: I was told that the water from spigots along R2R2R is safe to drink, but if you want to play it safe, bring along something like a Platypus QuickDraw for filtering your water—just in case. Also, if there is no water on the North Kaibab Trail (which can happen), you can filter from Bright Angel Creek, which parallels the North Kaibab Trail until it begins climbing up Roaring Springs Canyon.

Traction: If you’re not on R2R2R in summer (again, not the best idea) or in a summer-adjacent month, there’s a chance you’ll be encountering ice and/or snow toward the South Rim, North Rim, or both (but likelier the North Rim). Some foot traction may be a good thing to have with you. You wouldn’t want to nearly make it up to the North Rim and then have to turn around because of icy trail conditions.

Satellite Messenger or PLB: There is cell reception at the North Rim and the South Rim, and there are other people out, but carrying a PLB is never a bad idea – particularly on an effort as big as this one. I generally carry a Garmin inReach Mini 2. It’s small, lightweight, and can save your life.

Sunscreen: Bring sunscreen. As stated above, the trail is very exposed. If you’re running on a clear day, you can expect to be in the sun for the majority of the trail.

For more recommendations on gear, check out my current gear list or gear reviews.

Route Description

Whether you decide to take the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail, the Rim to Rim to Rim trail is remarkably well-maintained and easy to follow. The North Kaibab Trail is one of the most impressive trails I’ve ever been on.

That said, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind regardless of which trail(s) you choose. First, regardless of your starting point, you have a huge climb at the end of R2R2R. Also, the distance between the Colorado River and the North Rim is nearly twice as long as the distance between the Colorado River and the South Rim. You’ll probably make it down the Colorado River fairly quickly (assuming a South Rim start), but don’t allow yourself to be fooled – you are far from halfway at this point.

Bright Angel vs South Kaibab

You can choose whether to start or end your hike at Bright Angel Trailhead, South Kaibab Trailhead, or a mixture of both. As stated above, here’s a look at the difference in distances:

• 40.7 mi / 65.5 km South Kaibab + North Kaibab + South Kaibab
• 43.1 mi / 69.4 km South Kaibab + North Kaibab + Bright Angel
• 45.4 mi / 73.1 km Bright Angel + North Kaibab + Bright Angel

Reasons to take South Kaibab Trail

• Shorter than the Bright Angel Trail by 2.35 mi / 3.8 km (one-way)
• More scenic than the Bright Angel Trail – follows a ridgeline down instead of a canyon
• There’s a cool tunnel you go through immediately south of the Colorado River
• Less popular (and thus less crowded) than the Bright Angel Trail
• Less likely to hold snow and ice due to its exposure

Reasons to take Bright Angel Trail

• Offers more shade and shelter than the South Kaibab Trail
• There is a year-round water source, a natural water source, and two seasonal water sources; South Kaibab has no water
• Not as steep as the South Kaibab Trail
• More trailhead infrastructure and (arguably) easier access to the trailhead
• More toilets available on the trail

R2R2R Water Sources

Rim to Rim to Rim water sources are fairly straightforward. Water sources in the Grand Canyon can be divided into three categories: seasonal, year-round, and natural. Seasonal and year-round water sources refer to those provided by the park while natural water sources are perennial natural sources.

The longest stretches of trail without reliable, year-round water are the stretch from where the trail departs Bright Angel Creek and climbs to the North Kaibab Trailhead at the North Rim (10 mi / 16 km roundtrip) and the South Kaibab Trail (7 mi / 11.3 km one-way) between the Colorado River and South Kaibab Trailhead.

Seasonal water sources are generally available from May to October. Still, you should always check and confirm with the park as these water sources can be turned off at any time for a variety of reasons.

Year-round water sources (Havasupai Gardens Campground, Bright Angel Campground, North Rim Backcountry Information Center) are generally always available. However, as with seasonal sources, check and confirm with the park before beginning.

Natural water sources (which should be filtered) along Rim to Rim to Rim include the Colorado River, Bright Angel Creek, Garden Creek, Pipe Creek, and Roaring Springs.

Water Source Details

South Rim: It would be wise to arrive hydrated and with water to the start of Rim to Rim to Rim. However, if you need water at the south rim you can find spigots at Mather Campground (map). There is no water at South Kaibab Trailhead (but there is a privy). You can find water near Bright Angel Trailhead from the hotels and shops nearby.

Note: There are no water sources on the South Kaibab Trail between the trailhead and the Colorado River.

1.5 Mile Resthouse | Bright Angel Trail | Seasonal: Water is available seasonally (May to October) at 1.5 Mile Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail (map).

3 Mile Resthouse | Bright Angel Trail | Seasonal: Water is available seasonally (May to October) at 3 Mile Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail (map).

Havasupai Gardens | Bright Angel Trail | Year-round: Water is available year-round at Havasupai Gardens (map) on the Bright Angel Trail. There are also toilets here. Havasupai Gardens is 4.5 mi / 7.3 km from the South Rim.

Garden Creek / Pipe Creek | Bright Angel Trail | Natural: The Bright Angel Trail crosses and is adjacent to Garden Creek and Pipe Creek. Water can be collected and filtered from these sources.

Colorado River | All Trails | Natural: You can easily access the Colorado River on the north side to obtain and filter water. That said, there are two spigots just north of the river (Bright Angel / South Kaibab). Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are also just north of the river, which makes filtering from the river rather pointless (and the river will likely clog your filter if it’s sediment-filled).

Bright Angel Campground | All Trails | Year-round: Bright Angel Campground (map) is between the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch and has year-round water spigots and flushing toilets. Note that the campground is on the west side of Bright Angel Creek (Phantom Ranch is on the East Side). At the north end of the campground, there is a bridge to cross the creek back to Phantom Ranch and the North Kaibab Trail.

Phantom Ranch | All Trails | Year-round: Phantom Ranch (map) does not have spigots (you’re better off getting water from the nearby Bright Angel Campground), but it does have a canteen where you can purchase beverages and snacks from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cash and cards are both accepted.

Bright Angel Creek | North Kaibab Trail | Natural: Bright Angel Creek flows into the Colorado River from Bright Angel Canyon and is what the North Kaibab Trail follows for around 8.7 mi / 14 km north of the Colorado River before starting up Roaring Springs Canyon. The trail runs parallel to and is often close enough to the creek for you to collect and filter water. Once you cross north of the bridge just south of Manzanita Rest Area, the creek will no longer be accessible.

Cottonwood Campground | North Kaibab Trail | Seasonal: Cottonwood Campground (map) is 6.8 mi / 11 km south of the North Rim and has water available from mid-May to mid-October. It also has an emergency phone and pit toilets.

Manzanita Rest Area | North Kaibab Trail | Seasonal: Manzanita Rest Area (map) is 5.4 mi / 8.7 km below the North Rim and has water available seasonally. That said, when I did Rim to Rim to Rim in early March, the water here was turned on. It’s always best to check with the Backcountry Information Office or rangers directly to confirm water source status.

Roaring Springs | North Kaibab Trail | Natural: Roaring Springs (map) is 4.7 mi / 7.6 km below the North Rim and requires a slight detour to reach (~0.25 mi / 400 m). It’s close enough to Bright Angel Creek that filling up at the creek would probably make more sense instead of detouring to the spring.

Supai Tunnel | North Kaibab Trail | Seasonal: Supai Tunnel (map) is 1.7 mi / 2.7 km below the North Rim. Water is available here seasonally, but this is one of the first sources to be turned off in the fall. There are also pit toilets; there is no emergency phone.

North Rim | North Kaibab Trail | Seasonal: At the North Kaibab Trailhead (map), seasonal water is available via a spigot. This water source is one of the first to be turned off in the fall, so be sure to check its status before relying on it. If there’s no water here and you need water, you can go instead to the North Rim Backcountry Information Center.

North Rim Backcountry Information Center | North Kaibab Trail | Year-round: The North Rim Backcountry Information Center (map) is 0.4 mi / 0.64 km from North Kaibab Trailhead via the Bridle Trail and a road. There is year-round water available here at a spigot outside the office.

Map

The following is an overview of Rim to Rim to Rim with landmarks. Note that this should be used as a guide, and it is not necessarily 100% representative of what’s on the ground (i.e., you shouldn’t just be blindly trying to follow this track).

I’ve included a few detours and tried to label all the noteworthy landmarks along the trail (e.g. water sources and toilets).

Conclusion

A single-day Rim to Rim to Rim run/hike/adventure provides a huge challenge (and a cool post-activity elevation profile). The entire trail is well-maintained, and the Grand Canyon is spectacular, but there are serious hurdles to deal with, including the drastic temperature differences between the river and the rim and ensuring you remain adequately hydrated.

The lack of water sources can provide additional challenges depending on the time of year, and once you’re in the canyon – you’re in the canyon. If you don’t manage to get yourself out to the rim, it means a helicopter ride. Be safe and know what you’re getting yourselves into, friends.

I’m always looking to improve upon the information and resources provided in these guides, so if you have any questions, suggestions, or updates, please leave a comment below or get in touch.

Resources

• Grand Canyon National Park (NPS)
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route Shuttle Bus to South Kaibab TH (NPS)
• Village (Blue) Route Shuttle Bus to Bright Angel TH (NPS)
• GCNP Shuttle Buses (NPS)
• Fastest Known Time R2R2R
• Grand Canyon National Park Lodging (NPS)
• Mather Campground Reservations (Recreation.gov)
• Parking Lot Information (NPS)
• Grand Canyon Historical Weather (NPS)
• Yavapai Point Webcam
• Critical Backcountry Updates (NPS)
• Bright Angel Trail description (NPS)
• South Kaibab Trail description (NPS)
• North Kaibab Trail description (NPS)

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