A Three-Day Weekend Hiking the Grand Canyon
If camping out isn’t for you, nor backpacking, yet you want to see the Grand Canyon up close, you might want to opt for Four Season Guides’ Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Hiking Tour. But if you’re open to multi-day backcountry experiences, our Grand Canyon Backpacking Trips offer incredible routes beyond Phantom Ranch. You can also explore other Grand Canyon Lodge-Based Adventures that offer comfort without sacrificing the experience.
Here is the scoop: It only takes 3 days, which is a nice long weekend for many. The distance is 23 miles total, which isn’t bad considering it is broken out into those three days. With this adventure, you will have the opportunity to experience the most famous hike in the world and stay at a notoriously remote lodge, Phantom Ranch.
Here is the low-down:
First, you arrive in Flagstaff, Arizona the afternoon before the trip, ready for an early departure the next morning. Four Season Guides will provide all of the necessary gear you will need for the hike, including a backpack, trekking poles, and all your meals and trail snacks!
Transportation from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon and park entrance fees are also covered in your trip package. The evening before the departure to the Grand Canyon, there will be a pre-trip orientation at 4:30 p.m. where you will meet your guide. Departure times and logistics will be discussed and last-minute questions answered. This is when you’ll really start to get excited for your adventure. Most trips depart between 4:30am and 7:00am. You will be picked up at your hotel and returned there at approximately 5pm on the last day of the trip.
The hike starts at the famous South Kaibab Trail. After a light breakfast, all will start down the trail. The views from this trail are amazing and stopping to take photos or just take it in, is common. The Kaibab trail is the shortest possible route to the Colorado River (bottom of the Grand Canyon). On the way down, you will get to enjoy plenty of breaks, photo opportunities and lunch with an incredible view. Scenery from this trail include Pipe Creek Canyon, Cremation Canyon, the North Rim and Inner Gorge. The distance from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch is seven miles and a 4,800 foot decent.
Once at the bottom, it’s time to check into the Phantom Ranch lodge. Once settled in at your home for the next two nights, you can enjoy a nice shower and relax after a day’s hike. After a delicious feast for dinner, you can take in a ranger-led talk or enjoy a cold beer or hot chocolate in the Canteen, while making new friends with fellow hikers from around the world.
Day 2 Phantom Ranch
After getting a good night’s sleep, there will be a delicious breakfast and then a venture out to explore some of the amazing side canyons and trails that extend off of the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy a hike up the Clear Creek Trail and take in the stunning view of the Colorado River. Expect to explore the narrows of Phantom Canyon and its delightful waterfalls. Here your group can relax by the creek, rest and eat lunch. Day 2 will end back at the lodge with another fantastic dinner.
Day 3 Phantom Ranch
On the third day, after an early breakfast, the hike will begin back up to the South Rim. All will walk up along the edge of the Colorado River before heading up Pipe Creek and the Bright Angel Trail. Along the Bright Angel Trail, bighorn sheep and endangered California condors are often seen. Expect to enjoy a nice lunch along the way as everyone takes in the sweeping views across to the North Rim. At the end of the day, you achieve the thrill of reaching the trailhead in Grand Canyon Village and knowing you have just completed one of the most sought after and greatest hikes in the world.
What are you waiting for? Take a long weekend away from work and the hustle of the every day, hike the Grand Canyon with Four Season Guides. Four Season Guides is a 20-year-old organization that is guide-owned and operated. They have also been awarded the Certificate of Excellence 5 years in a row by Trip Advisor. You can also explore other
destinations across the Southwest, from Utah’s red rock canyons to Sedona’s scenic trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore everything you need to know about taking a three-day guided hiking adventure through the Grand Canyon with Four Season Guides, including routes, lodging, and what to expect.
How long is the Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch hiking trip?
The Three-Day Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch trip covers about 23 miles in total, spread across three days. Each day includes manageable distances with rest stops, photo opportunities, and meals provided. The route combines challenging descents and ascents with time to enjoy the canyon’s incredible views.
Where does the Grand Canyon hike start and end?
The hike begins at the South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim and ends back at the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail. This route takes you from the rim down to Phantom Ranch at the canyon’s bottom, then back up through scenic canyons and along the Colorado River.
What is Phantom Ranch?
Phantom Ranch is a historic lodge located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near the Colorado River. It offers rustic cabins and dorms for hikers, along with hearty meals, a small canteen, and a unique chance to meet fellow adventurers in one of the most remote lodges in the U.S.
Do I need to carry all my gear on the hike?
No. Four Season Guides provides all necessary hiking gear, including backpacks, trekking poles, and meals. Participants carry only their day essentials during the hike. The guides handle logistics and ensure everyone is well-prepared for the journey.
How difficult is the three-day Grand Canyon hike?
The hike is considered moderately strenuous. It involves steep descents and ascents, with a 4,800-foot drop to Phantom Ranch and a climb back up to the rim. However, the itinerary includes breaks, guidance, and support to make it achievable for most active travelers.
What do you do on the second day at Phantom Ranch?
Day two is spent exploring side canyons and scenic trails near the canyon floor. Hikers may trek along Clear Creek Trail for sweeping river views and visit Phantom Canyon’s waterfalls and narrows. The day ends with dinner and relaxation back at Phantom Ranch.
What wildlife might I see on the trail?
Common wildlife sightings include bighorn sheep, mule deer, and California condors along the Bright Angel Trail. The canyon’s diverse ecosystems also support a variety of birds, reptiles, and small mammals, especially near water sources and shaded areas.
What’s included in the Grand Canyon hiking tour package?
The tour includes round-trip transportation from Flagstaff, park entrance fees, all meals and snacks, use of hiking gear, and two nights’ lodging at Phantom Ranch. Professional guides lead the trip and handle all logistics, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and memorable experience.
When and where does the trip begin?
Travelers arrive in Flagstaff, Arizona, the day before departure for a 4:30 p.m. orientation. The hike begins early the next morning, typically between 4:30 and 7:00 a.m. Pickup and drop-off are arranged at your hotel, making the experience seamless from start to finish.
Why choose a guided Grand Canyon hike instead of going solo?
Guided hikes like this offer expert knowledge, safety, logistics management, and comfort at Phantom Ranch—things difficult to secure independently. You’ll enjoy an organized, stress-free experience that lets you focus on the scenery, learning, and adventure rather than planning and permits.
Four Season Guides, 506 N Grant St suite o, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States
+19285251552
35.19653980, -111.62000560
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