Grand Canyon South Rim Hiking & Camping Tour 

Hiking: Up to 6 miles, 2000 feet descent / ascent

Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Flagstaff

Meals: Light Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We’ll depart Flagstaff early and drive through northern Arizona to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Our first hike takes us down the legendary Bright Angel Trail, a route used for centuries to access the inner Canyon. Along the way, your guide will share the geologic story of the Canyon’s formation and the history of the Indigenous peoples who first walked these paths.

After the hike, we’ll stop at the Yavapai Geology Museum for exhibits and sweeping rim views, then head to our basecamp. Settle in, relax, and enjoy your first dinner under the stars.

Hiking: 6 miles, 2000 feet descent / ascent

Drive Time: Up to 1.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll descend a rocky ridgeline into the depths of the Canyon, where panoramic views stretch for miles and glimpses of the Colorado River reward our efforts. Your guide will bring the landscape to life with stories of geologic wonders and tales of early explorers.

After a picnic lunch on the trail, we’ll visit the Desert View Watchtower, where the vistas are dramatically different from yesterday’s hike. Back at camp, enjoy another delicious dinner and an evening around the campfire.

• Hiking: Up to 6 miles, 1800 feet ascent / descent
• Drive Time: 2 hours back to Flagstaff
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

On our final day, we’ll explore a peaceful west-rim trail that descends into a basin shaded by pinyon pine and juniper. The path winds toward a sandstone alcove where a secluded spring offers a quiet retreat. Along the way, learn about the 19th-century prospectors and guides who built these early trails. 

After a final canyon-side lunch, we’ll return to Flagstaff in the late afternoon—bringing home memories of an unforgettable Grand Canyon hiking and camping experience.

Your Grand Canyon South Rim Hiking & Camping Tour is designed to be all-inclusive. We provide everything you need so you can focus on the adventure, not the logistics:

• Two nights of comfortable camping near the South Rim
• All necessary camping gear: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and all cooking/eating supplies
• Daypacks and trekking poles
• All meals from a light breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the final day, plus hearty trail snacks each day
• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, AZ to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
• All park entrance fees and permits
• Expert local guides with wilderness first responder certification and in-depth Canyon knowledge

To help you prepare, here’s what you’ll need to arrange on your own:

• Transportation to/from Flagstaff, Arizona (trip starting point)
• Lodging the night before and after the tour
• Personal clothing, footwear, and rain gear suitable for hiking in variable weather
• Personal toiletries and sun protection
• Refillable water bottles or a hydration bladder (recommended capacity: 3 liters)
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Guide gratuity (suggested ~15% of trip cost, at your discretion)

Most trips will accommodate 6 people plus one guide. On occasion, a group may be as large as 9 people plus 2 guides.

Children must be 12 years old to join mixed group trips. For private trips, we can accommodate as young as 7 years old.

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial deposit of $250 per person, with the final balance due 90 days prior to the trip’s departure. If you book a trip within 90 days of the trip’s scheduled departure, then full payment is due at the time of booking.

Once we confirm availability, you will be provided with an online registration link. Your deposit is payable online by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or ACH transfer.

No prior Grand Canyon hiking experience is required, but you should be comfortable hiking 5–6 miles per day with moderate elevation changes (up to 2,000 feet of descent/ascent). Our expert guides will set a pace that works for the group and make sure everyone feels supported. This tour is designed as an active but approachable Grand Canyon hiking vacation.

We rate this trip as intermediate. Expect daily hikes of 5–6 miles with steady climbs and descents. Trails are well-maintained but can be steep in sections. If you enjoy regular walking, jogging, or day hikes at home, you’ll be well-prepared. Guests looking for something easier may prefer our lodge-based hiking tours, while those wanting more challenge can explore our backpacking trips.

We provide all the major gear:

• Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles
• Cooking equipment and eating supplies
• Daypacks (available on request)

All you need to bring are personal clothing, footwear, toiletries, and water bottles or a hydration bladder.

Delicious, hearty, and freshly prepared by your guide. Expect hot breakfasts, picnic-style lunches, and satisfying dinners at camp. Trail snacks are also included. Our menus are designed for active days of hiking, and we can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice.

We set up a comfortable basecamp near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Campsites are chosen for convenience and access to our daily hikes. Evenings at camp include hearty meals, time to relax by the fire, and incredible stargazing opportunities.

Group size is typically 4–8 guests, with a maximum of 12. We believe in keeping groups small so each guest enjoys personal attention and a customized experience.

The trip begins and ends in Flagstaff, Arizona. You’ll need to arrange your own travel to Flagstaff and lodging the night before the tour. We’ll pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff on Day 1 and provide roundtrip transportation to Grand Canyon National Park.

Spring (March–May) and Fall (September–November) are ideal, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer departures are also available, but hikes start early to avoid midday heat. Our guides monitor conditions closely to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences year-round.

Gratuities are not included in the trip cost. A tip of around 15% of the trip price is customary and greatly appreciated if you feel your guide provided excellent service.

Yes! Families with active teens often find this trip to be the perfect mix of adventure and comfort. Younger children may be better suited to shorter day hikes or custom family trips. If you’re not sure, give us a call—we’ll help you decide which trip is the best fit.

This trip will begin/end in Flagstaff, AZ and you will need to spend the night prior to your trip’s scheduled departure in Flagstaff. You will want to fly into either Phoenix (2 hour drive) or Flagstaff. Please visit our Travel Resources page for information on airports, shuttles/rental cars and recommended hotels.

We will hold a pre-trip orientation at 4:00pm the evening prior to your trip’s departure at the Little America hotel in Flagstaff. Departure times and logistics for the following morning will be discussed at the orientation. Most trips will depart by 6:30am. 

*This meeting is not mandatory, but highly recommended, as we will depart early the next morning. If you are unable to attend, please let us know in advance so that we can make alternate arrangements.

We will provide all transportation to/from trailheads for the duration of the trip. We will pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and return you there at the trip’s conclusion. Guests staying at the Little America Hotel (recommended) can leave their cars at the hotel. The hotel will often store your luggage for you, as well. If not, we are happy to store extra luggage at our warehouse for the duration of the trip. If you are staying at a different hotel, you will need to check with them as to whether you can leave your car there.

Expect to be back in Flagstaff by 5pm at the latest on the last day of the trip. Many trips will return earlier but we cannot make any guarantees. In general, it is recommended that you do not plan to fly home on the same day your trip finishes. Since each trip has slightly different logistics, feel free to contact us with specific questions related to the expected return time for your trip.