Bright Angel Trail,
Grand Canyon National Park

Located 8.7 miles from Tusayan, Arizona (AZ)
5 Stars
18,212 Steps 1  (8.1 mi)
Trails › National Parks › Grand Canyon › Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular and busiest trails within the Grand Canyon South Rim. The further you travel on the trail, the less populated it becomes with tourists and other hikers. The trail will take you to the beautiful oasis of Indian Garden which is manned by the National Park Service and beyond to the Colorado River. The trail is well maintained, offering seasonal water (May-October) and rest stations at the 1.5 mile rest house and 3 mile rest house.

Bright Angel TrailBright Angel Trail RiverSnake on the Bright Angel Trail

Elevation

The Bright Angel Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,826 ft., a minimum elevation of 2,486 ft. and an elevation range of 4,340 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
8.1 mi2,486 ft6,826 ft4,340 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
3.5 hrs0.00 ft4,326 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
4.8 hrs360.54,326 ft0 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Bright Angel Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Havasupai Point, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: Shiva Temple, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Bright Angel Point, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Piute Point, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Grand Canyon, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Phantom Ranch, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Metzger Tank, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: Tusayan West, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Tusayan East, AZ

FAQ

What is the length of the Bright Angel Trail?
The length of the trail is 8.1 miles (13.1 km) or 18,212 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Bright Angel Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 3.5 hours in one direction and in 4.8 hours in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Grandview TrailSouth Kaibab TrailWidforss Trail

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.