South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab Trail is a hiking path in Grand Canyon, Arizona, running 7 miles (11 kilometers) from the rim to the Colorado River and following a ridgeline. The route offers open views in every direction and crosses multiple geological layers showing millions of years of Earth history.

The National Park Service built the path in 1924 to create an alternative to the privately operated Bright Angel Trail. Completion allowed the administration to control river access independently and better manage visitor movement.

The name Kaibab comes from the Paiute language and means mountain lying down, describing the steep cliffs and inverted layers. Hikers here walk through terrain used for centuries by traders and hunters, now drawing visitors from around the world.

Hikers must carry enough water as there are no sources along the entire route and shade is rare. Early morning hours work best for descent, especially during hot months when the sun hits the rock directly.

At Cedar Ridge, roughly 1.5 miles from the starting point, fossil tracks of reptiles appear in the sandstone. These prints show how animals walked through this area millions of years ago when it was an entirely different landscape.