Grand Canyon South Rim: South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Peak.

Fun fact about me, I am a major planner. I get extremely stressed when things are thrown together last minute and my mind easily gives way to utter chaos. It’s actually something about myself that I very much dislike because I feel there’s a lot of fun to be had when you fly by the seat of your pants. I’ve also probably missed out on a few awesome experiences because my mind cannot handle the idea of being spontaneous. The past few months I’ve really been putting in an effort to say “yes” more to last minute opportunities that come my way. It doesn’t always work out but I must admit, I’ve had a lot of fun pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. That leads me into how my first trip to the Grand Canyon came to fruition. My husband was having a rough week at work, he called me on a Thursday asking if I’d want to get away for the weekend since it was Labor Day and he’d have an extra day off. At first my mind launched into pure panic. Where would we stay? Who would feed our cats? I had to work Sunday, would anyone be able to cover last minute? I hadn’t done any laundry and 50% of my clothes were dirty! But…I could hear in my husband’s voice he needed to get away, and I had told myself to be more spontaneous, so this was my moment. I ignored the thoughts that were currently running rampant in my mind and instead said “Okay let me look into it.”

I KID YOU NOT!! Within 15 minutes I had booked a hotel, a friend agreed to come check on the cats, I swapped my shift, and I decided to save my laundry for a later date. We were going to the Grand Canyon and it was all I could think about until we left on Saturday.

Quick Glance:

Distance- 6 miles
Elevation Gain- 2000 ft.
Type- Out & Back
Time- 4-6 Hours
Level- Moderate-Challenging
Traffic- Initially it’s pretty crowded but the further down the trail you go, the less crowded it become.

What You’ll Need:

Proper Footwear (ie athletic footwear or Chacos if you’re going to wear sandals. Nothing without a back)
Sun screen
Other sun protection like hats or light weight long sleeve shirt
Multiple full water bottles
Salty snacks and electrolyte drinks (Tailwind is my favorite! Get some Here)

Where we stayed & getting into the park

We ended up staying at the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, which I would personally recommend if you don’t intend on camping. It was reasonably priced (especially considering we booked last minute on a holiday weekend). I will also admit, it was much nicer than I had been expecting. There are pictures of the Grand Canyon everywhere to get you pumped for exploring, there is a souvenir shop and a selection of restaurants in the hotel, it was clean and most importantly, it was a 5 minute drive from the park entrance! There are also a few restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance if you’d like more options.

We knew we wanted to get there early to hopefully beat some of the crowd and were elated to find that when we arrived at the gates just before 8 a.m. we could drive right up. We found parking right away, and there were plenty more spots still available when we first arrived. We were even able to hop on a shuttle right away (more on that in a bit), there was no line at all! Around 3:30, when we were heading out for the day it had gotten extremely busy. From the gift shops, to the parking lot and especially the line out of the main gate. So, to probably no one’s surprise, I cannot recommend enough that you get there early.

The South Rim entrance is open 24 hours a day, the Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. From the entrance, it’s a straight shot to the parking lot. It is $35 per vehicle to enter the park unless you have a National Parks Pass which I suggest if you plan on going to at least 2 National Parks a year, it pretty much pays for itself at that point.

You will receive a map upon entering, keep this handy because it has the shuttle schedule on it, and since you cannot take your car to the trailheads the shuttle service is a must. The shuttles pick up right in front of the Visitor’s Center and each station is clearly marked. They come by about every 10 minutes, it was a super smooth process. To get to the South Kaibab Trail we took the Orange line going eastbound. There will be two separate lines for Orange, one going west and the other going east, so just double check that you’re in the right line! The shuttle ride is only a few minutes and you get to see some other lookout points. After your hike, if you’re not ready to leave just yet, you can make a few stops to enjoy a couple of the other views.

Things to know before you start hiking

When you exit the shuttle at South Kaibab, you’ll notice a path right behind the drop-off site. Follow it to reach a map, which will guide you to the switchbacks leading into the canyon. For a sneak peek, look to the left for a super-spectacular view! Fortunately, there are very few disappointing views along the way.

Water and Restrooms:

At the drop-off site, you’ll find a gated water station. If your water bottles aren’t full, fill them here because there’s nowhere else to get water once you’re on the trail. We nearly finished our 2-liter reservoirs before completing the hike.
The only restroom stop is at Cedar Ridge, about 3 miles in. And I mean it, there aren’t even secluded spots to pull off into. While we were out there a man had climbed up the rocks off trail to get some privacy to do his business and wasn’t able to get back down, even with the help of friends. They ended up having to seek out the aid of the park rangers and I imagine a fine was involved when all was said and done. Don’t be like that guy.

Sun and Shade:

Be prepared for little to no shade during the hike. When you do find a spot, it’s likely taken.
Sunscreen is essential. Reapply every hour and a half. Hats are almost a necessity.
Carry water and consider salty snacks and electrolyte drinks. While heading down, you’ll feel good, but the climb back up may require more than just water. Be realistic about your preparedness.

Remember, it’s an awesome physical challenge, well worth it if you come prepared! And definitely avoid getting stuck like that guy who climbed off-trail for privacy – not a fun situation!

The Hike

You’ll begin by making your way down the switchbacks, which I’m personally a huge fan of when it comes to hiking and trail running. It may just be psychological but, I’ve always felt like it breaks things up, rather than just having to make one long daunting trek up and down. You also get an opportunity to change out your view and perspective every so often.

Around a mile in, you’ll reach “Ooh Ahh Point,” which lives up to its name. If you’re hiking with younger kids and want a less aggressive route back up, this is an excellent spot to explore before turning around. It’s roughly 2 miles in total with a 685-foot elevation gain.

During your hike, you’ll encounter mules escorted by guides. Follow their instructions – they’ll let you know whether to step aside or go around. The mules are friendly, but remember not to touch them. And yes, be prepared for mule droppings-most of the time you smell it before you see it…

About half a mile from “Ooh Ahh Point,” you’ll reach “Cedar Ridge.” This is where you’ll find the only bathrooms on the trail. Take a moment to chill out and enjoy the view – the crowd thins out significantly after this point.

Continuing down the trail you’ll experience more scenic switchbacks for the next 1.5 miles before reaching Skeleton Point. We opted to go maybe a quarter mile past Skeleton Point and ended up finding the PERFECT lunch spot. The rocks provide excellent shading, there is room for 2 or 3 to sit, you get a gorgeous view to enjoy and even catch a glimpse of the Colorado River!

Truth be told, I was feeling incredible and totally down to continue further in from here. But, after we reevaluated the supplies we had left, it was clear that the smartest choice was to make our way back out of the canyon. This ended up being the right call considering we almost ran out of water by the end.

Descending to Skeleton Point took us 1.5-2 hours (I need to improve my timekeeping!), but the hike back up took closer to 3 hours. Although it’s “only” 3 miles to the top, the 2,000-foot elevation gain makes it feel challenging. Trekking poles would have been immensely helpful – a lesson learned for next time. Remember to take your time, enjoy the views, and take breaks as needed!

I absolutely plan on doing this hike again one day, but as part of a much longer trek that would take me all the way into the canyon to the Colorado River. For this adventure, I’ll definitely plan to camp overnight and bring more gear and supplies. What’s awesome about South Kaibab is that it’s truly a ‘choose your own adventure’ kind of trail. You can do as much or as little of it as you want (as long as you come prepared), and you’ll encounter hikers of all experience levels enjoying these breathtaking views.

As a beautiful yet challenging Grand Canyon day hike, South Kaibab checked all the boxes for me. With fewer crowds at Skeleton Point, you can soak in moments of peace amidst the collage of dusty pinks, rusty reds, and subtle tones of violet. People come from all over the globe to see the Grand Canyon, and for good reason—it truly feels like you’re on another planet. The pictures will never do it justice, and I hope you get the opportunity to experience it firsthand someday.