Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Lottery: Dates and How to Apply
Cross the Grand Canyon through 2 billion years of geology. The Grand Canyon rim-to-rim lottery is a monthly early access draw for the corridor campgrounds, and it opens on the 16th, four months before your start month.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim permit alertsThis guide covers the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim permit.
Before you descend: corridor water and the North Kaibab closure
Do not plan this hike around any tap running. Every corridor tap is fed by the Transcanyon Waterline: the North Rim, Supai Tunnel, Manzanita, Cottonwood, Bright Angel Campground, Havasupai Gardens and both Bright Angel resthouses. NPS publishes a live per-location status because, in the park's own words, “these water statuses for the park's Corridor Trails are current, but can change suddenly due to breaks in the waterline.” The park's standing instruction is that “day and overnight hikers should always carry water treatment options.”
Checked August 9, 2026: on August 9, 2026 the North Rim was listed as “All water is OFF”, with Manzanita, Cottonwood Campground and Bright Angel Campground reading “water OFF due to pipeline break”. Havasupai Gardens and both resthouses were reading on that same day, August 9, 2026. That was one morning's reading. Check the live page yourself before you leave the rim.
Rim-to-rim closes at 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2026 through approximately February 2027, while the North Kaibab is closed between the Redwall Bridge and the north end of Cottonwood Campground for waterline work. NPS states there are no alternative routes or detours through that section.
NPS Key Hiking Messages: live corridor water status →Rim-to-Rim lottery at a glance
When the Rim-to-Rim lottery runs
| Applications open | The 16th of each month, four months before your start month |
|---|---|
| Applications close | 5 pm MST on the 1st of the following month |
| Results announced | Lottery runs late on the 2nd; the top 750 applicants get booking timeslots |
The window the managing agency publishes for this permit. Agencies move it, so check the official permit page before you apply.
How the agency describes it
“Backcountry reservations are initially offered via an early access lottery on Recreation.gov. … Applicants can apply for the early access lottery online over a two-week period that begins on the 16th of the month and ends at 5pm MST on the first of the month, 4-months prior to the desired start month.”
National Park Service, Grand Canyon backcountry permits, read on September 4, 2026. Open the official permit page, which carries this season’s exact dates.
Apply as a crew
Every extra person entering the Rim-to-Rim lottery for the same dates is another chance at the same trip. Whoever wins takes the group.
750
Lottery Slots Awarded
21-24 mi
Distance
$10+$10/nt
Permit Cost
Mar-Nov
Season
2-3 days
Duration
Summer Heat Is No Joke
The inner canyon regularly hits 110°F+ in summer. Heat stroke is the leading cause of rescue and death in the Grand Canyon. Spring and fall are the only safe windows for R2R. The monthly lottery gets thousands of applications for prime dates — plan ahead.
Two Ways to Get a Permit
Monthly Lottery
Your best shot • 4 months ahead
of permits distributed through this lottery
Apply from the 16th until 5pm MST on the 1st, four months before your start month
Results announced on the 2nd of the month
$10 per permit or lottery application, plus $15 per person per night below the rim and $4 above it
Walk-Up Permits
Day-before option • Limited
of permits held for walk-up distribution
Available 1-3 days before your trip
Visit the Backcountry Information Center
Not guaranteed, especially for popular camps
Key Dates
Lottery Application Windows
Season Info
Get Grand Canyon R2R Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
5 Strategies to Increase Your Odds
Apply for Weekdays
Weekend starts and Friday-Saturday camp nights are most competitive. Tuesday-Thursday permits have significantly better odds.
Target Shoulder Season
March, April, and late October-November have lower demand than prime spring/fall weeks. Weather is still excellent.
Be Flexible with Camps
Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch is most competitive. Havasupai Gardens or Cottonwood as alternatives improve odds.
Apply Every Month
Submit applications each month for different date windows. Multiple applications over time increase your chances.
Hunt Cancellations
Unclaimed lottery permits and cancellations return to Recreation.gov for first-come, first-served booking. PermitSnag monitors 24/7.
Classic North-to-South Route
Start at North Kaibab Trailhead (8,241 ft), descend to Phantom Ranch (2,460 ft), and climb out via Bright Angel Trail (6,860 ft). Most hikers go N→S because the North Rim is higher — steeper descent, more gradual ascent.
21-24 miles
Total Distance
5,850 ft (to river)
Elevation Loss
4,380 ft (to South Rim)
Elevation Gain
2-3 days
Typical Duration
Sample Itineraries
2-Night (Recommended)
North Kaibab TH → Cottonwood Camp
6.8 miles
Cottonwood → Bright Angel Camp
7 miles
Bright Angel → South Rim
9.3 miles
1-Night (Fitter Hikers)
North Kaibab TH → Bright Angel Camp
14 miles, 5,850 ft descent
Bright Angel Camp → South Rim
9.3 miles, 4,380 ft ascent
Getting Between the Rims
The North and South Rims are 215 miles apart by road (4-5 hour drive) but only 21 miles apart on foot. You'll need to arrange transportation:
Trans-Canyon Shuttle
Commercial shuttle between rims. Book months in advance.
Two Vehicles
Park one at each rim before you start.
Ride Share
Coordinate with hikers going the opposite direction.
⚠️ North Rim Access
The North Rim is closed from mid-October to mid-May. If hiking in winter or early spring, start from the South Rim and return the same way.
Pro Tips from R2R Veterans
Book Phantom Ranch meals
Hot dinner and breakfast at the bottom is a treat. Book 15 months ahead via xanterra.com.
Train for downhill
Most people train for uphill. The North Kaibab descent destroys unprepared knees.
Trekking poles are essential
Your knees will thank you on the steep descents. Don't skip them.
Electrolytes, not just water
Hyponatremia (low sodium) is common. Plain water isn't enough in the canyon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a permit for Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim?
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Grand Canyon backcountry permits are distributed through a monthly early access lottery on Recreation.gov. NPS states that applications run 'over a two-week period that begins on the 16th of the month and ends at 5pm MST on the first of the month, 4-months prior to the desired start month', with results announced on the 2nd. So you apply in mid-March for a July start. NPS publishes no success rate for the draw, so treat any percentage you see as an estimate. What it does state is the size of the draw: up to 750 applicants are awarded a date and time to book.
How long does it take to hike Rim-to-Rim?
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Most hikers complete the 21-24 mile Rim-to-Rim in 2-3 days. Strong hikers can do it in one very long day (12-16 hours), though this is not recommended for most people and requires no permit if done as a day hike. Overnight camping requires a backcountry permit.
Which direction should I hike Rim-to-Rim?
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Most hikers go North-to-South because the North Rim is 1,000 feet higher, making the descent steeper but the final ascent more gradual. Going South-to-North means a very steep climb at the end when you're tired.
When is the best time to hike Rim-to-Rim?
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Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best weather. Summer inner canyon temperatures regularly exceed 110°F, which is dangerously hot. Winter is possible but the North Rim closes mid-October to mid-May.
What camps do I need for a Rim-to-Rim permit?
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For a 2-night trip, most hikers stay at Cottonwood Campground (night 1) and Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch (night 2). For a 1-night trip, stay at Bright Angel Campground. Each camp has limited capacity and must be reserved on your permit.
Don't Miss Your Rim-to-Rim Permit
Cancellations happen daily. PermitSnag monitors Grand Canyon backcountry availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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