Lottery8/10
GC Backcountry
Required for all overnight camping below the rim....
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LotteryThru-HikeVery High Demand
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Permit
The ultimate Grand Canyon experience: 21-24 miles crossing from one rim to the other through two billion years of geologic history.
“Descend through two billion years of Earth's history, cross the Colorado River at its deepest, and climb out the other side of the greatest canyon on Earth.”
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Rim-to-Rim Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelExtremely High10/10
Cost$10 + $10/night/person
Max Group Size11 people
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeThru-Hike
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level10/10
LocationNPS
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
24 miles
Elevation Gain
5,850 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
2-3 days
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
2,480 - 8,241 ft
Highlights
- •21-24 miles depending on route choice, typically completed over 2-3 days
- •Total elevation change of approximately 10,000+ feet (down and up)
- •Extreme temperature variations—can be 30°F at rims and 110°F at river
- •The Box section is brutally hot in summer—avoid midday travel
- •Phantom Ranch offers meals and lodging (advance reservations required)
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures. Summer is dangerously hot at the bottom. Winter is possible but the North Rim is closed November-May, requiring a 215-mile drive between rims.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Heat—temperatures at the bottom can exceed 110°F in summer; heat stroke is a real danger
- !Dehydration—you need more water than you think; electrolyte depletion is common
- !Altitude—starting at 8,000+ feet can affect some hikers
- !Flash floods during monsoon season (July-September)
- !Mule traffic—yield to mule trains on trail
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
3
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every 2-3 minutes, 24/7.
When to Go
Peak: OctoberShoulder: March-April
Conditions
Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Pleasant temperatures
- +Fewer crowds than fall
- +Wildflowers
Challenges
- !Unpredictable weather
- !Some areas still muddy
- !Flash flood risk
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment5/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Well-conditioned hikers experienced with multi-day backpacking and extreme temperature variations.
Recommended Experience
Should have completed multi-day backpacking trips with significant elevation change. Training hikes with a loaded pack essential.
Not Recommended For
Those sensitive to heat, inexperienced backpackers, or anyone who hasn't trained for significant elevation change.
About This Permit
The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is a 21-24 mile crossing of the Grand Canyon, typically completed over 2-3 days. The route descends from one rim to the Colorado River at the canyon's bottom, then ascends to the opposite rim. Most hikers travel North-to-South, as the North Rim is 1,000 feet higher, making the descent steeper but the ascent more gradual.
Backcountry permits are required for all overnight camping below the rim. Popular camping spots include Cottonwood Campground (night 1) and Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch (night 2).
The Experience
Why It Matters
The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is one of America's bucket-list adventures—a journey through one of the planet's most dramatic landscapes. Each descending layer represents millions of years of geological history, from the 270-million-year-old Kaibab limestone at the rim to the 1.8-billion-year-old Vishnu schist at the river.
The Route
Most hikers begin at the North Rim (8,241 ft), which is 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, allowing the steeper descent to be completed first. The North Kaibab Trail drops through the forested Kaibab Plateau, passing the seasonal springs of Supai Tunnel before reaching Roaring Springs—where water literally bursts from the canyon wall.
Cottonwood Campground offers a midway rest at 4,080 feet before the trail enters The Box—a narrow, shadeless corridor along Bright Angel Creek that traps summer heat like an oven. Phantom Ranch appears like a mirage at the bottom, nestled beside the river with cold lemonade and air conditioning.
The climb out via Bright Angel Trail passes through the oasis of Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Garden) before tackling the final 3,000-foot push through the red-rock switchbacks to the South Rim Village.
The Feeling
The first glimpse of the Colorado River from the North Rim is almost impossibly distant—a thin brown ribbon 5,000 feet below. By the time you reach it, your legs burn and your mind has traveled through time itself, past fossils and ancient seabeds and metamorphic rock older than complex life. Crossing the suspension bridge, with the river roaring below, marks the halfway point. Then begins the long climb out, each step taking you back through geologic time until you emerge, transformed, on the opposite rim.
Trailhead Information
North Kaibab Trailhead
8,241 ft elevationThe recommended starting point for Rim-to-Rim. Higher elevation means steeper descent but easier overall direction.
Restrooms
Water Available
Weak Signal
Parking
Large parking area at trailhead. North Rim services 2 miles away.
Getting There
North Rim is 4-5 hours from South Rim by car (215 miles). Open mid-May to mid-October only.
Nearest Services
Grand Canyon Lodge at North Rim (2 miles). Full services seasonal only.
Bright Angel Trailhead
6,860 ft elevationCommon exit point at South Rim, near Grand Canyon Village with full services.
Restrooms
Water Available
Moderate
Parking
Parking available at South Rim Village. Shuttle access from multiple lots.
Getting There
South Rim accessible year-round via Highway 64.
Nearest Services
Grand Canyon Village has lodging, restaurants, and full services year-round.
Rules & Regulations
- •Backcountry permit required for all overnight camping below the rim
- •Permit applications accepted 4 months in advance on the 1st of each month
- •Group size limited to 11 people
- •Camping only at designated campgrounds (Cottonwood, Bright Angel, Indian Garden/Havasupai Gardens)
- •No fires at any backcountry campground
- •Pack out all trash and human waste disposal required per site rules
Gear Checklist
Required
- Minimum 4 liters water capacity (sources available but may be seasonal)
- Electrolyte replacement for hot-weather hiking
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, lightweight long sleeves)
- Broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support
- Headlamp with extra batteries
Recommended
- Trekking poles (invaluable for steep descent/ascent)
- Lightweight rain gear (monsoon season July-September)
- Water filter as backup to treated sources
- Cooling towel or bandana for The Box section
- Reservation confirmation for Phantom Ranch (if applicable)
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Rim-to-Rim
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
↑
5,850ft
Gain↓
5,850ft
Loss⛰️
8,241ft
High📏
24.0mi
Distance📐
3.5%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•12 landmarks
Landmarks (12)
Lottery Statistics
Competitive
estimated success rate
Get detailed lottery statistics and tips. Sign up to track this permit.
Boost Your Chances
Team Up to Win
More people = better odds
Your Odds by Group Size
Solo
5%
2 people
10%
4 people
19%
8 people
34%
* Assumes each person submits an independent application
- Everyone submits their own lottery entry
- Winner invites the whole group
- Reminders so no one misses the deadline
12,453 permits and 8,294 campsites secured by PermitSnag users
Rim-to-Rim FAQ
How do I get a Rim-to-Rim permit?
Rim-to-Rim permits are obtained through a lottery system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit Rim-to-Rim?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Rim-to-Rim permit?
This permit has a demand score of 10/10, making it extremely competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Rim-to-Rim permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every 2-3 minutes, 24/7.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise from the North Rim before your descent offers the classic Grand Canyon photography. Sunset from Phantom Ranch captures light playing on the inner canyon walls.
Best Light
Early morning and late afternoon avoid the harsh midday shadows. The inner canyon photographs best in diffused light.
Beat the Crowds
Start from the North Rim for significantly fewer crowds on the descent. The North Kaibab receives a fraction of Bright Angel Trail traffic.
Classic Shots
- 📍First light on the canyon from North Rim before descent
- 📍Colorado River suspension bridge crossing
- 📍Phantom Ranch with canyon walls towering above
- 📍Looking back up at The Box from near Phantom Ranch
- 📍Havasupai Gardens oasis with cottonwood trees
- 📍Final approach to South Rim with red rock switchbacks
Can't Get a Rim-to-Rim Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
South Kaibab to Bright Angel Loop
Easier AlternativeDescend South Kaibab, overnight at Bright Angel Campground, ascend Bright Angel Trail. Same river crossing, less total distance.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Only 14 miles total and doesn't require North Rim access. Misses the higher North Rim and Roaring Springs.
Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R)
Similar ExperienceThe double crossing—down and back in the same trip. Popular with ultrarunners and very fit hikers.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
42+ miles. Can be done in one very long day (elite athletes) or 3-5 days with camping.
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