Grand Canyon South Rim trail to the bottom?

[Dray]

I'm taking the family to the Grand Canyon in June. I really want to drive my 4runner to the bottom of the canyon to see the Colorado River. I did a bunch of research and was surprised that I couldn't find anything close to where we're staying on the South Rim. I did find a way on what's called the West rim which requires you to cross some Native American land. They want a fee of about $35 per person I think it was. I would pay that but the West rim is not where we're staying and logistically doesn't work for us.

Does anyone know of a trail near the South Rim that I can take to the bottom of the canyon? Thanks.

 

[Paisano]

At the South rim the only way down is on foot or on a mule. No wheeling down there.

 

[KidVermicious]

That's my understanding too. Our tech in the Grand Canyon village can't get to our circuits down there unless the Park Service gives him a ride in the copter. To the best of my knowledge, there's no legal road to the banks of the Colorado for the 200-some river miles south of Lees Ferry.

 

[MStudt]

the only road I'm aware of is Diamond Creek Road, [MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION] pretty sure this is what you're talking about. It's on the Hualapai Reservation and is the only place to drive there from Lee Ferrys to Lake Mead to do so. It's a huge rafting take out point. There use to be another access to river further down. I'm pretty sure that has been closed due to low water levels.

Just hike down, stay the night, and hike back out. It's worth all the effort it's going to take. You can take a mule down, but pretty sure they're booked around a year out. I feel sorry for the poor mules too. About 6 years ago I backpacked to Bright Angle after spending a few days on the Tonto Trail. It's a 6 miles hike out from the bottom, and took me around 5 hours to climb out. Remember that going down is just as hard on the body as going up.

View from the Tonto Trail.


Bridge crossing the Colorado.

 

[JB.]

Yes, [MENTION=96256]Dray[/MENTION], what MStudt said.

It used to be you could pay directly to use the road. Last I heard, it was required to stay in the hotel (Peach Springs) which is just a less direct method of payment as it's apparently not exactly 5-star.

But that info is a few years old, so definitely check if you decide to try it, but it's probably too far out of your way as well.

If you decide to hike, remember it will be hot down there.

 

[MStudt]

Yes, [MENTION=96256]Dray[/MENTION], what MStudt said.

It used to be you could pay directly to use the road. Last I heard, it was required to stay in the hotel (Peach Springs) which is just a less direct method of payment as it's apparently not exactly 5-star.

But that info is a few years old, so definitely check if you decide to try it, but it's probably too far out of your way as well.

If you decide to hike, remember it will be hot down there.

You pretty much just need to pay a land use fee for being on reservation ground. They have camping available at the end of the road. You also need to keep in mind that this area is NOTHING like the National Park. The canyon isn't nearly as large, river is not as deep, and a lot calmer as well. Unless things have changed, and they might have. They used to charge per vehicle, and per person on top of that.

 

[iBison]

Not sure you want to hike down there in June, average temperature in the canyon is going to be 100 or more.

 

[MStudt]

Not sure you want to hike down there in June, average temperature in the canyon is going to be 100 or more.

It's fine if your not stupid! Get on the trail by 5am and try to get off the trail no later than noon. Then if you need to, get back on the trail around 5pm, and hike until dark or later. There is water the entire way down the south rim if you're on Bright Angel. Don't venture off Bright Angel if you're not an experienced hiker.

 

[PRBond]

At the South rim the only way down is on foot or on a mule. No wheeling down there.

This man speaks the truth... I packed my family in the 4Runner and did a trip to the Grand Canyon last June and camped there for 3 days before heading up to the national parks in southern Utah. There are multiple hiking trails on the south rim, but nothing you can drive down.

That being said, that trip to the GC and national parks in southern Utah was one of the best trips we ever had. My wife had never see the GC before and was completely blown away from the view and the size of it.

Our goal is to eventually visit all the national parks in the country. Next year my goal is for us to take a trip to Yellowstone with stops at Mt. Rushmore and Deadwood on the way back.