Hermit Trail Hiking / Grand Canyon Backpacking
Constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1911, the Grand Canyon's Hermit Trail was originally carved out for tourist access to the Colorado River.
Opportunities for exploration here are vast, as Just Roughin' It has access to multiple camping areas including Monument Creek, Granite Rapids, Hermit Rapids and Hermit Creek.
Like many of our hikes, the Hermit Trail tour may be customized. We can make it an out-and-back trip or loop along the Tonto Trail and come out the Bright Angel Trail.
This hiking trip is a great alternative to the South Kaibab/Bright Angel Loop for thrill seekers and beginners alike who seek a more secluded, less trodden path.
Those in search of more civility can tack on an additional day or two and hike down to the Bright Angel Camp or Phantom Ranch, which have designated camping areas, flush toilets and a canteen - or as many of our guests have called it - "the beer garden."
From Monument Creek, you can set your eyes on one of the sheerest drop-offs in the entire park or explore a number of slot canyons. From Hermit Creek, you can swim in tranquil pools formed by 10-foot waterfalls or shift through 100-year-old remnants of the early canyon tourism trade.
You will even find abandoned cable from a cable car that started from the rim, halting 3,000 feet at Hermit Camp. These areas hold all the ingredients for what a vacation should be - unforgettable.
If you are looking for an even bigger adventure, take an extended Rim to Rim backpacking tour. Your choice, your reward!
Number of days: 3 - 6
Number of backpacking miles/km: 19.4/31.2 - 43.6/69.8
Elevation gain/loss: 4,340ft/1,323m (add an additional 1,000ft/304.8m for the Rim to Rim option)
Trip Cost/Person
| 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | |
| From Phoenix | $800 | $1000 | $1200 | $1400 |
| From Flagstaff | $750 | $950 | $1150 | $1350 |
*Add an additional $100/person for the Hermit/ Rim to Rim option.
