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Thunder River

Just Roughin' It's Grand Canyon backpacking trip to Thunder River is a great treat for those looking for a true adventure. Thunder River at Grand Canyon gets it's name from the sound of the water rushing out of the canyon walls, and because it is on the North Rim, the window to hike this area is small. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller

Grand Canyon: Thunder River Hiking Trip

Thunder River Trail is a lush oasis from the North Rim of Grand Canyon, where nary a person rarely explores (that means you may see a handful of people).  This beautiful hike takes you along a 30 mile loop from 7000 feet to 2000 feet in elevation by the time you reach the Colorado River.  Voted one of the top ten hikes in North America by Backpacker Magazine, you won't even have to take a step on the trail to see why.  Just Roughin' It's Thunder River backpacking tour in the Grand Canyon has vast panoramas of the canyon from the North Rim, to vegetation that looks completely out of place in contrast to the desert landscape that surrounds the Thunder River cascade.  As you approach, you will quickly understand where Thunder River gets its name as you hear the water gushing from on of the many steep cliffs of Grand Canyon.

Number of days: 5-7

Mileage: 30 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 5000 ft

5 Day Itinerary and Trip Details


Trip Ratings

  • Difficulty 8
  • OH @#%&! 8
  • Solitude 8

Trip Cost/Person

5 day 6 day
From Phoenix N/A $1525
From Flagstaff $1325 $1475

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Trip Ratings - Have you been on this trip? Write a Review

Rating: 54321

Overall excellent trip! Jeremy was a knowledgeable, really fun and patient guide who was passionate about the canyon and appreciating all aspects of the trip. I'm used to boy scout hiking trips with freeze dried food, so fresh made actual vittles was quite a treat. Jeremy is quite a good cook. We always had more than we could eat plus plenty of snacks for the trail. the equipment was in very good repair and Jeremy took pains right off to ensure our packs were fitted to us and that we packed them correctly for the long climb down. He also taught us a few neat skills I can take back to our boy scouts for their next hike.

I can't really offer any criticism of the trip other than "Be ready!" 'cause nobody's joking when they say it's a strenuous climb out of the canyon. Thanks for everything.

By Eric K. on 2012-11-21

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