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I kept hearing about how strenuous the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon was to hike. I’m a very good distance hiker and hiked the 13 miles along the rim fairly easily. Steep trails are another story! While hiking along the south rim trail the day before I couldn’t help but take apprehensive glances down into the depths of the canyon.

The best adventures always come when you are the most nervous. Once again this proved true as I thoroughly enjoyed and conquered the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point the next day!

The South Kaibab Trail is one of four hikes that start from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and leads down to the bottom of the canyon. Like all the hikes into the canyon it is a steep, challenging hike. Many experienced hikers do the hike as a day trip or hike down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail.

The full 14 mile round-trip South Kaibab hike is not recommended as a day hike! This post focuses on the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point, the last point that is recommended as a day hike. The trail offers plenty of spectacular views and a challenging hike that is more than enough for one day!

Include this hike on your one week Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip! Prepare for the hike with this day pack hiking guide and what to wear hiking.

South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

South Kaibab Trail Stats According to the NPS

The trail stats above are the total elevation loss and gain (because what goes down, must come up)! The distance is also the total round-trip mileage.

This post focuses on the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point as it is NOT recommended to hike past this point as a day hike. For your information the complete trail stats to each point are included.

South Kaibab Trail Conditions

Elevation

You can guess from the elevation change that the trail is steep. There are a few sections of fairly flat terrain on the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point, but not many. You will be going down the majority of the time……and then up, up, up on the way back!

Terrain

The dirt trail isn’t too rocky. While I’m very cautious going downhill and always take it slow, I only felt like I would wipe out in a couple of spots. I do recommend hiking boots to avoid any slips.

Drop-Offs

There are a lot of steep drop offs where you will want to stay away from the edge. Unlike the rim trail where it is a sheer drop off, a lot of the trail is switchbacks. Of course you don’t want to fall off the edge, but at least you would (hopefully) land on the trail below.

Width

Many parts of the trail are wide enough to pass a hiker going in the opposite direction without having to move off the trail too much.

Mules

I read that more mules go on this trail than the Bright Angel Trail. We saw a grand total of 0 mules…..unless you count my friend who carried my backpack the majority of the hike 😉

South Kaibab Trailhead

Parking

Parking is not permitted at the trailhead. Take the eastbound orange shuttle from the South Rim Visitor Center shuttle stop or the early morning Hiker’s Shuttle from Bright Angel Lodge. More information about shuttles in the Grand Canyon can be found in my Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip guide.

Restrooms

There are two single stall vault toilets without sinks at the trailhead.

Water

Water is available at the trailhead as well. The spring water faucets were within a fenced in gate on my visit. I saw people open the fence and use the water. I’m not sure if the fence was to keep people or animals out!

Other Grand Canyon stops that were marked as having water, didn’t have working water. Play it safe and bring water with you. I took about 54 ounces of water with me and it was about the right amount. I timed it to finish it when I arrived back at the trailhead. Then I filled up and drank a lot more.

South Kaibab Trail To Ooh Aah Point

Lace up your hiking boots and head to the South Kaibab trailhead to begin your South Kaibab hike to Skeleton Point! Enjoy the rim view from the trailhead, but know the views are just going to get better!

You find out what you are getting yourself into as soon as you start the trail. The initial switchbacks don’t waste any time sending you hundreds of feet into the canyon.

This section of the trail is fairly busy as many hikers venture out to Ooh Aah Point and then turn around. Despite the number of people this is where we spotted a bighorn sheep relaxing up on the canyon wall, very close to the trail.

Ooh Aah Point

After a long set of stairs downhill you’ll reach Ooh Aah Point. The spot is marked and has some large rocks before you continue around the corner down another switchback.

There isn’t a lot of space to take a break, but make sure to savor a moment “oohing and aahing” at the scenery!

South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

The views keep getting more scenic as you hike farther into the canyon. The trail veers away from the canyon walls and towards the center of the canyon. With the 360 degree views of the canyon around you, you can’t help but to be mesmerized by this natural wonder.

Cedar Ridge

The open space at Cedar Ridge provides a good place to take a break. Many logs underneath trees make for a perfect shady spot to rest.

Multiple single stall vault toilets are located here, but there is no water.

South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

If they didn’t turn around already at Ooh Aah Point, you’ll notice even more people stopping at Cedar Ridge. Especially later in the afternoon there are not as many hikers on the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point.

This section of the trail goes downhill farther, but there are a few fairly flat stretches. The views only get better and you feel more immersed in the canyon and a world away from the tourists snapping photos on the rim.

Skeleton Point

At Skeleton Point you can see the Colorado River at the bottom. There isn’t a lot of shade, but there are plenty of seats (aka rocks) to sit for a snack or lunch before heading back to the top.

Back to the South Kaibab Trailhead

At this point you may be tempted to continue, but remember it is a lot harder going to the top!

Luckily there are a lot of natural seats to take a rest and catch your breath. I read that there is little shade on the trail. We hiked from about 10am – 4pm and found some shady spots alongside the canyon walls and under trees. I even found the perfect rock seat that seemed to be carved out just for me!

It was great having the toilets at Cedar Ridge for another pit stop on the way back up.

The Final Stretch

Once you reach the steep switchbacks you know you are almost back to the top. It’s daunting looking up, but take it one step by step and you will reach the rim in no time!

Final Thoughts on South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

I debated between the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. Everyone said that South Kaibab was a little harder, but more scenic. While walking the rim trail the day before I saw a lot of the Bright Angel trail from above. Although it would be very different actually hiking the trail, I felt like you can’t see as much of the South Kaibab trail from the rim. It provides very different views from on the trail than from the rim.

The South Kaibab Trail was one of my favorite hikes I have done! There weren’t any really scary parts like on the Devils Garden Trail at Arches NP, but it was just the right amount of challenge. It’s always good to challenge yourself and feel accomplished, but without feeling terrified! With frequent stops the hike was still manageable and enjoyable. We took about 6 hours for the hike including a snack break, a lunch break, and other short breaks to catch my breath.

What else do you want to know about the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point? Leave your questions in the comments below. If I helped you prepare for your hike, please consider supporting me by Buying Me a Coffee!

Grand Canyon’s South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point