Kaibab National Forest Hiking and Backpacking Travel Guide

Kaibab National Forest Hiking and Backpacking Travel Guide

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Kaibab National Forest Hiking and Backpacking Travel Tips

By Bill Weir
  • Although often overlooked by visitors to the Grand Canyon, the Kaibab National Forest also offers hiking trails and spectacular viewpoints on both the South and North Rims. An advantage is that you don't need a backcountry permit to camp on forest lands.
  • The 40,610-acre Saddle Mountain Wilderness includes part of the eastern Kaibab Plateau and the sheer cliffs and narrow canyons that drop to House Rock Valley. Unpaved roads lead to trailheads in each of these areas for a variety of hikes.
  • East Rim and North Canyon Trails drop into Saddle Mountain Wilderness and form a loop of about six miles. From De Motte Park on AZ 67, turn east 4.2 miles on Forest Road 611 to East Rim Viewpoint and trailheads.
  • Kanab Creek Wilderness protects 77,100 acres along the Kanab and its tributaries; it's the largest canyon system on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Rugged trails descend to the bottom from the western Kaibab Plateau.
  • Three trails go to the summit of 9,256-foot Bill Williams Mountain, an old volcano just southwest of Williams. With a car shuttle, you can go up one and down another.
  • Nearly the entire forest, including the wilderness areas, is open to dispersed camping. No fees or permits are needed. Water may be available at springs below the rim of the Grand Canyon, but rarely on the plateaus.

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Hotels

Grand Canyon Lodge

Best Resorts & Lodges
Bright Angel Point
Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ Map

Distance: 25.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Good For Hiking and Backpacking
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
5.0

El Tovar

Best Resorts & Lodges
Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C., PO Box 699
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 Map

Distance: 15.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Good For Hiking and Backpacking
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
5.0

Kaibab Lodge

Hwy. 67 South
Fredonia, AZ 86022

Distance: 73.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
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Attractions

Rim Trail

expert favorite attraction
Good For Hiking and Backpacking
South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 86023

Distance: 15.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This easy trail leads nine miles along the south rim of the canyon from Mather Point to Hermits... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Grand Canyon Field Institute

expert favorite attraction
Good For Hiking and Backpacking
4 Tonto St.
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

Distance: 17.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: You can always go it alone, but GCFI's knowledgeable instructors leave no fossil unturned, spilling... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Cape Royal Scenic Drive

expert favorite attraction
Good For Hiking and Backpacking
Grand Canyon North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

Distance: 26.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: On this drive you'll see some of the North Rim's most spectacular scenery and attain the highest... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Kaibab National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 165.9 map
Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport 173.5 map
Tucson International Airport 265.1 map

Other Smaller Airports near Kaibab National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Grand Canyon National Park Airport 8.9 map
Grand Canyon Pulliam Field 53.4 map
Saint George Municipal Airport 120.8 map

Flight Deals to Kaibab National Forest

Originating From
San Diego (SAN) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Orange County (SNA) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Ontario (ONT) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Albuquerque (ABQ) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Long Beach (LGB) to Phoenix (PHX) $126

Feature Articles

More Kaibab National Forest Hiking and Backpacking Feature Articles (3) »
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Trip Ideas

GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

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