Hi there!
If you are looking for just ONE hike in the Grand Canyon, you likely won’t be disappointed if you make it a hike on the South Kaibab Trail!
The shortest option on this trail would be to hike to Ooh Aah Point and back, and you have options to go a bit longer too, making it an out-and-back hike to Cedar Ridge or to Skeleton Point.
You can also take the South Kaibab Trail to make it an overnight backpacking trip. You can connect to the Colorado River and the Bright Angel Trail to end up back on the Rim Trail of the South Rim.
No matter how you choose to hike this trail, the way to get to the start of the trail is to take a Grand Canyon shuttle.
South Kaibab trailhead parking? NO, there is no parking directly at the start of the South Kaibab Trail.
There is a parking lot at the South Kaibab trailhead, but you’re not supposed to park there.
When I was there, there were cars parked at the parking lot. I don’t know who the parking lot is for, but it’s not for you. 😉 (And if you still have your doubts, the shuttle bus driver confirmed this!)
Instead, the way to get to South Kaibab Trail is to take the shuttle, no matter what time of year it is. You can’t drive to the trailhead yourself.
Directly from the National Park Service:
There is no visitor parking at the South Kaibab trailhead.
Located on the South Rim, access to South Kaibab trailhead is by shuttle bus only, NO private vehicles allowed.
Taking the South Rim shuttle to South Kaibab trailhead
There’s a Grand Canyon shuttle that makes a stop at the South Kaibab trailhead. The orange shuttle arrives at each stop every 15 minutes or so to drive around the South Rim and it’s pretty convenient.
It will also be easy to figure out the stop to get off at. There will be an announcement and it will say it’s the South Kaibab trailhead.
You can take this shuttle from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. There’s a pretty big parking lot here.
Once you enter the national park, you can follow the signs to the visitor center. There’s a bus stop right near the parking lot.
Hiker’s express shuttle
There is also a hiker’s express shuttle that goes to the trailhead from the same bus stop, but this has limited timings so unless you’re getting started on the South Kaibab trail early, the orange shuttle is likely your best option. But it’s good to know about anyway!
The shuttle to South Kaibab trailhead is FREE
All Grand Canyon shuttles operated within the park by the National Park Service are free.
To put it simply…
Just show up to the Grand Canyon visitor center parking lot, head to the shuttle stop area, and wait less than 15 minutes (probably) for the free shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead!
Step by step of what to expect below!
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Now…
How to get to South Kaibab trailhead
Step by step
So, once you enter Grand Canyon National Park…
1. Follow the signs and park at the Visitor Center parking lot
2. Walk over to the main bus stop and find the ORANGE route bus stop going eastbound
Check the sign for South Kaibab trailhead to confirm!
3. Get on the Kaibab shuttle bus!
4. Get off at the South Kaibab Trail stop!
It’s about a 10 minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to the South Kaibab trailhead.
5. Start hiking the South Kaibab Trail into the Grand Canyon!!!
The start of the trail is basically right where you get dropped off!
Before the hike
Be sure to check the official National Park Service website for current timings before you go:
It’s also good to check for general Grand Canyon National Park updates, which can include weather related closures and public health related closures.
After the hike
So when you’re doing the South Kaibab Trail as an out-and-back, you’ll return to the same place you got dropped off by the bus.
You can wait for the next bus to come, or if you want to continue walking, there’s the paved Rim Trail that you can take. This would be a walk along the “top” of the canyon and there are points in which you can see the magnificent canyon from above.
You can keep walking all the way towards the popular Mather Point which would also take you back to the visitor center parking lot. It’s about a 2.5 mile walk. The Rim Trail continues on further too if you’re feeling up for it, to Yavapai Point, and then onwards to the Bright Angel trailhead too.
The Rim Trail from South Kaibab trailhead to Mather Point. Explore the map.
Or, you can just take the bus to Mather Point or Yavapai Point!
Kaibab Rim shuttle bus route (orange route)
As seen on the NPS website.
Kaibab Rim shuttle bus stops (orange route)
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center
- South Kaibab trailhead
- Yaki Point
- Pipe Creek Vista
- Mather Point
- Yavapai Geology Museum (Yavapai Point)
And that’s a bit about taking a Grand Canyon South Rim shuttle to South Kaibab Trail!
Are you still undecided about how far along to hike on the South Kaibab Trail?!
See your different options here, with PHOTOS!
Are you making it a national park road trip?
Here’s how I did the Grand Canyon – Zion – Bryce Canyon loop. (Arizona and Utah national parks)
Are you doing a national park trip in winter?
See the best hikes to do in Bryce Canyon National Park in winter! (The Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon drive is around 3 hours.)
HAPPY TAKING THE GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM SHUTTLE TO THE SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL!
