---
node: spot_grand_canyon_bright_angel_trail
type: spot
slug: bright_angel_trail
destination: dest_grand_canyon
title: "Bright Angel Trail"
lead: "The Bright Angel Trail drops from Grand Canyon Village to the Colorado River, 15 kilometres and 1,340 metres of descent, on a route that follows a natural fault line. Going down is the easy half and that is what gets people into trouble."
published: 2026-08-12
updated: 2026-08-12
image_file: spot_grand_canyon_bright_angel_trail.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ba-trail.JPG"
image_author: "Notary137 at English Wikipedia"
image_license: "Public domain"
---

## Overview

The trail was a Havasupai route to a spring before it was a toll path and then a park trail, and it has water and shade at intervals that most canyon trails do not — which is why it is the recommended first descent. The park's standing advice is that a day hike should turn around at Three-Mile Resthouse or Havasupai Gardens; rim-to-river-to-rim in a day is specifically warned against, and rescues run into the hundreds each year. Temperatures at the bottom run well above those at the rim.

## Highlights

Take twice the water you think you need and start at first light in summer. Havasupai Gardens at 7.4 kilometres is a realistic full-day turnaround for a fit walker. Mules use this trail and have right of way: stand on the inside and wait.