What is the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa?

The Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa is a tough, rugged day hike in the Grand Canyon, built by miners in the 1890s. The trail descends steep cobbled sections and wood cribs to reach Horseshoe Mesa, offering expansive views, historical sites, and a break from the crowds.

Is the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa suitable for beginners?

No, this trail is not recommended for beginners. It is a difficult and steep hike with sections that are narrow and exposed. Only experienced hikers should attempt it, and you should be well-prepared for the challenges.

What is the difficulty level of the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa?

The Grandview Trail is considered one of the toughest and most rugged hikes in the Grand Canyon, with steep ascents and descents, narrow sections, and challenging terrain. It is not for the faint of heart.

How do I get to the Grandview Trail?

The Grandview Trailhead is located at Grandview Point, about 15 minutes east of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Parking is available at the Grandview Point parking lot, and the trail begins at the end of the lot.

What gear do I need for the Grandview Trail?

For this hike, bring 2-3 liters of water (as there is no water on the trail), sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), and food. A first-aid kit and emergency gear are also recommended.

What is the trail condition like on the Grandview Trail?

The Grandview Trail was built in the 1890s by miners and features steep, cobblestone sections, wooden cribs, and narrow paths along cliff edges. While the trail is not actively maintained to the same standards as other Grand Canyon trails, it is managed by the National Park Service and repaired when necessary.

Can I camp at Horseshoe Mesa?

Yes, you can camp at Horseshoe Mesa. There are 3 regular campsites and 1 group campsite, but you will need a backcountry permit. Be aware that water sources at nearby springs are unreliable, and you should carry enough water or treat water from sources such as Hance Creek.

When is the best time to hike the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa?

The best time to hike the Grandview Trail is in the spring, summer, or fall when the weather is warmer. Avoid winter hikes due to ice on the trail, which can make it dangerous, especially in the shaded sections.

What are the landmarks along the Grandview Trail?

Notable landmarks along the Grandview Trail include Grandview Point, Coconino Saddle, the steep section of the trail, Page Spring Junction, and the historical remains at Horseshoe Mesa, such as the Last Chance Mine and cookhouse ruins.

How long is the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa?

The Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa is approximately 6 miles round trip, with a significant elevation change of about 2,500 feet each way. The hike can take 4 to 6 hours depending on your pace and fitness level.

What are the historical features of the Grandview Trail?

The Grandview Trail was built for miners accessing copper deposits at Horseshoe Mesa. You can explore historical features such as the old cookhouse from the Last Chance Mine, as well as relics from the mining operations. The trail also offers views of the former Grandview Hotel site.

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Grandview Trail To Horseshoe Mesa Hike

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated August 11, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 6 miles
Time: 4-5 Hours
Total Climbing: 2760 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Crowds: Quiet
Dogs: No Dogs
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Grand Canyon National Park

Easily the toughest and most rugged of the Grand Canyon Park Service's recommended day hikes, the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa is not for the faint of heart. The trail was built in 1893 by miners, and after a few minutes on the Grandview, you'll realize that people were a lot tougher back then. The route is an engineering marvel, with steep cobbled sections and wood cribs hugging the cliffside that lead down to an abandoned mine site at Horseshoe Mesa. This day hike offers expansive views, natural beauty, and a break from the Grand Canyon crowds.

Don't forget to check out my Grand Canyon hiking tips here!

How to Get to the Grandview Trail

The Grandview Trail is located at Grandview Point, about a 15 minute drive east from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim). The trailhead at Grandview Point is at the scenic overlook; expect lots of tourists. But it's far enough away from the main South Rim attractions that there's almost always parking at the trailhead area.

Use this trailhead address:
Grandview Point, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Grandview Trail Parking — The trailhead is down the paved path to Grandview Point at the end of the parking lot. If you are camping, use the spots in the parking lot further back from the overlook.

Grandview Trail Directions 3 — There's a decent amount of parking on the loop road at Grandview Point. It's the kind of place where people come and go, so if there's no parking, just wait a few minutes and someone will leave.

Grandview Trail Directions 2 — There are toilets in the parking area but otherwise none along the trail.

There is no water at the trailhead or on the Grandview Trail, so fill up before you get here.

Gear for the Hike

Even though it's only 6 miles, this is a tough hike and I recommend having backcountry hiking gear. In the warmer months I bring 2-3L of water. There is no water source along the trail and the springs that are close to the Grandview Trail are not reliable and/or contain arsenic. Trekking poles will help on the steep sections of the Grandview, of which there are many. And because this is a more remote trail, I bring enough gear in case of an emergency.

As the Parks Service says in their literature, "Know how to rescue yourself. YOU are responsible for your safety and the safety
of your family and friends. Rescue is not guaranteed, and assistance may take hours or days due to weather or other emergencies."

In the winter or colder months this trail is not a good option unless you've had experience on it already. Ice can make the already steep and slick sections treacherous. I hiked the Grandview Trail in May once, when the temperatures were high, and there was still ice on some of the shady sections. And even with micro-spikes, it was dangerous, so I turned around. Summer and Fall are great times to do this hike.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
AllTrails Plus: Offline maps on your phone with the Plus level
Full November 2025 Gear List →

Grandview Trail Condition

Before we dive into the maps, let's talk about the condition of the trail. The trail was built by miners in the early 1890s and is an engineering marvel that cost $12,000 (about $350,000 in today's dollars). While most native trails follow natural fault lines or natural features to the bottom of the Canyon, the Grandview Trail was built to get miners up and down as quickly as possible. They built a cobblestone ramps on the steep sections from Grandview Point. On sections where no path was possible, they created "cribbing" out of logs and added a path to the side of the cliff.

Grandview Trail Cobblestones — Here's an example of the "cobblestone riprap" surface that you'll find on many of the steep sections of trail. Large slabs of sandstone are placed edgewise against each other to provide a durable surface that doesn't washout with rains.

Grandview Trail Directions 32 — And here's an example of the log cribbing holding the trail up against the cliff walls. the logs are held in place by chains or steel pins and provide a foundation for the trail.

Grandview Trail Directions 14 — You can still see evidence of where they drilled into the canyon wall and blasted.

I already mentioned that you shouldn't try this in winter or cooler months unless you have previous experience here, but even in good conditions this trail can be challenging. At some points the Grandview is about 18 inches wide and some points have drops of 100 feet or more down the side. Unlike the main corridor trails (Bright Angel, South & North Kaibab), the Grandview Trail is not actively maintained or built to any standards. However, it is looked after by the Parks Service and when sections get damaged or washed out, they fix them.

This hike is listed as a recommended day hike in the official Grand Canyon National Park publications, but it still has its hazards. People have fallen and died here, although more people die taking selfies from the rim. I mention it because you need to be focused and vigilant when on the trail, watch your footing, and take care if passing other hikers.

Because the trail is so steep in tricky, plan on going down at the same rate as you climb back out.

Camping at Horseshoe Mesa

You can overnight at Horseshoe Mesa; there are 3 regular campsites, 1 large group campsite, and primitive toilets. You need a backcountry permit to overnight here. If you want water, it's a steep descent (and climb back) to the only reliable water sources at Hance Creek and Page Spring (aka Miners Spring). Page Spring has high arsenic levels, so have fun with that. Both sources should be treated with a water filter.

Other nearby camping options include Cottonwood Creek Campground (not to be confused with Cottonwood Campground on the North Kaibab Trail) and a dispersed area beside Hance Creek just below the Tonto Trail.

If you camp, you need rodent protection. Ravens will also make quick work of unattended packs and can open zippers with their beaks.

Grandview Trail Maps

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Hike Landmarks

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Grandview Point	0	7400
Coconino Saddle	1	6400
Steep Section End	1.3	5670
Page Spring Junction	2.6	4970
Horseshoe Mesa	3	4900

Elevation Profile

Grandview Trail Elevation — This profile gives you an idea of how steep the trail is. The second half of the descent levels out but has enough up and down to make it slow going.

3d Map

A Quick Grandview Trail History

The trail was built when miner Pete Berry and the Cameron brothers (of Bright Angel Trail notoriety) discovered copper at Horseshoe Mesa. Berry helped build this trail and the Bright Angel Trail, but later split from the Camerons to focus on Grandview.
The mine at Horseshoe Mesa was called the Last Chance Mine, and was one of the only profitable mines in the Canyon. It's copper ore won the 1893 World’s Fair's top prize for purity. The mine operated from 1893-1907. You can still see relics from the mine (like the old cookhouse) and there are still mines and old equipment in the area. You are not allowed to enter any of the (very dangerous) mines without a permit, and you have to leave any miner gear where you find it.
You can still see the walls of the Last Chance Mine cookhouse when you reach Horseshoe Mesa. The cookhouse fed about 5-6 men a day.
At the height of the mining days, 10 mules did one and a half trips a day, hauling 200 pounds of ore out on the way up.
In 1897 when Berry realized that tourism was the way to go, he built the Grandview Hotel at was is now Grandview Point. The hotel was billed as the "only first-class hotel at the Grand Canyon" and had a regular stagecoach service from Flagstaff. But when the railroad was built to the Bright Angel Trail, visitors by stagecoach stopped and the hotel closed in 1913. It was torn down in 1929.
After the Grandview Hotel closed it was bought by William Randolph Hearst. He wanted to use it as a family retreat but it just ended up being land for his cattle to graze on. Photo NPS

How to Hike the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa

Grandview Trail Directions 5 — From the parking area, walk down the paved section to the Grandview Point overlook. The trail starts towards the end on the right.

Grandview Trail Directions 4 — The trail can be hard to spot. It is located to the left of the trail information sign.

Grandview Trail Directions 6 — The first hundred feet or so are dirt and are usually crawling with tourists.

Grandview Trail Directions 7 — After the initial confused area where tourists grab selfies, the trail is easier to follow and starts heading down some stairs built in recent years by the Park Service.

Grandview Trail Directions 8 — Soon after the nice new stairs you'll reach the first cobbled section. Again, take your time and watch your footing.

Grandview Trail Directions 9 — After some steep sections there's a reprieve on a long traditional trail section. You can see Horseshoe Mesa in the distance.

Grandview Trail Directions 10 — After the gradual section you'll descend a portion of the trail held in by log cribbing.

Grandview Trail Directions 11 — And after that more cobblestones. These cobble sections are usually extremely steep.

Grandview Trail Directions 12 — Keep right and avoid the small trail to the side. There are a few small spur use trails to overlooks, but in general the main trail is very easy to follow.

Grandview Trail Directions 13 — More cobblestone stairs as you approach Coconino Saddle ahead.

Grandview Trail Directions 16 — You'll get some sweet views to the east and west from Coconino Saddle.

Grandview Trail Directions 15 — At Coconino Saddle head down to the left of the ridge.

Grandview Trail Directions 17 — There's a narrow part along a section that gets washed out a lot. Go slow, use trekking poles, and watch your footing.

Grandview Trail Directions 18 — From here on out you follow the ridge down to Horseshoe Mesa, which you'll see ahead. Unfortunately the trail has a lot of boulders and up and downs. It's not a fast trail that you can cruise on.

Grandview Trail Directions 19 — The trail continues down gradually along the ridge. It's easy to follow but a bit primitive.

Grandview Trail Directions 20 — As you approach Horseshoe Mesa the trail levels out and widens.

Grandview Trail Directions 21 — At the intersection for Page Spring, keep to the left.

Grandview Trail Directions 26 — You might notice some of these radiation warning signs. There is naturally occurring radioactive rock in the area.

Grandview Trail Directions 22 — Continue to the huge looming mesa in front of you.

Grandview Trail Directions 23 — Keep right at the junction for Cottonwood Creek.

Grandview Trail Directions 24 — And when you reach this sign, you've made it to Horseshoe Mesa.

Grandview Trail Directions 33 — You can check out the old cook house ruins.

Grandview Trail Directions 25 — You'll see a few old rusty artifacts around the area. Please leave them all as-is. The Last Chance Mine is on the Register of Historic Places and these items are protected as historical artifacts, even if it just looks like rusty junk.

There are use trails up to the mesa and some overlook areas if you have the energy. You can also explore Cave of the Domes on the left side of the mesa and down a small trial market by cairns. It's the only officially "open" cave in Grand Canyon without a permit. Otherwise from here you turn around and head back up the way you came.

Grandview Trail Directions 27 — As you ascend the ridge you'll see Grandview Point up head to the right. That's where you're climbing out to.

Grandview Trail Directions 29 — Here's an example of a rock section along the ridge portion of the trail. It's slow going making your way through the rocks. Keep heading up to the start of the steep section.

Grandview Trail Directions 30 — And now you go up. This shot gives you an idea of the steepness of the trail.

Grandview Trail Directions 31 — And from here you just climb back up to Grandview Point. And that's the hike. It's a tough one!

Originally published December 10, 2019