Hidden just a mile off the South Rim road, this easy hike to Shoshone Point is worth your while. The Shoshone Point Trail is a beautiful walk through a Ponderosa Pine forest to a serene picnic spot, and then to a hidden rock formation and Shoshone Point. If you want to get away from the crowds of tourists stopping at the roadside attractions, this short hike is for you.
The Shoshone Point Trailhead parking lot is unmarked on the side of the road, just an 8-minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor's Center. If you're coming from the Visitor's Center, the parking lot is the first lot on your left after Yaki Point Road, about 2 minutes or 1.2 miles.
This is more of an easy walk than a hike, and you can get away with everyday clothing here. If you do have fitness or hiking clothes, it will make the hike more pleasant. There is no water at the trailhead or at Shoshone Point, so bring 1L with you on the hike.
Weather can be extreme at the Grand Canyon. If there is snow and ice, don't hike all the way out to Shoshone Point. There are no guardrails at Shoshone Point, so stay off the ledges when there's ice.
Shoshone Point is named after a tribe of Shoshone dialect-speaking Native Americans who would allegedly "offer their dead to the canyon" from the point.
The trail starts on the right side at the far end of the parking lot.Go through the gate at the beginning of the trail.The dirt road gently makes its way through the Ponderosa Pine forest that you find all over the South Rim. You'll notice that as you get closer to the actual rim, the trees get shorter. They don't grow as tall in the high winds by the rim. This area is a popular grazing spot for elk and deer, so keep your eyes open as you hike up the trail.You might notice some burn areas along the side of the trail. The Parks Service did a prescribed burn here in 2006. Most of the growth you see around you has grown from 2006 on.When you get to the split, you can hike either way.When the split comes back together, you start entering the picnic area. There are primitive toilets here.Just after the toilets you'll see a pavilion and picnic benches. This is a great place for a snack and rest. Shoshone Point is also a popular spot for weddings and events. You can get a permit from the Parks Service.There are some small viewpoints around the picnic area.Head through the dispersed picnic benches on the left side of the picnic area.Here's an overview of how to get through the picnic area to the actual Shoshone Point.Just past the picnic benches continue along the wide trail.Soon the trail thins out. Follow the footpath toward the actual Shoshone Point.There it is! Be careful as you walk out and around the point. There are no guardrails and the drops are deadly.Since Shoshone Point is out on a promontory, you'll get great panoramic views into the Grand Canyon.Here's the very cool monolithic rock formation on Shoshone Point.
From here, you just hike back out the way you came in.
