Grand Canyon Hikes For Families

South Rim Trail: Visitor’s Center to South Kaibab Trail Hike

Distance: 2.8 miles

Where's the first place you go when you get to the park? The Visitor's Center of course! Well, so does everyone else in the world and after your drive to the Canyon, the crowds there can be overwhelming. So I recommend having a look around the Visitor's Center and then following this guided hike that takes in epic Mather Point. From there it whisks you away from the crowds on the easy to follow and flat Rim Trail that offers peace, quiet, and views that you can enjoy with your family. At the end of the hike, just hop on the free shuttle bus back to your car.

Hike the Shoshone Point Trail

Distance: 2.2 miles

Shoshone Point is tucked away off the beaten path, yet only a few minutes drive from the Visitor's Center. You can't take a shuttle bus there, so you don't have the crowds. But the trail is wide, peaceful, and easy to follow. At the end you'll reach Shoshone Point, which has bathrooms, picnic tables, and an iconic viewpoint. It's a great option if you want to escape the crowds and decompress. It's also a popular spot for weddings.

South Rim Trail: Visitor’s Center to Bright Angel Trail Hike

Distance: 3 miles

This is a great hike to do with the family once you've settled in and want to visit some of the attractions in earnest. The hike takes the paved, flat, and well-marked Rim Trail from the Visitor's Center all the way to the iconic Bright Angel Trailhead. Along the way you'll hit many of the attractions in the park, including overlooks, the Geology Museum, Verkamp's, El Tovar, and Kolb Studio. You could spend a half day doing the hike and attractions, and then grab a bite in the El Tovar area where there are many food options.

Hike 1.5 Mile Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail

Distance: 3 miles

The Bright Angel trail is the most popular trail at the Grand Canyon for a reason. As you hike down, the incredible views and iconic scenery really capture the essence of the Grand Canyon experience. The great thing is that you don't have to go on a major expedition to enjoy a hike into the Canyon. This hike on the Bright Angel Trail to 1.5 Mile Resthouse will give you a taste of the trails without a major effort. The trails are at least 4 feet wide, easy to follow, and don't have any crazy drops. And there's water and bathrooms at the halfway point.

Ooh Ahh Point

Distance: 1.8 miles

This is a hike I recommend for families with older kids. It's not long, but the hike down the South Kaibab Trail will really give your kids a taste of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon without all the tourists. The hike feels more rugged and of course offers great views, but it's also  safe and well-maintained. If you have kids that want to "hike hike" but you don't want a major expedition into the canyon, this is a good choice to dip your toe in.

Want to do some other hikes in the Grand Canyon? I have a full list with guides on my Grand Canyon Hikes page!

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