Hike Skeleton Point

6 miles - Hard Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
2,060 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 7,260 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The hike on the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point is one of the quintessential day hikes in the Grand Canyon South Rim. It offers incredible iconic views, a twisting (and well maintained) trail winding around and over natural features, and views of the Colorado River. This day hike, recommended by the Parks Service, is a must-do if you're looking to hike the South Rim.

In this Guide:

Turn-by-Turn Hike Directions & Video
What to Expect on the Hike to Skeleton Point
Tips on Weather, Parking, and Planning for the Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

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

Where is the South Kaibab Trail?

The South Kaibab Trail is located by Yaki Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, about a 10 minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor's Center. But you can't park at the trailhead, which is closed to private vehicles.

Shuttle Bus to South Kaibab Trail

Orange Loop Diagram — The Orange Loop Shuttle Bus runs year-round to the South Kaibab Trailhead.

Take the Orange Shuttle Bus from several parking lots around Grand Canyon Village like the Visitor's Center, which has a lot of parking. The bus runs frequently and isn't so bad, but it can get busy at times.
Take the Hiker's Express Shuttle Bus which is geared toward hikers leaving early to do hikes like Rim to Rim, but can be used by anyone. Doing the hike early in the morning at sunrise will give you the most pleasant experience, namely sunrise colors, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds.

You can also take a taxi to the trailhead. Call Xanterra Taxi Service (24 hours) 928-638-2631

Where Can I Park for the South Kaibab Trail?

If you don't want to take the shuttle bus, you can park a short walk away from the trailhead. Parking in these areas is legal, but you have to walk about 15-20 minutes on an easy path or roadside to get to the South Kaibab.

Alternate Parking South Kaibab Trail

Park on the (wide) roadside around the area where the Arizona Trail (AZT) intersects Rt 64/Desert View Drive. From there, you walk up the AZT to the Rim Trail and then a short distance to the trailhead. There are a lot of small use trails between the parking area and Rim Trail. Don't worry, they all head to the Rim Trail or road to the trailhead.
There's a lot just east of Yaki Point Rd. You can park here and then walk on the side of the road to the trailhead. There's no private traffic on Yaki Point Rd, so it's not as crazy as walking along Rt 64.

Gear for the Hike

Even though the South Kaibab to Skeleton Point is only 6 miles, it's a "hike hike," and I recommend having proper hiking gear when doing it. That means trail runners or hiking boots, trekking poles, and at least 1 liter of water, preferably 3L. Taking some snacks will help keep your energy up for the trip back. If it's hot out, try some energy gels which are easier to get down in high temperatures.

There is no water along the trail; you have to bring all of your water with you.

The weather in the Grand Canyon can be extreme. In the winter, bitter cold, ice, and snow is not uncommon. So pay close attention to the weather for Grand Canyon Village. If there is snow, the South Kaibab Trail can be covered. In those conditions micro-spikes and trekking poles are a must. There can be ice on the upper parts of the trail.

And of course, in the summer, it gets hot. There's not much shade on the hike, so protect yourself from the sun. The temperature rises about 5.5F for every 1,000 feet that you descend. So you can expect Skeleton Point to be about 11F warmer than the trailhead at the South Rim. In the hot months of summer, this hike is not a good idea during midday.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point Trail Maps

The South Kaibab Trail is what the Parks Service calls a corridor trail. The corridor trails are heavily used and actively maintained. The South Kaibab Trail is the second most popular trail after the Bright Angel. It's built with a standard gradient (overall) of 10% and has a standard width of 4 feet wide. What that means in practical terms is that, while it's a tough trail, it's never too steep and never so narrow that you're walking on a precipice.

Overview Map

Interactive Map

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Hike Landmarks

Landmark	Distance	Elevation	Toilets
Trailhead	0	7460	yes
Ooh Ahh Point	0.9	6660	no
Cedar Ridge	1.5	6120	yes
Skeleton Point	3	5200	no

Elevation Profile

South Kaibab Elevation — You have about 2000 feet of descending and then you climb back out. The steepest parts are in the beginning and are eased with switchbacks.

3D Map

Mules on the South Kaibab Trail

Mule Train On South Kaibab Trail — A mule train from Phantom Ranch makes its way back up the South Kaibab Trail. Photo Mac H

Okay, so there's good news and bad news about mules on the South Kaibab Trail. The bad news is that you might have to deal with them, the good news is that there are nowhere near as many mules here as there are on the Bright Angel Trail. The mules on the South Kaibab only supply (and haul out the trash) for Phantom Ranch; there are no tourist rides here. The mules leave at variable times, usually around mid-morning. A train leaves from Phantom Ranch around the same time. When I do the hike to Skeleton Point at sunrise, I've never had to pass mules in either direction.

If you are passing mules head-on, stand to the side of the trail and follow the mule handler's instructions. It can be scary to pass mules on a narrow trail, but they do it all the time, so don't sweat it. If you need to overtake the mules, it's a bit tougher. You'll be stuck behind them dodging poop until the handler lets you pass.

Mules aren't aggressive, but they can bite. Keep your hands to yourself. Don't try to pet or feed the mules.

South Kaibab Trail FAQ

South Kaibab Trail 12 — Can you hike all the way down to the Colorado River and back on the South Kaibab Trail? Technically you can, but the Parks Service doesn't recommend it. They've put a cute illustration of a vomiting hiker here to make the point clear.

Do I need a permit for the hike? You don't need any permit to hike the South Kaibab Trail as a day hike.
Can I camp on the trail? You can't camp along the South Kaibab Trail. The only camping option is at Bright Angel Campground at the very bottom of the trail, by the Colorado River.
Is the South Kaibab Trail dangerous? The trail isn't especially dangerous and is at least 4 feet wide for its entire length. If you are no prepared or don't plan your hike correctly it can be dangerous. Heat exhaustion is the most common danger on the trail, so make sure you prepare accordingly. There are no animals that will attack you, and mules won't kick you off the trail. People have fallen and died when they lost their footing allowing other hikers to pass. More people die on the rim taking selfies (really).
Can I explore off of the trail? No, please stay on the trail and respect the fragile environment. Do not take any bones or organic material that you may find. Do not approach any wildlife you see.

A Quick South Kaibab Trail Brief

Paiute Indians Timothy Osullivan — “Kaibab” is the Paiute word for the Grand Canyon and means “mountain lying down” (which you could also interpret as upside-down mountain). Photo Timothy O'Sullivan

The South Kaibab Trail is the first trail from the rim to the river that was built by the Parks Service. When the Grand Canyon became a National Park in 1919, the popular trails like the Bright Angel were privately owned and charged a toll. The Parks Service tried to purchase the Bright Angel, but it was cheaper just to build another trail, so they built the South Kaibab.
Since the South Kaibab Trail wasn't built by miners who depended on water sources, there is no water along the trail. It was built by engineers to create a smooth and direct route down to the river. It has been described as "a trail in a hurry to get to the river."
The trail, originally known as the Yaki Trail, opened in 1925 at the cost of $73,000 (about $1 million in today's money).
The trail was named after the nearby Kaibab National Forest. The trail also goes through Kaibab Limestone layer of rock found at the top of the trail.
The South Kaibab Trail is part of the Arizona Trail (AZT), which stretches about 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. The AZT is considered one of the best thru-hikes in the USA, and this stretch is one of the highlights of the trail. The trail is also frequently used on Rim to Rim hikes.

How To Hike the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

South Kaibab Trail 1 — If you're walking in, the trailhead is by the shuttle bus stop.

South Kaibab Trail 2 — There are toilets by the shuttle bus stop. The mule pens behind the toilets house the mules used to supply points inside the canyon.

South Kaibab Trail 3 — The trailhead is down the paved path from the shuttle stop. The only place to fill up with water is by the sign on the right.

South Kaibab Trail 4 — Head down the paved path and then bear left at the end.

South Kaibab Trail 5 — This is the official start of the trail.

South Kaibab Trail 6 — The beginning of the trail is well developed and easy to follow. You get a lot of tourists walking down onto this section to take pictures.

South Kaibab Trail 9 — The one thing about this trail is that the views are constantly breathtaking. Every twist and turn opens up a new view and vista that's incredible.

South Kaibab Trail 10 — After the beginning switchback or two you'll head down a series of steep switchbacks that unfold beneath you. You can also see the great condition of the trail. It's wide and easy to follow.

South Kaibab Trail 11 — Continue down the switchbacks until the section ends and becomes more of a traditional trail.

South Kaibab Trail 13 — The trail levels out a bit and you get a break from the steep descent.

South Kaibab Trail 14 — There are some great views of the different rock layers that make up the Grand Canyon on this stretch, directly across Pipe Creek Canyon. From top to bottom: Kaibab Limestone, Torroweap Formation, Coconino Sandstone, Hermit Shale, and the (bigger) Supai Group. This article on the geology of the Grand Canyon is worth reading if you want to understand what you're looking at.

South Kaibab Trail 15 — Soon you'll see Ooh Ahh Point in the distance. Ooh Ahh Point is the top of the Coconino Sandstone layer of rock.

South Kaibab Trail 17 — Welcome to Ooh Ahh Point where you start to get views to the more remote eastern section of the Grand Canyon.

South Kaibab Trail 16 — There are a few places to soak in the views around Ooh Ahh Point but take care, the fall from here is hundreds of feet.

South Kaibab Trail 18 — Continue down the South Kaibab Trail. Here's a great example of a cobbled section which can be very slick in the rain but helps prevent trail erosion.

South Kaibab Trail 19 — The trail starts to wind around Yaki Point into the open. The big butte in the distance is O'Neill Butte. You'll be hiking down and around it shortly.

South Kaibab Trail 20 — This next section is one of my favorites as the South Kaibab makes its way down the spine of the ridge.

South Kaibab Trail 21 — Soon you'll see Cedar Ridge below you.

South Kaibab Trail 40 — Keep your eyes open for slabs of rock with holes in them. These were the original holes drilled when they blasted the trail out of the cliff wall with dynamite.

South Kaibab Trail 22 — Welcome to Cedar Ridge where you can take a break and use the toilet if you need to. The trees offer shade but take care to respect the areas marked off as a fragile habitat. This flat area used to house an exhibit of Grand Canyon fossils.

South Kaibab Trail 23 — The toilets are off to the right as you center the Cedar Ridge area.

South Kaibab Trail 25 — The trail continues on the far end of the flat area towards the right.

South Kaibab Trail 24 — The trail is easy to spot once you're on the edge. Avoid the smaller use trail on the left of the Cedar Ridge area. From here on out you'll be hiking through the Supai Formation.

South Kaibab Trail 26 — The rest of the hike to Skeleton Point is long and cruising-friendly.

South Kaibab Trail 27 — When you get to the saddle, make the hard right to continue down the South Kaibab.

South Kaibab Trail 28 — The trail makes its way around the east side of O'Nell Butte, named after early explorer Bucky O'Neill. He was a colorful character who dabbled in mining, ran for Congress, fought for women's right to vote, and eventually died as part of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders in Cuba. O'Neill is the main character of a TNT movie called "Rough Riders" and is played by the great Sam Elliot.

South Kaibab Trail 29 — After the butte you'll see the trail unfold ahead of you towards Skeleton Point in the distance.

South Kaibab Trail 32 — And here you are, Skeleton Point!

South Kaibab Trail 31 — The South Kaibab Trail continues down to the river on the right, but the overlook area is along the cliff to the left, past the hitching rail.

South Kaibab Trail 33 — From the overlook you'll get some sweet views down to the Colorado River.

South Kaibab Trail 34 — The South Kaibab Trail heads further downhill from Skeleton Point, but don't do that as a day hike, which is the recommendation of the Parks Service. Instead turn around to begin the climb out.

South Kaibab Trail 35 — Luckily the beginning of the climb out is gradual. See the top of the canyon in the distance? Yea, that's where you're going.

South Kaibab Trail 36 — Make your way back up along O'Neill Butte.

South Kaibab Trail 37 — And from there back to Cedar Ridge.

South Kaibab Trail 38 — From Cedar Ridge the trail gets steep again.

South Kaibab Trail 39 — And then even steeper. Don't forget to take breaks and soak in the views.

South Kaibab Trail 41 — After Ooh Ahh Point you'll climb the ladder of switchbacks to the rim. They're tough, but it's mentally doable taking it one switchback at a time.

South Kaibab Trail 42 — BOOM! You did it! As you walk off the trail into the throngs of tourists you can feel especially proud for taking the time and energy to really see the Canyon up close.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.