Place

Bright Angel Trailhead

A large stone sign reads
Don't forget to document your hike with a quick pic with the sign. Before or after is your choice!

NPS/Joel Kane

Quick Facts
Location:
Grand Canyon Village
Significance:
Historic Trail

Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Toilet - Flush, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Bottle-Filling Station, Water - Drinking/Potable

Bright Angel Trailhead is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, and Kolb Studio. At 6,840 feet (2,085 m), it provides access for hikers and mules to many Inner Canyon destinations. Ranger guided walks also start here. 

From the Hermit Road Interchange shuttle bus stops, it is a short walk to the east and up the hill on a paved footpath to the trailhead. 

Parking is available next to the trailhead, but is very limited and often fills in the early morning. Other options include parking at the Backcountry Information Center (Lot D) and walking 5–10 minutes along the sidewalk past Maswik Lodge to the trailhead, or parking at Grand Canyon Visitor Center and taking the free Village Route (Blue) shuttle bus, a 20-minute one-way trip.

Know Before You Go

Before heading down into the canyon, consult the signs at the trailhead, and scan the QR code for trip planning, current weather, water availability, and trail information/closures. (or visit our Key Hiking Messages webpage).

CLOSED — as of August 29, 2026 - due to flash flooding:

  • The Black and Silver Bridges spanning the Colorado River
  • The entirety of Phantom Ranch, including Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen, and Phantom Ranch cabins.
  • The entirety of the North Kaibab Trail. This includes the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch. This closure is a result of significant flash flooding to the Bright Angel Canyon on Friday 8/29.

Trail Status and Closures

CURRENTLY OPEN : (updated August 29, 2026)

  • South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to the Black Bridge and junction with River Trail.
  • Tonto Trail from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens.
  • Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail junction to Plateau Point.
  • Bright Angel Trail from the Bright Angel Trailhead to River Resthouse.
  • The River Trail east of the River Resthouse to the South Kaibab Trail junction.

CLOSED AT THIS TIME:

  • The entire North Kaibab Trail (due to flash flood on 8/29/2026)
  • The Black Bridge spanning the Colorado River.
  • The Silver Bridge spanning the Colorado River
  • Phantom Ranch
  • Bright Angel Campground

There is no estimated reopening of these closure areas at this time.

Visit the restrooms at Bright Angel Trailhead. (it's a mile and half until the next one!), and be sure to fill up your water bottles and/or bladders. The water bottle filling station, at the trailhead, is inside an elk proof metal cage attached to the side of the restroom closest to the stone mule corral. 

There are seasonal water stops along the trail at Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Three-Mile Resthouse during late spring, summer, and early fall when overnight low temperatures are above freezing. During winter months, the waterline is prone to breakages and water to those locations is turned off. Water is available all year at Bright Angel Trailhead and Havasupai Gardens.  

Visit this link for destinations, distances and other details about Bright Angel Trail

Grand Canyon National Park

Tags: grand canyon national park, trailhead, path, viewpoint, scenic, information, bright angel trailhead, bright angel trail, hiking, backcountry, south rim, grand canyon, water bottle filling station, restrooms

Last updated: August 31, 2026