Hermit Trail

Hermit Trail is a steep, rugged long-distance route in Grand Canyon National Park that descends from Hermits Rest down to the Colorado River area. Plan it as a serious rim-to-river day (or multi-day) for experienced hikers only: it’s intensely demanding on the way down and punishing on the climb back out, and it’s not maintained like the corridor trails.

Access is tied to Hermit Road and the Hermits Rest area. From late winter into spring and summer, you typically get onto the trail by using the NPS shuttle to Hermits Rest; during Dec 1–end of Feb, Hermit Road is open to private vehicles, which changes how you stage your start.

In the first stretch after you leave the rim, expect a rocky, strenuous descent and use caution on the initial drop. Route-finding is straightforward at junctions; for example, you’ll encounter the Waldron Trail and should stay on Hermit Trail by going straight, and you’ll also reach the Dripping Springs/Boucher Trail area where staying right keeps you on course.

Santa Maria Spring is a common turnaround point for day hikers—about 2.2 miles down the trail. Further down, Hermit Camp sits roughly 7 miles below the rim, and if you continue the full route you reach Hermit Creek and then the Colorado River area at about 9.5 miles down (one-way) for the classic rim-to-river objective.

Water is seasonal and spotty. Santa Maria Spring is a known natural water source, but it requires treatment, and the route lacks dependable water stations or restrooms on-trail—carry sufficient water and plan for treatment capacity.

Overnighting requires a backcountry permit for Hermit Creek camping, and backcountry rules are tied to the park’s permit system. Day hikers are strongly discouraged from attempting a rim-to-river-and-back in a single day, since the heat and the elevation change make it a high-risk effort.

More information: Map, Map, The Grand Canyon: Hiking the Hermit Trail Rim to River