Grand Canyon Backpacking Permits

Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 1,218,375 acres and there are many options of routes to hike. The elevation changes in the park offer a diversity of different climates and ecosystems. Some of the routes are better to hike in the summer, some better in the winter, and some are better to hike in the spring or fall. The North Rim is over 8000 feet/ 2438 m above sea level, due to snowfall and cold temperatures it is only open from mid-May until mid-October; this means road access to North Rim during the winter is impossible. During the hot summer months temperatures can exceed 120(F), and during these times of year, many trails don't have enough water available for the average hiker to stay alive. When designing your private backpacking tours, it is our job to know these details.

Grand Canyon National Park Service announced the Operational Changes to Backcountry Permitting Procedures Planned at Grand Canyon National Park on November 20, 2009; they took effect February 1, 2010. This change in backcountry took away the advantage of having first choice for backpacking permits; simply by being local. Historically permit applicants that applied in person, were given priority to fax requests. Now, fax is the only way permits are accepted for the first month permits become available; everyone has the same opportunity for a limited number of campsites. This makes it hard to get permits for popular camping areas during the most popular seasons.

Most of the trails in Grand Canyon require a extensive knowledge to hike safely, and they are rarely patrolled. The corridor trails of Grand Canyon are the exception. The corridor trails are the trails that follow the Bright Angel Fault, and are the most commonly traveled trails in Grand Canyon. These Corridor trails are, The Bright Angel Trail, The South Kaibab Trail, and the North Kaibab Trail; these are the trails used for a traditional "Rim to Rim" hike, and visiting locations such as Phantom Ranch, the Bright Angel Campground, Cottonwood Campground, Indian Gardens, and Plateau Point. Besides being the most traveled, they are the quickest to sell out. Even when requests are made the first day they are accepted, reservations are certainly not guaranteed. These tails are highly patrolled and have facilities that make these trails relatively safe for unguided novice hikers.

All-Star Grand Canyon Tours provides private Grand Canyon backpacking tours, year round. There is a limited number of campsites in Grand Canyon, and it is important to apply for permits when they first become available (see chart below). The earliest permit requests are accepted is the first of the month, four months prior to the proposed start month. When designing a private backpacking tour, it can take a week to finalize details. You will want to have your trip designed and paid for at least two weeks prior to this deadline.

All-Star Grand Canyon Tours, does provide backpacking tours on the corridor trails, but we encourage hiking in the less traveled areas of Grand Canyon. We believe hiking the Grand Canyon away from the crowds, is the way to fully enjoy your Grand Canyon Backpacking Experience. Please call us to discuss the best options for your Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip.