Summer Hiking - Hike Smart

Duration:

5 minutes, 7 seconds

HIKE SMART! Every year, scores of unprepared hikers, lured by initially easy downhill hiking, experience severe illness, injury, or death from hiking in the canyon. Join us as we explore how to have a safe and unforgettable adventure here in Grand Canyon, including tips from our experts on preparedness, hydration, and hiking in the heat. Special thanks to the Grand Canyon Conservancy, Xanterra, Delaware North, Bright Angel Bicycles, and Sandcast Media who helped make this video possible.

 

The National Park Service urges CAUTION for all hikers during the summer months of May through September. Be aware that April, May, and October can bring unexpectedly high temperatures in the inner canyon, making heat-related illnesses a risk during these months as well.

• Before your hike, visit the Key Hiking Messages page and check the Backcountry Updates and Closures page for current information on trail conditions, water status, and weather affecting the backcountry.
• Be aware that efforts to assist you may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying capability during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather.
• When hiking in the inner canyon, self-rescue is required, as immediate assistance may not be available. Hikers must be prepared to handle emergencies on their own, including carrying sufficient water, food, and first aid supplies, knowing their physical limits, and having a plan to safely return to the rim.

 

Summer Hiking Tips For Success

Summer Hiking Essentials

1. Water - Carry plain water and some form of electrolyte replacement. Keep in mind, only the Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails have potable water spigots and these may be out of service due to time of year or maintenance issues. 
2. Salty snacks and high energy food - Salty foods such as pretzels, crackers, and chips, are preferred in order to balance water intake during the hot summer season. Stop and eat often. Consume twice as much as you normally would.
3. First Aid Kit - Common canyon items include: hand sanitizer, bandaids, ace wrap, antibiotic ointment, and blister care.
4. Map - While many trails are well-marked, maps are helpful tools.
5. Sturdy Footwear – Use broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction to navigate rocky, steep, and uneven terrain.
6. Flashlight/Spare Batteries - Don't rely on your cell phone as a light source! Carry a flashlight and spare batteries that will allow you to hike out during the cool hours of the day.
7. Cooling Mechanisms - spray water bottles, bandanas, and towels are portable and a way to cool off your body after leaving a water source.
8. Sun protection layers/Hat/Sunscreen - to keep the sun off you and protect your skin.
9. Whistle and/or Signal Mirror - for emergency use.
10. Waterproof Clothing - poncho or jacket; especially useful during monsoon season (mid-July to early September).

Don’t Force Fluids, Drink When You Are Thirsty, and Rest and Eat Often

Hiking in the Grand Canyon offers unique challenges due to the combination of ambient temperature, elevation, and the physical demands of the terrain. To ensure an enjoyable and safe hike, it's important to properly manage hydration and nutrition.

Stay Hydrated and Energized

As you hike—especially uphill and in direct sunlight—it's essential to stay hydrated. In the Grand Canyon’s hot, dry climate, sweat evaporates quickly, so you might not realize how much fluid you're losing. Watch for salt stains or rings on your clothing, a common sign of dehydration.

To maintain proper hydration, sip water regularly throughout your hike, even if you don’t feel thirsty. It’s just as important to replenish lost electrolytes by eating salty snacks, which help your body retain fluids and maintain balance. Wondering what inner canyon rangers pack in their day bags? Some of their favorite salty snacks include pretzels, Pringles, chips, and cheese crackers—tasty and trail-ready fuel for the journey!

Fuel Your Body for the Journey
Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be demanding, so be sure to eat enough to fuel your body. Eating regular snacks, including a mix of carbs, protein, and electrolytes, will help maintain energy levels. Drink and eat even if you're not feeling thirsty or hungry—your body may not always signal when it's time to refuel. Balancing hydration and nutrition is key to avoiding fatigue and ensuring your body functions at its best.

By staying proactive with hydration, nutrition, and rest, you'll help ensure a more enjoyable and rewarding experience on the trails.

Wait for the Shade—AVOID HIKING BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM

Even if you are eating and drinking correctly you still need to avoid hiking in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Sun temperatures are 15F to 20F (9C-11C) degrees hotter than posted shade temperatures. And keep in mind, the farther into the canyon you go the hotter it gets!

Plan your day so you are not hiking between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Take a break near shade and water to avoid the worst heat of day. Enjoy a predawn start and a late afternoon finish. Experienced desert hikers know that the timing of their hike is the most important factor in avoiding hazards. Most of the people who need emergency medical help in the canyon due to heat illness are hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Average SHADE Temperatures at Phantom Ranch (provided by National Weather Service-Flagstaff)

*Please note temperatures in the full sun may be upwards of 20-30 °F warmer.
 

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
High (F)	57	63	73	81	91	102	104	101	95	82	68	56
Low (F)	35	40	46	52	61	70	75	72	66	55	44	36
High (C)	14	17	23	27	33	39	40	38	35	28	20	13
Low (C)	2	4	8	11	16	21	24	22	19	13	7	2

 

Stay Wet and Stay Cool

KEEP YOURSELF SOAKING WET TO STAY COOL.

One of the most effective ways to keep your body temperature in check while hiking in the Grand Canyon is by staying soaking wet. The intense heat, especially in the inner canyon, can rapidly increase your core body temperature, so it's essential to use every opportunity to cool down. Whenever you're near water—whether it’s a creek or water station—take the time to soak your clothing and body.

Wear clothing that holds water well (cotton is great in the desert!), and if possible, wear a hat or bandana that you can soak frequently. This is a simple yet effective way to stay cool and energized throughout the day. When hiking in the canyon, where temperatures can soar, take every opportunity to get wet as this will make your hike far more comfortable. By the end of the day, you'll feel the difference as your body stays cooler and more refreshed.

Remember, staying soaking wet isn’t just about feeling better—it’s a critical tool to help you maintain your energy levels and avoid heat exhaustion, so don’t overlook this simple yet vital cooling strategy!

Watch Out for Health Hazards

Know Before You Go: Hiking with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Prexisting medical conditions can be significantly exacerbated by the canyon's extreme conditions. If you have any pre-existing health issues, we strongly recommend consulting with your physician before attempting rigorous hikes, especially in hot weather. The canyon presents challenges such as high temperatures, steep elevation changes, and prolonged physical exertion—factors that can strain even healthy individuals. 

WATCH OUT FOR THESE HEALTH HAZARDS!

HEAT EXHAUSTION — The result of dehydration due to intense sweating. Hikers can lose one or two quarts (liters) of water per hour. Rangers at Phantom Ranch and Havasupai Gardens treat many cases of heat exhaustion each day in summer.

Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, cool and moist skin, headache, cramps.

Treatment: STOP HIKING and REST in the shade for 30-45 minutes, drink water with electrolytes, eat high-energy foods (with fats and sugars), and cool the body by getting wet.

HEAT STROKE — A life-threatening emergency where the body's heat regulating mechanisms become overwhelmed by a combination of internal heat production and environmental demands. Your body loses its ability to cool itself. Grand Canyon has two to three cases of heatstroke a year. Untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

Symptoms: flushed face, dry skin, weak and rapid pulse, high core body temperature, confusion, poor judgment or inability to cope, unconsciousness, seizures. *DISTINGUISHED FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION BY ALTERED MENTAL STATUS* 

Treatment: COOL IMMEDIATELY AND CALL FOR HELP! Continuously pour water on head and torso (protecting airway at all times), fan to create an evaporative cooling effect, and move individual off of hot ground and into shade if possible. Immerse the individual in cold water if possible. Heat stroke patients need rapid cooling and immediate transport to a hospital. Someone should call/go for help while attempts to cool the the individual continue.

HYPONATREMIA (water intoxication) — An illness that mimics the early symptoms of heat exhaustion. It is the result of low sodium in the blood caused by drinking too much water and losing too much salt through sweating.

Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, altered mental states, confusion, frequent urination. These individuals may appear intoxicated. In extreme cases alterned levels of consciousness and seizures may occur.

Treatment: have the individual stop consuming water, eat salty foods, and rest in the shade until symptoms improve. If mental alertness decreases, seek immediate help!

 

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Introduction to Backcountry Hiking Brochure

When you arrive at the park, a foldable version of the brochure is available at park visitor centers and backcountry information centers. The brochure is for day and overnight inner canyon hikers. It gives information about hiking the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and North Kaibab trails, as well as permit, planning, Leave No Trace, and Hike Smart information.

The web version of this publication is formatted to print on standard 8.5 x 11 letter-sized paper. You may download it here: Introduction to Backcountry Hiking (4.5 MB PDF file)

This is a great resource for planning your trip in advance.

 

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Additional backcountry info can be found on the following webpages.

Backcountry Permit Regulations Hiking Tips Hiking FAQs Trail Courtesy

Day Hiking Guided Hikes Summer Hiking Winter Hiking Weather Dangers

Trails / Use Areas Distances Private Stock Food Storage Safe Water Updates / Closures