Last updated: September 6, 2026
Place
Bright Angel Trailhead
NPS/Joel Kane
Quick Facts
Location:
Grand Canyon Village
Significance:
Historic Trail
Amenities
13 listed
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).
Trail Status and Closures
CURRENTLY OPEN :
- Bright Angel Trail from the Bright Angel Trailhead to Havasupai Gardens and the intersection with the Tonto Trail.
- Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail junction to Plateau Point.
- South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Tip-Off Point
- Tonto Trail from Tip-Off Point to Havasupai Gardens.
CLOSED — Due to hazardous conditions and repair work:
- South Kaibab Trail below Tip-Off Point.
- Bright Angel Trail below the intersection with the Tonto Trail
- Exception: persons making river trip exchanges at Pipe Creek Beach.
- The River Trail east of the River Resthouse to the South Kaibab Trail junction.
- Black Bridge and Silver Bridge 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. From the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, including Cottonwood Campgroud. This closure is a result of significant flash flooding to the Bright Angel Canyon on 8/29.
- Updated September 3, 2026.
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.
IMPORTANT: To conserve the South Rim’s limited potable water supply, water has been turned off at 1.5-Mile Resthouse, 3-Mile Resthouse and Havasupai Gardens Day Use Area and Campground. (Updated Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026)
- Day hikers on Bright Angel Trail should carry all the water they will need and should not rely on water being available along the trail.
- Overnight visitors at Havasupai Gardens Campground should carry sufficient water for their stay or be prepared to collect and properly treat water from natural sources. All hikers should carry a reliable water treatment method.
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