The Abyss - Hermits Rest (Red) Route

The Abyss features the longest vertical drop from the rim found anywhere along the South Rim.

NPS

Quick Facts

Amenities

3 listed

Bicycle - Rack, Bus/Shuttle Stop, Scenic View/Photo Spot

NOT IN SERVICE DURING WINTER

Hermit Road is open to private vehicles (under 22 feet) during the months of December, January and Februay, when there is no bus service.

• Between March 1, and November 30, Hermit Road can only be accessed by the free Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle bus, on foot, bicycle, or by commercial tour.

At The Abyss, impressive canyon views are rivaled by the sheer vertical drop below, the longest such drop found anywhere along the South Rim, 3,000 feet (914 m).

This stop offers a unique place to discover how gravity can profoundly affect the shape of the canyon walls. At The Abyss, no fault line is present, meaning very little water runs into the canyon because it mostly drains to the south away from the rim.

This is unlike many of the other side canyons, which are usually caused by faults cutting through the rock walls and funneling water toward the Colorado River below. Instead, most of the erosion near The Abyss occurs because of gravity's constant pull on the rock face. While at The Abyss, notice the debris of white rocks littered over the red slopes below, showing the evidence of past rock falls.

Hermits Rest (Red) Route 

Tentative Spring 2025 Schedule
80 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

• First bus is a 8:00 am. Last bus: one hour after sunset.
• Every 15 minutes: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
• Every 10 minutes: 11:00 am to sunset 
• Be at a bus stop 30 minutes after sunset

Route Information

If you simply ride this shuttle bus without getting off at any stop, the entire loop will take approximately 80 minutes to return to where you started.

ONE WAY STOP outbound only
From The Abyss shuttle stop, buses head outbound (west) towards Hermits Rest and then turn around and return to the Village, stopping at the following locations:

• Monument Creek Vista
• Pima Point (Outbound)
• Hermits Rest
• Pima Point (Inbound)
• Mohave Point (Inbound)
• Powell Point (Inbound)
• Village Route Transfer

Shuttle Bus Rules

 

• No eating or open drink containers.

• No pets allowed on shuttle buses. Service dogs are permitted (as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act).

• Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers in wheelchairs. Please note that wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 cm x 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses, and most motorized scooters will not fit.

• Collapse strollers before entering the shuttle bus. No oversized or jogging strollers. Remove baby-back carriers when seated.

• Shuttle buses can accommodate two or three bicycles, but not tag alongs, baby trailers, or children's bicycles with wheels less than 16 inches (41 cm). Riders must load and unload their bicycles from the front-facing rack.

• Shuttle buses only stop at designated bus stops.