South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

Route Description for South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

If you want maximum views for minimum effort in the Grand Canyon, the hike on the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge is about as good as it gets. This route is an awesome option if you want one hike that’s doable for most skill levels, has great views, but isn’t long or strenuous. The views are remarkable and you don’t need to work too hard for them.

The South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge shows off the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, which is where most visitors to the canyon go. It’s the second most popular trail in the canyon after Bright Angel Trail, but thanks to its standard 10% gradient, it’s a bit easier to complete. While it’s enough to get your legs working a bit, it’s not narrow or exposed.

En route to Cedar Ridge, you’ll pass the aptly named Ooh Aah Point, another excellent viewpoint into the canyon. You’ll look down into Pipe Creek Canyon and further out to the east.

There may be mules on this trail packing out trash from Phantom Ranch. Should you come up to mules, listen to the handler’s directions on how to pass them. If you come up from behind, just announce yourself and listen for instructions on how to pass once it’s safe to do so.

The trailhead isn’t accessible by private vehicle, so you’ll need to take the orange shuttle or the hiker’s express shuttle. There’s a lot just east of Yaki Point Road that you can use to access the trailhead as well.

From the trailhead, you’ll hike out along the ridge past Yaki Point. Ooh Aah Point is a little more than halfway through the outbound trip, and it offers an incredible view to the east. Stop here for a photo before continuing to Cedar Ridge. The trail can be a little steep for beginners the closer you get to the ridge, but it’s quite manageable for most.

Once you make it to Cedar Ridge at the 2.3 km mark, take in the expansive view and snap some photos. Ahead of you is O’Neill Butte, with Skeleton Point beyond that. From here, it’s an easy trip back. You’ll just retrace your steps back to the trailhead and either walk back to where you parked or take the shuttle back.

Once you’re done, consider a stop at the Yavapai Museum of Geology on the South Rim to learn more about the fascinating geological history of the canyon.

Hiking Route Highlights

Grand Canyon

Revealing millions of years of geological history, the layered and massive Grand Canyon is a 3060 square mile canyon in Arizona. The canyon is 445.8 km long, up to 29.0 km wide and is over 1,829 m at its deepest point. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon is now one of the world’s top natural attractions, bringing about 5 million visitors to its rim every year. Indigenous people have inhabited the canyon for many years, some considering it to be a holy site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you park for the South Kaibab Trail?

The best way to access the trailhead is to park in the visitor parking at the South Rim and take the orange shuttle to the trailhead, which is not accessible by private vehicle.

How scary is the South Kaibab Trail?

While further sections of the trail might be intimidating to hikers who have a fear of heights, the section you’ll hike to Cedar Ridge isn’t usually considered nearly as bad.

How far is Ooh Aah Point?

It’s just under a mile to Ooh Aah Point.

Insider Hints for South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

• You’ll need a pass to visit the Grand Canyon. Passes can be purchased ahead of time online or at the park gates.
• It can take a long time to get through the park gates during normal visiting hours, so we recommend planning to arrive a bit early.
• The shuttles are free to use and run on a frequent, consistent schedule.