Hermit Trail Grand Canyon: Guide to the Quiet Alternative to the Corridor

On a busy spring Saturday, Bright Angel Trail logs thousands of hikers. The South Kaibab sees hundreds of shuttle loads through the day. Hermit Trail, 8 miles west down the rim, might see 50 people. Maybe fewer.

That gap matters. It means Hermit Trail moves at a different pace. You can stop mid-descent, sit on a rock, and hear nothing but wind in the canyon. The geology is identical. The scale is the same. The crowd isn’t.

Hermit Trail is a maintained NPS trail, not a backcountry scramble. But it’s quieter, less signed, and expects more of you. Bring a map.

Trail Overview

Hermit Trail was built by the Santa Fe Railway between 1911 and 1914 as an alternative to the toll-based Bright Angel Trail. The railroad wanted a free route to the canyon floor. The result is a trail engineered with the same care as a major infrastructure project, with rock steps, retaining walls, and drainage features that have lasted over a century.

The NPS took over management in the 1930s and built a small camp at Hermit Creek near the river. The trail stretches 9.7 miles one-way to the Colorado River, dropping 4,300 feet through every major geological layer in the canyon.

For day hikers, the main targets are Santa Maria Spring and Dripping Spring. Santa Maria Spring sits 2.5 miles from the rim with about 2,000 feet of elevation loss. It’s shaded by a canyon alcove and flows year-round. Dripping Spring branches off Hermit Trail at roughly 1.5 miles, heading west to a seeping overhang that drips even in dry years. The round trip to either spring falls around 5-6 miles, which is a solid half-day hike.

For backpackers, Hermit Creek Camp at 7.8 miles is the main destination. A permit through recreation.gov is required. The camp sits near the creek with running water and connects to the Tonto Trail, which links to other canyon routes.

The trail is in fair condition. The upper rock steps can be loose in places, and some sections have eroded more than the corridor trails see. Signage is minimal below the first couple of miles. If you’re unfamiliar with the canyon, download the NPS offline map before you go or pick up the Trails Illustrated topo at the visitor center.

The biggest draw aside from solitude: the views from the upper section are as good as anything on the corridor trails, and you’re sharing them with far fewer people.

Getting There

Hermit Trail starts at Hermits Rest, the historic Mary Colter-designed rest stop at the western end of Hermits Rest Road. The building is worth a look before you descend.

From March through November, Hermits Rest Road is closed to private vehicles. You must take the free Hermits Rest Route shuttle, called the Red Route. Catch it at the Village Route transfer point near Bright Angel Lodge. The shuttle stops at eight overlooks along the way, with Hermits Rest as the final stop. Rides are free and run every 30-45 minutes depending on season. The shuttle starts running before sunrise and continues through the evening.

From December through February, private vehicles can drive Hermits Rest Road. Parking is available at Hermits Rest.

There’s no water at the trailhead. The nearest water is the visitor center area in the village. Fill up before boarding the shuttle or before driving out.

Entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, valid 7 days. America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers it.

For GPS navigation: Hermits Rest, Hermit Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023.

Day hiking requires no permit. Overnight camping requires a backcountry permit from recreation.gov. Permit demand is highest for fall dates (September through November). Apply 4 months in advance for the best availability.

Trail Description

Rim to Waldron Trail Junction (1.3 miles, 1,160 ft descent)

The first section drops steeply from the rim through a series of rock steps that show the original railroad construction. The stone work here is excellent, wide and well-fitted even after a century of use. This section sees more foot traffic than anything below it and is in the best shape.

At 1.3 miles, the Waldron Trail branches off to the south. Stay left (northwest) on Hermit Trail. Waldron is an unmaintained social trail and not a recommended route.

The canyon walls close in on both sides as you drop through the Kaibab and Toroweap formations. The geology here matches what you’d see on Bright Angel, but you’re reading it without the company.

Waldron Junction to Dripping Spring Junction (0.2 miles, minimal descent)

The Dripping Spring Trail branches off Hermit Trail about 1.5 miles from the rim. If Dripping Spring is your target, turn right here and head west. The trail traverses a narrow ledge system with exposure on the left side for about a mile before reaching the spring overhang.

Dripping Spring is a fan of water seeping from an alcove in the Hermit Shale. In dry years, the drip is thin but reliable. Water here requires treatment before drinking. The round trip from the rim to Dripping Spring is about 6 miles.

If you’re heading to Santa Maria Spring or beyond, stay on Hermit Trail at the junction.

Dripping Spring Junction to Santa Maria Spring (1 mile, 840 ft descent)

This section descends through the Supai Group, a sequence of red sandstones and mudstones that give the canyon its characteristic warm color in the middle layers. The trail here is narrower and less maintained than the upper section. Footing is solid but requires attention.

Santa Maria Spring is 2.5 miles from the rim, tucked under a limestone overhang that provides shade through most of the day. The spring flows year-round from a seep in the Redwall limestone. There’s a small stone bench nearby, almost certainly original railroad-era construction.

Treat all water from Santa Maria Spring before drinking. Use a filter or iodine tablets. Giardia contamination is possible from wildlife use upstream, and the canyon offers no way to know current conditions.

This is the recommended turnaround for day hikers. The round trip is 5 miles with about 2,000 feet of elevation change. The climb back takes longer than the descent. Budget 4-6 hours from the trailhead.

Santa Maria Spring to Hermit Creek (5.3 miles, 2,300 ft descent)

Below Santa Maria Spring, the trail enters the Redwall limestone and descends through dramatic cliff bands and switchbacks. This section has some of the best canyon views on the trail, wide and layered, without the open ridgeline exposure of the South Kaibab.

At about 5 miles, the trail crosses the Tonto Platform. From here you can see the Colorado River below. The trail continues to Hermit Creek at 7.8 miles, where Hermit Creek Camp sits in a grove of tamarisk and willow. Creek water is available here and must be treated.

This section is for backpackers and very experienced day hikers with a pre-dawn start.

Hermit Creek to Colorado River at Hermit Rapids (1.9 miles, 760 ft descent)

The final descent drops to the river at Hermit Rapids, one of the more significant rapids on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The river is not crossable here. This is a destination point, not a through-route for most hikers.

What to Bring

Santa Maria Spring day hike (5 miles RT): carry 2-3 liters from the trailhead. Refill and treat at the spring before heading back up.

Dripping Spring day hike (6 miles RT): carry 2-3 liters from the trailhead. The spring water drips slowly, so plan to spend 10-15 minutes filling a container if you need a refill.

The climb back from either spring takes longer than the descent. Budget your water accordingly.

Map: this is the one piece of gear that separates Hermit Trail from the corridor trails. Download the NPS Grand Canyon topo map offline before you leave, or pick up the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map (Map #207) at the visitor center. The trail is not lost-proof below the first mile.

Other gear:

• Hydration pack or water bottles (2-3 liters minimum)
• Water filter or iodine tablets (no exceptions on this trail)
• Sun hat with full brim
• Sun hoodie or lightweight long sleeves
• Sunscreen, SPF 50+
• Salty snacks
• Headlamp
• Trail shoes or boots with real ankle support

Check our picks for best desert hiking boots and hydration systems for desert hiking.

Safety Notes

Inner canyon temperatures exceed 110°F in summer. Do not hike below the rim on Hermit Trail from June through August unless you’re experienced and starting before 5am. Spring and fall are the right seasons. October is particularly good here.

The upper sections of Hermit Trail include some rock steps with exposure. Loose rock is present in places. Watch your footing on the descent. Coming down is faster than coming up, and loose sections catch hikers who are moving too quickly.

Flash flood risk exists on the trail near Hermit Creek and along the drainage in the lower sections. During monsoon season (July through September), watch weather to the north and east, not just above the trailhead. Water can travel fast through canyon drainages. If you hear rumbling or the creek suddenly rises, move to higher ground immediately. Read our guide to desert monsoons and flash floods before hiking in summer.

The trail is less traveled, which means less chance of another hiker passing if you have a problem. Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Consider a personal locator beacon if you’re hiking solo.

Call 911 for any hiking emergency in the Grand Canyon. The NPS emergency dispatch is also reachable at 928-638-7805. Emergency phone coverage is limited on Hermit Trail. Cell signal is unreliable below the rim.

One direct recommendation: don’t skip the water filter. Both springs on this trail require treatment. Filtering takes 3 minutes. Giardia takes 6 weeks to resolve. Bring the filter.

Related Trails

Bright Angel Trail is the most accessible corridor option, with seasonal water at 3 points and excellent trail conditions throughout. Good comparison for hikers deciding whether Hermit Trail fits their experience level. See the full Bright Angel Trail guide.

South Kaibab Trail offers the widest panoramic views of any day hike on the South Rim, though it’s fully exposed and has no water on trail at all. If you want a challenge with big views, it’s worth the preparation. See our South Kaibab Trail guide.

Tonto Trail connects Hermit Creek Camp to Bright Angel and several other points along the south canyon. It’s a multi-day backpacking route covering more than 70 miles across the Tonto Platform. Hermit Trail is one of the main access points for the Tonto.

Grandview Trail leaves from Grandview Point, about 25 miles east of the village. It leads to Horseshoe Mesa, an unmaintained but historically rich route through former copper mining country. It’s a harder scramble than Hermit Trail and better for experienced canyon hikers.