Stage 3 of the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim covers 15.8 km from Phantom Ranch to Bright Angel Trailhead, with 1,566 m of ascent and 258 m of descent. The highest point is 2,086 m. Allow about 8 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Historic rim-side lodge and cabins about 250 m from the Bright Angel Trailhead, the closest beds to the finish. Closed to overnight guests until 19 November 2026 because of Stage 4 water restrictions; its café and steak house stay open for day visitors.
The historic 1905 hotel on the rim, about 600 m east of the Bright Angel Trailhead. Closed to overnight guests until 19 November 2026 (Stage 4 water restrictions), and its dining room is closed.
Modern rim-side lodge between El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge, about 450 m from the trailhead; check-in is at El Tovar. Closed to overnight guests until 19 November 2026 (Stage 4 water restrictions).
Large 250-room lodge in the pines about 500 m south of the Bright Angel Trailhead, near the Backcountry Information Center. Closed to overnight guests until 19 November 2026 (Stage 4 water restrictions); the food court is closed.
Year-round park campground with 327 sites in Grand Canyon Village, about 2.5 km from the trailhead by shuttle, including hiker/biker walk-in sites ($6 a person). In autumn 2026 it is dry camping only: no water taps, showers or laundry, portable toilets only; reserve on Recreation.gov.
Modern rim-side lodge in the historic district, about 400 m from the Bright Angel Trailhead; check-in is at Bright Angel Lodge. Closed to overnight guests until 19 November 2026 (Stage 4 water restrictions).
Lodge near Market Plaza, about 2.5 km east of the Bright Angel Trailhead by the free Village shuttle. Closed until further notice in October 2026 because of Stage 4 water restrictions; the operator says Tusayan hotels outside the park remain open.
Backcountry campground halfway up this stage, 7.3 km below the South Rim (formerly Indian Garden), with food cans, toilets, a ranger station and an emergency phone; a popular third night that splits the climb. Permit required; in October 2026 its water is off to save water and the trail below it is closed.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in guides but could not be checked on an official page. Every night below the rim needs an NPS backcountry permit for a named campground, won in the Recreation.gov lottery months ahead. In autumn 2026 the North Kaibab Trail, Cottonwood, Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch are closed after the August flood: check the NPS Key Hiking Messages page before you go.
Emergency: call 911. No signal below the rim: use trail emergency phones or a satellite device. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.