Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Backpack
Fully Guided Trip
Grand Canyon Classic
Physically Demanding
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We go out of our way to open the wonders of the West to EVERYONE.
We are permitted, licensed, and insured.
Dreamland Safari Tours holds Special Use Permits from the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument/Paria Wilderness, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kanab Bureau of Land Management, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona Strip Bureau of Land Management, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Don't see your preferred departure date or time available via online booking? Give us a call.
For sunset or sunrise at our more remote locations, we recommend a scheduled or custom overnight or multi-day tour - and we are happy to work with you to develop an itinerary that meets your needs.
All listed tour durations and pickup times are approximate. Please allow 10-20 minutes of pickup time flexibility for unforeseen circumstances and varying pickup logistics. Water and snacks are provided on all tours. A lunch option is available on all tours of 6+ hours at an additional charge. Vegetarian option available.
We reserve the right to fill all empty seats on non-private tours. Cancellation / Reschedule / Weather policy applies.
Please familiarize yourself with our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS before contacting us.
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The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is a classic backpacking adventure, and a feather in the cap of any avid desert hiker.
Price
Starting at $2,195
Tour prices are subject to sales tax & public land use fees.
Tour prices are subject to sales tax & public land use fees.
Private Tour Upgrade Available?
Contact us for Custom Options
Tour Length
5 days total: 3 days / 2 nights on the trail + 2 nights in Kanab pre- and post-hike. Condensed itineraries are available - ask us about our private trips.
Departure Times
5pm
Difficulty (1-10)
8
Recommended abilities
For avid hikers only. Must be in excellent cardio shape and able to carry 35lbs+ for three trail days with 8-12 miles and up to 5,000ft of vertical ascent per day.
Permits
A permit is required for this tour.
Location
Kanab, UT
Attractions
North Rim Grand Canyon, Rock Art, Slot Canyon
Special Interests
Geology, Rock Art, Photography
What is included on your backpacking trips?
Backpacking trips include overnight permits, lightweight tents, team cooking equipment, main meals, trailhead transport from the closest town, water purification, team first aid and emergency communication, and of course experienced backpacking guides. Almost all of our backpacking trips also include a hotel night (double occupancy) before and after the hike, as well as a team dinner pre- and post-hike.
What gear do I need to bring?
Dreamland Safari Tours provides tents, team cooking gear, water purification, team first aid & emergency communications. You need to bring (or rent) a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cup/bowl/spoon, and your hiking attire including a waterproof jacket and down jacket. Rentals for backpacks, sleeping bags & sleeping pads are available through Dreamland Safari Tours.
What type of food should I expect?
Dreamland Safari Tours provides breakfasts, dinners, and light lunches while we are on the trail (as well as water, coffee and tea). You can expect both fresh meals and the occasional backpacker's freeze-dried meal. We can accommodate many dietary restrictions with prior notice.
What is the bathroom situation?
Except for the Grand Canyon itineraries, there are no outhouses to be found on our backpacking itineraries. On most backpacking trips, expect to bury solid human waste by digging cat holes. For some itineraries such as the Paria and Buckskin Gulch, the use of wag bags is mandatory.
How much weight will I have to carry?
Standard pack weights for most of our itineraries vary between 35 to 40 lbs, which includes a ~5 lbs team gear allocation in addition to your personal gear. Your gear choices, trip duration, and water availability on your itinerary are the main determinants of final pack weight.
Is it possible to hire porters?
Most of our itineraries are subject to strict group size limits, which makes it difficult to impossible to offer porter services. That said: if you are booking a private backpacking adventure and would like to explore the possibility of adding on porter services, please give us a call or send us an email to discuss.
How do I get to Kanab or Escalante or... ?
Most of our backpacking programs start and finish in small desert towns which can be admittedly hard to reach. Public transport options are very limited, which makes travel by (rental) car advisable. If you are flying in and would like to avoid renting a car, please give us a call - we may be able to assist with car pools with other backpackers or airport pick ups.
Is there a place to leave my vehicle?
There is a safe spot to park your vehicle for the duration of the backpack on each of our itineraries.
Is tipping the guide customary?
Yes! A typical gratuity is $20-$40 per person per day -- so for a 5-day trip, the suggested tip would be between $100 and $200 total. You can read more about guide tipping from the perspective of one of our guides on our blog here.
About Backpacking in the Grand Canyon
Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park is an adventure of a special kind. Out of the nearly five million visitors that the Grand Canyon receives each year, fewer than 1% venture below the rim. For the adventurous few who hike and backpack below the rim, the most sought-after destination is the so-called “corridor” that spans the Grand Canyon north-south at one of its widest points, connecting Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim to the North Rim Lodge on the far side of the canyon. The corridor is where you’ll find the Bright Angel, South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails, home to the classic Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim and Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim itineraries.
There are a lot of considerations that go into preparing for a Grand Canyon backpacking adventure. Given the steep initial descent and final ascent that come with any below-the-rim adventure, physical fitness is paramount. Advance permits are required for any overnight stays below the rim; campgrounds regularly book up months in advance.
Due to the ~5,000 ft vertical difference in altitude between the rim and the Colorado River, prospective hikers also have to be prepared for extreme temperature swings and wildly varying conditions. It is not unusual for temperatures at the bottom of the Grand Canyon to be 20 degrees hotter than at the rim. If the forecast calls for a pleasant 78 degrees Fahrenheit at the South Rim, it may be a scorching 100 degrees at Phantom Ranch. [Read more about the particular nuances of Grand Canyon heat here.]
Yet for all those who are not deterred by the steep terrain, highly variable weather, and extreme remoteness of the Grand Canyon below the rim, any backpacking trip into the canyon is bound to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Getting There: Grand Canyon Permits
One of the most important considerations in lining up your Grand Canyon backpacking adventure is securing a permit. Overnight permits for the Grand Canyon are highly competitive, and becoming harder to obtain each year. That’s why, when you sign up for a Rim-to-Rim trip with us without having your own permit, we handle the process for you. We have developed a simple and transparent Pre-Permit Reservation Process (read all there is to know about Grand Canyon permits here).
Here’s what you need to know about our Grand Canyon pre-permit reservations, in a nutshell:
- Book now for for trips 4+ months into the future
- Pay a small deposit to confirm your pre-permit reservation
- We’ll apply for permits on your behalf and communicate the outcome of the permit application three months prior to your intended trip window – IMPORTANT: Do not make travel plans until we have confirmed your permit!
And there’s more to it than that – read all the details here.
About Dreamland’s Rim-to-Rim (R2R) Grand Canyon Adventure
Watch Dreamland Safari Tours co-owner Sunny Stroeer’s deep dive webinar about backpacking the Rim-to-Rim, produced by 57hours.
For anyone who has dreamed of becoming one of the few hikers to traverse the full North-South expanse of the Grand Canyon on their own two feet, Dreamland’s guided Rim-to-Rim backpacking adventure offers a perfect mix of pre-planned logistics and spontaneous daily exploration.
As the old saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” While the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim measures about 24 miles overall, the philosophical “distance” traveled and experience gained can be truly profound. From enjoying chance encounters on the trail to discovering the secrets of the enigmatic inner canyon, from the mighty Colorado River to historic Phantom Ranch: anyone who completes this cross-canyon trail will earn amazing memories to share… and of course, bragging rights for life.
The rim-to-rim hike is a strenuous undertaking, so this adventure is intended only for experienced hikers who are physically fit and able to carry a minimum of 35 lbs over a three-day span while negotiating significant loss and gain in elevation throughout the hike. Each hiker will be responsible for carrying in their share of gear, food, and water, and most importantly, for making sure they are fit for the hike by training thoroughly ahead of time.
About Dreamland’s Guided Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Backpack
At Dreamland Safari Tours we are proud to utilize our decades of experience in desert adventures, backcountry risk management and expedition planning to whisk you away to these magical Grand Canyon locales. You bring your personal backpacking gear & camera; we take care of the team gear logistics. Rental options for select gear such as backpacks and sleeping bags are available.
Our 5-day* guided Rim-to-Rim Backpacking Adventure includes:
(*Condensed itineraries are available – ask us about our private trips)
- 3 days on the corridor trails plus two nights in Kanab (one before the backpack, and one afterwards)
- Main meals & lodging in Kanab pre- and post-trail, double occupancy; contact us to inquire about the possibility of a single supplement
- Trailhead transport from and to Kanab
- Experienced backpacking guides at a 1:4 guide-to-guest ratio
- Lightweight backpacking tents (unless you prefer to bring your own)
- Team cooking equipment
- Breakfasts and dinners while on the trail
- Water purification and/or water resupply
- Team first-aid kit and Wilderness First Responder certified guides
- Satellite messenger communication in case of emergency
- Human waste bags where required
- Pre-trip gear & training advice as desired
- Overnight permits for Grand Canyon National Park
You will receive a detailed trip handbook & gear list once you reserve your spot on this adventure. Meanwhile, the below rough gear list provides guidance on what backpacking equipment to bring or rent:
- Backpack (55 – 65 liters)
- Sleeping bag, rated to 20 degrees or warmer
- Sleeping pad/s
- 3 liters of water capacity
- Personal bowl, cup and spoon
- Hiking boots
- Down jacket
- Rain jacket
- Hiking attire
- Personal snacks
Gear provided by Dreamland Safari Tours:
- Tents
- Trekking poles
- Team cooking gear & meals
- Water purification
- Team first aid kit
- GPS communication
Permits & Group Size
Please note that there is a three person minimum for this itinerary. The maximum group size is 9 guests + 2 guides.
Overnight permits for Grand Canyon backpacking adventures become available three months prior to departure and are competitive in nature. We take care of all permitting requirements on your behalf and will reconfirm the details of your departure as soon as we have permits in hand.
Read more about Dreamland Safari Tours’ Grand Canyon permit process here.
Private Departures
Interested in a private Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim backpacking trip just for your group? Call us at 801-708-0973 or email us at hello@dreamlandtours.net.
Fully Guided Tour
Photography Paradise!
Interesting Geology!
Other Paria / Vermillion Cliffs Tours
Itinerary
Day 1
5pm – Hotel check-in followed by trip briefing and gear check
~7pm – Team welcome dinner
Dinner & double occupancy lodging are included in the price of this adventure
Day 2
~9am – Guests meet at the Dreamland Safari Tours Office 406 East 300 South, Kanab, Utah 84741. Guests may leave cars or extra bags here.
Trailhead transfer to the North Rim. Trailhead lunch, followed by descent into the canyon. Establish camp for the night.
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Day 3
Inner canyon explorations: The Box, Bright Angel Creek, Phantom Ranch. Campsite selection and precise itinerary depend on permit allocations.
Day 4
Ascent to the South Rim (up to 4,400 ft of vertical gain)
Trailhead pickup and return transfer to Kanab, hotel check-in. Team celebration dinner.
Dinner & lodging are included in the price.
Day 5 – Depart
Guest Experiences with Dreamland Safari Tours
What to Expect on this Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Guided Trip
Traversing the Grand Canyon in the north-south direction along the so-called corridor trails (North Kaibab, Bright Angel and/or South Kaibab trails) is a challenging multi-day endeavor with almost 10,000ft of vertical change. As veteran Grand Canyon hikers like to say: “Down is optional; up is mandatory.” While the Rim-to-Rim (R2R) Backpack is a fully guided adventure and Dreamland Safari Tours will take care of group logistics, you have to be prepared to carry your own overnight gear as well as up to three liters of water, snacks, and your share of the food required for the entire time on the trail. Depending on your gear choices and packing discipline, your backpack will likely weigh upwards of 35 pounds. Each day we will cover 8-10 miles of remote and at times steep terrain. Several sections along the descent/ascent from and to the rims include exposed spots which may be challenging for individuals with an extreme fear of heights.
If you are concerned about the level of steepness or exposure on this adventure, you may enjoy our Paria Canyon or Boulder Mail Trail backpacking trips instead. Should you be questioning your physical ability to complete and enjoy this backpacking adventure, please give us a call at 435-644-5506 to discuss the feasibility of your participation.
What Gear Should I Bring for the Rim-to-Rim Backpack?
All participants will receive a comprehensive gear check list as well as recommendations for gear to buy or rent for this trip. We provide tents, cooking gear & meals but ask that participants bring their own overnight gear (i.e. backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag etc.). Dreamland Safari Tours has rentals available for select gear items such as backpacks, sleeping bags, and trekking poles, which may be reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis.
About Dreamland’s Pre-Permit Reservation Process
Overnight permits for the Grand Canyon are highly competitive, and becoming harder to secure each year. To help you navigate this challenge, Dreamland has developed a simple and transparent Pre-Permit Reservation Process.
How It Works
When you sign up for a Rim-to-Rim Pre-Permit Trip, here’s what you can expect:
- Low-key Commitment: A small, nonrefundable $50 deposit per person secures your spot without a major financial commitment.
- Multiple Chances: We can apply for a permit for up to three different months (optional). If we don’t win your first-choice month, we’ll try again for your next available options.
- Seamless Transition: If we secure a permit for your trip, your $50 deposit is applied toward the full trip deposit.
- Clear Trip Dates: Trip dates are based on permit availability, so we’ll only confirm specific trip dates when we secure a permit. When you make your reservation, you’ll sign up for the first day of the month in which you would like to take your trip.
The Permit Timeline
Four months before your requested trip month, we’ll submit your permit application on your behalf. The process typically takes about a month, so we’ll notify you three months before your potential trip with the outcome.
Because competition is fierce, we apply for any available dates within your chosen month.
If We Secure a Permit
If your permit is successful, we’ll notify you with your exact trip dates. Once you confirm your ability to participate, we’ll charge a second deposit of 50% of the total trip cost — your $50 initial deposit is applied toward this amount.
If We Can’t Secure a Permit
If we’re unable to obtain a permit that fits your availability, we’ll work with you to find the best next step:
- Reschedule & Retry: We can roll your $50 deposit to a future month and try again — your deposit covers up to three permit attempts or two reschedulings.
- Choose a New Adventure: Switch to a non-permit backpacking trip such as Coyote Gulch, an equally stunning and unforgettable destination.
- Cancel & Rebook Later: You can cancel your reservation and book a future Grand Canyon trip when you’re ready.
Why Reserve Before a Permit Is Secured?
Every Grand Canyon permit is tied to a specific group. When Dreamland secures one, all spots are already reserved — meaning the only way to join is to sign up in advance.
Securing a Grand Canyon overnight permit can feel as challenging as the hike itself, but that’s where we come in. Dreamland handles the logistics — you just keep your fingers crossed and start preparing for the adventure of a lifetime.
