Grand Canyon Hermit: 5-Day Guided Backpacking Tour｜United States

Meet your guide at the Grand Canyon Backcountry Information Center for a trip orientation, gear check, permit review, and safety briefing before shuttling to Hermits Rest Trailhead. Begin your adventure with a descent down the historic Hermit Trail, one of the canyon’s quieter and more scenic backcountry routes.

Pass dramatic red rock formations, ancient Coconino Sandstone, and expansive views of the inner canyon. Depending on permit availability and group pace, spend the first night either at Monument Creek Camp or Hermit Creek Camp. Both camps offer beautiful creekside settings, flowing water, and incredible canyon scenery.

After breakfast and fresh coffee in camp, continue deeper into the canyon toward the Colorado River. Depending on permits and route selection, spend the second night near either Hermit Rapids or Granite Rapids. The route features dramatic canyon walls, remote desert landscapes, colorful rock formations, and unforgettable views of the Colorado River.

Enjoy a true backcountry experience beside the river while learning about the geology, ecology, and human history of the Grand Canyon. Begin the journey away from the river and back toward the upper canyon. The climb provides expansive views of the Tonto Platform, changing desert ecosystems, and opportunities to experience quieter sections of the canyon rarely visited by most travelers.

Spend the third night either at Monument Creek Camp or Hermit Creek Camp, allowing you one final evening beside flowing water beneath towering canyon walls. After breakfast, begin the ascent toward the South Rim. The historic Hermit Trail climbs through dramatic layers of red rock and towering canyon walls before reaching Hermits Rest on the rim.

Along the way, enjoy sweeping final views into the canyon and a rewarding finish to your backpacking adventure. Upon returning to the rim, celebrate the completion of the trek before transportation back to Flagstaff.