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From Mather to South Kaibab: Why Grand Canyon National Park Should Be Your Next (or first) Solo Trip
- Halle Homel
- Apr 4, 2019
- 6 min read
As a frequent roadtripper and solo hiker, Arizona had been on my list for a while. Most people around me have already been to the Grand Canyon State multiple times since it’s the one that borders Southern California, and it’s host to a myriad of immense and unique landscapes. Planning my trip to the Grand Canyon was supposed to be a group adventure between friends I met exactly a year prior while in Yosemite National Park, but because life happens, it ended up being my first real solo trip, and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
When you’re a solo female traveler, you tend to get a lot of push back about safety, but the Grand Canyon actually felt like one of the safest places I’ve traveled to in a long time. From camping to hiking, the Grand Canyon has something for every type of solo traveler, and enough infrastructure to make it feel safe, even as a first solo destination.
Camping in Mather Campground:
Mather Campground was one of the best campgrounds I’ve stayed in. It was quiet, clean, and had a herd of elk that would pass by every afternoon to snack on the trees. The people in the campground were incredibly kind and respectful and the ranger who checked me in was able to give me all the information I needed about the campground itself, where to find potable water in the shoulder season, the elk, and the shuttle system. I never once felt unsafe in Mather, and it made for a perfect first solo camping experience.
Disclaimer: Mather does require reservations and fills up FAST. I made my reservation a few months out. During the summer, there is a second, first come first served campground open called Desert View Campground, but it is quite far from Grand Canyon Village.
The Shuttle System and Grand Canyon Village
One of the things that made Grand Canyon National Park feel so accessible and easy for a first time solo traveler was the Park’s shuttle system. I went during the busiest week of the year (so if you don’t like crowds, avoid spring break season!), so parking near the rim was simply not an option. Luckily, I was able to leave my car at my campsite, and take the Park shuttle everywhere I needed to go. The Park has a few different shuttles that go to different places in the park, and you get a guide to how they work when you enter the park. The blue shuttle was able to take me from Mather Campground to the Visitor Center, which is central to Grand Canyon Village, and is a must-stop for anyone traveling in a National Park, especially if you’re traveling solo. It’s best to get all the information you can, as soon as you can, so you don’t make any mistakes and end up on a trail that’s too hard for your skill level, or the wrong shuttle bus.
The Visitor Center is also about a two-minute walk from Mather Point (not to be confused with the campground), which is one of the most famous overlooks, and most people’s first views of the canyon. Here, I was able to take in my first moments face to face with the Grand Canyon, and honestly, getting to experience that alone was the perfect way to see it. There were a lot of people on the rim, and a lot of distractions, and I was thankful for the opportunity to be able to tune that out and be in my own bubble, because when you travel solo, any distractions you have are on you. It’s important to be able to take in moments like these, and being alone allows them to stick with you so much better.
Pro Tip:Put the camera away. When you first catch those views of the canyon, it’s tempting to want to put a screen in front of your face right away and capture it. But try waiting a few minutes. Take it in first, let yourself really experience it, and then take your picture.
Hiking into the Grand Canyon
There are three main hikes in the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (the North Rim is only open during the warmer months), two of which can take you down into the canyon. The Rim Trail is a 13 mile, mostly paved trail that takes you from one end of the rim to the other, but doesn’t go into the canyon, and is perfect for novice hikers, travelers with dogs (since our furry friends can’t go on the other two trails), or travelers with children. The other two trails are Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab trail.
The ranger I spoke to at the Visitor Center ensured me I would have time to do both trails that go into the canyon, and that I should start with Bright Angel, since it’s easier. The blue shuttle was able to take me to the Bright Angel trailhead and I hiked down only about a mile before coming back up, simply because it was so late in the day, and the hike up takes much longer than the hike down. There are different viewpoints on Bright Angel though, marking it at the 1.5 and 3 mile points, for hikers wanting to go further than I did.
I personally enjoyed the South Kaibab Trail better, and not simply because I hiked much more of it than Bright Angel. If you’re a traveler who likes to avoid crowds, South Kaibab is the trail for you. The yellow shuttle is the only way to access the South Kaibab Trail, which keeps a lot of people away who aren’t staying overnight inside the Park. While there were plenty of hikers for the first mile or so, once you pass the first viewpoint (called Ooh-Ahh Point), most of the people won’t be continuing down with you. The crowds dwindle even more after Cedar Ridge, the second viewpoint, where there are restrooms available. The third viewpoint, named Skeleton Point is really only recommended for advanced day hikers and backpackers who will be passing through it on their way to Phantom Ranch, the backpacker dormitories, but if you’re strong enough to hike back up over three miles, and carry enough water with you, hiking down to Skeleton Point will be one of the highlights of your trip. It provides beautiful, 360˚ views of the canyon, and the first views of the Colorado River most visitors get to see.
It’s also important to note that while there are mule rides available to take you into the canyon, these hikes are difficult for people carrying just a backpack’s worth of stuff. I saw a group of mules carrying people out of the canyon and they looked incredibly uncomfortable and hot, so, even though that might sound like the easiest way for you to see the canyon, it’s important to remember that the animals struggle too. Please do not support the Grand Canyon mule rides, and experience the trail for yourself instead.
Disclaimer: While both Bright Angel and South Kaibab do go down to the bottom of the canyon, it is hardly possible for even the most advanced day hiker to hike all of that in one day, especially with warmer weather coming. If you’re interested in hiking down the bottom, look into getting an overnight permit to stay at Phantom Ranch, and make sure you’re being safe about hiking into the canyon by carrying enough water and food.
Learn more about staying at Phantom Ranch here: https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/phantom-ranch-lottery-faqs/
To Prepare For Your First Solo Journey:
The advice I would give to someone, especially women, about traveling solo alone for the first time, is to be prepared. Do your research beforehand, and know as many details about your trip as you can find out. If you’re roadtripping, figure out if you’ll be able to handle that many hours alone on the road. If you’re camping, make sure you know how to pitch a tent and start a fire without help. And if you’re visiting a National Park, like the Grand Canyon, ask the ranger who welcomes you to the park where the visitor center is, so you can find out any information about hiking, safety, and the park itself. Mostly, know your limits, know what type of experience you’re trying to have, and know that you’re capable of having the best time, as long as you’re prepared.
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