No restrooms at Lipan Point. Snow patches around the first half mile. Pretty well maintained. 7.5 miles to the river. Cool tiny coves to relax and refuel. Not much shade. Lots of tiny bugs
Trip Snapshot
Best Time to Visit
March–May & September–November, sunrise or late afternoon for cooler temps and light
Open
Open now · Open 24 hours
Price Range
$ (free)
Parking
Free parking at Lipan Point overlook (first‑come, first‑served)
It’s tough!Not for novicesPack lightBring tons of waterNo type of phone services for emergenciesA more desolate trailRiver campsite at the bottomFirst few miles down are a switchbacks, so the trail will be hard coming back. Definitely a beautiful trail but there are more scenic routes. If you want a tougher route, that’s about 12 hours long inward then this is your climb.
Great hike. But bring water. However mucu you are thinking of bringing-bring more. Ran out of water twice here. And I'm a planner and good at hiking. Beware of this hike. Plan for more water.
Nice trail, it's not for everyone, very hard at times but beautiful landscape everywhere. Bring a lot of water. There is no water point until the river if you have a filter bottle 😊
Bring water. If you're planning to hike the Tanner Trail, it's a long way down to the river with no water. I stash some water on the way down, filter some down at the river, and still about run dry when hiking in summer. Plan to use about 50% more water than you would hiking out the South Kaibab Trail. If you haven't done the South Kaibab, I wouldn't recommend the Tanner.The Tanner Trail is beautiful, and gives you access to some rock layers you won't see closer to Grand Canyon Village. The bottom part of the trail goes through the Dox Sandstone, a very crumbly rock with poor footing. Other sandstones used their hundreds of millions of years underground more productively, and offer better footing.Speaking of which, the Beamer Trail is awful. It's difficult to follow and always at the edge of the Bright Angel Shale/Tapeats Sandstone interface (except some stretches down along the river). This is the closest I've ever come to death on a hike.
Why Visit Tanner Trailhead
Tanner Trailhead launches one of the South Rim’s most challenging backcountry routes. From Lipan Point you drop 4,750 ft over 9 rugged miles to the Colorado River at Tanner Rapids, passing ancient Puebloan sites and panoramic eastern‑canyon vistas. The trail is unmaintained, waterless, and recommended only for experienced hikers.
Highlights
Panoramic sunrise and sunset views from Lipan Point before you start your descent
Historic route improved by 19th‑century prospector Seth Tanner, still lined with Ancestral Puebloan ruins
Direct access to remote Beamer and Escalante routes along the Colorado River
Description
Starting beside Lipan Point overlook on Desert View Drive, Tanner Trailhead offers a gateway to the wild eastern Grand Canyon. The primitive path follows an ancestral foot route later widened by miner Seth Tanner in the 1880s. Today it remains a backcountry challenge: no water, no shade, and loose scree that demands sure footing. Hikers descend the Coconino and Redwall cliffs, traverse the Supai benches, and reach Tanner Canyon and its sandy beach on the Colorado River. Because the trail receives minimal maintenance, expect route‑finding, exposure, and extreme temperature swings. A backcountry permit is mandatory for overnight trips; day hikers should turn around well before the river.
History
Pre‑contact era
Ancestral Puebloans establish footpaths to seasonal camps in Tanner Canyon.
1540
Members of the Coronado expedition likely view the canyon near Lipan Point.
1880s
Mormon prospector Seth Tanner improves the ancient route to haul copper ore.
1905
Grand Canyon becomes a national monument; Tanner Trail sees early tourist use.
1919
Grand Canyon National Park is established; trail designated a primitive route.
1960s
NPS removes remaining mining structures and formalizes backcountry permit system.
1990s
Beamer and Escalante routes connect to Tanner, expanding backpacking options.
2024
NPS issues updated safety advisory highlighting rockfall and summer heat hazards.
Features
Dirt trail with rock cairns
Trailhead information sign
Free overlook parking (Lipan Point)
Seasonal pit toilets at Lipan Point
No potable water; carry all you need
Backcountry permit kiosk (self‑issue day‑use forms not available)
Emergency call box at Desert View Watchtower (6 mi east)
Getting There
Car: From Grand Canyon Village, drive 22 mi/35 km east on Desert View Drive to Lipan Point. Park, then walk 200 yd/180 m east along the road to the signed trailhead. Shuttle: No park shuttle service to Lipan Point. Taxi/Ride‑share: Limited; arrange pick‑up in advance with companies based in Tusayan.
Insider Tips
Local advice to help you make the most of your visit.
01Good to know
Carry at least 1 gal/4 L of water per person for a day hike; no reliable water until the river.
02Be prepared
Trekking poles and sturdy footwear help on long scree slopes below the Coconino cliff.
03Local tip
Turn around when half your water, daylight, or energy is gone; the climb out is relentless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to day‑hike the Tanner Trail?
No permit is required for day use, but overnight camping anywhere below the rim does require a backcountry permit.
Is water available along the trail?
The only reliable source is the Colorado River at Tanner Rapids. Treat all water and carry plenty for the climb out.
Can beginners hike part of the trail?
The upper mile offers great views, but even short outings involve steep, loose terrain. Novices should consider easier rim trails instead.
