South Rim of the Grand Canyon Family Trip
RIDING TYPE
Introductory
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
June
South Rim of the Grand Canyon Family Trip
An Approachable Adventure Above the Big Ditch
We start our trip on the Arizona Trail, which takes us through beautiful ponderosa forests on the plateau above the Grand Canyon. After two days of riding in the ponderosa forests, we’ll reach the edge of the “big ditch.” On day three, a dramatic hike into the canyon offers us a new perspective of this incredible landscape.
The riding on this trip is quite gentle with very little elevation change, making it a great opportunity for families of all ages to experience singletrack. We avoid the crowds along the rim of the canyon and camp instead in more remote areas which we’ll have all to ourselves. We finish the trip with a ride along the West Rim Drive, which is closed to vehicles, giving us a chance to visit many of the classic viewpoints by bike. The rolling singletrack of the Arizona Trail is a great, approachable experience for those just getting into mountain biking.
Why Families Love the South Rim Adventure
Rolling Singletrack: Perfect for beginners, the South Rim portion of the Arizona Trail offers fun, non-technical riding.
Junior Ranger Program: Our guides help kids engage with the park’s history and geology to earn their official badges.
Vehicle-Free Viewpoints: Enjoy the spectacular West Rim Drive without the stress of private car traffic.
Remote Camping: Experience the quiet of the Kaibab National Forest and the dark night skies of the canyon rim.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
We’ll begin our journey with a shuttle from Flagstaff to Tusayan into one of the largest continuous Ponderosa pine forests in the world, starting our ride over 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on terrain that rises gently toward the rim.
Today we’ll pedal up to 20 miles on rolling forest roads where wildlife is abundant—including wild turkeys, mule deer, elk, and coyote—before camping near the Grandview Fire Tower, where a climb to the top offers views above the treetops and deep into the canyon.
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll explore the hidden secrets of the ponderosa forest along the South Rim and hit some awesome singletrack on the Coconino Ridge section of the Arizona Trail, a route that covers 800 miles across the state.
We’ll return to our camp beneath the Grandview Fire Tower tonight and then drive a short shuttle over to Grandview Point after dinner to watch the sunset paint the walls of the canyon with vibrant colors and images you won’t soon forget.
Today we’ll ride a variety of trails and forest roads, beginning with a fun five-mile section of the Arizona Trail along the park boundary that leads into a network of trails with small ups, downs, and fun corners that make the riding very enjoyable.
After a quick stop in Tusayan, you can either ride or get in the van for the cruise to our home for the next two nights at Mather Campground inside the National Park, where the opportunities for activities are endless.
We’ll begin with an easy ride from camp along the bike path to the top of the Bright Angel Trail, where we’ll descend on foot through rock layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone as the massive scale of the canyon becomes more apparent.
After exploring the canyon interior and using the trail’s convenient resthouses, our guides will help the kids get their Junior Ranger Badges before we return to Mather Campground for s’mores and stories of what we’ve learned.
For our last day, we’ll connect with the scenic West Rim Drive for a beautiful 16-mile round trip paved ride to famous viewpoints like Powell Point, The Abyss, and Hermits Rest.
You may opt to visit the historic El Tovar Hotel or Kolb Studio, home of the canyon’s pioneering photographers, before we regroup at the van for lunch and return to Flagstaff where our journey ends.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Dirt roads, smooth singletrack and pavement.
Overall Rating
Introductory
Technical Difficulty
Easy
Physical Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Altitude
6,000 - 7,500 feet
Biking Mileage
10-26 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding up to 26 miles)
Hiking Mileage
10-26 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding up to 26 miles)
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Flagstaff, AZ, 8:00 AM MST. Ending time: return to Flagstaff 3:00-4:00 PM last day. Getting there: at junction of I-40 and I-17; fly into Flagstaff (FLG) or Phoenix (PHX, Arizona Shuttle available).
Lodging Before Your Trip
La Quinta
This hotel is about one mile from the bike shop where the trip meets.
Aspen Inn B&B
www.flagstaffbedbreakfast.com
Includes full breakfast.
Quality Inn
Econolodge
PACKING
What we provide
- Meals
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Camp mugs & dining ware
- 1 cycling water bottle
- Camp chairs
- Solar showers
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Bike stand
- Lube
- First aid kit
Bring or rent
- Mountain bike
- Helmet
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Cycling & camp clothing
- Rain gear
- Personal items
- Tipping cash (10-20%)
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
-A DAY WITH-
Western Spirit
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