Hike to Ribbon Falls

North Rim, Arizona

Description

Distance: 3.2 miles roundtrip from Cotton Wood CampgroundElevation gain: 360 ftSeclusionCool dip on a hot dayBeautiful waterfallGreat photo opportunity

See this awesome waterfall and go for a cool dip on a hot day with an easy side trip of 1.6 miles from Cottonwood Camp in the inner canyon. It is a great place to take a break or have lunch. The rock face alone if 50 feet, and there is a shallow pool at the bottom you can play in. The greenery contrasted with the red rock make it a very cool location to take some pictures.

Start at Cottonwood Camp and head north on the North Kaibab Trail. The trail is marked and there are signs so it is difficult to miss. Spend as much time as you like in the pool and scrambling rocks to climb up behind the falls. This is one of the highlights of a Rim to Rim hike, so make sure not to skip it!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Camping

Photography

Backpacking

Hiking

River

Scenic

Waterfall

Wildlife

Swimming Hole

Hike to Ribbon Falls Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Bright Angel Point

The trailhead begins at the North Rim Lodge/Visitor Center that rests of the edge of the Grand Canyon and heads east until you reach Bright Angel Point a half mile later. It's connected to the large outdoor patio where visitors are allowed to relax and enjoy a beer in the evening or cup of coffee in the morning with the Grand Canyon mere feet in front of you. What you'll notice most about the...

Ribbon Falls via North Kaibab Trailhead

Although this hike can feasibly done in a day, it is highly recommended that you spend more than one day in this area and visit the falls as a side trip on a larger trip. The closest campsites to Ribbon Falls are Cottonwood Campground and the Bright Angel Campground at Phantom Ranch. Ribbon Falls is on the North Kaibab Trail which has a trailhead at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trai...

Grand Canyon: Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim

Day 1 Start at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park at the North Kaibab Trail. You have 14 miles and 5,761 feet of elevation to descend to the Bright Angel Campground, so bring those trekking poles if you have bad knees (like myself). Along the North Kaibab Trail a few noteworthy trail markers are the Supai Tunnel, Roaring Springs, the Pump House Ranger Station, and the Cottonwood Camp...

Point Sublime

Its name says it all; this panoramic viewpoint at the north rim of the Grand Canyon is sublime: of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe. For newcomers to the Grand Canyon, this view might just leave you speechless! A relatively few people get to experience Point Sublime, largely due to the rough and narrow 14 mile dirt road that needs to be traversed to re...

Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls via North Kaibab Trail

Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls via North Kaibab Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you to stunning Ribbon Falls in Grand Canyon National Park located near North Rim, Arizona. This trail makes for a long hike especially if doing it one day, so be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and sun coverage. No dogs permitted.

Sunset Hike the Cape Royal Trail

This is a very easy "hike" at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive itself is a little long and winding (keep your eye out for deer that bolt across the narrow road, especially at night), but the easy walk that takes you through a plethora of marked, detailed desert life completed by the Grand Canyon conservationists that ends in an amazing view from the rim is worth it. The view is ...