Plateau Point via Bright Angel Trail

Start off at Bright Angel Trailhead, then hike down into the Grand Canyon on one of the higher-quality trails. Hiking down to Plateau Point (furthest option) is well worth it.

The hike down is a total of 6 miles, with a 3,000 foot drop in elevation. As you can imagine, this means the way back out will be a little more challenging. The first 4 miles take you to the base of the canyon and the following 2 miles will lead you past Mather Campground to a scenic overlook of the Colorado River -- remember to bring your hat as this area is exposed. In fact, the whole 2 miles at the bottom is exposed and can reach temperatures up in the 100s (even in May). The water spickets are approximately every 1.5 miles, so plan accordingly.

The trip has several spots to get water and a couple bathroom stops on the way down. This trail is not very technical, but can be pretty challenging on the way down and back up. There are rescues every year for folks who don't factor in the difficulty that can be brought on due to the weather. Make sure you do your research and bring adequate supplies (water, shade, food).

If you want to stay overnight and make this an early or late day hike, there are sites available at Mather Campground.