1.5-Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail

If you want a taste of the legendary Bright Angel Trail but you’re not keen on making up thousands of feet of elevation gain on the return trip, the hike to 1.5-Mile Resthouse could be the right in-between for you. This quick trip on the Grand Canyon’s most popular trail is ideal for beginner hikers or those with active kids who want to hike while visiting the canyon but who can’t commit to a challenging route.

Hikers bound for Indian Garden, Plateau Point, and many other parts of the canyon will descend Bright Angel Trail and pass the resthouses on the way. This hike calls the first resthouse the turnaround point, giving you a dose of the views without as much distance.

Bright Angel Trail is the most-used route in the entire canyon. It’s immaculately maintained, very easy to follow, and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. This is the Grand Canyon, after all. Two unique rock tunnels are built into the canyon walls along Bright Angel.

Even if this is an easier hike as far as Bright Angel Trail goes, it’s still one to prepare for given the conditions that can occur in the canyon. We recommend coming prepared with water, good boots, and weather-appropriate clothing. The conditions in the canyon can vary from scorching to chilly depending on the season.

From the well-marked Bright Angel Trailhead, you’ll take Bright Angel Trail as it curves through two wide traversing switchbacks before settling into a course of narrower, steeper turns. One of the tunnels is just a few steps into the hike and the other is at the top of the first set of switchbacks.
As you make your way down, make sure to pause and look up as you go. The view of the canyon changes with your descent and you’ll enjoy a closer look at the striations of the walls and unique foliage as you go.

At the resthouse, stop to soak up the views for another moment before getting ready for your return trip. Fill your water bottles if needed and then turn around to retrace your steps uphill to the trailhead.

Hiking Route Highlights

Grand Canyon

Revealing millions of years of geological history, the layered and massive Grand Canyon is a 3060 square mile canyon in Arizona. The canyon is 277.0mi long, up to 18.0mi wide and is over 6000ft at its deepest point. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon is now one of the world’s top natural attractions, bringing about 5 million visitors to its rim every year. Indigenous people have inhabited the canyon for many years, some considering it to be a holy site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there bathrooms on Bright Angel Trail?

There are bathrooms at the resthouses on the trail in addition to at Indian Gardens.

How wide is Bright Angel Trail?

Bright Angel Trail is 4ft wide.

Do you need a permit to hike Bright Angel Trail?

You only need a backcountry permit if you’ll be camping. Day hikes do not require permits beyond your entry to the park.