Powell Plateau Trail

The Powell Plateau Trail is a very quiet, less-traveled trail in the northwestern portion of the park. This route stretches to a saddle and climbs the plateau, which is dotted with old-growth trees. This hike doesn’t feature the panoramic Grand Canyon view you might expect, but it’s a nice pick if you’ve seen the canyon already and want to experience a different side of the park.

This route has steep sections and some of it can be hot if the sun is out. Bring plenty of water, consider sun protection, and dress for the unpredictable weather on the North Rim. Since this route is so quiet, we also recommend having offline navigation available.

From the trailhead at the end of the road, the route dips down into a set of steep switchbacks. Across the short saddle, it’s all uphill to get onto the plateau. The trail hugs the edge of the plateau to its endpoint, where you’ll turn around and retrace your steps.