• 70 things to take

What Should I Take to the Grand Canyon

Water, salty snacks, a hat and sunscreen first: what to pack for the canyon, part by part.

What Should I Take to the Grand Canyon

  1. Plain waterFirst on the Park Service's summer list of hiking essentials.
  2. Electrolyte drink mixThe Park Service says to carry plain water and some form of electrolyte replacement.
  3. PretzelsOne of the salty snacks the Park Service's summer list names.
  4. Salted crackersThe Park Service's summer list prefers salty foods such as pretzels, crackers and chips in the hot season.
  5. ChipsRangers who work in the inner canyon list them among their own trail snacks.
  6. Cheese crackersThe park's summer hiking page names them as a favorite of inner canyon rangers.
  7. High-energy food for the climb outThe park's summer list pairs it with salty snacks and says to stop and eat often.
  8. More than one refillable bottleOnly two trails have drinking-water taps, the Park Service says, and they may be shut off.
  9. Water purification tabletsOn the Park Service's Hiking Tips list, with a map, a compass and a first aid kit.
  10. Water kept in the carThe park's safety page says to carry water in your car, above all in summer.
  11. Water for the Rim TrailThe Park Service notes there is no water on the Rim Trail west of Bright Angel Lodge.
  12. Insulated bottleIce in the morning is cold water at noon.
  13. Lunch packed before you enter the parkThen a queue at a cafe never decides when you eat.
  14. Drinking tube and bladder for your packYou sip as you walk and never dig for a bottle.

Next step Draw one more snack for the packDraw a landscape to photograph

All 70 things to take

Water and salt 14

  • Cheese crackers The park's summer hiking page names them as a favorite of inner canyon rangers.
  • Chips Rangers who work in the inner canyon list them among their own trail snacks.
  • Drinking tube and bladder for your pack You sip as you walk and never dig for a bottle.
  • Electrolyte drink mix The Park Service says to carry plain water and some form of electrolyte replacement.
  • High-energy food for the climb out The park's summer list pairs it with salty snacks and says to stop and eat often.
  • Insulated bottle Ice in the morning is cold water at noon.
  • Lunch packed before you enter the park Then a queue at a cafe never decides when you eat.
  • More than one refillable bottle Only two trails have drinking-water taps, the Park Service says, and they may be shut off.
  • Plain water First on the Park Service's summer list of hiking essentials.
  • Pretzels One of the salty snacks the Park Service's summer list names.
  • Salted crackers The Park Service's summer list prefers salty foods such as pretzels, crackers and chips in the hot season.
  • Water for the Rim Trail The Park Service notes there is no water on the Rim Trail west of Bright Angel Lodge.
  • Water kept in the car The park's safety page says to carry water in your car, above all in summer.
  • Water purification tablets On the Park Service's Hiking Tips list, with a map, a compass and a first aid kit.

Sun and heat 12

  • Bandana On the park's summer list as a way to cool off: wet it at a water source and wear it.
  • Cooler with ice in the car Cold drinks wait for you at the end of the walk.
  • Cotton T-shirt for a summer hike The Park Service says cotton holds water well, which is great in the desert.
  • Light trousers that dry fast They shade your legs and dry quickly after a soaking at a water station.
  • Lip balm with sunscreen The park's winter gear list for the North Rim names a sunscreen lip block.
  • Long-sleeved sun shirt The park's summer list asks for sun protection layers, to keep the sun off you.
  • Small towel to soak The park's summer list names towels, with bandanas and spray bottles, as a portable way to cool off.
  • Spray bottle of water Listed by the Park Service with bandanas and towels as a portable way to cool off.
  • Sunglasses Named in the Park Service's Hiking Tips beside sunscreen and a hat.
  • Sunscreen The park's safety page says to use sunblock and reapply it through the day.
  • Wide-brimmed hat A hat is on the Park Service's summer list and in its Hiking Tips.
  • Windshield sun shade A car left at a viewpoint all afternoon is an oven without one.

For the rim 16

  • Bag for your trash The Park Service says all trash, even what would rot, is carried out of the canyon.
  • Binoculars For the far rim and for birds riding the air below you.
  • Camera and a spare battery Sunrise and sunset are when everyone's battery runs out.
  • Comfortable walking shoes Enough for the Rim Trail: the Park Service says part of it is paved and accessible.
  • Extra set of car keys The park's safety page asks for one: it could be a long wait for a locksmith.
  • Flashlight for the walk back from sunset Paths away from the lodges are dark once the color goes.
  • Full tank of gas The safety page says to keep the tank full, as the next station may be far down the road.
  • Lens with a long zoom The park says to stay 100 feet from elk, deer and bighorn sheep. A zoom closes the gap.
  • Offline map on your phone Download it before you arrive, and do not count on a signal at the viewpoints.
  • Park map On the park's summer and winter lists: many trails are well marked, they say, but a map helps.
  • Park pass or the entrance fee The park says South Entrance lines can reach two hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on busy days.
  • Power bank Photos, maps and a cold morning all drain a phone.
  • Sit pad for a sunset viewpoint The park says to keep at least six feet from the edge. A pad makes the wait comfortable.
  • Tripod For the low light at dawn and dusk. Set it up behind the railing.
  • Warm layer for the rim The South Rim is at 7,000 feet and the North Rim at 8,000, by the Park Service's figures.
  • Windproof jacket Viewpoints stand in the open, and the wind finds them.

For a hike below the rim 16

  • A turnaround time, written down The Park Service says to allow a third of your time to go down and two thirds to climb out.
  • Backcountry permit, for a night below the rim The Park Service asks for one to camp in the canyon. Day hikes need none.
  • Blister care Named among the common canyon first aid items, with bandages and an elastic wrap.
  • Broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes The park's summer list asks for good traction on rocky, steep and uneven ground.
  • Compass The Park Service's Hiking Tips say to bring a map and a compass.
  • Day pack The park's Hiking Tips say to travel light: food and water should be the heaviest things in it.
  • First aid kit On the Park Service's summer list, its winter list and its Hiking Tips.
  • Flashlight The Park Service says not to rely on your phone as a light.
  • Hand sanitizer First on the Park Service's list of common canyon first aid items.
  • Headlamp for a start before dawn The Park Service says to plan a summer hike so you are not walking from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Hiking poles The park's Hiking Tips say sticks take stress off your legs. Its winter list adds footing on icy trails.
  • Rain poncho or jacket On the park's summer list as waterproof clothing, for the monsoon from mid-July to early September.
  • Signal mirror For emergency use, like a whistle. The park's winter list adds: know how to use your equipment.
  • Sleeping bag and pad, for a night at the bottom Both are on the park's gear list for a North Rim winter trip.
  • Spare batteries On the park's summer list with a flashlight, so you can hike out in the cool hours of the day.
  • Whistle For emergency use, the park's summer and winter lists both say.

For winter 12

  • Extra set of dry clothing The park's winter list asks for one in case you get wet.
  • Fleece or down jacket A polar fleece or down jacket is on the park's gear list for a North Rim winter trip.
  • Gaiters The park's winter list has them to keep snow and mud out of your boots.
  • Gloves The park's winter list names them, with a parka and a hat, for the snow and rain.
  • Leave at home in winter: jeans and cotton layers The Park Service says they hold moisture against your skin on a North Rim winter trip.
  • Over-the-shoe traction devices The park's winter list says one short, unexpected stretch of ice makes you glad you have them.
  • Parka The park's winter list asks for waterproof, warm clothing: a parka, a hat and gloves for snow and rain.
  • Warm hat On the park's winter list with a parka and gloves, for the snow and rain.
  • Waterproof boots Named as the footwear on the Park Service's winter list.
  • Waterproof outer layer The park's North Rim winter gear list asks for one, and says to come prepared for deep snow.
  • Wool or synthetic base layer The park's North Rim winter gear list asks for a merino wool blend or synthetic.
  • Wool-blend socks The park's North Rim winter gear list asks for socks in a merino wool blend or synthetic.

How it works

What should I take to the Grand Canyon? Water, salty food and sun protection, on the rim or below it. These 70 things cover both, with winter and what to wear. Unofficial, and not affiliated with the National Park Service.

Read the full guide

Where the list comes from

Most lines follow the Hike Smart, Hiking Tips, Winter Hiking and Safety pages that Grand Canyon National Park publishes on nps.gov. A line that names the Park Service, the park or one of its lists is from those pages; the rest is our own packing advice. Conditions change, so read the park's Key Hiking Messages before you go.

The rim, or below it

A day at the viewpoints needs little: water, a hat, sunscreen, walking shoes and a warm layer, since the South Rim is at 7,000 feet. Below the rim the Park Service warns that there are no easy trails into or out of the canyon, and its list of essentials applies.

  • The Park Service says to plan on the hike up taking twice as long as the hike down.

Questions and answers

What should I pack for a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon?

The Park Service's essentials: water and electrolytes, salty snacks, a first aid kit, a map, broken-in boots, a flashlight with spare batteries, sun protection and a whistle. It says not to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day.

What should I wear to the Grand Canyon?

In summer, a hat, sunglasses, sun protection layers and broken-in boots or trail shoes. In winter the Park Service lists a parka, a hat, gloves and waterproof boots, and for a North Rim winter trip it rules out cotton and jeans.

What should I take to the Grand Canyon in winter?

The Park Service's winter list adds over-the-shoe traction devices, hiking poles, gaiters and an extra set of dry clothing. It says the upper Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails may be extremely icy in winter or early spring.

Is there drinking water on the Grand Canyon trails?

Only the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails have drinking-water taps, the Park Service says, and those may be out of service. The Rim Trail has no water west of Bright Angel Lodge. Check water status at the visitor center before you set out.

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