Bright Angel Trail packing checklist | Camp Check

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Trip details · Bright Angel Trail

# Bright Angel Trail packing checklist

*   Activity**Day hike**
*   Park**Grand Canyon National Park, AZ**
*   Nearest**Watchman Campground, 92 mi**

The classic South Rim trail into the canyon. Coming back up takes about twice as long as going down.

## Trip details

Distance

7.8 mi to the river (one way)

Elevation change

4,460 ft rim to river

Water

Seasonal at resthouses, mid-May to mid-Oct

Best season

Spring and fall (our pick)

### Source

*   [NPS: Backcountry trail distances](https://nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-distances.htm)
*   [NPS: Bright Angel Trail](https://www.nps.gov/places/000/bright-angel-trail.htm)

"Our pick" seasons are our own call.

## Packing list

Reset

Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 6

We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate)

Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there's a product suggestion.

1.  **Water bottle**Carry water even where there are taps, because the pipeline breaks.Need itHave it

    ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz

    $17.99 on Amazon

    Carry water even where there are taps, because the pipeline breaks.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

2.  **Water filter**Backup if the water stations are off.Need itHave it

    ![LifeStraw Personal Water Filter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610MT9qiRyL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

    $17.95 on Amazon

    Backup if the water stations are off.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

3.  **Sun hat**The Tonto Platform has no shade.Need itHave it

    ![Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat (UPF 50+)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71nSwoKNMCL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat (UPF 50+)

    $54.00 on Amazon

    The Tonto Platform has no shade.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVYH5FFT/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

4.  **Headlamp**For the long climb out.Need itHave it

    ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    Petzl Tikka Headlamp

    $34.95 on Amazon

    For the long climb out.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

5.  **Microspikes (winter)**The upper trail ices over in winter.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

6.  **Salty snacks**You lose electrolytes on the hot climb.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 12, 2026, and may have changed.

## Photos

![Grand Canyon National Park Bright Angel Trail - Sunset 0162 (6924462211)](/photos/bright-angel-trail-1.webp)

Photo: [Grand Canyon National Park](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canyon_National_Park_Bright_Angel_Trail_-_Sunset_0162_\(6924462211\).jpg) · [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · Wikimedia Commons

![Grand Canyon National Park, Top of Bright Angel Trail 0069p - Flickr - Grand Canyon NPS](/photos/bright-angel-trail-2.webp)

Photo: [Grand Canyon National Park](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canyon_National_Park,_Top_of_Bright_Angel_Trail_0069p_-_Flickr_-_Grand_Canyon_NPS.jpg) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates **36.0575°N 112.1440°W**

Elevation **6,860 ft**

Park **Grand Canyon National Park, AZ**

Time now **UTC --:--:--**

[](/spots/angels-landing)[](/spots/watchman-campground)[](/spots/the-narrows)[](/spots/west-rim-trail)[](/spots/delicate-arch)[](/spots/devils-garden-campground)[](/spots/navajo-loop-queens-garden)[](/spots/sunset-campground)[](/spots/kings-peak)[](/spots/mirror-lake-campground)[](/spots/bright-angel-trail)

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**Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price.

**AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy.

**Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others.

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