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Equines (horses, mules, donkeys, and burros) are allowed on a few designated Grand Canyon National Park trails. Llamas, goats, and other private stock are prohibited. Both in-state and out-of-state residents are requested to bring a health certificate with negative Coggins test for each animal. Riders accept responsibility for their personal safety. Notify park rangers immediately of any animal injury or fatality. Owners are responsible for the removal of dead or injured animals.
The National Park Service requires all stock groups to check in at the Backcountry Information Center by phone (928-638-7875) or in person prior to riding. While in the canyon, please carry and follow the guidance presented here and the regulations provided with your backcountry use permit.
Trails Open to Equines:
South Rim
- Bright Angel Trail
- South Kaibab Trail
- River Trail between South Kaibab and Bright Angel along the Colorado River
- Tonto Trail between the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails (attempt to register with ranger at Indian Garden)
- Plateau Point Trail from Indian Garden
North Rim (Kaibab Plateau)
- North Kaibab Trail
- Ken Patrick Trail
- Uncle Jim Trail
- Arizona Trail
- All primitive roads
Go with the Flow:
To match the direction of other mounted trail users, including the commercial mule rides, riders should travel in these directions and times:
Bright Angel Trail
Downhill: dawn to 12:00 noon
Uphill: Phantom Ranch to Indian Garden - arrive Indian Garden by 9:00 a.m. or depart Phantom Ranch after 1:00 p.m. Indian Garden to Trailhead - after 12:00 noon
South Kaibab Trail
Downhill: after 1:00 p.m.
Uphill: before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 a.m.
North Kaibab Trail
Downhill: prior to 7:00 a.m.
Uphill: Phantom Ranch to Roaring Springs - anytime
Roaring Springs to Trailhead - after 1:00 p.m. only; depart Roaring Springs after Canyon Trail Rides. To increase safety, private horse users must allow the mules to go before them up the trail. Please tie up as soon as you arrive at Roaring Springs.
If your group meets a string of mules, the mule string has the right-of-way. Find a safe place to get as far off the trail as possible. If there is no safe place to yield right-of-way, you must backtrack to a suitable location and allow the mule string to pass.
Winter Use: Caulked shoes are required when snow or ice is present or anticipated on trails, generally December through March.
Trailhead Parking:
South Rim - Day use parking is available in the dirt parking lot below and south of El Tovar Hotel by the railroad tracks (Lot D). Overnight riders should use the pull-through spaces in Lot E near the Backcountry Information Center.
North Rim - Stop by the Backcountry Office and inquire about using the CC Hill Road (gated). Parking is extremely limited at the North Kaibab Trailhead. Do not block traffic.
Day Use:
Though day use of trails does not require a permit, please check in at the Backcountry Information Center prior to riding. See feed and water suggestions below.
South Rim - These 6-8 hour day rides do not require a permit:
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Plateau Point: Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point and return via the Bright Angel Trail.
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Tonto Trail Day Ride (ride in a clockwise, west to east, direction): Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden, east on the Tonto Trail, and return to the rim via the South Kaibab Trail.
North Rim
Overnight Use:
Party size: Stock trips are limited to 6 people and 12 equines.
Rim horse camps: Two rim camps accommodate one equine group each per night. The South Rim Horse Camp is located ½ mile from the Bright Angel Trailhead with non-potable water, trash can, fire pit and two small holding pens on site. The North Rim Horse Camp (open May 16 – Oct 15) is located ¼ mile from the North Kaibab Trailhead and has a pit toilet, potable water, and a small holding pen on site. At least one person must camp with the stock.
Inner canyon campgrounds: Two inner canyon campgrounds accept one equine group per night. Bright Angel Campground lies at the bottom of the canyon near the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch; Cottonwood Campground is along the North Kaibab Trail.
Pack strings: A rider may lead no more than five head. Pack stock must be led, tied together in single file. Loose herding is not allowed.
Permits: A Backcountry Permit is required for any overnight use. Permit requests can be made on the first of the month, four months prior to the proposed start date by mail, fax (928-638-2125), or in person. Backcountry Permit fees: $10 for the permit plus $5 for each person and each equine per night. For example, a permit for three riders and five horses to camp one night would cost $50—$10 for the permit + $40 for the impact fee (8 x $5). To obtain a Permit Request Form or for more information, contact the Backcountry Information Center or visit Backcountry Permit page.
Phantom Ranch: Guests bringing equines and staying at the commercial facilities at Phantom Ranch must have at least one member of their group camp with their animals. A Backcountry Use Permit for Bright Angel Campground is required.
Feed and Water:
Equine users must pack their own feed; 20 pounds per animal per day is recommended. No grazing permitted. To prevent the introduction of nonnative plants, use only certified weed free forage (hay, straw, mulch) in the front country. No forage may be taken beyond a trailhead into the backcountry. Pack pelletized feed, hay cubes, or grain products instead. Stock groups must be prepared to display proof of certified forage via tags or string on bales or printed certificates.
Feed should be carefully stored. Rodent-proof, lightweight storage containers are recommended, as paper and cloth are ineffective against determined squirrels and mice. If feed is not kept in containers, use a long rope to hang feed from pack poles. Water stock whenever possible.
Water is available at the Indian Garden day-use area (no overnight use), and Bright Angel and Cottonwood Campgrounds. Animals can also be watered directly from natural water sources where streams cross maintained trails: Pipe Creek on the lower Bright Angel Trail, Wall Creek on the North Kaibab Trail, and seasonally where the Tonto Trail crosses upper Pipe Creek. Equines are not allowed in streams above or below trail crossings. Use collapsible canvas buckets to carry water from other sources.
Weed-free feed sources:
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