Kaibab Plateau, a high-elevation region in northern Arizona, is characterized by its extensive forests of aspen, spruce-fir, and ponderosa pine, interspersed with subalpine grasslands and mountain meadows. This unique "island in the sky" environment, ranging from 6,000 to 9,200 feet, provides a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. The plateau's varied terrain and natural features make it suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
The Kaibab Plateau offers…
95
Routes
4.8
(735)
Average rating
8506
People visited

4.9
(163)
1,450
hikers
10.1km
04:33
630m
630m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

2.0
(2)
54
hikers
16.3km
07:54
1,420m
300m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

42
hikers
3.57km
00:56
40m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
21
hikers
24.9km
06:53
430m
420m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(2)
96
riders
31.3km
01:51
380m
380m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

19
riders
75.8km
03:30
720m
720m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
22.7km
01:02
190m
190m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
41.6km
01:47
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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82
runners
15.1km
02:53
930m
930m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.0
(1)
15
runners
34.1km
04:08
530m
530m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

159
runners
33.4km
05:39
1,570m
1,570m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
61
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
14
riders
38.2km
03:37
610m
600m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
59.7km
05:39
960m
960m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
55.2km
05:20
1,000m
990m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

16.4km
01:33
260m
260m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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31.2km
02:00
430m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

26.9km
02:06
390m
390m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14.0km
01:23
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

35.7km
02:24
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Kaibab Plateau offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Jogging. The region features over 100 routes, providing diverse options for various skill levels. These routes have been explored by more than 75,000 visitors.
The Kaibab Plateau offers 75 hiking routes. Notable trails include segments of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, such as the Kaibab Plateau Trail, which passes through spruce, fir, and aspen forests. The Vishnu Overlook Trail is another scenic loop with views of the Grand Canyon. More details can be found in the Hiking in the Kaibab Plateau guide.
Yes, the Kaibab Plateau offers family-friendly hiking options. These trails are generally less strenuous and suitable for various ages. Specific routes can be explored through the Family-friendly hikes in the Kaibab Plateau guide.
Mountain biking is a popular activity on the Kaibab Plateau, with 13 dedicated routes. The Rainbow Rim Trail offers singletrack routes along the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Other options include sections of the Arizona Trail and old logging roads like the Tusayan Bike Trails. Consult the MTB Trails in the Kaibab Plateau guide for more information.
The Kaibab Plateau offers routes for both touring and road cycling. Arizona State Highway 67, the Kaibab Plateau–North Rim Parkway, is a scenic 44-mile (71 km) route from Jacob Lake to the Grand Canyon North Rim. Other forest roads and abandoned sections of Historic Route 66 also provide cycling opportunities. Guides like Cycling in the Kaibab Plateau detail these options.
The Kaibab Plateau spans approximately 1,152 square miles (2,984 sq km). Elevations on the plateau range from 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) to 9,200 feet (2,804 meters). This high elevation contributes to its distinct forested environment.
The Kaibab Plateau is characterized by extensive forests of aspen, spruce-fir, and ponderosa pine, interspersed with subalpine grasslands. It is bounded on the south by the Grand Canyon, offering numerous viewpoints. The Esplanade, also known as "Sand Rocks," is a notable red Permian sandstone formation. The plateau is also home to the endemic Kaibab squirrel.
Routes in the Kaibab Plateau have an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on feedback from more than 6,000 community members. Over 75,000 visitors have explored the 104 available routes in the region.
Yes, the Kaibab Plateau includes options for easy hikes. These routes are suitable for those seeking less challenging terrain. The Easy hikes in the Kaibab Plateau guide provides specific recommendations for these trails.
The Kaibab National Forest manages much of the Kaibab Plateau. For official information, the Kaibab National Forest website is a primary resource. Contact can also be made by phone at the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center (Jacob Lake) at 928-643-7298 or the North Kaibab Ranger District at 928-643-7395.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for the Kaibab Plateau. These include guides for Hiking, MTB Trails, Cycling, and Running Trails. There are also specialized guides for family-friendly and easy hikes.

