Ooh-Aah-Point & Cedar Ridge from South Kaibab Trailhead – Grand Canyon National Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Ooh-Aah-Point & Cedar Ridge from South Kaibab Trailhead – Grand Canyon National Park

Moderate

3.4

(22)

hikers

Ooh-Aah-Point & Cedar Ridge from South Kaibab Trailhead – Grand Canyon National Park

02:15

4.75km

330m

Hiking

A hike in the largest of all canyons is always worthwhile. The feeling of leaving the viewpoints along the so-called South Rim, which can be reached by car, and diving into the depths of the Grand Canyon is unique. You don't even have to go all the way down to the Colorado River. Fantastic views await you on this hike to Ooh-Aah Point and Cedar Ridge, where you only have to climb a good 300 meters.

To get to the South Kaibab Trailhead, where the trail starts, take the shuttle from the Visitor Center (orange line). From here it goes straight down. Make sure you take enough water with you, because you won't find any along the way. After a kilometer and a half of descent you reach Ooh-Aah Point, which rightly lives up to its name. The deep red Cedar Ridge stretches beneath you, while the edge of the North Rim rises opposite, revealing the numerous ancient layers of earth.

At this point you have already descended 200 meters into the Grand Canyon. If you want to go further, you can wind your way down a few switchbacks and another 110 meters to Cedar Ridge. On the small plateau you will not only enjoy a great view, but you will also find a wooden hut with a toilet. With a bit of luck you will even meet a few cowboys on their mules who are transporting supplies and mail to and from the Phantom Ranch on the Colorado River. Take a deep breath and then head back up the same steep path to the trailhead.

by VisitTheUSA

Last updated: December 16, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Grand Canyon National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

37 m

South Kaibab Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

The South Kaibab Trailhead is leading to one of the two corridor trails through the Grand Canyon: the South Kaibab Trail. There is no parking at the trailhead. To get here, you have to take the shuttle (orange line) that starts at the visitors center. There are restrooms at the trailhead and a water spigot. If you plan to hike down the canyon, take plenty of water with you and avoid the heat. There is no shade or water source on the trail. Be aware that the way down is the easy part. Always remember that you have to climb all the way out.

The South Kaibab Trail is also part of the 800 mile Arizona National Scenic Trail that stretches from the Mexican border to Utah stateline.

Tip by

458 m

Aircondition Rock

Highlight • Viewpoint

This point on the trail offers a cool view down into the canyon. The canyon walls look like they are covered in wavy stripes. This is due to the compacting of various sediments from different time periods, producing different colors stacked on top of each other.

Tip by

1.46 km

Ooh Aah Point

Highlight • Viewpoint

This gorgeous view into the Grand Canyon is just some minutes and a little elevation from the South Kaibab Trailhead. If you are not planning on going all the way down, this is the point you should go to in order to enjoy the beautiful panorama. The most prominent feature that you can see is Cedar Ridge with the South Kaibab Trail snaking around its eastern flank.

Tip by

2.35 km

Cedar Ridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

Cedar ridge is a nice view point and also a convenient turning point, if you are just on a day hike. There is even a pit toilet, but no water. If you are lucky, you can see some real cowboys coming up from Phantom Ranch on their mules.

Tip by

4.75 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.65 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.61 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,190 m)

Lowest point (1,860 m)

Weather

Today

Tuesday 6 October

26°C

9°C

19 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 28, 2024,Wanderung South Kaibab Trail bis Cedar Ridge

A video of the hike can be found here:

Showing Translation

December 15, 2025,🇺🇸 Walk Grand Canyon, Kaibab trail, via Ooh en Aah point naar Cedar Ridge

Watch the video of this fun walk here:

Showing Translation

December 20, 2022,USA-20221017-1: Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trailhead - Ooh-Aah-Point - Cedar Ridge

Hike on 10/17/2022:
For this morning we had planned a slightly longer hike into the canyon on the famous South Kaibab Trail.
To do this, however, you have to take the orange bus line, as there are no parking spaces at the starting point and access for vehicles is also prohibited.

Showing Translation

October 17, 2022,🇺🇲 USA-Tag 21: Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trailhead - Ooh-Aah-Point - Cedar Ridge

That was a great tour in the Canyon.. and above all only under 1000 people on the way. The ascent is a real challenge because of the many steps, even for a totally fit seventies like me 🤣

Showing Translation

October 9, 2024

A hike in the largest of all canyons is always worthwhile. The feeling of leaving the viewpoints along the so-called South Rim, which can be reached by car, and diving into the depths of the Grand Canyon is unique. You don't even have to go all the way down to the Colorado River. Fantastic views await

Translated by Google •