Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Packing List

What to Wear

Shorts

Tank top (with straps wide enough to go under pack straps)

Long-sleeve sun shirt (Lightweight sun hoody is best)

Smart Wool socks

Trail-runner style hiking shoes

Low top gaiters

What to Bring (Snacks and Drinks)

Hydration bladder (at least 3L)

2- 20 oz. bottles Gatorade OR 1 20 oz bottle to add Nunn-brand electrolyte tabs

1 24-oz insulated bottle to be filled with ice and a flavored liquid

Assorted trail mix/granola bars & protein bars

2 baggies grapes

1 peeled orange *Add to 20 oz water bottle for flavor and a snack in one place.

Pretzels or Cheeze-It crackers (Think SALT!)

Raisins and dried apricots (Potassium to prevent cramping.)

Turkey jerky sticks, cheese sticks

Snack bags with peanut M&Ms, candy corn, &/or Hot Tamale candies (quick energy, especially for the final push)

Gear

Daypack *We are a fan of the Osprey Sirrus for day hikes. The men’s version is called the Osprey Stratos. For more options, check out our daypack review.

Headlamp with new batteries *Bring extra pack of batteries.

Sunglasses 

Blistex lip balm/lip sunscreen

Ziploc bag for trash

Cheap/small “emergency rain poncho” (Or a large trash bag)

Hiking poles

Emergency blanket*

Steri-pen*

Garmin In-Reach mini device*

Reservations printed

Frogg Toggs towel Note: Cooling towel is perfect for those middle hours of hiking.

NOTE: Items with an *asterisk indicates one of these items per party.

PRO TIP: Don’t own a good hiking daypack? We love Osprey’s Packfinder Tool. Osprey makes some of the world’s best daypacks and overnight backpacks, in our combined 50+ years of experience hiking and backpacking. And they have great customer service.

Personal Items

Phone

NOTE: There is no cell service IN the canyon with spotty service on the rims.

Camera

Bandaids

Kleenex

Hand sanitizer

Ibuprofen and Tylenol

Pepto and/or Imodium

Clean and dry t-shirt

Feminine products

Sunscreen

Sun Hat

Bandana or Buff

$20 bill

Credit card

Driver’s License and credit card

Emergency contact numbers

OPTIONAL ITEMS—depending on weather

Rain jacket and rain pants

Light windbreaker

Phone charger

GRAND CANYON PACK LIST FOR NON-HIKING DAYS

Long pants or leggings

Pair of capris

T-shirts—long and short sleeved (1 per rest day)

Fleece or jacket (Evenings cool off at the rim.)

Comfy shoes to walk around in (Birkenstocks, Tevas, or Chacos are great!)

Socks and underwear 

Personal hygiene items

Nightclothes

Book/journal

Your 2022 Guide to Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

Extra snacks/favorite beverage (There is a local campstore at both rims with limited options.)

NOTE: One can send a postcard from Phantom Ranch (at the bottom of the canyon) and it receives a special postmark. This is the only place in the US where US mail is carried by mule train. Bring a regular stamp. Purchase a postcard at the Grand Canyon store on one of the rims. 

Related Reading:

Grand Canyon North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim: South Kaibab to North Kaibab Trail

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