Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute can offer day hikes or backpacking trips led by experts to allow visitors to discover the Grand Canyon’s lower, lesser known reaches.
Grand Canyon National Park is expected to be visited by over 4.9 millions people in 2024. This makes it the most popular national park in the U.S. Here’s the problem: Only about 1 percent of these visitors go below the canyon rim.
You’ll find it strange when you consider this. Many people travel to the canyon rim in order to gaze at it, but very few go down into the canyon. And Grand Canyon Conservancy Field InstituteTour operator, who specializes in Grand Canyon tours, is trying to change this.
“I’ll always remember my first Grand Canyon trip in 2007. “I’ll never forget my first trip to Grand Canyon in 2007.” I was nine when I saw the canyon for the first time. Then my dad told me we were hiking down into it, and I was terrified,” Noelle Ritzman, a day tour and logistics specialist at Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute, told Travel + Leisure.
As we descended Bright Angel Trail, I began to feel less fearful. “The more we traveled, the more I was amazed by the colors of the canyon and the beauty that the landscape had to offer,” Ritzman said. The best adventures begin with uncertainty or fear, but end up inspiring us and changing us.
These hikes are in the Grand Canyon Winter and spring are the most common times for these projects to be completed. best times to visit The cooler temperatures and low crowds make it a great time to visit. The range of institute-led trips below rim includes beginner-friendly “Meet the CanyonThe “Hermit to South Bass Backpacking Trip” is a 10-day trip that lasts from six hours to ten days.
Ritzman stated that “many of our guides have lived, studied, or worked at Grand Canyon.” She said, “While these guides are full of fascinating facts and information, they really stand out because of their ability help visitors understand the Grand Canyon’s cultural and natural significance.” Their insights go far beyond the surface and foster a deeper understanding of both the natural wonders as well as the rich history which define this iconic landscape.
The Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute has planned a few larger excursions below the rim for this winter/spring.
Phantom Ranch Hiking Tour (Feb. 2–5, 2026)A trip to Grand Canyon bottom and a night at the famous Phantom Ranch.
Hermit to South Bass Backpacking: Deep Canyon Exploration (March 9–18, 2026)The western Tonto Trail is one of the longest trails of the canyon.
Havasupai Gardens: Introduction to Backpacking (April–May, 2026)This four-day backpacking trip is designed for beginners and families.
Horseshoe Mesa Backpacking: Canyon Stories (April 15–19, 2026)This multi-day trip, which Ritzman calls their “most immersive spring trip,” will take you to “one of the most remote locations and breathtaking views in the park.”
