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Bright Angel Point

North Rim, Arizona

4.3/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

0.86 miles

Elevation Gain

361 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jared Blitz

Bright Angel Point Trail is the perfect hike for either hanging out at sunset with a beer or waking up and catching the sunrise with a cup of coffee.

The trailhead begins at the North Rim Lodge/Visitor Center that rests of the edge of the Grand Canyon and heads east until you reach Bright Angel Point a half mile later.  It's connected to the large outdoor patio where visitors are allowed to relax and enjoy a beer in the evening or cup of coffee in the morning with the Grand Canyon mere feet in front of you.

What you'll notice most about the trail is how it juts out into the middle of the Grand Canyon, providing an up-close-and-personal feeling that you can't get on any trail on the South Rim without a lot of effort.  It's one of the more spectacular views of the Grand Canyon you'll come across.  Both the sunrise and sunset should be experienced for the way each lights up the canyon a bit differently.  If you're lucky enough to have a full moon or be there during the supermoon it adds a whole other element to both times of day.  Keep in mind that if you are a photographer and you hate crowds of people sunrise is the best time to get out.  Unfortunately, everyone wants to hang out during sunset, which can cause some issues if you're trying to use a tripod.

The Bright Angel Point Trail is handicap accessible, which is awesome because it allows visitors with physical disabilities to still get that feeling of being away from the rim while still being on it.

It does tend to be windy on the rim, so make sure you're careful if you decide to climb any rocks.  Bright Angel Point offers you an opportunity to climb a couple of stacked, giant rocks.  They're stable, but one bad step and you become a Grand Canyon legend.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Groups
Picnic Area
Romantic
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife
ADA Accessible

Reviews

The viewpoint is very easy to get to and a get place to relax and take in the views

If you're staying at the lodge Bright Angel Point is perfect, otherwise it's a bit unnecessarily developed compared to other trails and viewpoints on the rim. Pretty nice sunrise spot, but other viewpoints on Point Imperial Road would definitely have less people.

Bright Angel Point is easy to get to and is an excellent place to relax after a long day of hiking. It snowed during my visit, so I took in the sunset with a hot cup of Joe.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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