Grand Canyon Bike Rides – South Kaibab Trailhead
Connector to Greenway Trail in Mather CampgroundThis is the third (and last) post in a short series about bike rides from Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park. The bike rides can also be done from Trailer Village (also in Grand Canyon National Park) and in the opposite direction from Grand Canyon Camper Village – located in Tusayan.
To see the first post, Grand Canyon Bike Rides – Hermit’s Rest, click here. To see the second post, Grand Canyon Bike Rides – Tusayan, click here.
This bike ride is about a nine mile round trip ride from the Mather Campground. The great thing about this trail ride is that it goes along gorgeous canyon views. To begin, ride down the Mather campground road. Right after the Juniper Loop and right before the Maple Loop is a connector trail to the Grand Canyon Greenway Trail. Bikes are allowed on the Greenway Trail, but not the Rim Trail. Head down that connecting trail.
Take the connecting trail to the first interesection. Turn left to head to the Visitor Center. Ride past the connector to the Trailer Village campground. Make the next right turn, which heads to the canyon. You will have to cross Highway 64 which can be a busy road.
The route from Mather Campground to the South Kaibab Trailhead is highlighted.The first canyon overlook is Pipe Creek Vista.
The next overlook stop is the South Kaibab Trailhead.
To reach the third overlook, Yaki Point, from the South Kaibab Trailhead ride on Yaki Point Road (the orange path).
Once you’ve left the Trailhead, turn left at the intersection and follow the road to Yaki Point.
When you arrive at the canyon, bikes must go to the right. They are not allowed on the trail to the left. The first overlook you come to along this route is the Pipe Creek Vista. This is approximately three miles from Mather Campground. You can ride past the Pipe Creek Vista Overlook and continue on the Greenway to the South Kaibab Trailhead.
From the south Kaibab Trailhead you can continue to Yaki Point by riding on Yaki Point Road. Like Hermit’s Road, this part of the road is limited to shuttles and authorized vehicles. So, there is very little traffic. If a shuttle bus comes up behind you, you need to stop, dismount and move to the right before the shuttle will pass you.
The Greenway trail along the rim on this route is open to people walking. Leashed dogs are also allowed. Depending on the amount of visitors, this can be a bit of a challenge because the path is not that wide. Some international visitors may not understand you when you say, “On your left”. It may be less crowded by riding later in the day.
I would also mention that sometimes the trail gets close to the edge. I kept my eyes on the trail, and like always, I didn’t ride too fast.
It is an amazing bike ride.
For more info about bike riding in Grand Canyon National Park, see the official NPS website.
For more bike rides on paved (or hard surfaced) trails right from the campground, check out the RVing with Bikes app.
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