The Primitive Trail at Devils Garden is the best day hike in the entire park. This is a strenuous hike. Begin your trek at the Devils Garden Parking Area and the end of the Park Road just beyond the famous Landscape Arch.
If you plan on hiking everything including the spur trails, you’ll hike a total of nine miles. Give yourself four to five hours. This trail is, indeed, primitive with steep slopes, drop-offs, and few markers. You’ll see seven rock arches including Double O Arch, the famous Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, and even the Dark Angel rock formation.
The well-known Bright Angel Trail allows you to truly experience the Grand Canyon. It’s strenuous, includes countless switchbacks, and covers a total of 12 miles out and back. In the summer, this place can get extremely hot and dry.
You’ll need between six to eight hours. The trailhead is just west of the Bright Angel Lodge near the mule corral. Your descent is initially steep and continues to the Colorado River. Check out the view at Plateau Point, (Have a free weekend? Hike the entire Grand Canyon rim to rim like yours truly did.)