Ribbon Falls is one of the more easily accessed waterfalls in the depths of the Grand Canyon. Found far below the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, it’s most easily accessed while ascending or descending the North Kaibab Trail, adding only about 0.75 miles round trip to the journey. For the purposes of this write-up, it’s assumed you’re starting from the Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the North Kaibab Trail and ascending up.

Ribbon Falls Trail Description

From the Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch, head up the North Kaibab Trail as it ascends into the Vishnu Basement Rocks. The deep, dark towering walls quickly overtake the landscape as Bright Angel Creek begins rushing through the narrow chasm.

The narrow winding trail snakes through the deep rock walls as the trail, in many places, is barely wide enough for both the trail and creek. This continues for a few miles. Through the entire way one twist after another turn yields a similar yet somehow unique view of the massive canyon walls.

Continuing to ascend, you’ll start to see a change in the rock as the canyon walls get slightly wider and shallower. This marks the next layer up, the Tapeats Sandstone layer, where you continue twisting and turning through the canyon. This relatively thin layer doesn’t last very long, quickly giving way to the Bright Angel Formation.

At this point the canyon widens dramatically, opening up into a vast desert scene reminiscent of southern Arizona. Wander through the sprawling canyon and at 6.3 miles in, look for a well indicated fork branching off to the left.

The spur trail to Ribbon Falls is another 0.4 miles, navigating over Bright Angel Creek before reaching vegetation at the mouth of a side canyon. Work your way through the bushes and shrubbery as you wind along the creek that fuels Ribbon Falls. The trail won’t be as obvious as the North Kaibab Trail, but it’s also not terribly hard to follow. As you continue along the stream, the rush of Ribbon Falls grows as it emerges through the trees. At last you reach a lush desert oasis with a 100-foot waterfall pouring over a canyon ledge and onto a large travertine buildup covered in bright green moss. Enjoy the setting as long as you’d like and head back out the same way you came in. If your destination is the North Rim, continue ascending the North Kaibab Trail by heading left back at the junction.

Getting There

From the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, descend the North Kaibab Trail to the Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch. From the South Rim, descend the South Kaibab Trail to the same destination, crossing the Colorado River along the Black Suspension Bridge.