January 9, 2025 | Since 2007, Backcountry Found has been the contracted outfitter for the REI Adventures (Experiences) Grand Canyon wilderness backpacking trips. As of January 8, REI Experiences has closed shop and canceled all future departures.

If you would like to re-book your 2025 South Rim trip directly with us, use the form below on this page.

GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM

4 Day Backpacking Trip

Backcountry solitude away from the crowds, breathtaking views at every turn, intimate riparian oasis, unparalleled stargazing, and the very best guides in the desert southwest. This will be your adventure into the rugged and spectacular wilderness backcountry on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It's a challenging but extremely rewarding 4 day backpacking trip that shows off the very best that the Grand Canyon has to offer.

We have perfected this itinerary over the past 17 years to provide an unsurpassed experience. Our guides have a combined total of over 900 days on this route alone. We know the trails, terrain, geology, fossils, plants, animals, history, astronomy and all the secret spots that you'd never see if you came on your own. In short, we know our stuff and you're in for an adventure of a lifetime.

Trip Length: 4 days, 3 nights
Difficulty: Very Strenuous
Meeting location: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

Trip beings at 7:30 AM on Day 1 and ends in the late afternoon on Day 4. Trips are not confirmed until a permit has been secured from the Grand Canyon Backcountry Office.

WHAT WE PROVIDE: Permit, guides with Wilderness First Responder certifications, tents & ground cloths, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, cooking equipment, water filters and other group gear and first aid kits.

YOU NEED TO BRING: Adventurous spirit, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, hiking footwear that is well broken-in, water bottles and/or hydration bladder to carry 4 liters minimum, lunches & snacks, headlamp, eating bowl & utensil, camp shoes or sandals and rain jacket. A complete gear list will be sent after registering.

$950 per person

Maximum group size is 11 people (9 guests plus 2 guides).
Minimum group size is 4 guests plus 1 guide.

IMPORTANT:

• This trip is VERY STRENUOUS. Training for this trip is REQUIRED and not optional. You are required to engage in backpacking-specific training sufficient for you to complete this trip as safely and as comfortably as possible. Your training program must include backpacking with a weighted backpack, in the hiking footwear you will wear during the trip, over long and steep trails. Further training guidelines will be sent by email after you have registered for the trip.

• You will be carrying about 35 pounds in your backpack and hiking on rocky, steep, and unmaintained trails through remote areas of the Grand Canyon backcountry.

• Daily mileage can be up to 10-12 miles with elevation change in excess of 4,000’ gain or loss in a single day. There may be brief sections of scrambling up or down.

• In addition to your own gear, you will be asked to carry 8-10 pounds of group gear/food.

• Travelers who do not adequately prepare for this trip place themselves, their fellow travelers, and their guides in danger. Evacuations from the Grand Canyon backcountry can be very time-consuming and complicated. While the guides carry a satellite communication device, evacuations by helicopter are never guaranteed. Your advance preparation is required for this trip to be a safe and fun experience for everyone.